Best in March

Gilutongan, Cordova, Cebu

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.

Mambajao, Camiguin

Camiguin Island

The "Island Born of Fire" off northern Mindanao: a white sandbar, a sunken cemetery, waterfalls, hot and cold springs and sweet lanzones. A slow scooter loop with a short flight from Cebu.

Santa Fe, Cebu

Santa Fe and Sugar Beach, Bantayan

The ferry town at the south of Bantayan Island and its long white-sand beach strip. Sugar Beach, calm shallow water, big sunsets, Ogtong Cave and Virgin Island, a half-day trip from Cebu City.

Hilutungan, Cordova, Cebu

Hilutungan Island

A tiny island with one of Cebu's oldest marine sanctuaries, about 30 minutes by boat from Mactan. Snorkel a protected reef full of fish, with fees and rules explained.

San Juan, Siquijor

Siquijor

A small, friendly island of turquoise waterfalls, sunset beaches and old stone churches, best explored on a slow loop by motorbike or tricycle. Now reachable by direct flight from Cebu.

Dauin, Negros Oriental

Apo Island

A tiny volcanic island off southern Negros with one of the Philippines' most famous community-run marine sanctuaries. Snorkel with green sea turtles over healthy coral, the respectful way.

Malapascua, Daanbantayan, North Cebu

Monad Shoal (Thresher Shark Dives)

The underwater plateau off Malapascua where thresher sharks rise at dawn. What the dive is like, who can do it, what it costs, how to pick a shop and what to do if you do not dive.

Panglao, Bohol

Panglao Island

Bohol's beach island: white sand at Alona, turtles and reef walls at Balicasag, an underground lagoon at Hinagdanan and an easy fast-ferry trip from Cebu.

Santander, South Cebu

Santander

The southern tip of Cebu: Liloan port and the short crossing to Negros, pebble beaches, calm mornings and views of Negros and Siquijor. A quiet base next to Oslob and Sumilon.

Sogod, North Cebu

Sogod

A quiet town on the north-east coast where the white sand begins. Beach days on the Camotes Sea, a roadside waterfall, a cold spring and an old church, about two hours from Cebu City.

Medellin, North Cebu

Gibitngil Island

A quiet island village a short boat ride off Medellin in North Cebu, with clear water, limestone cliffs, sandbars and colourful cottages on the rocks. Simple, local and far from the crowds.

Alcoy, 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.