“When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.” – Rainer Maria

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Oslob, Philippines – On January 2015, my friends and I went on to visit Cebu and cross-out one of the things in our bucket list – swim with the whale sharks! And so off we went to south Cebu to watch and swim and experience how it is like to be with the gentle giants. And lo! It was such an amazing experience as they are a spectacular sight to behold.

Oslob, a coastal town in South Cebu, has become a renowned travel destination in the Philippines (foe both local and foreign travellers) the past years because of the whale shark (locally called “butanding”) interaction.

Before the up-and-personal interaction, a “Whale Shark Code of Conduct” orientation is done. One has to attend this before one can go swim with the mammals.

Here’s the whale shark code of conduct that everyone should be aware of when swimming with these animals. (Source – WhaleSharkProject.org)

• Do not attempt to touch, ride, or chase a Whale Shark
• Do not restrict normal movement or behavior of the Shark
• Maintain a minimum distance of 3 meters from the Whale Shark
• Do not undertake flash photography
• Do not use underwater motorized diver propulsions

After an early swimming with the gentle giants, go beach bumming at Sumilon Island. Sumilon is a small island situated at the southeastern tip of the Municipality of Oslob in the province of Cebu. The island has an area of 24 hectares and has crystal-clear aquamarine waters and white sand beaches in different parts of the island. It is a three-hour drive from Cebu City to the municipality of Oslob. During our stay in Oslob, we went to bum around the island’s sandbar after our whale-shark interaction.

There is a private resort in the island called Bluewater Sumilon that offers high-class services to its guests. A day tour is possible for a rate of 1500Php per head on weekdays and 2,000Php on Holidays/Weekends which includes round trip boat transfers (Bancogon – Sumilon – Bancogon), set of lunch, island activities such as kayaking, trekking, snorkelling plus the use of swimming facilities. You may check it out with http://www.bluewatersumilon.com.ph/

What if you are on a tight budget and would want to experience Sumilon Island? One may do a “D-I-Y” trip”. One may rent a boat for 1500Php (round trip transfers) to get there. However, since Bluewater Sumilon is a private resort and you would not want to avail of their packages, one can only enjoy the sandbar – located at the back of the island and the only area that’s open to the public. (which I think isn’t bad at all, specially for beach bummers). Good thing is youe can bring your own food.

The travel time from Brgy. Tan-Awan to Sumilon Island by boat is approximately 15-20 minutes only. There is a Php30.00 entrance fee, you have the sandbar, the sand, and the clear turquoise waters all to yourself!

Fun times with friends.

Cap-off your day in Oslob by cooling off at the Timalog Falls. Tumalog Falls (Mag-ambak or Toslob Falls), a multi-step cascading waterfalls uniquely crafted in an umbrella-like stone formations, is a must-visit scenery in Southern Cebu. This is frequented by both local and foreign visitors after doing whale-shark swimming in Oslob and bumming around Sumilon Island.

The waterfalls, that looks like rain shower, is just approximately 10 minutes away via car or “habal-habal” (motorbike). From the main road, one goes up the mountain and reach the parking area. From the parking area, one can choose to hike 10 – 15 minutes downwards to the falls or rent a motorbike at approximately PhP 50 per person both ways.

**Travel time from Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) to the town of Oslob: Travelled distance approximately about 112km and spending a total of 2hrs and 45mins, depending on traffic, road conditions and the weather.