Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar in Cebu
Cebu, Philippines

Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar

Outty Ranking 76 4.7 · 42 traveler reviews15 hoursFrom $132

Pick your date

Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.

September 2026

SMTWTFS

Loading live availability

Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.

From, per person$132
View availability on Viator

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.

Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

76/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 42 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar worth booking?

Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar is a 15-hour experience in Cebu, Philippines, from $132 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 42 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
76 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (42)
Duration
15 hours
From
$132 per person

This is a fantastic day tour for both family and friends where you can swim with whale sharks and experience the natural beauty of the region and for those holidaying in Cebu who want to experience something out of the o

What you get

  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Life jackets
  • Bottled water
  • GoPro rental (Please request upon booking)
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Use of snorkeling equipment

About this experience

This is a fantastic day tour for both family and friends where you can swim with whale sharks and experience the natural beauty of the region and for those holidaying in Cebu who want to experience something out of the ordinary. Oslob is the only place where feeding of wild whale shark is possible in the world, don't miss the great experience with whale sharks. After encountering the gentle giant, refresh yourself at the Tumalog Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Philippines. Visiting the Sumilon Sandbar is one of the highlights in Cebu. The contrast between the bright blue sea and white sandy beaches is unforgettable. Experienced guides certified by the Philippines Department of Tourism will take you around, so you don't need to worry about anything. Insurance* is also included, so please experience a fulfilling tour! (*Insurance coverage requires names and dates of birth of participants for age verification.)

What's included

Included

  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Life jackets
  • Bottled water
  • GoPro rental (Please request upon booking)
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Use of snorkeling equipment
  • Towel rental

Not included

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Optional: Underwater photography fee taken by boatmen (150PHP)
  • Optional: Fin rentals (150PHP)

What you'll see and do

  1. Mactan Island

    We pick up from hotels in Cebu City and Mactan Island. Pick up starts 1:30 a.m.

    Pass by without stopping

  2. Cebu City

    Departure from Cebu City at 3:30 a.m. There is about 3 hours drive and on the way, we stop to grab breakfast.

    Pass by without stopping

  3. Arrive in Oslob. After completing the registration procedures, you can wait comfortably in the dedicated waiting area (BCD'S PLACE) while waiting for your turn to snorkel in Oslob (waiting time is about 30 minutes to 1 hour).

    60 minutes here · Admission included

  4. Snorkeling with Whale Sharks for a lifetime memory! The encounter rate is 99%! Snorkeling with whale sharks in the wild is rare in the world, a precious activity that you must experience in Cebu. The sight of whale sharks over 10 meters in length swimming gracefully and feeding with their large mouths is so powerful that you can hardly contain your excitement. Snorkel masks and life jackets are included, so anyone can enjoy!

    60 minutes here · Admission included

  5. Tumalog Falls

    Enjoy swimming and refresh yourself at the Tumalog Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Philippines.

    60 minutes here · Admission included

  6. Sumilon Island

    One of the clearest islands in the Philippines. The contrast between the bright blue sea and white sandy beaches attracts many troutists. The sea of Sumilon is like a heavenly beauty, with colorful fish and shining coral reefs. The mysterious white sandbar, which appears only at low tide, depending on the weather, time of year and time of day, is one of the highlights of Sumilon Island. Although Sumilon is a desert island, its abundance of trees makes this place a resort island. The island is just 15 minutes away from Oslob by a traditional small boat called bunker boat.

    120 minutes here · Admission included

  7. Cebu City

    After leaving Oslob, we drive about 3 hours to return to Cebu City. Arrival time is around 5:00 p.m. We drop you off at the pick up location.

    Pass by without stopping

Where it starts and ends

Hotel pickup

Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 120 minutes before departure.

Options you can book

  • Private Tour with Hotel Pickup

    Private chartered vehicle Pickup included

  • Pickup from Moalboal

    If you are staying in Moalboal. We will pick you up from the hotel in Moaboal. *Drop-off location: Veranda Kitchen & Bar Duration: 10 hours Pickup included

  • Pickup from Cebu City

    Pick-up is offered only from hotels in Cebu City and Mactan Island. Pickup included

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
ja, en
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 12 travelers per booking
Operated by
Fun Group Cebu

Know before you go

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • The schedule for the day may be subject to change due to weather conditions. In the event of inclement weather, changes will be at the discretion of the guide on the day of the tour.
  • Whale sharks are wild animals and may not be seen during the tour.
  • For insurance purposes, we will require the names and dates of birth of all participants in order to verify the age. Failure to provide this information will result in your ineligibility for insurance.
  • For safety reasons, children under 7 years old are not allowed on the tour.
  • Insurance cannot be provided for those who are 76 years and older; however, you may participate if you purchase own insurance.
  • The whale shark interaction in Oslob involves wild animals in their natural habitat and is operated and managed solely by the Oslob local government authorities. All procedures, including feeding practices, are conducted under their policies and are beyond our company's control.

