South Cebu

Tingko Beach

A long, easy-going strip of white sand and shallow turquoise water right beside the highway in Alcoy. The perfect swim stop between Oslob, Boljoon and Dalaguete.

Quick facts

Location: Alcoy, South Cebu
From Cebu City: 3-4 hours by bus from Cebu City
Best for: Swimming, families, a cheap beach day
Budget: ₱800-₱2,000 per day
Best time: March to May, on weekdays

Local contact

Alcoy Tourism Office

Ask about fees, opening times and conditions before you go.

Message on FacebookOfficial page (032) 326-2217Tap to call

Printable pocket booklet

Take Tingko Beach with you

Map, routes and how to get there
Day plans and what things cost
Packing and safety checklists
Prints on A4 or A5, works offline

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Tips for this trip

Tingko Beach is one of the easiest white sand beaches to reach in South Cebu. It runs for about a kilometre along the coast of Alcoy, a small town between Dalaguete and Boljoon, right beside the main highway. The sand is fine and pale, the water is shallow, calm and clear, and the mood is local and relaxed: families with picnics, kids splashing in the shallows and coconut palms leaning over the shore. Add the forested hills of Alcoy behind it and you have a lovely, low-cost stop on any trip to the south.

Why go to Tingko Beach

White sand and clear, shallow water, good for a slow swim and for children.
Cheap and simple: the public beach only asks a small fee.
Right on the highway, so it is easy to reach by bus and easy to combine with other stops.
The green hills of Alcoy, home to Nug-as Forest, one of the last old forests on Cebu.

The beach

The shore is split into a few sections. There is a public beach, and some stretches in front of private resorts or run by local owners. They all share the same sand and sea, but each charges its own small fee. Recent reports give about ₱10 for the public beach and around ₱20-₱50 for some private sections. Cottages and tables can be rented for the day, often for about ₱300-₱1,000 depending on size. Check the rates at the gate, as they change.

The water stays shallow a long way out, especially at low tide, when you can wade far from shore. Small reefs lie offshore, and some locals rent out boats to reach them. Tents are not allowed on the beach at the time of writing, so plan to use a cottage or bring a mat.

Nug-as Forest and the hills of Alcoy

High above the coast, in the mountain barangay of Nug-as, lies Nug-as Forest, one of the last patches of old forest on Cebu. It is a refuge for rare birds found only on this island, including the black shama, known locally as siloy, and the critically endangered Cebu flowerpecker. Alcoy celebrates the siloy with its Siloy Festival every August.

Nug-as is not a casual walk-in park. Visits are arranged through the Alcoy Tourism Office, usually with a local guide, and birdwatching means a very early start. On clear mornings the hills of Nug-as are also known for a sea of clouds. Keep quiet on the trail, stay on the path and never disturb nesting birds.

Combine it with Oslob, Boljoon and Dalaguete

Tingko sits in the middle of the best stretch of the south-east coast, so it fits neatly into a road trip:

Boljoon, just south, has one of the finest old stone churches in Cebu. See our Boljoon guide.
Oslob is roughly 30-45 minutes further south, with Tumalog Falls and Sumilon Island. Read our Oslob guide.
Dalaguete, to the north, is the gateway to Osmeña Peak.
On the way down, Argao and Carcar make good heritage and food stops.

How to get to Tingko Beach from Cebu City

Go to the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Our guide to Cebu bus terminals explains how it works.
Take a bus bound for Oslob, Santander or Bato via Oslob, which runs down the east coast. Do not take the Bato via Barili bus. The ride takes about 3-4 hours.
Ask the conductor to drop you at Tingko Beach in Alcoy. The beach is signposted on the highway.
Walk a few minutes from the road to the entrance you choose and pay the small fee.

Leave Cebu City early to beat the traffic and get the calmest water. Fares change, so check them on the day. To head back, wave down a northbound bus marked Cebu on the highway.

Getting around

Buses run along the coastal highway all day, so it is easy to hop between Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob and Dalaguete. Tricycles and habal-habal (motorbike taxis) cover short trips and the steep road up to Nug-as. Agree on the fare before you go.

Where to stay and eat

There are a few beach resorts and simple rooms along the Alcoy coast, and more choice in Oslob to the south. At the beach, small stores and vendors sell drinks, snacks and grilled food, and many families bring a picnic. Restaurants are limited, so do not count on a big menu.

When to go

The dry months, from about March to May, usually bring the calmest, clearest water, though December to February can be lovely too. Weekends and holidays get busy with local families. For a quiet beach, come on a weekday morning. Avoid stormy days, when the sea can be rough. See the best time to visit Cebu.