Are there other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks?
There definitely are other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks.
After arriving on the island of Cebu and spending just 1 day in Cebu City, I made my way down to Oslob to check out these other activities.
I did all of these other activities in Oslob in a day and a half, but I could have done more with an extra day. At the bottom of the post I will discuss 3 other things that I never did in Oslob that I might do next time I go.
As always, this post about other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks has a clickable table of contents for you to skip to the bits that are interesting to you.
I am trying to provide facts here and showcase some images, not write a novel about each location so I hope you can gain inspiration from the images.
Once you are finished in Oslob you might want to consider checking out the island of Siquijor, see how to get here with this post.
There are also a number of hikes that you can do from Oslob, however they are technically closer to Moalboal so I have covered them in this post here.
Other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks Video
I prefer making videos to posts to be honest, see below for a video on other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks. I find videos give a better understanding of what to expect.
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Why I didn’t go diving with the whale sharks
I have dived with whale sharks before, in more natural circumstances.
This diving with whale sharks from Oslob didn’t appeal to me in the slightest. I could see from google reviews and other people’s images it is just an overcrowded load of crap.
The whale sharks are funnelled into the area with food, it is unnatural for them to be there, they are surrounded by boats and tourists who have no fucking idea what they’re doing.
Tourists often touch the whale sharks either deliberately or accidentally, people who can barely swim, they just shouldn’t be there (the tourists or the whale sharks).
I don’t care if other people want to do it, as it’s one of the easiest and cheapest places to see whale sharks, but having already seen them there was no way I was going to waste half a day lining up with a bunch of idiots to overcrowd some whale sharks for a photo.
So with that being said, let’s continue with the list of other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks. Better things to do in Oslob I would say.
7 Other Things to do in Oslob Besides Whale Sharks
The following list of other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks contains only activities that I have personally done myself. At the bottom of the post I will discuss the things I missed due to time constraints.
This list is not in any order of favouritism and I am not going to blab on about how “magical” and “life-changing” these activities are, I just want to show you the information and you can decide if they’re worth doing.
All opening times are subject to change, driving times are estimates based on a roughly central Oslob accommodation area but can change depending on where you stay and your confidence on the scooter.
Tumalog Falls
Shot on the Sony A1 (Amazon/eBay link) using the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 (Amazon/eBay link).
Tumalog Falls
What is it?
Tumalog falls is a pristine waterfall with a shallow pool for swimming in.
This waterfall is popular because of its close location to Oslob but also for its magical fairytale like appearance. It is not for jumping, but it is for relaxing.
How much does it cost?
₱5o entry.
₱50 for a scooter ride to and from the falls (if you don’t want to walk the 500m from the car park).
Opening Hours?
06:00 – 17:00
What do you do here?
Relax in the water and admire the view. It really is a nice view!
There are benches and seats, plenty of space to accommodate a lot of people.
How do you get here?
20 minute scooter ride from central Oslob (where the Cuartel Ruins are) or about 7 minutes ride from southern Oslob (where the whale shark watching is).
How long will I spend here?
I’d suggest an hour is a good time to take a few photos and go for a swim but if you are here to relax then two hours might suit you better.
When to come?
Coming later in the afternoon, past 13:00, is the recommendation from most people as you will avoid the crowds from the whale shark watching who would all have left by then.
This way it is also warm enough to go for a swim and the sun will light up the area. Coming at 06:00 it is too dark to enjoy the views as much.
Anything else to know?
You can slightly climb the waterfall but not very high as there’s no deep water to fall into if you make a mistake.
The walk from the entrance to the falls is all downhill and is about 500 metres, there are motorbike services avialable for a small extra fee to save you the journey down and back up.
You are allowed to fly your drone but must register and pay ₱1500 at the front entrance before making the walk down. It is too much money for my liking.
Do you recommend it?
Yes, it is different to the other falls. It is very scenic the way the water falls over the moss covered rocks in a soft shower rather than a torrent of water.
Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church
Shot on the Sony A1 (Amazon/eBay link) using the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 (Amazon/eBay link).
Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church & Cuartel Ruins
What is it?
This is actually two other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks. I have grouped them together as they’re in the same location.
Our Lady church is located in central Oslob and was built in the 19th century, with construction starting in 1830 and finishing in 1848. It has a neo-classical design and is very picturesque during sunrise as the sun lights up the white facade.
Across the road from the church are the Cuartel ruins, which were built later than the church, in the late 1800’s, but construction was abruptly halted as the Spanish fled Cebu with the arrival of American troops, hence the unfinished ruins.
Both of these buildings sit along the foreshore where there are also some older ruins from old watchtowers. Walking around the grounds in the early morning is a very pleasant experience.
How much does it cost?
Free entry.
Opening Hours?
This foreshore area is always open, although the church doors themselves may close later at night you can still walk around the outside and through the ruins.
Shot on the Sony A1 (Amazon/eBay link) using the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 (Amazon/eBay link).
What do you do here?
This is one of the best photo spots on the island but there are also informational plaques in the area describing the ruins, the watchtowers and other points of interest.
