Top 15 Most Beautiful Beaches In Cebu

You talk of Cebu, you’re talking beaches. Here are 15 of the most awesome beaches in Cebu and it is not necessarily in any particular order: you decide for yourself!

BANTAYAN ISLAND

1. VIRGIN ISLAND (BANTAYAN ISLAND)

Virgin Island, Bantayan – Photo by: Raynard Ong Vaño

Catch one of Bantayan Island’s most sought-after islands: the rare Virgin Island located near the eastern side of the mainland of Bantayan. At this island, you can have a feast of activities that you can put on your itinerary. Enjoy exploring the fish sanctuary, where you can feed the fish in schools and pack which is just beside the shore, play and run at the white sand sandbars, rubber boating, row boating, and snorkel to the clearest waters off its coast.

There are available cottages for rent on the island and you can hire a boatman from the town of Sta. Fe (including his boat, complete with life vests, the whole day). From the Sta. Fe shore, the trip to the Virgin Island just takes 30 minutes via this motorized outrigger boat. Then you can make reservations in one of the resorts in the Virgin Island if you want to stay overnight.

2. STA. FE BEACH (BANTAYAN ISLAND)

Sta. Fe Beach, Bantayan Island, Cebu

Succumb to the elegance of the Sta. Fe beaches in Bantayan Island, Cebu. Here, you can find one of the most pristine waters and the whitest sand beaches in the Philippines. Sta. Fe also offers various beach clubs that you could rent out for an awesome stay while you explore the island. At the island, you can do resort hopping, exploring caves (like the Ogtong Cave), visit the Mangrove Eco-Park, watch the fantastic sunrise and sunset, diving, snorkeling, and other worthy adventures the island could offer.

The town of Sta. Fe in Bantayan Island is located less than 8km right across one of Cebu’s northernmost towns Medellin. Going to Sta. Fe Beach from Cebu City, you can hitch a bus ride to the North Bus Terminal going to Hagnaya. Travel time is approximately 3 hours. From Hagnaya, you can take the Express Ferry Boat to Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island or a Ro-Ro boat. The boat trip usually takes about 1 hour before you reach the exciting town of Sta. Fe.

3. SANDIRA / PARADISE BEACH (BANTAYAN ISLAND)

Sandira (Paradise Beach), Bantayan Island

One of the most popular resorts in Bantayan Island is the Paradise Beach, a secluded strip of white sand perfect for sunbathing, swimming, rewinding, and total relaxation.The beach is still unknown from other beach lovers that is why it has few-foot traffic which is just ideal while you do your tan.The beach is open from 9 AM to 5 PM and has minimal entrance fees (cheaper for children).

The beach is located on the southernmost coast of the town of Sta. Fe (Bantayan Island) in Brgy. Pooc, less than 3km east of Omagieca Obo-ob Mangrove Garden. The best possible way to go there is renting a motorbike (when you are in the town proper of Sta. Fe) which will take you to the site in under 1 hour. The resort has limited supply of food and drinks, though, so you better bring your own.

MALAPASCUA ISLAND

4. LANGUB BEACH (MALAPASCUA ISLAND)

Langub Beach, Malapascua Island, Cebu

Frolic in the sun-studded tropics of the Malapascua Island, enjoy and explore its fantastic coral gardens, underwater shoals, submarine walls, hundreds of species of marine life in a single location, and so much more.

The island is also known for its abundance of thresher sharks and giant manta rays which could be found around the island whole year round. Moreover, the southern beaches of the island have talcum-fine white sand, a rare find on the planet.Despite its seclusion from civilization, the island has so many bars, resorts, restaurants, dive shops, souvenir shops, hotels, and other worthy places to stay. You can get to the Malapascua Island via a bus-ride or a van from Cebu City’s North Bus Terminal going to old Maya Port (Daan Bantayan town). Then, you must secure a boat ride from the old Maya Port to Malapascua Island.

5. LOGON BEACH (MALAPASCUA ISLAND)

Logon Beach, Malapascua Island, Cebu

The Logon Beach Resort in Malapascua Island is a stunning beach resort with the best dive destinations in the whole Cebu province. Logon Beach also offers one of the cheapest rates among the beaches in the island.

