Cebu: Whale Shark Swim, Tumalog Falls & Sumilon Sandbar Tour

Summary

Swim with whale sharks then chase waterfalls and sandbars in cebu

You’ll swim beside gentle whale sharks in Oslob, feel cool mist at Tumalog Falls, walk barefoot along Sumilon Island’s sandbar and snorkel among swirling sardines near Pescador Island—all with a local guide, hotel pickup and lunch included. It’s a full day but you’ll remember those quiet underwater moments long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I almost missed the pickup because I set my alarm for PM instead of AM. Our driver just laughed when I stumbled out with one shoe on, so that broke the ice early. The drive south from Cebu City felt endless at 4am, but there was this weird peace to it—windows down, salty air sneaking in. When we finally reached Oslob, the local crew handed us a light breakfast (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves—still warm) and gave us a quick rundown about swimming with whale sharks. I was nervous. You hear stories, you know? But our guide, Marlon, kept it real: “Just float and watch. Don’t touch.” The water was colder than I expected and the first shadow that drifted under me made my heart skip. They’re huge but gentle—like buses gliding by. I didn’t expect to feel so small or so calm at the same time.

Afterwards we dried off in the sun (I forgot my towel but they had extras), then hopped into a van for Tumalog Falls—just a short drive uphill but it gets misty fast. The falls looked like silver threads hanging from green walls, and you can actually feel the spray before you see them. There were families picnicking nearby and some kids splashing around; everyone seemed to move slower here. We only stayed about half an hour but it’s enough—you get soaked if you stand too close anyway. Then came Sumilon Island’s sandbar, which is honestly one of those places that looks fake in photos but real life is even weirder: powdery white sand curving into turquoise water. A fisherman waved as we landed on the shared boat; he tried to teach me how to say “good morning” in Cebuano (“Maayong buntag!”). Li laughed when I tried—probably butchered it.

Lunch was simple grilled fish and rice after swimming at Sumilon Sandbar—I ate way too fast because I wanted more time in the water. By mid-afternoon we were off to Pescador Island for snorkeling; coral gardens everywhere and schools of neon fish darting around like confetti. But honestly? The sardine run near Moalboal kind of stole the show for me. Thousands of silver fish moving as one—it’s hypnotic up close, like being inside a living cloud. We all just floated quietly for a minute or two; even Marlon stopped talking (which never happens). On the drive back to Cebu City I kept thinking about those whale sharks again—the silence underwater, how big everything felt compared to home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whale Sharks, Falls, Islands, Sardines

• Swim with whale sharks
• Visit Tumalog Falls
• Relax at Sumilon Island sandbar
• Snorkel at Pescador Island
• Swim with sardines in Moalboal

Top questions

How long does the whale shark interaction last?

The whale shark swim lasts about 30 minutes in Oslob.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cebu day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from any hotel in Cebu or Mactan is included.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

How much time do we spend at Tumalog Falls?

You’ll have about 20-30 minutes at Tumalog Falls after visiting Oslob.

What’s included for lunch on this tour?

A full meal lunch is served after visiting Sumilon Island sandbar.

Are entrance fees covered?

All entrance fees are included in your booking price.

Do we need to bring our own snorkeling gear?

No need—snorkeling masks are provided for swimming with whale sharks.

Is there a guide at each stop?

A local tour guide accompanies you throughout all stops on this itinerary.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Cebu or Mactan, entry fees for all sites visited (including Oslob whale shark area), towels if you forget yours (like I did), light breakfast upon arrival in Oslob, snorkeling mask for swimming with whale sharks, shared boat rides to Sumilon Island sandbar and Pescador Island coral gardens, plus a full meal lunch after your swim before heading back to town.