It is a great place to be in the evening or early morning as the locals come here to relax, there are plenty of food options nearby as it is quite central. Just go for a walk and enjoy.
How do you get here?
These two activities are located right in the centre of Oslob. If you were in southern Oslob it would be about 10 minutes on the scooter.
How long will I spend here?
I spent over an hour as I was trying to get some nice photos and afterwards went for a walk along the coast.
You could easily spend 1-2 hours here if the weather was cooler but during the day you might want to escape the heat and spend less time walking around.
When to come?
Early morning is the quietest time of the day, just at sunrise is ideal for brilliant lighting and cooler temperatures.
In the afternoons would be very nice as well just before or after dinner.
Do you recommend it?
Yes, the church itself was stunning in the morning light.
Shot with the DJI Mini 4 Pro Plus (Amazon link).
The Cuartel Ruins (bottom left) and the church sit side by side and are beautiful in the sunrise golden hour.
Inambakan Falls
Shot with the DJI Mini 4 Pro Plus (Amazon link).
Inambakan Falls Canyoning
What is it?
Inambakan falls is a series of waterfalls cascading downwards over the course of a few hundred metres.
Eventually that drops down to the main falls (Inambakan) at the bottom of the run. If you do canyoning you will start upstream and make your way down to the main falls with a series of jumps, swimming and some rapelling.
Canyoning is great fun and this one is not too extreme.
You can also just pay for entry to go to the main waterfall of Inambakan falls and go for a swim or jump from the 11m jumping spot. There are also lower jumping spots available at the main waterfall.
How much does it cost?
₱1500 for the canyoning tour.
₱50 for entrance without the tour.
₱20 for scooter parking.
Extra costs for other things such as life jackets.
Opening Hours?
08:00 – 17:00
Shot with the DJI Mini 4 Pro Plus (Amazon link).
What do you do here?
I recommend the canyoning tour. It will take anywhere from an hour to 2 hours depending on how many times you repeat the jumps or want to stay at one particular spot.
This is the only way to see the entire waterfall system and it is stunning, it is like it has come from a fairytale.
Not only that but the canyoning is fun. There are about 6 jumping spots on the way down and one small section of rapelling down a rope but it is nothing too hectic.
When you get to the main waterfall there is an 11 metre jump which is the highest on offer but you don’t have to do it if you don’t want.
How do you get here?
Inambakan falls is on the western side of the island. Everyone I spoke too recommended riding around the southern tip of Oslob on the ring road rather than taking the road that goes through the centre of the island.
This trip will take you about 1 hour.
How long will I spend here?
1-3 hours.
When to come?
That’s up to you, I wouldn’t come too close to closing time if you want to enjoy the falls without being rushed but besides that there’s no bad time.
Anything else to know?
The guide can carry your gear down the canyoning tour without it getting wet while you do the tour. Obviously this doesn’t count for everyone in a tour group but you can keep things dry if needed.
This saves the need for a dry bag.
Do you recommend it?
Yes, it’s the most fun of all the other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks that are covered here today.
Shot with the DJI Mini 4 Pro Plus (Amazon link).
St. Michael the Archangel Church
St. Michael the Archangel Church
What is it?
Another roman catholic church from the 19th century, built in 1842 in the Samboan area. The watch tower here was built to watch out to the island of Negros to the west and help protect the island of Cebu.
How much does it cost?
Free entry.
Opening Hours?
Unknown (for the inside).
24/7 for the outside.
Shot on the Sony A1 (Amazon/eBay link) using the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 (Amazon/eBay link).
What do you do here?
Walk around the gardens where there are different depictions of the life of Jesus Christ in the form of statues and sculptures.
Go inside the church to look at the architecture as well as some fresco paintings, or relax in the gardens and admire the building from the outside.
How do you get here?
If you are going to Inambakan falls mentioned above, then you will drive straight past this church on the way.
It is located in Samboan, on the west side of Cebu. If you are coming here directly from Oslob instead of from Inambakan falls it will take you about 45 minutes.
How long will I spend here?
30-60 minutes.
When to come?
Any time of the day is good, although the middle of the day is hot. Being on the west side of the island will mean that sunset will offer nice lighting over the church but early morning is also good.
Ideally you would do this on the way to, or leaving from Inambakan falls or Binlayan falls to make a day of it.
Do you recommend it?
May as well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
It’s free entry and if you are in a hurry you only need to spend 15 minutes walking around the gardens.
But if you did miss it, don’t stress too much, it’s hardly a must do.
Shot on the Sony A1 (Amazon/eBay link) using the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 (Amazon/eBay link).
Binlayan Hidden Falls
Shot on the Sony A1 (Amazon/eBay link) using the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 (Amazon/eBay link).
Binlayan Hidden Falls
What is it?
Binlayan hidden falls is just another of many waterfalls on the island of Cebu.
Again though, we have the option to do some pretty cool jumps into the water here so it is definitely a cool place to visit.
There are two levels to these waterfalls, the first is small but quiet and you will probably get it to yourself as everyone else heads for the bigger falls.
