Are you wondering what is it like swimming with whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu? Then you’ll enjoy this blog as I will bring you closer to this majestic gentle giant. Read on and have fun!
SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS IN OSLOB, CEBU! AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
Day 4 – OCTOBER 18, 2016 – On our 2nd day, we chose to do some South Cebu activities.
Since It’s a 3-4 hours road trip going to Oslob, we left at our guesthouse at around 4 in the morning and just caught up on some sleep during the ride. But our driver woke us up to see this beautiful sunrise.
While on the way, we also passed by at Oslob’s old Cuartel and the old church near it (almost just across it), the Nuestra Señora de la Immaculada Conception church, which is one of the oldest churches in Cebu, to have some photos.
OSLOB WHALESHARK ENCOUNTER
We arrived at the Oslob Whaleshark Encounter location by around 7:00 a.m. This is the best time to visit Oslob whale sharks.
You will be given only 30 minutes of encounter which will start once you arrive at the encounter area at the sea. REMEMBER, putting on sunblock is a NO-NO here because the chemicals will harm the Butandings. So better not to put some on your body because taking it off was not easy, you’ll waste a lot of wipes or you have to shower to wash it off.
Each boat has two boatmen that will guide you and take photos for you. The struggle is real in taking photos for those who don’t know how to swim… like us!
Sinubukan pa din naming mag-group shot.
Sabi ni kuya: “oh, 1, 2, 3, lubog!” Pagkaahon…. “oh ulit tayo. 1, 2, 3, lubog!” Mga limang beses na ganyan ang eksena. Jusko! Kulang nalang magmakaawa kami na gusto din naman namin huminga. hahaha Sobrang frustrated nya siguro kasi mauubos na yung 30mins namin, wala pa kaming matinong kuha.
Sabi sa akin ni kuya: “HAY SUS, ma’am!! HAY SUS! Wag ka magpanic. Andito lang naman ako, bitaw ka sa life vest.” Sorry kuya, meron kasi akong trust issue (jk).
“…… kung wala ka ng makapitan. Kapit ka sa akin. Kumapit ka sa akin. Hindi kita bibitawaaaan.” So ayun, hindi talaga ako bumitaw. hahahahha
Gusto ko talagang magkaroon ng magandang picture with Butanding nun, kaso hindi ako marunong lumangoy. So yes, LIFE vest.
But don’t fret! Coz I’m sure after a few tries, you’ll have that perfect Oslob whale shark watching photos with those gentle giants.. like we did. 🙂
I know these are not perfect yet but for us, it is. Coz these are way better than the previous group photos. hehe Still can’t believe that I got to swim with them.
Though, some petitions are going around asking to ban this kind of activity as this may harm the whale sharks. 🙁 I think as long as everyone follows the instructions given before the encounter, all will be well. However, some forget it as they enjoy the activity. 🙁
TUMALOG FALLS
After our encounter, we proceeded to Tumalog Falls. If you want to get there fast, you will have to ride a habal-habal on a steep rode which makes it a bit scary, but that’s just a short ride though. Otherwise, you can walk going there. The falls was a bit dry when we went there. Though as per our guide, that’s not usually the amount of water falling from above the falls, we were just a bit unlucky. LOL
KAWASAN FALLS
We ate an early lunch before we drove to Kawasan. It’s a 1-2 hour ride from Tumalog. And from the jump-off point, there’s a 15-20mins walk to the falls just along the river.
This river is connected to Kawasan Falls, making the trek not exhausting because the clear blue water will entice you.
It is just sooo clean and blue-ish. It gave us a total amazement while walking along it. I fell in love! ♥
The trail going to Kawasan Falls won’t bore or tire you as there are a lot of picture-perfect spots along the way. 🙂
After a few minutes of walking, there’s the ENCHANTING Kawasan Falls!! How is that soooo blue that the water seems to be coming from a pool??!!
Nature will never fail to amaze you, ALWAYS! Soooobrang ganda! ♥
You know what’s the most exciting part? The close experience underneath the falls by riding a bamboo raft and going through the foot of the falling water.
The amount of water may not seem vigorous but when you go underneath it, it’s punchy. LOL
We regretted not renting a life vest as it serves as a shield from the violent (exaggeration intended) force of the rushing water on your body.
I think it was 1-2:00 p.m. when we decided to go back to the jump-off to settle and wash up.
We ended this trip with so many smiles on our faces and brought home a lot of happiness and memories. We were so satisfied that we wanna go back and try all of the south activities especially the Canyoneering.
Surely we will! Wait for our comeback, Cebu!
Day 5 – OCTOBER 19, 2016 – End of the vacation! So sad. If only we could stay longer or live here. 🙁 Our flight was at 9:oo a.m. So we rode a taxi to go to the airport at 5:30 a.m. For Cebu flights, there’s no terminal fee that you need to pay because it’s already incorporated into your plane ticket.
It was past 10:00 a.m. when we arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3. I hope this post made you want to visit Bohol and Cebu as much as we did. Have you been there? How was your experience? Share it in the comment section. I’d love to read it.🙂
OTHER EXPENSES NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR
Taxi from ALT to Airport – PHP 150
Taxi from Airport to Buendia Bus Terminal – PHP 300
1 thought on “Swimming with Whale Sharks in Oslob, Cebu!”
Pingback: Cebu Travel Expenses: Queen City of the South Experience! - Ann Loves To Write