Nalusuan Island
A tiny resort island and marine sanctuary off Cordova, about 20-40 minutes by boat from Mactan. Calm, shallow snorkelling and a wooden jetty, with fees and rules explained.
Nalusuan Island is a tiny island of about one hectare, off the coast of Cordova on Mactan. It was once a sandbar, and today a small resort fills the whole island, with a protected marine sanctuary around it. It is a calm, shallow and easy place to snorkel, and the wooden jetty that leads out to it is one of the most photographed sights on Mactan island-hopping trips. This guide covers the sanctuary, the day-use arrangements, boats and fees.
Why go to Nalusuan
- Calm, shallow snorkelling that suits families, beginners and weaker swimmers.
- A protected reef with fish that are used to visitors, so you see them close up.
- A small island with a restaurant, cottages and toilets, so it is comfortable for a half-day.
- Close to the city: easy to fit in before or after a flight.
The sanctuary and the wooden jetty
The Nalusuan Marine Sanctuary sits on the Olango reef and is looked after locally to protect the water from dynamite fishing and overfishing. Wikipedia notes that large grouper have returned there. Expect reef fish, soft and hard corals, giant clams, sea urchins and, with luck, a sea turtle or stingray.
A long wooden walkway runs out over the shallow reef towards the island. It is a favourite for photos, and a good place to watch fish from above. A waterproof phone case is handy.
The resort and day use
The Nalusuan Island Resort occupies the island. Travel sites in 2025-2026 describe a small restaurant, beach huts and cottages for day rental, toilets and cold showers, and a few simple overwater cottages for overnight stays. There are no ATMs or shops, so bring cash. Opening hours are often listed as about 8 am to 5 pm, but please check with your operator.
Day visitors usually pay a fee on arrival. Reports in 2026 say about ₱150-₱300 per person, while some older reviews mention ₱400, sometimes waived if you eat at the restaurant. Tours often include the fee or a lunch there. Amounts change, so ask before you go.
A note on the mangroves
The mangroves are not on Nalusuan itself. Cordova has about 100 hectares of mangrove forest on the Mactan side, and the town was building a boardwalk and a mangrove information centre in Barangay Day-as (SunStar reported this in December 2023). Ask the Cordova tourism office whether it is open before you plan a visit.
Where is Nalusuan Island?
Gilutongan, Cordova, Cebu
Directions open in Google Maps, starting from where you are. Its travel times are estimates, and ferries and island boats may not be included.
Getting there from Cebu City
- Go to Mactan by taxi, Grab or private car. From central Cebu City to a Mactan dock takes about 45-60 minutes (estimate, 2026).
- Go to a departure point: Cordova port, Maribago, Marigondon or Punta Engano. Cordova is closest to the island.
- Join a tour or hire a bangka (outrigger boat). The crossing takes about 20-40 minutes (estimate, 2025-2026).
- Pay the fee, put on a life vest and enjoy the 1.5-2 hours that tours usually spend on the island.
Most people join an island-hopping tour that pairs Nalusuan with Hilutungan and sometimes Caohagan. Joiner tours were reported at roughly ₱1,500-₱3,500 per person in 2026, and a private boat at about ₱2,500-₱5,000 (estimates). Tours usually leave around 8 am. Our Mactan island hopping guide covers the full day.
Getting around and boat arrangements
There is nothing to walk to: the island is small enough to cross in a couple of minutes, and everything is near the jetty. The real choice is the boat. A joiner tour is the easiest, because the boat, life vests, a guide and often lunch are arranged for you. A private bangka from Cordova port or Maribago lets you choose your time and stay longer, and it is cheaper per person for a group of four or more.
If you book your own boat, agree the price, the stops, the pick-up time and whether the island fee and lunch are included, ideally by message the day before. Most boats wait for you, so keep an eye on the time and be back at the jetty when agreed. Bring a dry bag for your phone, as the crossing can splash, especially in the afternoon.
The island is small and gets busy when several tours arrive together, usually from about 9 to 11 am. If you want a quiet swim, ask your boatman to go to Nalusuan first or to stay a little longer after the other boats leave.
Nalusuan or Hilutungan?
Hilutungan Island is the better reef for confident swimmers, with deeper water, bigger schools and stronger currents. Nalusuan is shallower, calmer and more comfortable, with facilities and a jetty. Many tours do both. For a bigger island with villages and birds, see Olango Island.
Where to stay and eat
Lunch is often served at the resort restaurant or on the boat. The Maribago and Punta Engano coast has many resorts, and Mactan has hotels near the airport. For seafood afterwards, try the grills of Lapu-Lapu's sutukil strip.
When to go
December to May is the dry season with the calmest, clearest water, and March to May is often the clearest. Go in the morning. Weekdays are quieter than weekends and holidays.
Tips for a good trip
- Bring cash in small bills for the fee, food, gear rental and tips.
- Wear a life vest and a rash guard, and use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Do not touch or stand on coral, and keep your fins off the bottom. Never chase turtles or fish.
- Take your rubbish home and skip fish feeding.
- Check the weather. Boats may not sail in strong wind or typhoon warnings (see our typhoon season tips).
Want more water time? Read our snorkelling in Cebu and island hopping in Cebu tips, or plan your arrival with Mactan airport to Cebu City.
Photo gallery
Tap a photo to see it full size. Gallery photos come from Wikimedia Commons; each photographer's credit shows when you open the photo.
Watch before you go
Photo: Benedictus, via Pixabay, used under the Pixabay Content License.
Last updated October 28, 2026
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<a href="https://touristbooklet.com/destinations/nalusuan-island/">Nalusuan Island - Tourist Booklet</a>- Citation
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From Tourist Booklet: https://touristbooklet.com/destinations/nalusuan-island/. Last updated 28 October 2026. Prices and times change, so check before you go.