The larger falls are about 21 metres in height, with jumping levels open from about 9 metres but no higher due to the shallow depth of the pools below the falls.
How much does it cost?
₱150 entry.
₱10 for scooter parking.
+ a tip for the guide.
Opening Hours?
08:00 – 17:00
Shot on the Sony A1 (Amazon/eBay link) using the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 (Amazon/eBay link).
The first waterfall is a little bit smaller but there are less people.
What do you do here?
There is about an 800m walk to the falls themselves, your guide will direct you.
Guides are mandatory and work off tips.
At the first falls is a pool for swimming and a small jump of about 4 metres that is a bit of fun.
When you get to the larger falls there are numerous jumping spots, with the two highest spots involving some rock climbing. One of the jumps is done from a small little cave in the rocks and is pretty cool to see the falls from inside.
How do you get here?
On the west side of the island, further south than Inambakan falls. Ride around the ring road, from Oslob it will be about 40 minutes.
This is good to pair with Inambakan falls and the church as you will be passing this on the way to those two activities.
How long will I spend here?
1-2 hours including the walking time to and from the falls.
When to come?
There isn’t a bad time, but when the sun is up it can make the swimming more enjoyable in the heat of the day. Early morning will be cooler temperatures for the 800m walk though.
Anything else to know?
The pools here are shallow, so although there are higher jumping spots you are not allowed to jump from there for safety reasons.
I jumped off the two highest points of about 8-9 metres and you will hit the bottom from these heights, so bend your knees and you will be fine.
Do you recommend it?
Definitely, the rock-climbing aspect makes it more fun and jumping from the cave is a cool experience that is different to other waterfalls.
Shot on the Sony A1 (Amazon/eBay link) using the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 (Amazon/eBay link).
People in the cave preparing to jump.
Ili Rock
Shot with the DJI Mini 4 Pro Plus (Amazon link).
Ili Rock
What is it?
Ili rock is a natural rocky headland along the coast north of Oslob in the Booljoon area. It provides a lookout spot looking south over the town of Poblacion and stunning views at sunrise.
How much does it cost?
Free entry.
Opening Hours?
24/7
What do you do here?
A very small hike (<5 minutes) up the rock to the point that looks out over the town.
This is a photo spot, a place to admire the coast of Cebu and the villages that dot it.
How do you get here?
Ili rock, sometimes called Eli rock, is located on the ring road of Cebu island to the north of Oslob.
From central Oslob it will take you about 20-25 mintues riding the scooter. From southern Oslob you can add another 10-15 minutes on that depending on where your accommodation is.
You would have likely driven straight past Ili rock on your way south to Oslob. This is actually how I found it. I saw it from the bus and wondered whether it was climbable.
How long will I spend here?
30 minutes for most, but longer for those seeking photos or timelapses.
When to come?
I think sunrise is the best time. This is on the eastern coastline of Cebu so it is lit up by the rising sun.
Do you recommend it?
For those who like good views or photography then yes, but it isn’t overly exciting.
However the price is right.
Shot with the DJI Mini 4 Pro Plus (Amazon link).
A beautiful stretch of coast.
Summary
There are a few of the other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks, but there are even more things in the area that I was unable to do.
A lot of this will depend on your time and how long you spend in Oslob.
What about (insert activity here)!?
Yes there are other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks that aren’t covered in this post. But covered here are the main highlights.
The next activities I never got to do but they are worth mentioning for those planning a trip to Oslob. I did plan to do both of Aguinid Falls and the Macaque sanctuary during my time but was unable to do so.
Aguinid Falls
Another waterfall that you could add to your list of other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks is Aguinid falls. This is the activity I most wanted to do of the three listed here. Unfortunately I had bank card issues on the day and I ran out of time after organising that.
This waterfall system has mixed reviews in the dry season, but I did want to check it out for myself to see if this was just the usual people complaining.
Aguinid falls has multiple levels and offers a small canyoning style adventure.
It is located on the western side of Cebu island, not far form Binlayan hidden falls.
It costs ₱350 for entry but you have to have a mandatory two guides who work off tips which a lot of people complain about.
Macaque Sanctuary
₱100 entry + ₱20 for some food to feed the monkeys.
This isn’t a must-see by any stretch of the imagination but I did stop in here about 3 times to see the macaques, but all three times they were closed.
The monkeys come down from the jungle, they are not kept here so it is up to them when they wander down, at which point visitors can come in and feed them, they are very well behaved.
Sumilon Island
There is a small island off the coast of Oslob that you will see, it is called Sumilon Island.
You can get a boat out there for about ₱1500 (it can be shared amongst 4-6 people) and once here you can rent kayaks, snorkelling masks etc. I didn’t get here because to me it was low on the list of priorities, I find the waterfalls much more fun than visiting a sandy island.
There is a resort here that charges ₱2500 for a full day buffet all inclusive type deal.
This was low on my list of other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks, I would have gone here only if I ran out of other things to do.
So there you have it, there are heaps of other things to do in Oslob besides whale sharks, with Inambakan falls being the highlight of the lot offering a great canyoning tour!
Safe travels.