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If you are planning to travel from Cebu City to Oslob, look no further—this is the article for you! In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about traveling from Cebu City to Oslob in 2025.
The journey from Cebu City to Oslob is not straightforward, and you can run into some challenging problems if you are not prepared. Please read this article carefully to make sure you’re equipped with all of the key information to ensure that you have a smooth trip.
Swimming with whale sharks is undoubtedly one of the most invigorating, inspiring, and incredible things to do in Cebu. If you are hoping to swim with whale sharks in Cebu, you will need to go to Oslob, which is a small and very pretty town situated on the southeast coast. So what is the best way to travel from Cebu City to Oslob? What options are available, and how do you best plan your trip?
FULL and In-Depth Guide – EVERYTHING you need to know about seeing Whale Sharks in Oslob
PLANNING TO STAY IN OSLOB? – How to stay in Oslob close to Whale Shark Beach
Cebu city to Oslob – Summary
IN BRIEF – 130km by road, 3 -5 hours (depending on traffic in Cebu city)
- Bus – 300 pesos each way + Taxi fees (around £4 or $5)
- Tour – $60 – $70 (private tour) per vehicle (check out this tour on Klook)
- Car Rental – 1,000 pesos per day (around £16 or $20)
- Bike Rental – 300 pesos per day (around £4 or $5)
Why visit Oslob?
Oslob is best known for whale sharks. In fact, Oslob is one of the very few places in the world where you can swim with wild whale sharks. Swimming with whale sharks is genuinely an impressive and superlative experience. However, it is also extremely popular. So you do need to be organized and plan your trip carefully. There are other reasons to visit Oslob. For example, you may be planning to visit Moalboal (this is a great location for diving and canyoneering at Kawasan Waterfalls).
If you are planning to visit Moalboal, then Oslob is a good stop. In our opinion, it is underrated as a destination. It is a small, beautiful town on the East Coast, it has a peaceful and relaxed vibe, and you can also visit the stunning Tumalog Waterfall.
Can you visit Oslob in a single day from Cebu City?
Although it is possible to travel to and from Oslob in a single day from Cebu City, we do not recommend this (especially if you are hoping to swim with whale sharks). The journey from Cebu City to Oslob takes several hours (depending on the traffic). Furthermore, if you’re planning to swim with whale sharks, you will need to arrive relatively early in the morning (even if you have managed to book a slot on the official whale shark reservation Facebook page).
If you have not reserved a slot, you will need to arrive by 4:00 a.m. To arrive in Oslob on time, you would need to get an extremely early start in Cebu City. On the other hand, Oslob is a very beautiful town with a good range of accommodation and some fantastic things to see and do in the area. We recommend booking a place to stay in Oslob and taking a little time to explore the area. We loved staying at Sascha’s Resort in Oslob – it is a beautiful and affordable beach front hotel with a pool & on-site cafe.
1 Take a bus
One of the cheapest ways to travel from Cebu City to Oslob is to take a bus. Although a bus is a relatively cheap option, it is not the most comfortable or convenient option. There are no toilets on the bus and the seats are not big or comfortable. There is space for large bags under the bus (always bring your smaller valuables bag on the bus with you – never leave valuables under the bus). Buses generally take at least one stop so you can buy snacks and use the toilet.
How do you take the bus to Oslob?
To take a bus from Cebu City to Oslob, you will need to go to the Cebu City South Bus Terminal (this bus terminal serves the south of Cebu Island including Oslob and Moalboal). The best way to get to the bus terminal is to use a taxi. If you have a SIM card with mobile data, you can very easily arrange a taxi using the Grab Taxi app (we do recommend using the Grab Taxi app because it can be very slow and difficult to flag a taxi at the side of the road in Cebu). The Grab Taxi app allows you to get a local price. Expect to pay around 200-300 pesos for a taxi from the center of Cebu City.
If you are taking a bus from Cebu City to Oslob, you do not need to book your ticket in advance. You can just turn up at the bus station and purchase your ticket on arrival. There is not a strict bus schedule, so we recommend turning up when you are ready and waiting for the next bus to depart. In Cebu, buses generally depart every 10-20 minutes. A bus from Cebu City to Oslob costs 292 pesos this is around £4 or $5 (always check your change carefully). If you take a bus from Cebu City to Oslob, you can get a drop-off right at the entrance to the whale shark beach.
Top tip
Buses to Oslob depart as early as 1 a.m. This means that you can arrive nice and early to join the queue to see the whale sharks. However, if you don’t want a painfully early start, then we recommend booking a slot using the official whale shark reservation page on Facebook. It does not cost any money, and this allows you to select a time slot. You need to book one day in advance. If you are unable to get the slot you want, you can either rebook the following day, or you will need to turn up around 4-5 a.m. and queue.
2 Book a tour
If you are looking for a low-stress and high-convenience option, then we recommend booking a tour. There are several big advantages to booking a tour. Firstly, many tours include hotel pick-up. You will be given a pickup time, and all you need to do is be ready to jump up and go (it is important to check exactly what is included with your tour when you book). Taking a tour means that you do not need to spend time messing around with taxis, bartering, or trying to make your own transport arrangements.
Most tours include an English-speaking tour guide who can help you with any questions or problems, and they can also show you the best places to eat and help you make the most of experiences along the way. Taking a tour is also a great way to meet new people and make friends. The main disadvantage to booking a tour is the higher price. Taking a tour is also a less flexible option (you will need to follow the timings and itinerary of your group). However, if you are looking for a simple, safe, and low-stress option, taking a tour is a great choice.
