Exploring Cebu and the Surrounding Islands

This coral island ranks as the 10th-largest island in the Philippines. It boasts beautiful beaches, tarsiers (the world’s smallest primates), spectacular Chocolate Hills, and more. You can also arrange an island-hopping tour anytime you wish.

The Chocolate Hills are a unique attraction on Bohol Island. Looking down from above, you will see the spectacular view - an array of brown hills standing like chocolate truffles. This is also where some scenes of the Harry Potter series were filmed. If you are a Harry Potter fan, it’s a must see.

How tiny is the tarsier? You will get your answer once you come to Bohol Island. They easily fit in the palm of your hand, yet their eyes are disproportionately large. They can even turn their head 180° in either direction. You can take pictures with these little animals at the Tarsier

Tourist Center.

Alona Beach, a beautiful beach on Bohol Island, is formed as a result of the desertification of

coral reefs, which gives a cooling comfort to your feet when you step onto it. The beach alsoabounds with restaurants, making it a good place to rest and have a meal.

Malapascua Island is located in the northern end of the Philippines. Tourists rarely visit here,

so the island remains pristine. As it is fairly small; a walk of this whole island takes a mere two hours. Malapascua Island is one of the best places for divers, especially those who want to

see thresher sharks.

Almost all tourists on this island choose to sail out from the beach. Popular among visitors are the diving trips to see the long-tailed sharks which normally live more than 300 m below the surface. At Malapascua Island, however, tourists have the chance to observe them in the shallow sea area and to swim beside them in the water.

You can tour this tranquil island in half a day and then bask on the beach, have a massage, or watch the sunset at dusk.

This island is mostly quiet except when groups of Filipinos come to this place during the Easter holiday. People who travel here enjoy the sunshine and the beach. The beautiful waters here present a kaleidoscope of colors, and you’ll see fishers busy mending nets and children playing happily on the beach. The island is roughly laid out in a circle, so you can rent a motorcycle to take a tour around the island.

There is a gourmet street featuring bars and restaurants. Most of them are furnished with fine bamboo and palm materials. Have a taste of seafood, barbecue, etc., and never worry about waiting in line, as there are usually only a few patrons.

This island is noted for the world-famous Baricasa fault, about a 45-minute boat ride from Bohol Island. The less-polluted seawater here offers high underwater visibility and presents beautiful colors when the sun is high. Though the island boasts few hotels, it is definitely a tranquil place for people to enjoy their vacations.

The whole island stands upright from the bottom of the sea like a pillar. The tectonic fault is

about 100 m from the shore, which has been listed as a protected seabed area by the UN. Divers can enjoy the Baricasa fault under the water. If they are lucky enough, they can also seemany types of small fish and turtles.

This fifth-largest island in the Philippines abounds with clear water and fine sand. The natural scenery is beautiful, although scenic spots in the city are few. Take a stroll around the university campuses in the city if your schedule allows. Rizal Boulevard is one of the landmarks in Dumaguete, where locals frequently loiter. At the end of Rizal Boulevard stands Dumaguete’smost well-known sign, which reads, "I Love Dumaguete," in seven colors.

The scenery shared by the islands surrounding Dumaguete is also beautiful. Starting from Dumaguete, you can travel to Apo Island for sea turtle sightseeing, to Oslob for a whale shark tour, or to Sumilon Island to enjoy resorts which take up a whole island.

This relatively pristine island, having not yet been overdeveloped, retains its natural beauty. Locals here are simple and hospitable and lead a comfortable life. This island is known as “Shiseido Island,” as it’s the place where Shiseido once filmed an advertisement for makeup.

You can tour around the styled villages and churches built by the locals. Seafood sold on the

island is quite inexpensive, and common dishes like lobsters, crabs, and sea clams are available. The cooking methods are not creative, but the ingredients are incomparably fresh.