8 popular remote islands that can be reached on a day trip in Cebu

We will introduce 8 recommended islands you definitely want to go to from Island Cebu by island hopping!

Speaking of the islands of Cebu, remote islands are mostly the unspoiled one and that’s what makes it definite for the tourists to enjoy! A clear blue sea, a dazzling and powdery white sand beach is a spectacular beach! There are more islets in Cebu that we can visit but these are the islands that is highly recommended by CEBU Trip!

These are also the islands that are popular for island hopping:

※ Conditions change depending on the weather, tides and time.

Popular island 1: Nalusuan

Nalusuan Island is characterized by a long jetty extending to the island. The sea around the island is shallow and clear emerald green!

The scenery seen from the pier is very beautiful, very photogenic! ! Nalusuan Island is one of the popular islands for island hopping, the sea around the island is designated as a coral marine reserve, the transparency is very high and the quality of the sea is very clean. 

Snorkeling permits you to enjoy many tropical fish and large coral reefs nearby. There are resort facilities on the island and can be stayed. It is a small island that can be walked around, yet there are several spots that you can see and enjoy.

Popular island 2: Hilutungan

Hiltugugan Island is highly popular with island hopping! It is popular worldwide as a diving spot.

It is closer to the mainland of Mactan with about 20 minutes by a bunker boat. Because the sea around the island is designated as a marine reserve, the greatest attraction is the sea creatures! Many colorful fish are inhabited, and the kind and number of fishes you can encounter are outstanding! 

Hiltugugan Island is a small, natural island with a population of around 1000 people. Landing and taking a walk on the island will give you a glimpse of people's lives.

Popular island 3: Pandanon

Pandanon Island is famous as "the island closest to heaven". The island is unspoiled by nature and very stunning.

It is a little away from Mactan Island at about one hour by bunker boat, but it is well worth visiting! There is a scenery that gives visitors a glimpse of the entire sea.

The emerald green clear sea and the white sand bar appears when the tide is drawn , the clear blue sky divergence! It is breathtakingly beautiful. Because the shallow sea continues to the end, it is more suitable for taking pictures and enjoying the beach than snorkeling and diving.

Popular Island 4: Caohagan

Caohagan Island, famous for its book "None and Rich Island" by the Japanese owner Katsuhiko Sakiyama. There are also residents in the island that maintain the beauty and cleanliness of the surroundings. Fresh seafoods are available in the area so you can taste a lot of local seafood.

Snorkeling in the tropical coral reef reserve offers a wide view of the ocean because of its high transparency, and you can see many fish and coral reefs. The white sandy beach is as shallow and beautiful as it is. If you take a picture, it is definitely the best shot no matter where you cut it!

Also, it is recommended to talk with the islanders of Caohagan because they are very polite and approachable. Staying overnight in the island is obtainable because of its harmless setting, you would definitely want to try. You can touch the rich nature and the warmth of the island and notice the true richness, the scenery.

Popular Island 5: Sulpa

The popular Sulpa Island is the closest uninhabited island about 20 minutes from Mactan Island. Sulpa Island is an isolated island with few tourists, and it is a recommended island where you can feel a sense of privacy.

The attraction of Sulpa is the crystal clear water of the sea and the outstanding cleanliness! It is a paradise ! When you arrive at Sulpa Island, the white beach and the clear blue sea, the blue sky that feels good! You will be amazed at how beautiful it is!

The island is small and private. There is nothing much to do in the island but to take a deep swim and enjoy the island. The island is not known to tourists that’s why you can feel concealment and relaxing, no too much noise just the sound of the waves. Feel the peacefulness while you stay at the small cottages provided on the side of the sea shore, where you can eat the food that you bring. While you are in Sulpa, you can have an extraordinary moments!

★ Relaxing BBQ lunch + experience diving or snorkeling in Sulpa Island

Popular Island 6: Olango

Olango is quite near for about 20 minutes by bunker if you depart from Punta Engano port in Mactan. There are many attractions and activities that can be done in the island, one of them is in Talima and San Vicente that are both popular in snorkeling and diving activities.

 There are many kids of fish in the sea of Olango but what you commonly see are tropical fish such as anemone fish, bright butterflyfish and large swallow fish.

The island itself is not very big, and you can rent a bike to go around the island. There is an idyllic atmosphere as the resort development is not big. From October to February, you can see many rare birds at the wildlife sanctuary, which is famous for bird watching.

Popular island 7: Sumilon

If you ever happen to visit Oslob, you’ve got to go to Sumilon. It is now slowly known as a must go destination whenever you come to Cebu. The sea creatures and coral reefs are well preserved therefore the attraction under the water are astounding and best for snorkeling and diving.

What makes Sumilon more deserving of your time is that the environment is so natural. The sensation of the nature will absorbs into your mind and will give peacefulness. Sumilon is one of the remote islands that not much is developed, mostly are preserved.

※ Sand bar depends on the tide

When the tide drops , you can see the beautiful white sand bar floating in a white sandy beach .In addition to taking a tour to Sumilon Island, you can either rent a boat charter in Oslob or take advantage of Bluewater Sumilon day use.

Popular island 8: Bagongbanwa Island

It takes about one and a half hours by bunker boat from Mactan Island to the secret island. It is known as bagonbanua Island, a small manmade island or sandbar that appears only during low tide. This islet is not yet known to all that even some of the locals have not heard of this.

As you approach the island, the color of the sea turns turquoise, and eventually the beautiful slender moon shaped white sand appears in the sea surface. (※The travel time depends on the flow of the current and the weather. If the tide is too high you may not be able to go down the sandbar.)

This secret island is definitely beautiful and amazing, you will surely have a very valuable experience.

Did you like it? There are different attraction of each remote island, Since all of the remote islands introduced this time can be visited on a day trip, it is also upright to go to two islands in one island hopping! If you can stay in Cebu for a long time, it is good to go to numerous islands! Please come and visit the remote island that we recommened and experience the beauty of the sea of Cebu!