One of the best ways to truly enjoy Cebu is to completely immerse yourself in the thriving natural environment. One of the best ways to do so include exploring the beautiful islands and coasts nearby. With pristine sandy beaches and incredibly azure waters, here are some islands near Cebu to head to if you have a bit of extra time on your hands!
Bantayan Island
About four hours away from Cebu City, Bantayan Island is worth every effort. Many compare it to Boracay, with white sand and tranquil waters. Indeed, it is a little piece of heaven tucked away from the crowds.
There are many beachfront resorts on the island to enjoy luxurious pampering but the coolest thing you can do here is swim in underground caves!
Malapascua Island
A favorite spot for many divers, Malapascua Island offers the best of the sea. If you love snorkelling, you would find it highly rewarding to be swim with the manta rays and hammerheads.
The beaches are also incredible providing you the best views for sunrise and sunsets. For thrill-seekers, head on to the 15-meter cliff where you can cliff jump!
Carnaza Island
Traverse through the unpredictable Visayan Sea to get to the picturesque Carnaza Island! On this turtle-shaped island, you can find lush greenery and the beautiful blue skies reflected in absolutely clear waters. Less developed than the other islands, you have to make travel arrangements to set up camp here.
Mactan Island
Just a couple of kilometers away from Cebu City, Mactan Island is a growing destination for many travellers. Here, you can find many marine sanctuaries and coral reefs where you can properly enjoy and appreciate nature and marine wildlife. There are also many island tours included on this island so you can fully enjoy the many wonderful adventures Cebu offers all at once.
Olongo Island
Embodying six smaller islets, you can find a variety of things to do on Olongo Island including scuba diving, camping and various water sports. Many also come to experience the wildlife sanctuary in the area such as migratory birds that flock to the island from Northern China and Japan during the winter seasons. One of the islets have even been groomed and developed by locals and environmentalists to support incredible marine life underwater.