Photos

Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar in Cebu, photo 2Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar in Cebu, photo 3Free rental of GoPro & beach towel (Please request upon booking)Oslob is the only place where feeding of wild whale sharks is possible in the world; don't miss the great experience with whale sharks.Take a cute bunker boat, which looks like a traditional Filipino water strider, to Sumilon Island in the beautiful sea!Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar in Cebu, photo 7

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 42 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

7 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Organization

4 mentions

Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

Value for money

3 mentions

Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

Pace and timing

3 mentions

Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

Knowledge and storytelling

2 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

Photo opportunities

2 mentions

The views and photo stops come up again and again.

Traveler reviews

42 verified traveler reviews for Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
33
4 star
8
3 star
0
2 star
1
1 star
0
Sort
craig1lister1 · June 2026

LONG Day, but amazing unique experiences.

Be aware the tour starts really early 2 a.m. and the drive is long. Had three activities. The whale Shark was awesome experience. Very unique, once in a lifetime. You only get 30 minutes to be around them. They seem tamed and come very close to you, You are not allowed to touch them. Rent a Camera and cameraman, it is worth it. Second was the waterfall... Really refreshing and amazing place. words would not do a good job, you need to experience it. Third: Turtle and Sardine runs. By this time you are pretty tired and you will probably spend the least amount of time here. they give you the life jacket and snorkeling gear, then you walk to the beach where there is a single homy turtle hanging around, you dive a couple of feet , and take some pictures, then you go a few feet away from the Beach where it is deeper and there are schools of Sardines. AGAIN, do not try to be cheap using your own phone or camera, Highly recommend paying a mere few dollars to the local guide to take the video of you. You are usually accompanied by two guides. They are very good swimmers and you are safe. This is a very long full day activity but very unique and if you have not done such a tour, highly recommend it at least once.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your detailed feedback! Snorkelling with whale sharks is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we are glad that you agree. It means a lot to hear that you had a lovely day despite the early morning and the long drive. We hope to see you again in Cebu for another adventure soon.

via Tripadvisor

Andrea_H · May 2026

Must do and see

What a wonderful experience with the whale sharks. Gilbert and Farrah were very helpful, caring and lovely. I would highly recommend this tour.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your recommendation. It means the world to us! We all look forward to seeing you again in Cebu for another memorable day.

via Viator

Cleide M · March 2026

Life time memories

This tour is the perfect blend of adrenaline, relaxation, and natural beauty. Our guide was knowledgeable, helpful and super friendly , the transport was comfortable, and the memories will last a lifetime.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your review. It really means a lot for all of our team to hear that we were able to help create the memory of a lifetime! Please come and visit again. We look forward to welcoming you for another memorable adventure.

via Tripadvisor

Daniel_B · March 2026

Good and bad

The good - once in Oslob the activities are good. The whale sharks are amazing and you get very close. The waterfall is a good experience and Sumilon Island has beautiful water. The bad - the ride to Oslob in a van with 4 seats across a row is ridiculously small - only suitable for children not adults. The drive is long, the roads are terrible and our driver had a playlist of about 10 songs for the whole 3.5 hours. Once in Oslob the wait can be hours. - spent 3 hours wasted doing nothing. Overall its a good experience once in Oslob. The attractions can get very crowded too. Our guide and driver seemed very unorganised and it did not make our experience enjoyable.

Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback with us. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the whole activity side of the tour. However, we’re sorry to hear that the long drive, vehicle comfort, waiting time in Oslob, and the organization of the tour affected your overall experience. We understand how frustrating extended travel and waiting periods can be, especially when comfort is limited. *Please note that waiting times in Oslob can vary depending on crowd levels and local management. Thank you again for sharing your honest thoughts. We will make sure to review these points internally to improve our service.

via Viator

Amyracheeeel · February 2026

Thank you Mae!

Mae is absolutely incredible. She was so informative and helpful when organising the day. At one point she even gave another tour member her shoes. Made sure the whole day was completely streamlined and everything just worked perfectly. Mae is a truly amazing tour guide.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review! We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Mae. She’ll be so happy to hear them. Thanks again for joining our tour, and we hope to see you again for another fun adventure!

via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Duration
15 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
7+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
$132 to $177
Hotel pickup
Included for all travelers
Booked in 30 days
15
Verdict
Strongly Recommended

Why this scores 76

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)77
Review evidence (18% weight)71
Booking momentum (14% weight)65
Value for money (12% weight)71
Listing quality (10% weight)100
Local standing (8% weight)57
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cebu.

How much does Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar cost?

+

Prices start at $132 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cebu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar take?

+

Plan for about 15 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cebu is not rushed.

Is Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar worth it?

+

It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 42 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cebu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar?

+

Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar suitable for kids and families?

+

The operator sets a minimum age of 7. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 15-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar?

+

Around 15 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cebu can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

+

Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cebu and add a light layer if any part of the 15-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar start and how do I get there?

+

The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cebu within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Cebu?

+

On Outty we rank every Cebu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Whale Shark & Tumalog Falls & Sumilon Sandbar & Pescador Island with Sardines, Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls with Lunch (from Moalboal), Whale Watching in Sumilon Island with Ocean View Resort Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Cebu?

+

Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Cebu?

+

Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

+

Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

Ready to lock in your spot?

Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Oslob Whale Shark & Tumalog Waterfalls & Sumilon Sandbar.

Pick your date