Island Hopping in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu

The global pandemic has changed and affected the way we live our lives. It caused so much changed that I never thought that I’ll be going on a beach trip with my mask and face shield on. Nonetheless, I’m thankful that I was able to spend a great deal of time here in a Cebu together with the young and fun group of AirAsia Philippines.

If you are planning to go to Cebu from Manila, AirAsia offers two flight daily as of the moment – one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

With Kevin, CM, and Mari of AirAsia Philippines

together with Myke Soon of Mix of Everything

Coming in to Lapu-Lapu City is less hassle as the City doesn’t requite RT-PCR Test results from its guests, same goes with its neighboring City of Mandaue. But if you are booking your hotel at the province’s capital, which is the Cebu City, you might need to secure a negative-result RT-PCR Test, an approved S-Pass, and a two-way plane ticket.

Read here: AirAsia Driven to Boost Tourism in Cebu City, Launches New Programs and Inks Partnerships

Read here: Cebu City Readies for More Local Tourists with Four New Tourism Programs

Once you have all of this, you’re off to a great stay at the Queen City of the South – just make sure that you bring your facemasks and face shields on as some establishments require these as safety measures.

There are quite a number of great hotels and beach resorts in Lapu-Lapu City that are now accepting guests from different parts of the Philippines including Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort, Shangri-La Mactan, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa and more.

View the full list of accommodations establishments with certificate of compliance in Cebu Province here (data as of March 02, 2021)

The whole team assembled at 8 in the morning at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa Mactan, who graciously sponsored our feast aboard MV Mariap. This Island Tour is just one of the many activities you can experience while staying here Lapu-Lapu City, and this tour includes a boat transfer to some of Lapu-Lapu City’s top island destinations such as Caohagan and Sulpa Islands, which are part of Olanggo Group of Islands. We were also treated to an afternoon of fun snorkeling in Talima Marine Sanctuary where we were able to swim with the fishes and see some blossoming corals.

Caohagan Island
Famous for being the home of the fresh and exotic seafood, Caohagan was our first destination that morning. This little island, east of Cebu, is nestled on top of a marine-biodiversity-rich location that offers splendid activities that families and group of friends can enjoy.

For some beach bumming while devouring sumptuous seafood, you can stay on the white beach section of the island, there are some residents living in the island, who are also open to welcome guests in their homes if you wish to stay for a night. There are also cottages for rent if you opt for a more intimate time. We were told that the island also offers a nice white sandbar, unfortunately, when we arrived that morning, it was high-tide, hence most of the boats that were there just anchored along the visible coastline.

Sulpa Islet
Few minutes away from Caohagan Island, is this private island called Sulpa.
Boasts with relaxing vibe, this small island has been a hit to local tourists for its easy-to-navigate features. Though, when tourist flocked here, there’s really nothing much to do given that most of its shoreline are very rocky. But if you are up for a day tour, then this is a nice place to hangout since its mostly covered with bushy trees that will offer you tranquil moments - an autumn feel in June, I must say.

There’s something about this island that invites people, that’s why our group decided to have our lunch here along with other boats filled with happy local tourists who are enjoying some free time. Though, I must suggest that you still wear you mask when out of the water and interact with other guests.

Talima Marine Sanctuary

If there's one thing that I really love about Cebu is the balance of beauty of despite of being a progressive city. Its natural beauty is kept really well, no wonder a lot of tourists, may it be local or foreign prefers heading straight to this vibrant province as jump off for their memorable Philippines trip.

We spent most of our day in Talima Marine Sanctuary where we plunged and take a peek at Cebu's hidden beauty underneath is clear, blue waters.

If my colleagues are partying aboard MV Mariap, the fishes and corals in the Olango Reef Flat are enjoying the wondrous and colorful world underneath. Imagine seeing fishes bigger that your two palms combined swimming around as if they are not afraid to see human? I really enjoyed this moment despite of spending just few hours here.

Special thank to AirAsia Philippines for making this amazing trip possible - something that I really need to do after being locked up in Manila for more than year. Thanks too, to Cebu Tourism Council's Ms. Grace Melendres who shared us some exciting info about the Province, as well as to the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Cultural & Historical Affairs Commission for taking us around and making us try Cebu's Saang or “spider shells” or “scorpion conch” in English. This seafood is one of the famous street food that you can only try here in Cebu.