Whale Shark Swimming & Canyoneering: Oslob Day Tour from Cebu

Three water adventures in one day: whale sharks at dawn, canyoneering by midday, waterfall by afternoon.

A private full-day activity tour from Cebu that combines whale shark swimming in Oslob, canyoneering in Badian and swimming at Kawasan Falls, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, all entry fees, meals and specialized gear. The itinerary packs three distinct water activities into a single departure, starting at 4 a.m. and returning by early evening. Minimum age is 10. Moderate fitness helps with the canyoneering section.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale Sharks, Canyoneering, and Falls

• Pick up from hotel in Cebu or Mactan
• Breakfast in Oslob
• Swim with whale sharks
• Travel to Badian
• Prepare for canyoneering and orientation
• Lunch
• Full course canyoneering activities
• Swim at Kawasan Falls
• Change clothes and travel to Cebu City
• Drop off at hotel in Mactan or Cebu City

The experience

The day starts with a 4 a.m. pickup from your Cebu or Mactan hotel and a drive south to Oslob. Breakfast arrives before 7 a.m., then you board a boat with a boatman guide, complete swimming gear, life vest and snorkel to swim alongside whale sharks. The sharks feed in the shallows here year-round, and you enter the water to watch them pass within arm's reach. By 9:30 a.m. the group travels inland to Badian for the canyoneering section.

Canyoneering means climbing, jumping and rappelling down a river canyon. A professional guide outfits you with a life vest, helmet and rubber shoes, then leads you through a series of natural rock formations and water obstacles. A motorbike ride takes you partway up the canyon to start the descent. Lunch with drinks happens at 11 a.m., then the canyoneering activities run until around 3:30 p.m., when the group heads to Kawasan Falls for a final swim in the three-tiered waterfall pools before changing clothes and driving back to the city.

The tour is private, meaning your group travels in its own air-conditioned vehicle with a local driver guide who stays with you all day. Hotel pickup and drop-off, breakfast, lunch, all entrance fees, boat rides, swimming gear and a bath towel are included. Bottled water comes throughout. The full day runs roughly 12 to 16 hours depending on traffic and how long the group spends at each stop.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Cebu or Mactan.
• breakfast in Oslob and lunch with drinks.
• all entrance fees to Oslob, Badian and Kawasan Falls.
• boat ride and complete swimming gear with life vest and snorkel for whale sharks.
• professional canyoneering guide with life vest, helmet and rubber shoes.
• canyoneering motorbike ride.
• bath towel.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• private air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver guide for the full itinerary.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:00

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 29 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by South Shore Cebu Travel and Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want three different water activities in a single day and prefer traveling as a private group in your own vehicle. The early 4 a.m. start and packed itinerary suit travelers who want to fit multiple destinations into one departure and don't mind an active day with climbing and swimming.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I swim with whale sharks if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Yes. The whale shark section uses a boat, life vest and snorkel gear, and a boatman guide stays with you in the water. You do not need to be an experienced swimmer. The gear and guide support you throughout.

What is canyoneering actually like in Badian?

Canyoneering involves climbing, jumping into pools and rappelling down a river canyon using ropes and natural rock formations. A professional guide leads you through the course step by step, and you wear a helmet, life vest and rubber shoes for safety. It is the most physically demanding part of the day.

Do I need to be very fit to do this tour?

The operator recommends at least moderate physical fitness. The canyoneering section requires climbing and jumping, and the full day is long with an early 4 a.m. start. Children as young as 10 can join if they are comfortable with water and climbing.

What's included in the price, and are there hidden fees?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, breakfast in Oslob, lunch with drinks, all entrance fees to the three sites, boat rides, complete swimming and canyoneering gear, a professional guide, and a bath towel. The operator states no hidden fees. Souvenir photos and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately.

How early does the day start, and when do I get back?

Pickup is at 4 a.m. from your hotel in Cebu or Mactan. The group returns and is dropped off by around 6:30 p.m., though times shift depending on traffic and how long the group stays at each location.