The best beaches in Cebu: where to swim, snorkel and relax

Cebu is a long, narrow island with sea on both sides, so a good beach is never far away. Some of the best are on small islands off the coast, a short boat ride away. Others are right by the highway, perfect for a swim on a road trip. Here is our pick, sorted by area, with a link to our full guide wherever we have one.

One thing to know first: many beaches in Cebu belong to resorts, and most public beaches and islands charge a small entrance or environmental fee. Keep small bills ready, and check fees locally, because they change.

South Cebu: reefs, sandbars and sardines

• Moalboal: Panagsama is not a sandy beach, but it has one of the best snorkels in Cebu, with the famous sardine run just off the shore. White Beach nearby, in Basdaku, has soft sand and calm water. Best overnight. See our Moalboal guide.
• Pescador Island: a small marine sanctuary off Moalboal with a coral wall, reached on island-hopping trips. Snorkel only, no beach to lie on. Read our Pescador Island guide.
• Lambug Beach, Badian: a long, quiet stretch of white sand, great for a sunset swim after Kawasan Falls. Day trip or an easy add-on to Moalboal. See Lambug Beach.
• Sumilon Island, Oslob: a white sandbar that shifts with the seasons, clear water and a marine sanctuary. A day trip from Oslob. See our Sumilon Island guide.
• Tingko Beach, Alcoy: a white sand beach on the southeast coast, popular with local families. A stop on the way to or from Oslob. See Tingko Beach.
• Santander: the quiet southern tip of Cebu, with clear water and the port for boats to Negros. See our Santander guide.

North Cebu: white sand and slow island days

• Malapascua: a small car-free island with powdery Bounty Beach, calm water and thresher shark dives at dawn. Plan at least two nights. See our Malapascua guide.
• Gibitngil Island, Medellin: a small island village ringed by white sand and sandbars, about 20 minutes by boat from the mainland, with colourful cottages and a cliff-jumping spot nearby. A long day trip or one night. See Gibitngil Island.
• Capitancillo Island, Bogo: a tiny islet with a lighthouse and a reef around it, for snorkelling and diving more than lounging. See Capitancillo Island.
• Sogod: a coastal town about 60 km north of the city, with white sand public beaches, beach resorts and a calmer pace than the busier spots. See our Sogod guide.

The islands: Bantayan and Camotes

• Bantayan: long white beaches around Santa Fe, shallow turquoise water, flat roads for scooters and lovely sunsets. The ferry leaves from Hagnaya in San Remigio. Stay at least one or two nights. Read our Bantayan guide.
• Camotes Islands: white sand coves such as Santiago Bay, a freshwater lake and caves for swimming. The ferry leaves from Danao. Best for two or three nights. See the Camotes Islands guide.

Near Cebu City and Mactan

Mactan, where the airport is, has calm water and many resorts, but most of its beachfront is private. You can buy a day pass at some resorts, or go island hopping instead:

• Mactan island hopping: a boat trip to the small islands and marine sanctuaries off Mactan, with snorkelling and a seafood lunch. A perfect half or full day. See Mactan island hopping and our island hopping tips.
• Olango Island: a short boat ride from Mactan, best known for its bird sanctuary, with simple island life. See our Olango Island guide.

Day trip or overnight?

• Easy day trips from Cebu City: Mactan island hopping, Olango and Sogod.
• Long day trips (3-4 hours each way by bus): Moalboal, Lambug, Oslob with Sumilon, Tingko and Gibitngil. Leave before 6 am, or better, stay a night.
• Stay overnight: Malapascua, Bantayan and the Camotes Islands. Boats and ferries make them too far for a comfortable day trip.
• For a plan that links several beaches, see our 5-day Cebu itinerary and day trips from Cebu City.

When to go

The dry months, from about December to May, usually bring the calmest seas and clearest water. From about June to November, rain and typhoons can cancel boat trips and ferries, so keep a spare day. Weekends and holidays are busy everywhere. Read the best time to visit Cebu and our tips on typhoon season travel.

Be a good beach guest

• Don't touch or stand on coral, and never chase, touch or feed turtles and fish.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen, or better, a rash guard.
• Pay the environmental and entrance fees. They help protect the reefs and the beaches.
• Take your trash home, including cigarette butts and plastic bottles.
• Dress modestly when you leave the beach and walk through villages.
• Wear a life vest on boats and when you are not a strong swimmer. Some beaches have strong currents and no lifeguard.
• Read more in our guide to responsible travel in Cebu.

What to bring

Pack a mask and snorkel (rentals are not always clean or available), water shoes for rocky entries, a dry bag, a hat and plenty of water. Bring cash, since small islands often have no ATM. Our Cebu packing list and snorkelling guide have the details.

Photo: "Sumilon Island sandbar" by Warrendering, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.