Welcome to Cebu: Island Central

If you just got off the plane and looked this up online for a guide to get around Cebu to go diving, you did the right thing. Sure, there are other sites and we've posted a few helpful ones, but this kinda puts it all together for you as a starting point.

Cebu Provincial Capitol. Courtesy of Cebu Provincial Information office.

Welcome to Cebu!

I like to call Cebu: Island Central.

Because you got off on Mactan Island, one of the islands just off Cebu island that is home to the Mactan International Airport - gateway to Hongkong, Japan, Singapore and many other destinations, if you don't have to pass through Manila.

Marcelo Fernan Bridge. Courtesy of Cebu Provincial Information office.

Coming from the airport, you have the option to head straight for one of the resorts on Mactan island, where you can just leave all the cares behind, get burned while nursing a chilled or frosty drink beside a pool or pristine blue waters washing over white sand.

Or, as you probably will - get underwater as soon as possible to explore some of the enjoyable sights off the reefs of Mactan island and other islets nearby, or even an extended banca (outrigger or pumpboat) ride to one of several fantastic dive sites in neighboring Bohol island.

You have arrived at the hub to get to the many diving havens that Cebu island and the nearby islands of Negros and Bohol are home to.

And this blog will helpyou on how to get there, where to ask your dive hosts to take you, where to stay, and what you can enjoy while you're there.

And if you didn't schedule enough time, well - there's always a next time. And a next time. (We won't blame you if you decide to stay. It's that enjoyable on these islands. If you notice a lot of foreign resident looking types, ask them.)

One more important piece of information – wherever you go, have fresh ripe yellow mangoes.  Freshly made mango juice is good too. 

Whatever you do, have it as much as you can. And young coconut as well. Drink the water and eat the young soft coconut meat. It’s delicious and it’s good for you.

 If there’s one thing friends from abroad have told me is that they miss the mangoes and the fresh coconut water they enjoyed here and are horrified to find out just how much it costs to have it in the US or elsewhere.

So enjoy it while you’re here. As much of it as you can. Because the next best thing is the dried stuff.  It’s good too, but not as good as the fresh kind.

So - read on and take the advice. Or if you're up for an adventure, ask around. But you get the picture.

Enjoy Cebu: Island Central - right at the heart of the Philippine islands.

For first time visitors:

If you would want to explore the city first, you can take one of the taxicabs into the city and get off at one of the hotels or boutique hotels that dot the city.  If you intend to leave your belongings and roam around the city, boutique hotels are the way to go. They're very affordable and many offer a package of breakfast along with the room.  Check out is normally at 2pm.

The way to go is to check in, and have your meals at the mall or elsewhere. Go for something uniquely Cebu - you can pick from native: Chika-an sa Cebu, Golden Cowrie/Hukad, Cafe Laguna/Laguna Garden Cafe, Zubuchon (no less than Anthony Bourdain raved about the roast pig! You can read about it here.), and if you're into finding places - STK ta Bai! along Orchid Street near the Capitol is a favorite.

The Ayala mall has breakfast options at an early time. Otherwise, you may have to wait till ten for your first meal and a good cup of strongly brewed coffee.

You can ask for recommendations for the resorts, and you're better off staying there when you're diving.  For really interesting and exotic sights underwater, you're going to have to go farther than Mactan island.

The options include Moalboal in the southwest of Cebu, Capitancillo island just off Bogo City in the north - if you like seeing schools of barracuda and an occasional manta ray - the thresher sharks off Malapascua are also interesting.  And just off the southern tip of Cebu, near Dumaguete is Apo island - where the largest fish sanctuary is located. And nearby are Sumilon and Siquijor as well.

Of course, there's Bohol with Panglao, Balicasag and Cabilao islands. Make sure you brought a good camera and plan on a deep dive in the morning, a shallower one early in the afternoon and a night dive for the early evening.

And don't plan on flying the next day.

Before, it used to be - take along lots of film.  These days it's bring along a good charger and a lot of memory for your transfers.  You won't regret it.

Of course, people will tell you of the other exotic locations such as El Nido and the reefs off Palawan. Definitely, they're wonderful places.  Of course, you need to live aboard and you won't have the island night life that you'll enjoy while you're here in Cebu.

Just make sure you leave at least two days free after the diving days to recuperate in the city.

Fuente Osmeña, Courtesy of Cebu Provincial Information Office.

Leave one day open for shopping and mingling with the friends you made in Cebu City. Confirm your reservations for your flight out and let the memories of a vacation well spent linger in your mind on your way back home - as you resolve to come back and go to other places.

Enjoy your stay!