Popular Activity in Cebu: Island Hopping Experience

Cebu Island in the Philippines, located about 4.5 hours by plane from Japan, is a resort destination known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters. Popular marine activities include snorkeling, diving, and swimming with whale sharks. Among these, one activity highly recommended for travelers to Cebu is island hopping. This article introduces the island hopping experience based on a personal adventure! ◯ Tour Details Hotel Pickup → Snorkeling at Gilutongan Island → Lunch on the boat → Exploring Caohagan Island → Exploring Nalusuan Island ◯ Price $52–$128 (Varies depending on whether you choose a group or private tour) The tour I joined included lunch and visits to three islands, offering a full day of enjoyment✨. Additionally, the tour provides hotel pickup regardless of where you’re staying, which made it very convenient for me. Although most tours depart from Mactan Island, I was staying on Cebu Island, so this arrangement was helpful. If departing from Cebu City, hotel pickup is around 7 AM☀️. Once you arrive at the boat dock on Mactan Island, the island hopping adventure begins. The boat departs from Mactan Island and first heads to Gilutongan Island. Instead of landing on the island, we enjoyed snorkeling directly from the boat. The crystal-clear waters allowed us to see all the way to the ocean floor, making it a first-time experience for me. I was amazed by the abundance of fish! After snorkeling, we enjoyed traditional Filipino cuisine served on the boat. Having lunch while surrounded by the beautiful sea, especially on the water, was an incredibly luxurious experience✨. Next, we traveled about 10 minutes by boat to Caohagan Island. Since the islands are only 2–3 km apart, the journey was quick. The sea here is relatively shallow, with a depth of about 1 meter🏖️. Caohagan Island is home to a few hundred residents and features small schools, churches, and clinics. Interestingly, the island was purchased by a Japanese individual about 30 years ago and is still managed and operated by them today! There are many souvenir shops run by the locals, so you can enjoy shopping here. The final destination was Nalusuan Island. Among the islands visited during the tour, Nalusuan Island boasts the most stunning cobalt-blue waters. You can even stay overnight on this island, as it has well-maintained facilities. Nalusuan Island is also known as "Shiseido Island," a name derived from its use in a Shiseido commercial shoot in the past. Its beauty has made it a popular location for TV commercials, so be sure to see it for yourself! Spending a full day on this tour, which costs around $100, felt like a great deal! While there are other island hopping tours available in Cebu, I particularly recommend Nalusuan Island for its breathtakingly beautiful waters. Don’t miss the chance to visit✨.