Tourists from around the world come here to witness a great ensemble of thresher sharks and manta rays near its shore. Additionally, this resort offers snorkeling, swimming, dive adventure tours (shipwrecks, coral exploration, etc.), fine dining, and other fun adventures.

CAMOTES ISLAND

6. TULANG DIOT ISLAND (CAMOTES)

Tulang Diot Island, Camotes

The Tulang Diot Island is an island situated east of Cebu and west of Leyte Island that has some of the world’s best and finest sandbars. The island has a lighthouse and an islet beach that only appears during a low tide. At high tides, it is just enough for adults to swim on the completely immersed sandbar white beach which is what makes it truly exciting to experience. You can see the sparkling white sand under your feet in a thrilling display of the awesomeness of nature!

The Tulang Diot is just across Tulang Dako which is separated by a 5-minute boat ride on an outrigger vessel. The island has no fancy restaurants, hotel or club. If you want to stay in the island for some time, you have to arrange with the locals. The island also offers some of the best dive sites, snorkeling activities, and other adventures.

7. SANTIAGO WHITE BEACH (CAMOTES ISLAND)

Santiago White Beach, Camotes Island

The Santiago White Beach Resort is a public beach in the Camotes Island. It has truly one of the whitest and talcum-like sands and one of the famous beach destinations in the entire island. The beach has a long shoreline that seemingly stretches as far as you can walk. This place is a great reprieve from the bustling and annoying sounds of the city.

The beach has ample facilities for where you can stay such as Hut Cottages, beach games, karaoke bars, motorized outrigger vessels for rent, and other activities the resort could offer.You can get to the Santiago White Beach Resort from Mactan-Cebu International Airport by renting a car going to Danao City Port. Then, take a motorized boat going to Camotes Island which will take you less than an hour to reach the island. If you are originating from Cebu City’s North Reclamation Area, take a passenger van at the SM Mall Terminal that will take you to a 40-minute ride to Danao City to the north.

8. MANGODLONG ROCK RESORT (CAMOTES ISLAND)

Mangodlong Rock Resort, Camotes

The Mangodlong Rock Resort is located in the fishermen’s village of Mangodlong, Heminsulan, San Francisco, Camotes Island. Close to the beachfront, this impressive and first-class resort is set in a 2-hectare of coconut land with lots of gardens.

The resort offers tropical huts that are connected by a sandbar from the beach and a great venue to relax and rewind away from the dazzling glitters of the city. The resort also offers affordable rooms for your stay.This illustrious beach is just a few minutes drive from the town of San Francisco and the Ports of Poro and Consuelo. If you are coming from Port Consuelo, the Mangodlong Rock Resort could be reached by hiring a habal-habal (motorbike) that will take you to the site within an hour.

BADIAN CEBU

9. LAMBUG BEACH (BADIAN CEBU)

Aerial view of Lambug Beach, Badian – Photo by: Sergei Tokmakov

The Lambug Beach of Badian Cebu offers fine white sand and relatively clean aquamarine waters. There are several resorts near the shores that offer limited accommodations including huts and bathrooms. There are no restaurants, but you can arrange your food with the resorts’ caretaker ahead of your stay.You can rent tents or you can bring your own. Some of the activities and adventures that you can do at the site are swimming and beach camping.

The Lambug Beach is located 96km from Cebu City and you can get there by taking a bus from the Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Badian. The trip usually takes less than 2 hours. Once you are at the town center of Badian, take a tricycle ride to the Lambug Beach.

10. BADIAN ISLAND WELLNESS RESORT (BADIAN CEBU)

Badian Island Wellness Resort

The Badian Island Wellness Resort Cebu is a luxurious and holistic green resort that offers first-class accommodations. It is also the only world-class hotel and resorts “situated on a small island at the Southwest Coast of Cebu”.

The resort offers various spas, wellness treatments, sauna, signature massage and “hilots”, warm seaweed bath, seaweed massage, traditional herbal massage, and other spa packages amid the beauty of the ocean beach. The resort also has Thalasso Pools and waterfalls, Finish Sauna, day tours, water sports, diving, and other attractions distinct from other wellness centers across Cebu.

