ISLAND HOPPING EXPERIENCE IN THE HISTORICAL ISLAND OF THE EAST: MACTAN, CEBU CITY
ISLAND HOPPING EXPERIENCE IN THE HISTORICAL ISLAND OF THE EAST: MACTAN, CEBU CITY
Mactan Island is located in Central Cebu, Province of the Philippines. It is also the location of the gateway, and probably the “friendliest gateway”, of tourists, which is the Mactan Cebu International Airport. Mactan Island is well-known for its picturesque, crystal clear and beautiful white sand beaches.
Of course, the most common questions when you step into a new place are, “What are the ‘must visit’ places here?”, “Where can we find delicious foods here?”, and/or “What are the fun activities to do here?”.
While others are into City Tours and/or round south tours, there are actually a lot of “must try” and “go-to” places just right in the island of Mactan. Beaches, water activities, marine sanctuaries, famous hotels and resorts, etc., are always ready to welcome tourists and locals for their adventure.
If you are traveling with friends, one of the recommendable things to do here in Mactan is Island Hopping. With Cebu being surrounded by small, yet beautiful islands, with white sand beaches and blue water, Mactan Island Hopping is one of the “must try” experience in Cebu. A whole day of transferring from one island to other islands would be worth your time and money.
LOCATION OF THE ISLANDS IN MACTAN, CEBU CITY
Here, we can experience Island Hopping like no other. From the caring and loving people that will help you all the way to the respective islands that you wanted to go, up to the places that you can visit and the delicious foods that you can eat in the island. When it comes to budget, there are also a number of travel and tours agencies with budget-friendly rates that can help you in achieving your dream itinerary for island hopping in Mactan, Cebu at low costs.
HOW TO GET THERE?
From any point in the Philippines, you can take either a plane or a ferry going to Cebu City.
Regular flights to Cebu are available from Manila, Caticlan, Iloilo, Davao, Dumaguete, Puerto Princesa, Kalibo, Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, General Santos, and even Zamboanga in some of the Low-Cost Carrier airlines that you can choose and book from (PAL, Cebu Pacific or Air Asia).
You can also access Cebu City by ferry or Ro-Ro from Leyte, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, or from major northern Mindanao sea ports.
International guests can also take a direct flight to Cebu from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, or UAE (Dubai).
There are also different ways of transportation going to your Mactan Island Hopping Tour Adventure. From Cebu City, you can take a taxi going to Agus Blufins Port where you can deal directly with the boatman for your island-hopping adventure.
It is, indeed, fun to travel together with friends, and using public transportation could be very challenging and adventurous for everyone to do. For those who are on a tight budget and are up for a challenge in getting a ride, there are available public vehicles for you, such as Jeepney, V-Hire, and Taxis.
ISLAND DESTINATIONS
Nalusuan Island
Nalusuan island is not just your ordinary island. Apart from the white sand beach and crystal-clear waters, the island is also a marine sanctuary that preserves different kinds of coral reefs, fishes and other marine organisms.
For Nalusuan Island, it takes 45 minutes to an hour of travel time from the Agus Blufins Port.
The island also has a long boardwalk, where you can create instagrammable photos.
You can snorkel and swim with different kinds of fishes in the wide shallow waters around the island. If you want to add extra adventure and fun to your tour, you can choose from various water sports, such as Jetski and Banana Boat riding.
Of course, these water sports activities are more fun to do if you are with family or friends. So, if you are up to these activities, well, you better prepare those muscles and extra energy because you will be needing them.
After all the fun activities on your Island-Hopping Tour, you will need delicious food to regain some of your energy. Are you in for a scrumptious seafood lunch? You can dig into lots of kinds of delicious seafood while enjoying the beautiful view anywhere in the restaurant.
There are also accommodations and inns in the island where you can stay, if you wish to have a stay-cation here.
Hilutungan Island
Hilutungan Island marine sanctuary is one of the best places for beginners in scuba diving and snorkeling throughout the Mactan Island Hopping adventure.
This island is a marine life protected area. Because of the conservation efforts, you can observe or experience one of the best collections of marine species in the province.
It takes 20-30 minutes travel time from the port going to the island.
So, if you love snorkeling and scuba diving, Hilutungan Island is the best spot for you in the entire Mactan Island Hopping adventure experience!
Sulpa Island
Sulpa Island is one of the six satellite islands of Olango Island Group. It is a privately owned island, but is uninhabited by people.
The island is about one hectare in size. Camping is allowed, and there are cottages for visitors where they can enjoy their lunch and drinks.
Travel time from the port going to Sulpa Island is approximately, 20-30 minutes.
Since this is a private property, the owner asks for an entrance fee whenever a boat load-off visitor, or an individual decides to dock in and enjoy the place.
Pandanon Island
As one of the major highlights in our Mactan Island Hopping Adventure, Pandanon Island is a place where you can relax and just enjoy the view of its beautiful white sand beach.
There are also cottages in the island where you can eat your lunch or have your drinks, while experiencing the island vibe and having a nice view of the white sand beach.
You can also enjoy some delicious foods in the Island.
Travel time is approximately an hour and a half from the port going to Pandanon Island.
Although the area is not advisable for a good diving and snorkeling, because the water is not so deep, you can still enjoy swimming and having some picture taking by the bay in the island.
ISLAND HOPPING TRAVEL TIPS
When having a Mactan Island-Hopping adventure, it is also a must to bring some essentials while experiencing the tour. The following are suggested:
When having an island hopping, it is essential to have these things to enjoy more the beauty of the white sand beaches and the crystal-clear water that the islands have to offer.
These necessary things will protect you from the rays and too much heat from the sun. These can also prevent you from the different summer diseases like summer flu, heat stroke, or sunburn.
The islands have many delicious foods to choose from, but foods can still be brought for those who are in a tight budget and just wanted to spend their extra money for the island souvenirs, island activities or other services in the islands.
In an unexpected moment, it’s always necessary to be ready all the time. Bringing some medical kit with some medicines, alcohol, Betadine and bandages inside will be of big help.
Before heading to the Mactan Island Hopping destinations, it is also important to plan ahead your itinerary such as: What are the necessary fees to pay in the area? Which islands do you want to go? What are the activities that you wanted to do in every destination? and the like.
The Mactan Island Hopping Adventure is just one of the exciting activities and tours that you can experience in this Historical Island of the East.
The island has still more to offer, such as visiting other places like; The Mactan Shrine, the 10 Thousand Roses Cafe, or the Happy Museum. Even checking in and experiencing world-class Hotels in the island are also recommended!