This is a fantastic day tour for both family and friends where you can swim with whale sharks and experience the natural beauty of the region and for those holidaying in Cebu who want to experience something out of the ordinary.
Oslob is the only place where feeding of wild whale shark is possible in the world, don't miss the great experience with whale sharks.
After encountering the gentle giant, refresh yourself at the Tumalog Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Philippines.
Visiting the Sumilon Sandbar is one of the highlights in Cebu. The contrast between the bright blue sea and white sandy beaches is unforgettable.
Experienced guides certified by the Philippines Department of Tourism will take you around, so you don't need to worry about anything. Insurance* is also included, so please experience a fulfilling tour!
(*Insurance coverage requires names and dates of birth of participants for age verification.)
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
3:00 AM
Next available
Sat, Oct 10
Adult (ages 7–75)
$119
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
Tour Options
Pickup from Cebu City
Pick-up is offered only from hotels in Cebu City and Mactan Island.
Pickup included
Private Tour with Hotel Pickup
Private chartered vehicle
Pickup included
Pickup from Moalboal 10 hours
If you are staying in Moalboal. We will pick you up from the hotel in Moaboal.
*Drop-off location: Veranda Kitchen & Bar
Duration: 10 hours
Pickup included
Itinerary
Mactan Island
Pass by
We pick up from hotels in Cebu City and Mactan Island. Pick up starts 1:30 a.m.
Cebu City
Pass by
Departure from Cebu City at 3:30 a.m. There is about 3 hours drive and on the way, we stop to grab breakfast.
Admission included60 min
Arrive in Oslob. After completing the registration procedures, you can wait comfortably in the dedicated waiting area (BCD'S PLACE) while waiting for your turn to snorkel in Oslob (waiting time is about 30 minutes to 1 hour).
Admission included60 min
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks for a lifetime memory!
The encounter rate is 99%! Snorkeling with whale sharks in the wild is rare in the world, a precious activity that you must experience in Cebu. The sight of whale sharks over 10 meters in length swimming gracefully and feeding with their large mouths is so powerful that you can hardly contain your excitement. Snorkel masks and life jackets are included, so anyone can enjoy!
Tumalog Falls
Admission included60 min
Enjoy swimming and refresh yourself at the Tumalog Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Philippines.
Sumilon Island
Admission included120 min
One of the clearest islands in the Philippines. The contrast between the bright blue sea and white sandy beaches attracts many troutists. The sea of Sumilon is like a heavenly beauty, with colorful fish and shining coral reefs. The mysterious white sandbar, which appears only at low tide, depending on the weather, time of year and time of day, is one of the highlights of Sumilon Island.
Although Sumilon is a desert island, its abundance of trees makes this place a resort island. The island is just 15 minutes away from Oslob by a traditional small boat called bunker boat.
Cebu City
Pass by
After leaving Oslob, we drive about 3 hours to return to Cebu City. Arrival time is around 5:00 p.m. We drop you off at the pick up location.
What's included
Included
Hotel pick up and drop off
Life jackets
Bottled water
GoPro rental (Please request upon booking)
All Fees and Taxes
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Towel rental
Not included
Breakfast
Lunch break will be provided after your activity. You are free to choose a restaurant based on your preference, and the lunch fee will be paid directly at the location. (approx. 300-400 pesos)
Optional: Underwater photography fee taken by boatmen (150PHP)
Optional: Fin rentals (150PHP)
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick-up time will be between 1:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.
Pick-up is offered only from hotels in Cebu City and Mactan Island.
The exact pick-up time will be notified the day before the tour. Please let us know the name of your hotel at the time of booking.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
42 reviews
5
33
4
8
3
0
2
1
1
0
How it compares in Cebu
No. 24 by number of reviews among 344 tours in Cebu
Excurgo comparison of 344 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
The schedule for the day may be subject to change due to weather conditions. In the event of inclement weather, changes will be at the discretion of the guide on the day of the tour.
Whale sharks are wild animals and may not be seen during the tour.
For insurance purposes, we will require the names and dates of birth of all participants in order to verify the age. Failure to provide this information will result in your ineligibility for insurance.
For safety reasons, children under 7 years old are not allowed on the tour.
Insurance cannot be provided for those who are 76 years and older; however, you may participate if you purchase own insurance.
The whale shark interaction in Oslob involves wild animals in their natural habitat and is operated and managed solely by the Oslob local government authorities. All procedures, including feeding practices, are conducted under their policies and are beyond our company's control.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar take?
Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar lasts about 15 hours. The itinerary has 7 stops.
How much does Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar cost?
Prices start at $119 per person for this Cebu experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 3 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 3:00 AM.
Can I cancel Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pick-up time will be between 1:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.
Pick-up is offered only from hotels in Cebu City and Mactan Island.
The exact pick-up time will be notified the day before the tour. Please let us know the name of your hotel at the time of booking. Pickup points include Sotogrande Hotel & Resort (Cebu), Cargotel Travel Inn.
What languages is Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar offered in?
The experience is available in JA, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
For safety reasons, children under 7 years old are not allowed on the tour.
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 42 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Fun Group Cebu.
Reviews(42)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
C
craig1lister1
June 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
LONG Day, but amazing unique experiences.
