Tours/Cebu/Whale Shark Watching and Sumilon Sandbar Private Tour Package
Whale Shark Watching and Sumilon Sandbar Private Tour Package
4.9(19)Cebu11 hours
VIATOR4.8(11)TRIPADVISOR5.0(8)
+4 photos
At a glance
Duration
11 hours
Price from
$133 / person
Location
Cebu, Philippines
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 19 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Cebu Tours
Description
Great package tour to the south of Cebu. This whale shark and Sumilon sandbar is the best package that you can book if you want to relax in a white beach right after swimming adventure with the whale sharks.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
3:00 AM, 3:30 AM, and 4:00 AM
Next available
Mon, Oct 12
Adult (ages 1–60)
$133
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $225.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.
Tour Options
2026 All Year Round
Pickup included
Itinerary
Admission included30 min
This is the main attraction of the tour package, the gentle giants in Oslob and you can swim with these.
Tumalog Falls
Admission included30 min
After the whale shark interaction, you will go to the Tumalog falls which is just 5 kilometer from the whale sharks. (closed every 2nd Wednesday for Clean up drive)
Sumilon Island
Admission included120 min
CLOSED every 3rd Wednesday of the month for clean up drive.
You can relax at the white sandbar in Sumilon. This is just an access to the sandbar and not inside the island where you can have a lunch buffet, there is a separate package for that.
What's included
Included
Private transportation
Full meal Lunch at our restaurant in Oslob
Towel Provided
Shared Boat to Sumilon Sandbar with lifevest & entrance fee
All Fees and Taxes
Experienced Driver
One Round of Softdrinks during Lunch
Light Breakfast - Hot Choco and Sticky Rice with Mango
Not included
Camera Rental (P1000 for GoPro Hero5 and up – SD Card not included) – (micro SD Class 10)
Optional Motorbike Ride to Tumalog (P50 per head)
Pickup Locations & Times
We offer pick up and drop off from any hotel within Cebu City and Mactan area or southern part of Cebu.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
19 reviews
5
18
4
0
3
1
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Cebu
Rated higher than 79% of 62 reviewed tours in Cebu
No. 40 by number of reviews among 344 tours in Cebu
Starting price $133 is close to the typical $134 for tours of similar length in Cebu
Excurgo comparison of 344 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Wheelchair accessible
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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 this tour take?
Whale Shark Watching and Sumilon Sandbar Private Tour Package lasts about 11 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $133 per person for this Cebu experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $225. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 3:00 AM, 3:30 AM, and 4:00 AM.
Can I cancel this tour 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. We offer pick up and drop off from any hotel within Cebu City and Mactan area or southern part of Cebu. Pickup points include Serenity Farm and Resort Busay, Sotogrande Hotel & Resort (Cebu).
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 12 travellers can book together.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 19 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Cebu Tours.
Reviews(19)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
K
ksaras2026
July 19, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing experience with super fun and friendly guides
I was traveling solo and booked the Whale shark, tumalog falls and sumilon sandbar tour and I honestly cannot recommend Cebu tours enough!! Pick up was perfectly on time and drive down to Oslob was smooth and safe. Its quite a long day but absolutely worth it.
The whale sharks were incredible, the falls were breath taking and the sandbar was beautiful too! Very delicious lunch was included and after I mentioned that it’s my birthday tomorrow the staff surprised me with a cake!!
Alex, the driver and Paula, the guide were amazing. They both were so kind and fun, even from such an early hour in the morning. As a girl traveling by myself, I felt very looked after and like I was with friends! (Thank you also for being my personal photographers!!!) They very obviously take pride in their beautiful country and taught me a lot about it. I would love to come back, thank you so much!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're honored you chose Cebu Tours for your solo adventure and thrilled you felt safe, well cared for, and had such a memorable experience. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Alex and Paula—they'll be delighted! We're also glad we could make your birthday extra special with a little surprise. We can't wait to welcome you back to Cebu for more unforgettable adventures. Happy Birthday once again! 🎉🌴
S
Schelina_J
June 17, 2026 · via Viator
Extraordinary!
This was a special experience! The guides were timely, friendly and thorough, but swimming with the Whale Sharks was an exceptional experience! They are so quiet and smooth in the water, you can't tell when they are behind you. Plus, the falls are truly beautiful. I highly recommend this tour!
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that your Whale Shark Watching and Tumalog Falls tour was such a special experience. Seeing these gentle giants up close is truly unforgettable, and we're glad our guides helped make your day smooth, enjoyable, and memorable from start to finish.
We also appreciate your kind words about Tumalog Falls—its natural beauty is one of the highlights of southern Cebu. Thank you for recommending the tour, and we hope to welcome you back for more amazing Cebu adventures in the future!
S
Siddharth_P
January 22, 2026 · via Viator
The whale clearly felt...
The whale clearly felt like in captivity. They were swimming and chasing after the pieces of food/fish that a guy was throwing in the water and I felt guilty supporting this after I did it. It felt inhumane.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your honest feedback. We truly respect and understand your concerns.
