This is a detailed itinerary of our second day in Oslob, Cebu where I saw three
Whale Sharks and went on a day tour trip at the magical Sumilon Bluewater Island resort. Click this link to check out day 1 where we explored Cebu City and Oslob.
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| The enchanting Sumilon island from the distance |
Day 2
0530 Wake up call. Remember that you can't put sunblock since this might be harmful to the Whale sharks.
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| Sunrise at Ate Veny's backyard |
0600 Ate Veny has already called the boat that would take us to the Whale Shark Interaction Center and we just waited outside of her home. It's really just a 5 minute walk from Ate Veny's but this way, we already have a reserved boat that can take us to the sea once the formalities and introductions were done.
0610 ETA Whale Shark Interaction Center. Here you would just be given a short introduction of dos and don'ts and a brief background about Whale sharks.
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0620 Start of Whale Shark Interaction. Fresh from my Whale Shark Interaction at Donsol,
I was surprised at how fast we saw Whale sharks! Just 3 minutes in the water and there was already 1 visible whale shark at the distance. It came more of a surprise to me when I realized that it was following one boatman who was apparently giving it food. I've read about it but seeing it was so unnatural, these are gentle creatures but they aren't pets. I don't really know about these things so I can't judge or say how things should be done. These thoughts were running through my mind until I saw another Whale shark. By this time I was already putting on my mask and was preparing to jump.
It was pleasant and fun to just relax and swim with these whale sharks. They were completely comfortable with our presence as well, considering that there were a lot of people who were in the water with them.
To compare, finding a whale shark in Donsol was tiring. All the countless hours of excitement and the disappointment gets to you but seeing the giant Whale shark there which was about 3x as big as the ones in Oslob was also one of the best experience in my life. It was a humbling adventure and, I daresay, life changing at best. Whale shark interaction in Oslob is fun, relaxing and very enjoyable. You really get to see them and study them or just take a lot of pictures with them. I saw three whale sharks that morning and even got one of them all to myself for a few peaceful minutes. I just swam with it along with the several fishes dancing about its tail. It was really fun that I already made plans of coming back next year.
0700 End of Whale shark Interaction
0715 Breakfast. By this time, we were already back at Ate Veny's and eating their home-made banana loaves. I can not stress enough how happy I was to stay at Chateau de Tan-awan. It was really like a home for me. It was cozy and the people there were just really nice. Let me just put a few photos of their lovely home. For people trying to contact the kindest and most accommodating Ate Veny, this is her new number. 09063444386.
0815 ETD Walk from Ate Veny's to Sumilon Main Land Office
0830 ETA Sumilon Main Land Office. It's just a 15-minute walk. Just continue your way South. You won't get lost since there are a lot of signs pointing to Sumilon, and you would also see Sumilon island itself in the distance.
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We were a bit early so we had a lot of time to take pictures and enjoy the view. Even just from the Main land, the see was very beautiful.
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| Entrance to Sumilon Main land office |
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| Photo from Desiree |
0930 ETD Boat. Sumilon Main Land Office to Sumilon Island. And wow! Was it magical!
Boat trips to Sumilon Island are at 0930, 1100 AM. By the way, they accept credit cards.
0950 ETA Sumilon. Explore. Trek, Kayak, Snorkel, Swim.
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| Welcome to Sumilon Island |
1200 Buffet Lunch at Sumilon Island. Trek, Kayak, Snorkel, Swim.
1730 ETD Sumilon Island to Main land
Boat trips from Sumilon Island are at 1200, 1330, 1530, 1730
1750 ETA Oslob. Dinner. Chill.
Next: On to the mystical land of Siquijor
Itinerary Summary
Day 2
0530 Wake up call
0600 ETD Ate Veny's to Whale Shark Interaction Center
0610 ETA Whale Shark Interaction Center
0620 Whale Shark Interaction
0700 End of Whale Shark Interaction
0715 Breakfast
0815 ETD Ate Veny's to Sumilon Main Land Office
0830 ETA Sumilon Main Land Office. It's just a 15-minute walk
0930 ETD Sumilon Main Land Office to Sumilon Island.
0950 ETA Sumilon. Explore. Trek, Kayak, Snorkel, Swim.
Boat trips to Sumilon Island are at 0930, 1100 AM
1200 Buffet Lunch at Sumilon Island.
1730 ETD Sumilon Island to Main land
Boat trips from Sumilon Island are at 1200, 1330, 1530, 1730
1750 ETA Oslob. Dinner. Chill.
Expenses in peso per head for 5 people:
Day 2
500 Whale Shark Interaction Fee.
1500 Sumilon Island Day trip.
330 Souvenir shirt at Ate Veny’s.
190 Dinner at Brumini Beach.
350 Accommodation. Chateau Tan-Awan. 450 if you won’t be sharing the room with anyone.
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2870
Summary of expenses:
942 Day 1 (Cebu City - Oslob)
2870 Day 2 (Whale Shark Interaction and Sumilon Island)
1347 Day 3 (Siquijor)
210 Day 4 (Dumaguete)
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5369
Dumaguete to Oslob
http://eagerexplorer.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/oslob-swimming-with-the-whale-sharks/
http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2012/04/sumilon-oslob-do-it-yourself-travel-guide-2.html
Oslob
http://thetravelteller.com/oslob-cebu-an-ultimate-south-cebu-escape/
http://stunninglyschoonhead.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/oslob-cebu-the-rising-tourist-hub/
http://two2travel.com/oslob-travel-guide-cebu-whalesharks-butanding-tumalog-falls/#.UvOp0FCwrqC
Solo: http://jeffwasthere.com/2013/05/the-surprisingly-simple-and-nice-town-of-oslob-cebu/
http://www.thepinaysolobackpacker.com/swimming-with-the-whale-shark-in-oslob-cebu-a-travel-guide/
Sumilon Island
jeffwasthere.com/2013/05/how-to-go-to-sumilon-island-the-cheaper-way/
http://www.ilink.ph/sumilonbluewater
This is just great! We also offer an Oslob Canyoneering Day Tour Package
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