Entry level: Mactan Island

The most logical place to start.

Mactan International Airport. Courtesy of Cebu Provincial Information Office

After all, this is where you land before going to Cebu - unless you travel by sea.

Mactan International Airport. Courtesy of Cebu Provincial Information Office

Mactan Island is not the remote island that we used to know in the 1960's.  Back then, we had no bridge and we had to cross the channel by ferry to get to the beaches.  This was when you would see a fin surface from under the waters - and getting a stern admonition not to swim, or else!

Beach resort view. Courtesy of Cebu Provincial Information Office

Mactan Island has morphed into a resort island, with three industrial zones, an international airport and is dotted with over a dozen world class beach resorts - complete with scuba diving facilities and aqua sports leisure rentals.

Cebu Yacht Club. Courtesy of Cebu Provincial Information Office

Really, there's a lot that you can do on this island. Half of the foreign direct investments in Cebu were located here once upon a time and there's a golf course right on the Air Force base that's just beside the airport.

You could fly in and fly out of Cebu without having to step on Cebu soil, but then, you'd be missing out on more by doing so.

Diving off the shores of Mactan island is vastly different from what it used to be around thirty years ago. Much has transpired and the marine life is sparse in comparison to the rich marine life that you'd see elsewhere on Cebu island destinations. Nonetheless, it's the best place to start when learning how to go scuba diving and getting your feet wet in these parts - along with the rest of your body.

Photo courtesy of Rudy Balbuena

Veteran dive instructors and old timers that know the island would know where to go for more scenic underwater tours.  But then again, there's the rest of Cebu island to explore - so just get the hang of it and go.

Photo courtesy of Rudy Balbuena

The good thing about Mactan island diving or snorkeling, is that you're just a ride away from great restaurants and bars from your resort and you're also at least thirty minutes away from the airport - just in case you need to fly out right away.

Photo courtesy of Rudy Balbuena

Mactan is still loads of fun. Two nights there is great. But you have to explore the rest of the island of Cebu for a really spectacular time.