We would like to clarify that whale shark interactions in this area are strictly managed and regulated by the government, and all activities are conducted with approval and under the supervision of the proper authorities. This is why a mandatory briefing is conducted before the whale watching activity—to clearly explain how the program operates, the rules set by the authorities, and what guests can expect during the encounter.
Local regulations are in place to protect both the whale sharks and the guests, including limits on interaction, boat distance, and time in the water. While feeding is part of the government-managed system to ensure controlled encounters and safety, we understand that this experience can feel uncomfortable for some guests. Your perspective is valid, and we appreciate you voicing it.
Thank you for joining the tour and for taking the time to share your thoughts.
N
Nicholas_C
December 22, 2025 · via Viator
Great tour. Great swimming with whale shark experience!
Great hospitality and guide. Shout out to Simar our driver and Ruby our guide. Makes this a totally stress free tour. Swimming with the whale sharks was definitely THE experience! Catered simple breakfast and lunch too. So totally hassle fre
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊
We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the hospitality and had a totally stress-free tour. A big thank you as well for the shout-out to Simar and Ruby—we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to them.
Swimming with the whale sharks truly is an unforgettable experience, and we’re glad you enjoyed the simple breakfast and lunch provided as well. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Cebu for another amazing adventure!
J
Jessica_L
July 31, 2025 · via Viator
Saicy the tour guide and Joseph the driver are exceptional- Jessica fr USA
We had a blast , the whole experience was excellent , my first time using viator tour services highly recommended
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review! We're thrilled to hear you had a blast and enjoyed the whole experience. We're also honored to be part of your first Viator tour — and even more so that you'd highly recommend it! We hope to welcome you again soon for another unforgettable adventure.
N
Neal_F
June 24, 2025 · via Viator
Excellent Tour
Long day, but totally worth it!! Started at 3:30 in the morning and got back to the hotel at about 5pm.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your review! Yes, it’s definitely an early start and a full day, but we're so glad to hear it was totally worth it for you! 😊 We hope you made unforgettable memories and we’d love to have you join us again on another adventure soon.
C
celestemK9160UE
April 23, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
A dream adventure ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an unforgettable day! This excursion was simply perfect, between the picture-postcard beach of Sumilon Island, with its turquoise sea and soft sand, and the spectacular Tumalog Falls, where you feel enveloped in a fairytale atmosphere between sparkling waterfalls and lush vegetation.
But the most extraordinary moment? Swimming with whale sharks! I had never felt such an intense emotion: swimming next to these majestic giants, so majestic yet so docile, was an experience that left me breathless. Seeing their elegant bodies slip into the blue water, a few meters from me, was pure wonder. A magical encounter that I will always carry in my heart!
A huge thanks to our guide Diana, who was simply fantastic: very kind, very prepared and always careful to make us live every moment with security and serenity. Thanks to her, everything went smoothly and without a hitch!
I recommend this excursion to anyone who wants to live a unique experience: between nature, adventure and strong emotions, it is a 10 and praise!
Operator response
Grazie di cuore per la tua splendida recensione! 🌟
Siamo felicissimi che la tua giornata sia stata così speciale e piena di emozioni indimenticabili. Sumilon Island e Tumalog Falls sono davvero luoghi da sogno, e leggere le tue parole ci fa rivivere tutta la magia di quei momenti.
Il nuoto con gli squali balena è davvero qualcosa che tocca l’anima — siamo contentissimi che tu l’abbia vissuto così intensamente!
Un ringraziamento speciale anche da parte nostra a Diana, che si impegna sempre al massimo per far vivere ai nostri ospiti un’esperienza perfetta. Le faremo sicuramente sapere quanto hai apprezzato la sua presenza e professionalità 💙
Speriamo di rivederti presto per un’altra avventura a Cebu! 🐠🌴
Un abbraccio dal team di Cebu Tours!
3
38ikep
January 22, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
They gave us everything that we wanted.
Everything went exactly how it listed on the listing. The drive was long but definitely worth doing! Both our driver and tour guide were very nice.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your honest feedback about our Whale Shark Watching and Sumilon Sandbar Private Tour Package, hope to see you again in Cebu
E
Erma R
January 9, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Love Cebu city tours professionalism
Our driver Dino and tour guide Edith from Cebu city tours were excellent. They took us back and forth the long drive from Cebu to oslob very safely. Edith secured our belongings and didn’t have to worry about anything but to enjoy the activities. We surely had an excellent time and made lots of memories. The whale sharks and the scoop of sardines and island hopping experience was worth the money. It was so much fun!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your honest feedback about our tours, that is much appreciated. Hope to see you again in Cebu
D
d0ming0y
December 18, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Unforgettable tour!
Excellent tour. As a couple, we were privately from Cebu City to the south. Swim with the sharks has been one of my best life experiences. We really loved the shining tiny island in front of the shark and the huge Tumalog falls. Simar, the driver arrived on time and gave us an pleasant trip go and back. Diane the tour guide showed us everything and she was full time offered to help us and give us few tips about the island. 101% recommend.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your honest and wonderful feedback on our Whale Shark Watching and Sumilon Sandbar Private Tour Package, we appreciate that, we hope to see you again in Cebu.
