Cebu · Philippines
Cebu Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Cebu tours and things to do in the heart of the Philippines: swim with whale sharks at Oslob, canyoneer through the turquoise pools of Kawasan Falls, snorkel the sardine run and sea turtles of Moalboal, island-hop the reefs off Mactan, explore the history of Magellan’s Cross in Cebu City, and day-trip to Bohol’s Chocolate Hills and tarsiers. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
351 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Cebu
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Cebu
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore Cebu by interest
Whatever brings you to Cebu — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Cebu
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Oslob Whale Sharks
Gentle giants.
60+ toursView tours
Kawasan Falls
Canyoneering.
50 toursView tours
Mactan Islands
Island hopping.
50 toursView tours
Moalboal
Sardine run.
40 toursView tours
Magellan’s Cross
City history.
30 toursView tours
Bohol
Chocolate Hills.
40 toursView tours
Sumilon Island
White sandbar.
20 toursView tours
Tumalog Falls
Cascade near Oslob.
30 toursView tours
3 days
Cebu in 3 days
- 1Day 1: whale sharks
- 2Day 2: canyoneering
- 3Day 3: island hopping
- 4City
3 hr awayOslob
Whale sharks.
from €60View trips
3 hr awayKawasan Falls
Canyoneering.
from €55View trips
2.5 hr awayMoalboal
Sardine run.
from €55View trips
Boat awayMactan Islands
Island hopping.
from €45View trips
Ferry awayBohol
Chocolate Hills.
from €90View trips
South awaySumilon Island
White sandbar.
from €70View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Cebu visitor asks before booking.
Dry (Dec–May)
Sunny and dry — the best time for the sea and islands.
Wet (Jun–Nov)
Warm with showers; the sea can be rougher.
For whale sharks
Whale sharks are seen at Oslob year-round.
For the sardine run
The Moalboal sardines swirl all year.
Festivals
Sinulog, Cebu’s biggest festival, is in January.
Best overall
December to May is ideal.
One day
The city or island hopping.
Two days
Add whale sharks and Kawasan.
Three days
Add Moalboal or a Bohol trip.
For the sea
Whale sharks and island hopping.
For adventure
Kawasan canyoneering.
With kids
Island hopping and Bohol.
Tours & transfers
Guided tours are easiest for the far south and Bohol.
Taxis & rideshare
Taxis and Grab are handy around Cebu City and Mactan.
Ferries
Fast ferries link Cebu with Bohol and other islands.
Vans & buses
Vans and buses reach Oslob, Moalboal and beyond.
Where to stay
Stay in Cebu City, on Mactan, or in Moalboal for the south.
Peso
The Philippines uses the peso; carry cash for tours.
Whale sharks early
Oslob tours start before dawn — book ahead and rest up.
Book canyoneering
Kawasan canyoneering sells out — reserve ahead.
Sun & sea protection
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard and water shoes.
Bring swimwear
Wear swimwear for whale sharks, falls and island trips.
Long day trips
The south and Bohol are long days — start early.
Dry season
Visit December to May for the best sea conditions.
Whale-shark tours
Oslob trips sell out — book ahead.
Canyoneering
Kawasan canyoneering fills up — reserve early.
Island hopping
Mactan island trips book out — reserve ahead.
Moalboal
Sardine-run tours fill up in season — book early.
Bohol trips
Bohol day trips sell out — reserve ahead.
Sinulog & peak
January’s Sinulog and dry season are busiest — book everything ahead.
Whale sharks
Around €50–90 for an Oslob whale-shark day tour.
Canyoneering
About €50–90 for a Kawasan canyoneering tour.
Island hopping
Roughly €40–80 for a Mactan island-hopping day.
Moalboal
Around €50–90 for a sardine-run and turtle tour.
Bohol trip
About €90–140 for a Bohol day trip with ferry.
How to save
Join group tours and combine whale sharks with a waterfall.
When to visit
Cebu through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Dry (Dec–Feb)
Dec–Feb
- Best for
- Sea & Sinulog.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
Hot dry (Mar–May)
Mar–May
- Best for
- Beaches & islands.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot.
Wet (Jun–Sep)
Jun–Sep
- Best for
- Green & value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Showers.
Late wet (Oct–Nov)
Oct–Nov
- Best for
- Quieter seas.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rainy.
People also ask
Cebu travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Cebu?
The highest-rated experiences are swimming with whale sharks at Oslob, Kawasan Falls canyoneering, the Moalboal sardine run, Mactan island hopping, and a Bohol day trip.
What should I book in advance in Cebu?
Reserve whale-shark tours, canyoneering and Bohol day trips ahead, especially in the dry high season and around Sinulog.
How many days do I need in Cebu?
One day covers the city or islands, two add whale sharks and canyoneering, and three let you enjoy Moalboal or Bohol.
Is Cebu worth visiting?
Yes — Cebu is a top Philippine destination, pairing whale sharks, waterfalls and reefs with rich history and easy access to Bohol.
When is the best time to visit Cebu?
December to May offers the driest weather and calmest seas, though whale sharks and the sardine run are year-round.
Can you swim with whale sharks in Cebu?
Yes — Oslob on the south coast offers whale-shark snorkelling year-round.
Is Cebu good for families?
Yes — island hopping, sandbars and Bohol’s tarsiers and Chocolate Hills make it a great family destination.
351 Cebu experiencesfrom €30 · free cancellation
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