Contents
How to get from Cebu to Oslob
Travelling the 120km distance from the city of Cebu to Oslob?
Oslob, a coastal town on the southern tip of Cebu province in the Philippines, is well-known for whale shark watching. Many locals and travellers head to Oslob to swim with whale sharks (or butanding, as Filipinos call them).
ATTENTION: Before you go here, we want you to be aware of the consequences of swimming with these whale sharks in Oslob. The whale sharks are fed every day so they can be used as a tourist attraction. Once you go here they will call your number so you are ready to jump in the water and swim next to tons of tourists around the whale sharks.
These beautiful endangered creatures normally swim thousands of kilometers each year, but are now completely removed from their natural habitat. If you really love the underwater life, think twice before you go. There are other less touristic places where whale sharks still live in the wild and professional organizations care for the well-being of these animals. I will publish an in-depth article about swimming with whale sharks in the next months.
If you are not coming to Oslob for the whale sharks, there are still other exciting things to do in this small town. At its heart are remnants of the strong Spanish rule in the province, dating back to the 1700s. A little bit outside town, you can either cool down at Tumalog Falls or heat things up at Mainit (Hot) Springs. Whatever you do, make sure don’t miss a visit to the nearby Sumilon Island, which is just 15mins away by boat. Its beauty will blow you away.
To get from Cebu to Oslob, you can take a 3.5-hour bus from Cebu Southern bus terminal, take a 3-hour public van, or hire a taxi (about 2.5 hours). Taking the taxi is the most expensive option, but has the advantage that you can travel straight from Cebu Airport to Oslob.
Bus, Van or Taxi?
| Transport mode | Duration | Costs | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | 3.5 hours | 150 PHP – 160 PHP ($3-$3.30) | No tickets online |
| Van | 3 hours | 150 PHP ($3) | No tickets online |
| Taxi | 2.5 hours | 2,300 PHP ($46) | No tickets online |
Itinerary from Cebu to Oslob
Bus
- Cebu
- 3.5 hours
- Oslob
Van
- Cebu
- 3 hours
- Oslob
Taxi
- Cebu
- 2.5 hours
- Oslob
Cebu to Oslob by Bus
Duration: 3.5 hours
Cost: 150 PHP – 165 PHP ($3-$3.30)
Buses operating from Cebu to Oslob depart from South Bus Terminal. There are 2 bus companies to choose from: Ceres Bus and Sunrays.
Ceres Bus offers trips as early as 1:00 and as late as 0:00. These buses are marked as Bato via Oslob, Oslob or Alcoy. Sunrays Bus Lines have trips starting at 4:00, and the last bus leaves at 20:30. You can ride on the buses marked as Samboan or Oslob.
Both companies operate non-aircon and aircon buses. Expect to pay 150 PHP – 160 PHP ($3-$3.30) for a one-way trip from Cebu to Oslob. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal.
These buses travel along the main road (Natalio Bacalso Ave.), which passes through a huge part of Oslob. Make sure you inform the conductor of your destination beforehand so they can drop you off at the right spot.
Ceres Bus
- Departs from South Bus Terminal along Natalio Bacalso Avenue, next to Elizabeth Mall
- Drops off anywhere along Natalio Bacalso Avenue, Oslob
Ceres Bus is a trusted bus company in Cebu. However, sometimes drivers tend to drive fast.
Sunrays
- Departs from South Bus Terminal along Natalio Bacalso Avenue, next to Elizabeth Mall
- Drops off anywhere along Natalio Bacalso Avenue, Oslob
This bus company is less popular than Ceres Bus. They, too, receive complaints of drivers going too fast.
Cebu to Oslob by Van
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: 150 PHP ($3)
Public vans also operate from Cebu to Oslob, and it’s a good alternative to taking the bus. However, sometimes the vans can be packed.
Vans going to Oslob are found in the GT Express Terminal along Junquera Street, near the University of San Carlos. There are no designated schedules for departures. Vans leave as soon as they are full. A one-way trip costs 150 PHP ($3).
Vans usually drop off passengers at Oslob’s town center. From there, you may have to take another mode of transport to your destination.
When travelling with a group from Cebu to Oslob, you can negotiate with the driver to bring you straight to the whale shark watching spot for a few additional pesos.
If you prefer a van that will pick you up from your hotel in Cebu and will go straight to Oslob Whaleshark Watching Center, you can also join a shared van transfer from Klook. A seat costs 850 PHP ($17) for a one-way trip, but you can save a few dollars if you book a return trip with them. This van departs from Cebu at 3:30 in the morning and picks up passengers about an hour before departure time.
Cebu to Oslob by Taxi
Duration: 2.5 hours
Cost: 2,300 PHP ($46)
Though expensive, taking a taxi from Cebu to Oslob is a comfortable option. Especially when you want to travel straight from the airport, taking the taxi is a great option.
Taxi drivers do not use the meter for long-distance trips. They will quote you a fixed price, and you can negotiate. The fare from Cebu to Oslob starts at 2,300 PHP ($46). Always make sure you agree to a good deal with the driver before your trip.
You can hail a taxi from the street or ask your hotel or guesthouse to arrange one for you. But for better rates and maybe better cars as well, we highly recommend booking one through the taxi-hailing app Grab. This is widely used in Cebu City.
