WELCOME TO OSLOB, home of the Whale Shark Selfie!
One of the most popular spots for whale shark watching activity in the whole world is in the town of Oslob, a coastal municipality in Southern Cebu. Whale Sharks are a slow-moving filter feeding carpet sharks and the largest known extant fish spec and also known as the largest non mammalian This popular tourist spot has gained international exposure over the years thanks to social media and tourists posting that perfect “selfie” with this lovely creatures.
The Whale Shark watching activities in Oslob is considered one of Cebu’s more popular and emerging tourist destinations aside from Cebu’s usual white sand beaches. Hundreds of tourists, local and foriegn, swarm the beaches of Oslob everyday just to have a one-of-a-kind experience swimming with these gentle giants of the sea.
Despite the popularity of Oslob’s whale sharks and the livelihood it has generated for the local population,it has not escaped controversy. More on this at the bottom of the article.
HOW TO GET THERE
HOW TO GET TO CEBU
- For Travellers outside Cebu Province – Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Asia and Royal Air Philippines Fly Daily from Manila to Cebu (Mactan International Airport Terminal 1)
- For Travellers Outside the Philippines – Mactan International Terminal Airport 2 is the newest terminal dedicated to International Departure and Arrivals. Currently, Mactan caters to 23 international destinations. Please refer to your airline for schedules to and from Mactan International Airport.
HOW TO GET TO OSLOB FROM CEBU CITY
There are different modes of Transportation From Cebu City Going to Oslob.
01.PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION – Take an Oslob Bound Bus from the South Bus Terminal beside Elizabeth Mall along N. Bacalso Street Cebu City. Tell the bus attendant to drop you off at Barangay Tan-awan, Oslob for the whale shark activity which is just along the highway. It is estimated a 3-hour drive from South Bus Terminal. Bus fare more or less PHP 160.00 per passenger (2019 rates).
02. BY PRIVATE CAR – This can be a fun experience with all the scenic routes along the way and a possibility of a stop over around the southern towns for good food. Install ab App Such as Waze or Google Maps, enter keyword “oslob whale watching” will definitely give you the best directions and estimated arrival for the trip.
03. VAN RENTAL / CAR RENTAL SERVICES with DRIVER – If you want an affordable, hassle free-trip and make the most of your time in your vacation, our Van / Car Rental services can accommodate up to 14 passengers which includes a driver. For convenience, safety and time saving this is one of the best options. Maxwell Cars Cebu prides itself as having the most affordable rates in the industry. To Book with us or check out our services/rates click here – Rent a car rates
OSLOB WHALE SHARK WATCHING SCHEDULE and FEES (2019)
Whale Shark Watching is available daily from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM only.
Consider this time frame when travelling from Cebu City, on average it takes about 3 hours. From Mactan Airport or starting point farther from Cebu City, it is recommended to leave like 4 hours earlier.
Take special consideration of Local Philippines Holidays. Tourist Count will likely double or triple.
RATES and FEES (2019)
| TOURISTS | INCLUSIONS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Local (Pinoy) | Whale watching (no swimming) + Life Jacket | ₱300 or ~ USD 6 |
| Local (Pinoy) | Snorkeling/swim with Whale + Life Jacket | ₱500 or ~ USD 10 |
| Foreign Tourists | Snorkeling/swim with Whale + Life Jacket | ₱1,000 or ~ USD 20 |
WHALE SHARK DO’s and DON’Ts (and other NOTES)
- All whale shark watchers must undergo orientation at the Briefing Center on the rules for interaction with whale sharks. This area can get queued, so be early to be safe.
- No feeding of whale sharks by unauthorized personnel.
- Do not touch, ride, or chase a whale shark.
- Do not restrict normal movement or behavior of the shark.
- Do not use flash photography.
- Do not create splash when entering the water.
- Do not wear sunscreen if you are going to enter the water.
- Motor boats are prohibited in the area. Only paddle boats are allowed.
- Viewing is limited to 30 minutes.
- Maintain a minimum distance of 5m from the head, 6m from the tail (this differs from the 2m from the head, and 5m from the tail stated in the ordinance).
- It is advisable, although not necessary to wear leggings and a dive shirt rather than a bikini. Based on experience, loads of little jellyfish may cause skin irritation on some seasons.
- Waves can be strong, so lifevest is recommended, can be tough for non-swimmers.
- Take note of any additional or special update guidelines from the briefing center before you dive.
OVERALL REVIEW
The Activity is fairly simple. Hundreds (or even thousands) of tourists are herded at around 6-7am for a quick swim with the whale sharks. A feeder in his little boat dishes out food to the whale sharks. Countless boats carrying each about 10 tourists stay in the vicinity and the tourists get in the water with snorkel, take that perfect selfie and have an awesome time.
THE GOOD
When you are in the water, stay with your boat, known as Outtriggers Bangka or Pump boat being traditional fishing boats. All of them will form a circle and feeding the Whale Shark in turn so by the time your boat is feeding, the creatures will come to you and let you take pictures.
The sight of the whale sharks in their natural habitat is fantastic and one of a kind. The large sharks come very close and you can inspect them at will. What makes it impressive is despite their huge size (up to 9 meters) they are very elegant looking and have a beautifully spotted skin. In Other words, the sharks do not disappoint.
Have you wonder of such an activity is dangerous? Rest assured that the Whale Shark is a tame shark. Humans are surely not their meal as their throat is small and they feed on microorganisms (prawns). Surprisingly. Whale sharks are quite used to human presence.
Another positive note are the guides and friendly locals. This town embraces tourism and the opportunities it has created. I felt safe during the entire trip and all you need for that swim is ready for you – lifevest, snorkel gear and even underwater cameras can be availed from the helpful guides.
THE BAD
The popularity of the place has made it Tourist-ty over the years. With the rising number of Tourists yearly, it is no surprise that there is an increase in waiting time/crowds and worse of all, Trash. Some Areas in the beach were filled trash. Where they came from we do not know, but it certainly is one of the negative effects of tourism.
While it can be a really cool experience, the facilities that cater to the activity still has lots of room for improvement. For example, the area where you get tickets, it can get chaotic and if you’re unlucky you can be stuck with the heat and absence of sitting (no chairs!). Although everyone was given a clear reminder at the start not to touch these sharks, there are just an uncontrollable stubborn bunch. You know what I mean, these people still break rules in the name of fun. The waters can get crowded and chaotic.
Overall it was an awesome experience and with all the hype this place is getting, I would not be surprised of underwhelmed tourists most probably due to long waiting time (3 hour drive from the city and some disorganized facility)
WHALE SHARK CONTROVERSY
In Oslob, Cebu whale shark tourism is a booming business but it has not escaped controversy. Since it began in 2011, Oslob’s whale shark-watching operation has become the largest such venture in the world. But the operation is controversial, because whale sharks don’t naturally gather here, unlike other such sites in the country. The Oslob sharks are hand-fed, and this essentially guarantees they will show up to thrill tourists, who snap close range selfies and photos.
The situation raises questions about the impact of feeding and human interaction on the sharks. Is it sustainable? Do the benefits of tourism outweigh its potential downsides?
It is already almost 10 years since the first images of the Whale sharks in Oslob surfaced in the internet, and since then Tourist from the Philippines and around the world has flocked the town ever since. Most days average several hundred to a thousand and in special occassions and holidays that number could easily double and triple. In short, controversial or not, The whale watching industry in Oslob shows no signs of slowing down.
About Post Author
I love Cebu. I miss Bantayan Island. I’ll be going back next year to the Philippines
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