Cebu Beaches

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This may not seem true to you, but Cebu, one of the most popular tourist islands in the Philippines, has almost no normal beaches. And all the wonderful "praises" about the beaches of Cebu, which can be found on the sites, relate at best to the beaches on the neighboring islands, and at worst generally describe the coast of the islands in other parts of the country.

The reality is that on the entire coast of Cebu island, which has a perimeter length of more than 550 kilometers, there are only a few beaches acceptable for recreation and swimming, and if we talk about fully equipped resorts for recreation, then there is only one here – the city of Moalboal. In the capital of the island, Cebu City, there are no beaches at all, it takes several hours to get to the nearest one. If we talk about the neighboring islands, which belong to the province of Cebu and are independent places for recreation, then the situation with the beaches is much better.

In addition, a big problem with the beaches of Cebu is the strong influence of low tide on them. Objectively speaking, at low tide, most of them are simply not adapted for swimming, you can only sunbathe on the shore, or wet your legs to your knees.

In the Russian travel blogger space, there is a misconception that the tides depend on the time of day. In fact, this is not so, and it is never possible to say unequivocally, for example, that at a particular resort there are tides in the morning and ebbs in the evenings. To determine the level of tides on Cebu, special calculated charts-forecasts are used.

График приливов и отливов острове Себу

График приливов и отливов острове Себу подробно ⧉

We have prepared an overview of the best beaches in Cebu, as well as on neighboring islands belonging to the province:

White Beach

In our opinion, this is the best independent beach and resort in Cebu. Formally, white beach belongs to the resort of Moalboal, but in fact it is located aside about 6 kilometers from the tourist center of the resort of Panagsama beach and the center of Moalboal itself. Therefore, if you decide to relax on this beach, you can pick up a hotel both right here and on Panagsama beach, and choose here to relax during the day.

The tourist infrastructure here is poorly developed, there are few hotels, and they are mostly expensive compared to Panagsama Beach. Outside the hotels there is almost nothing here, and they are located far from each other, so staying at White Beach to "civilization" you will have to get out by rented transport or tricycle. The exception is the central part of white beach, but there hotels are very expensive, and the beach on weekends is crowded with local vacationers and tourists.

The beach itself is very good, Sandy, with fine pleasant sand, the only white color in Cebu. Under the water there are sharp corals and stones, sea urchins, so for swimming it is better to have Coral slippers. It is also home to a large number of corals, colored fish, and if you are lucky – then during snorkeling you can see sea turtles. The entrance to the beach is free, but for parking a motorcycle or car they ask 10/30 pesos.

Uyat Beach is 8 kilometers from the center (White Beach on the map) . A trip on a tricycle from the center will cost from 150 pesos (2.65 USD), mototaxi 60, with Panagsama Beach - from 80 pesos. See more, how to get to Moalboal is here...

White Beach

White Beach Moalboal

White Beach Moalboal
Lambug Beach / Lambug Beach

Lambug Beach (Lambug Beach), aka Magic Beach is located 17 kilometers from Moalboal, you will have to get there by taxi or rented transport (Lambug Beach on the map). This is not an independent and full-fledged tourist area, it is even far from villages and any infrastructure. But there are a couple of Hotels-Resorts, Homestays and camping, where for a fee without any amenities you can stay in a tent right on the beach. From the infrastructure there are a few cafes, and nothing else. Therefore, you should not choose Lambug beach as a place to stay, but rather use it as a remote beach for relaxing during the day.

The beach itself is very good. Here is yellow sand and palm trees, the coast is moderately clean, and clear water in calm weather. But at low tide it is not very pleasant to swim here: it opens an ugly bottom and stones, it is dirty. The length of the Lambug is about 500 meters. Entrance is paid, they ask for 50 pesos per person (0.88 USD, see Philippine currency and Exchange Rate), but you can bargain if you come in a group or two on a motorcycle. There is no entertainment, except for a volleyball net and a chain of cafes.

Lambug Beach

Lambog Beach Moalboal

Lambog Beach Moalboal
Panagsama Beach / Panagsama Beach

Panagsama Beach (Panagsama Beach) in our opinion, this is not a beach at all, but it is called a beach, so you can not fail to mention it. Panagsama is actually the center and resort of Moalboal, where tourists most often stay. It is here that the entire tourist infrastructure of the resort is concentrated, you can find cheap hotels and hostels.

But for a classic beach holiday, Panagsama Beach is not at all suitable, since the coast here is rocky, and in some places simply concreted. Its main purpose is a place for diving and snorkeling, freediving, trips from here on excursions to attractions in other parts of the island. Scuba diving from a boat or near the shore is offered at travel agencies and hotels, at distributors on the beach. And snorkeling, if desired, you can do it yourself, renting a mask and a tube for 100 pesos. It is here that the famous shoal of sardines is located, and with a high probability you can see sea turtles. Interesting snorkeling begins already 20-30 meters from the shore, where the bottom abruptly breaks off and goes down the coral wall.

Panagsama is 4 kilometers from the center (Panagsama Beach on the map). You can get from the center and the bus stop on a tricycle from 80 pesos (1.41 USD, see the currency of the Philippines and its exchange rate), or on a motorcycle taxi from 30 pesos (0.53 USD), or a local tricycle for 10 pesos.

Panagsama Beach

Panagsama snorkeling

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Hermit's Cove

A very beautiful and very secluded beach, near which there is not even a hotel. The only hotel is still under construction, and may open only in 2021. The beach is on the West Coast in the Aloguinsan area away from the main tourist civilization (hermit Bay on the map), and fully justifies its name: you can only get here by private or rented transport, and on a dirt road, so foreign tourists are a rarity here. But local travelers and tourists love this beach, come to it with whole families for the weekend.

As for the beach itself, do not expect miracles. Yes, it is almost wild and very beautiful from afar, but without proper care, garbage appears on it. At low tide it is impossible to swim, the water goes far exposing the stones. From the infrastructure there are cafes and trays with food, gazebos for recreation. Entrance is paid-100 pesos.

Hermit's Cove
Tinko Beach / Tingko Beach

Tinco Beach is the most popular beach where locals go to rest from Cebu City, so it is always crowded, especially on weekends. It is not very large, only about 100 meters, along which there are cafes with food and drinks, karaoke, there are gazebos for rent. The sand is white and fine, almost always clean. Entrance is paid, 20 pesos.

The beach is next to the main road of the island, along which there is some infrastructure, and even several accommodation options. However, we will not recommend this beach and area as a place to stop for the entire period of rest, only if you stop along the way.

Tinco Beach is located 100 kilometers from Cebu and 20 from the city Oslob (Tinko Beach on the map). It is very easy to get here by any bus from Cebu South Bus terminal to Bato via Oslob. Buses run frequently throughout the day, with fares ranging from 50 to 120 pesos. For parking personal vehicles will have to pay 50 pesos.

Tinko Beach / Tingko Beach
Dalaguete Beach Park

This is another very popular and well-equipped beach that locals like to visit on weekends. Located off the main road and 80 kilometers from Cebu City (Dalaguete Beach on the map). A very cozy place with lots of saving shade from the trees. On the shore there are cafes, karaoke, tables and gazebos for rent (200-350 pesos). It is also very crowded on weekends, but it is quite long, so you can always find a place.

Entrance to Dalaguet Beach Park 30 pesos, 20 parking. Here you can also spend the night in your tent at the campsite for 50 pesos.

Dalaguete Beach Park / Dalaguete Beach Parkh