You can get a Private tour to the Whale Sharks on Klook for around $60 – $70 per vehicle – includes hotel pick up and drop off, a driver and guide and an option to visit Tumalog Falls. This tour does not include food, drinks, or entry to swim with whale sharks (which costs 500 pesos or around £8 or $10). They also charge a fuel fee 1,800 – 2,000 pesos (around £30 or $35).
3 Rent a car
FULL GUIDE – Car Rental in Cebu City
The most convenient way to travel from Cebu City to Oslob is to rent a car and drive. Car rental in the Philippines starts at around 1,000 pesos per day. It is generally very difficult to find car rental deals for less than this. If you are planning to rent for a long period of time (more than two or three weeks), you may be able to negotiate a cheaper car rental deal. The advantage to car rental is the convenience and flexibility. You can throw your bags in the back and go when you want.
Advantages of car rental in Cebu
Having your own car in Oslob also means that you can get to the whale sharks nice and early without needing to rely on a local taxi driver in Oslob. Using a rental car also makes it a lot easier to visit other attractions in the area, such as Tumalog Waterfall. We used a rental car to travel all around Cebu Island, including a trip to Moalboal. Using a car rental is a great way to organize a flexible and independent itinerary. It is also a fantastic option for families traveling with kids (in general, a car journey is a lot easier than a bus journey because you can stop when you want to take breaks, find snacks, or use a toilet).
Disadvantages of car rental in Cebu
However, there are some disadvantages to using car rental in Cebu. Firstly, you will be responsible and liable for the car if there are any problems, incidents, or damages to the vehicle (this can be very stressful when you are driving on unfamiliar and unpredictable roads). The roads around Cebu City can be quite intense and challenging to drive on (especially for a foreigner). The journey from Cebu City to Oslob typically takes around 4 or 5 hours depending on traffic. There is often a lot of traffic in Cebu City (especially along the Cebu South Road as you leave the city).
Top tip
If you are planning to rent a car and drive to Oslob, check that your hotel has free on-site parking. Some of the hotels in the area are situated on a very busy main road with minimal parking in the area, so make sure that parking is included.
4 Rent a motorbike
If you’re looking for an affordable, flexible, and enjoyable way to travel around Cebu, you could rent a motorbike and ride. However, it is important to recognize the potential challenges of this option. Firstly, the journey from Cebu City to Oslob is a long journey, and this would be very tiring on the motorbike. It is also important to be aware that the roads around Cebu City are very busy, and in some places, they can be quite fast-moving. This can be quite dangerous, especially if you are not an experienced rider. Always wear a helmet and ride carefully.
Motorbike rental does offer some of the advantages of car rental. For example, exploring Cebu by motorbike allows you freedom and flexibility. You can stop when you want and go when you want. However, remember you will not be able to take a lot of baggage on a motorbike with you, and if there is a tropical downpour, everything is likely to get soaked through. So, if you are planning to ride a motorbike from Cebu City to Oslob, we recommend that you plan your packing carefully. Motorbike rental in Cebu starts at around 300 pesos per day.
How do you travel from Oslob town to the whale sharks?
The whale shark beach is situated around 8 km south of Oslob town. If you are traveling to Oslob by bus, you can get dropped off at the whale shark beach. However, if you are planning to stay in Oslob town, you will need to arrange your transport to reach the whale shark beach. If you are using a rental car or bike, this is very easy (you have the convenience of using your own vehicle).
However, if you do not have your own wheels, you will need to arrange your transportation. Many hotels and guesthouses in the area can arrange an early morning taxi to take you to the whale shark beach. This normally costs 300 pesos. It is not possible to use Grab in this area, so you will need to make an arrangement the day before. We recommend speaking to the staff at your hotel or guesthouse if you do not have your own transportation.
Things to consider if you are renting a car or a motorbike
1 Deposit
If you are renting a car or a motorbike in Cebu, you will need to negotiate a fair price. Make sure that you check exactly what deposit is required. In some cases, you may not need to leave a deposit; in other cases, they may ask you to leave a cash deposit. We do not recommend using your passport as a deposit (you never know when you will need your passport when you are abroad).
2 Additional Fees
It is also important to discuss any additional fees. For example, there may be a drop-off or collection fee for a car. You may also be charged a cleaning fee. Make sure that everything is clear before you sign a contract. Remember that you will need to agree on a pickup and drop-off location and time (many car rental dealers will be happy to offer a pickup and drop-off from the International Airport on Mactan Island).
3 Check the vehicle
It is also important to check your car or bike carefully for any damage and take photos of damage before you take the vehicle. Also, remember to note how much fuel is in the tank because you will be expected to return it with the same amount of fuel (there are plenty of petrol stations around Cebu).
4 Check the contract
Always check the contract carefully and make sure that you know what you are responsible for. In general, your rental dealer will be responsible for general wear and tear and internal failures such as an engine fault. On the other hand, you will be responsible for any damage or problems that arise from deliberate or accidental misuse of the vehicle. For example, if you leave your headlights on overnight and the battery runs out, you will probably be responsible for this. Or if you run over some glass or a nail, you will probably be responsible for replacing or repairing the tire.
5 Get contact details for your car rental dealer
We strongly recommend that you keep a copy of your contract documents, including the contact details for your rental dealer. Make sure you know the best way to get in touch with them. Many people in the Philippines use Facebook Messenger and Instagram Messenger.
LEARN MORE – don’t miss the full guide – The BEST ways to get around in Cebu