Be aware the tour starts really early 2 a.m. and the drive is long. Had three activities. The whale Shark was awesome experience. Very unique, once in a lifetime. You only get 30 minutes to be around them. They seem tamed and come very close to you, You are not allowed to touch them. Rent a Camera and cameraman, it is worth it.
Second was the waterfall... Really refreshing and amazing place. words would not do a good job, you need to experience it.
Third: Turtle and Sardine runs. By this time you are pretty tired and you will probably spend the least amount of time here. they give you the life jacket and snorkeling gear, then you walk to the beach where there is a single homy turtle hanging around, you dive a couple of feet , and take some pictures, then you go a few feet away from the Beach where it is deeper and there are schools of Sardines. AGAIN, do not try to be cheap using your own phone or camera, Highly recommend paying a mere few dollars to the local guide to take the video of you. You are usually accompanied by two guides. They are very good swimmers and you are safe.
This is a very long full day activity but very unique and if you have not done such a tour, highly recommend it at least once.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your detailed feedback! Snorkelling with whale sharks is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we are glad that you agree. It means a lot to hear that you had a lovely day despite the early morning and the long drive. We hope to see you again in Cebu for another adventure soon.
A
Andrea_H
May 2, 2026 · via Viator
Must do and see
What a wonderful experience with the whale sharks.
Gilbert and Farrah were very helpful, caring and lovely. I would highly recommend this tour.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your recommendation. It means the world to us! We all look forward to seeing you again in Cebu for another memorable day.
C
Cleide M
March 19, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Life time memories
This tour is the perfect blend of adrenaline, relaxation, and natural beauty. Our guide was knowledgeable, helpful and super friendly , the transport was comfortable, and the memories will last a lifetime.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your review. It really means a lot for all of our team to hear that we were able to help create the memory of a lifetime! Please come and visit again. We look forward to welcoming you for another memorable adventure.
D
Daniel_B
March 1, 2026 · via Viator
Good and bad
The good - once in Oslob the activities are good. The whale sharks are amazing and you get very close. The waterfall is a good experience and Sumilon Island has beautiful water.
The bad - the ride to Oslob in a van with 4 seats across a row is ridiculously small - only suitable for children not adults. The drive is long, the roads are terrible and our driver had a playlist of about 10 songs for the whole 3.5 hours. Once in Oslob the wait can be hours. - spent 3 hours wasted doing nothing.
Overall its a good experience once in Oslob. The attractions can get very crowded too. Our guide and driver seemed very unorganised and it did not make our experience enjoyable.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback with us.
We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the whole activity side of the tour. However, we’re sorry to hear that the long drive, vehicle comfort, waiting time in Oslob, and the organization of the tour affected your overall experience. We understand how frustrating extended travel and waiting periods can be, especially when comfort is limited.
*Please note that waiting times in Oslob can vary depending on crowd levels and local management.
Thank you again for sharing your honest thoughts. We will make sure to review these points internally to improve our service.
A
Amyracheeeel
February 20, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Thank you Mae!
Mae is absolutely incredible. She was so informative and helpful when organising the day. At one point she even gave another tour member her shoes. Made sure the whole day was completely streamlined and everything just worked perfectly. Mae is a truly amazing tour guide.
Operator response
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review! We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Mae. She’ll be so happy to hear them.
Thanks again for joining our tour, and we hope to see you again for another fun adventure!
H
HdC1006
February 9, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A really long day but a great tour.
An amazing experience. Such an early start but that is important as the whale shark area is so busy. We had space in the vans but the roads are very bumpy. We were very lucky to have time in the water with the whale sharks and then Sumilon Island was relaxing and Tumalong waterfall - breathtaking. A well organised tour. With stop at a place to buy lunch on the way home so we could experience lechon. Just a very long day but worth it.
Operator response
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a wonderful review! So glad to hear that you enjoyed your day despite an early start. Hope to see you again for another adventure in beautiful Cebu!
R
RogerL08
January 31, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A must do in Cebu!
One of the best tours we’ve ever done. Extremely organized and responsive. Tour guide and driver were amazing. The whale shark experience was one of a kind. All around best part of our trip to the Philippines. 100% recommended.
Operator response
Thank you for joining us! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the guide, the tour, and our service. Please come visit us again,our guide and all our staff are looking forward to welcoming you!
R
rneezy
January 22, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Must do and experience the tours.
You definitely have to wake up early and get on the list for the tour, it was all worth it! Our tour guides were very helpful and great with timing.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found our guides helpful. We hope to welcome you again on another adventure soon!
S
Sherpa12979629824
January 18, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Do not miss
What a thrilling experience. The staff was terrific getting us prepared and so helpful. I am so glad I did it
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful review! Your kind words mean a lot to all of us and we look forward to welcoming you again in the near future.
J
Joy P
January 15, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Perfect day for a swim and enjoy nature
It was a perfect day,we started early @ 2:30AM from the city ,swam with the sharks @ 6Am,had a good breakfast,went to Sumilon Island to enjoy refreshing beach swim then we proceeded to the tumalog waterfall to enjoy nature.Lunch time was a treat of local cuisine esp.lechon(roasted pork)The trip was so organized & well coordinated,everyone was happy and satisfied with the trip.We highly recommend Kenn our guide from Fun group.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour and that both our guide helped make your experience smooth and memorable. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again on your next visit to Cebu!
