
Oslob sits on Cebu's south coast, known for its whale shark watching. It's a controversial draw, since the sharks are fed to keep them close. The van is the cheapest way to get from Cebu to Oslob at $3.30 (200 PHP), and it takes 4 hours. The bus takes about as long for a little more. A taxi is the quickest option if you want an early start.
Distance from Cebu to Oslob
Cebu and Oslob are about 99 km (62 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 150 km by road. The quickest way to get from Cebu to Oslob is by taking the taxi, which takes around 3h - 3h 30m.
3 ways to travel from Cebu to Oslob
There are three ways to travel from Cebu to Oslob. You can choose between the bus, minivan, and private transport. The journey takes 3h–4h and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by minivan with tickets starting at $3.30 (200 PHP).
Reach out to our Community
2Hello, I am planning a trip to the Philippines in December 2023 and would like to see the whale sharks. In which other place would the whale watching be? Donsol, right?
I quote: "I will publish a detailed article about swimming with whale sharks in the coming months." Has the article been published yet?
Hi Chris, whale sharks are sighted in a few locations in the Philippines: Oslob, Donsol (geckoroutes.com), Lila in Bohol, and Sogod Bay in Leyte. Oslob and Donsol are the most popular spots, but I would disencourage to go to Oslob. A friend of mine did it a few months ago (against my advice) and he was shocked by the whole situation. Hunderds of people jumping in the water, some not even knowing how to swim, right next to the whale. They are no good procedures to watch the behaviour of the visitors and the whales are often touched by the tourists, which can cause health issues for the whale sharks.
Donsol will be a lot better, but you need to choose the right month. I swam with the whalesharks several years ago in Leyte. It's a bit of an adventure to get there, but in my opinion the best place to see them. But also here, you need to choose the right month.
Sadly the season in Oslob does not matter as they kept in one place by feeding them.
For the article, I haven't gotten around it to publish the article, but your comment is a very good reminder to publish it soon. I hope this response was at least helpful to give you an overall idea of the opportunities to spot these wonderful creaters in the Philippines.
Hallo Till, vielen Dank für das Teilen dieser Informationen. Wir haben den Preis auf unserer Seite aktualisiert!
“Thanks dear! Im a Cebuano but Im not really into details when going to South Cebu especially with the fare rates! Your article has been helpful. Keep it up :)”
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Oslob?
Oslob is a coastal town on the Philippines' Cebu Island popular for daily sightings of whale sharks (or butanding, as Filipinos call them). Sadly, these whale sharks are hand-fed every day just to keep them onsite and boost tourism. If you really love underwater life, you can find more ethical places to swim with whale sharks.
There are other things you can do in Oslob, though! At its town centre are remnants of the strong Spanish rule in the province, dating back to the 1700s. Outside town, you can either cool down at Tumalog Falls or heat things up at Mainit (Hot) Springs. And just 15 minutes away by boat from Oslob, you will find Sumilon Island — a beauty that will blow you away.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Cebu to Oslob, roughly 99 kilometres (62 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $3.30 (200 PHP). The quickest trip takes 3h.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Cebu to Oslob?
The distance from Cebu to Oslob is 99 kilometres (62 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Cebu to Oslob?
The fastest way to get from Cebu to Oslob is by private transport and takes 3h - 3h 30m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Cebu to Oslob?
The cheapest way to get from Cebu to Oslob is by minivan with ticket costs starting from 200 PHP.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gecko Routes free and up to date.