ALOGUINSAN, CEBU

11. THE HERMIT’S COVE (ALOGUINSAN, CEBU)

Hermit’s Cove Aloguinsan – Photo by: fireblendo

The Hermit’s Cove is Aloguinsan’s best kept-secret in the southwestern part of Cebu. Now, you have the opportunity to know this amazing find which is just a two-hour trip from downtown Cebu City. The Hermit’s Cove is a stunning resort with a long stretch of white sand beaches overshadowed with tall coconut trees along its shore.

The site is a terrific gate away not far from Cebu City. If you don’t want to stay in any of the resorts, there are no restaurants on the site, but you can buy some food, seafood, beverages, and other basic necessities in a lone sari-sari store near the beachfront. You can cook in a provided cooking area using charcoal or firewood. But what can you do in the Hermit’s Cove and the crystal clear waters?

There are so much to do, really. You can camp inside for minimal fee if you have camping gear (there are tents for rent). You can also snorkel (there are gears for rent inside the cove), deep diving, and swim as long as you like or rent a boat for an exciting island hopping and dolphin watching.If you want to rent rooms, there are resorts that will give you hospitable services, such as the Green House, the Yellow Building or the much higher price but with a hotel-like accommodation such as the Lunhaw Farm Resort (this resort is a private villa with swimming pool).

ALCOY, CEBU

12. TINGKO BEACH (ALCOY, CEBU)

Voda Krasna, Alcoy – Photo by: Dennis Carpio

The Tingko Beach in Alcoy, Cebu is a mesmerizing mile-long public beach with pinkish and crystal clear water set within a shore, lined with limestone cliffs and planted with coconut trees. Tingko Beach is located in Brgy. Daan Lungsod, Alcoy, Cebu. This location is more than 90km from downtown Cebu City via the Natalio B. Bacalso South National Highway. The beach offers basic amenities such as huts, beach houses, bungalows, and other essential features for rent with reasonable rates.

The site is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, diving, wading, shell collection, and other adventures. The Tingko Beach is relatively situated on a small but deep lagoon across a coral island that disappears during high tides. You can also camp along the shoreline when you have the gear. There is an internet cafe, bakery, sari-sari store and other small establishments around the beach that sell food, beverages, and other basic necessities.

CARNAZA ISLAND

13. THE CARNAZA ISLAND DAANBANTAYAN, CEBU

Carnaza Island – Photo by Dave Dequito

A travel writer once described this Daanbantayan island as a “remote and gorgeous gem, that is the Carnaza Island”. There is truth to this statement, as the Carnaza Island, located about 30 km from the northernmost tip of Cebu, the town of Daanbantayan.The island offers the Carnaza Eco-Park where you can witness stunning rock formations, deep-blue hues of turquoise waters, the Skull’s Cove, the historical caves within the sea, and the white sand beaches.

The Eco-Park offers basic amenities and island hopping tour, swimming, snorkeling, diving, beach trekking, magnificent sandbar exploration, and other worthy explorations of the island.If you are already in Daanbantayan, the jump-off point to Carnaza Island is via the Tapilon Port. Here, you can take a boat ride which will take you 2 hours to reach the island paradise.

MOALBOAL, CEBU

14. BASDAKU WHITE BEACH (MOALBOAL, CEBU)

Basdako White Beach, Moalboal

From Cebu International Airport, a 2 1/2 drive will take you to this tiny little island paradise known as Moalboal. The central tourist activity in Moalboal is recreational diving. Its reefs along the western side of the island are home to a wide variety of marine life and other intriguing fish species. In particular, scuba divers, snorkelers and free divers would love exploring the natural structure of the reef which tails the stretch of the coastline of Pescador Island, about a couple of kilometers from Moalboal. Of course, because of its clear ocean waters and exquisite beaches, swimming and sun bathing are likewise a common sight.

Moalboal, located in the southwestern tip of Cebu has a thriving tourism industry depended on by many of the 28,000 friendly residents, who’ll go out of their way to make your stay in the place a memorable experience. Resorts and restaurants are generally lined-up fronting the lovely shoreline. The other interesting destinations you might want to see are the numerous waterfalls, huge caves and canyons which are just within the area.

OSLOB, CEBU

15. SUMILON ISLAND (OSLOB, CEBU)

Sumilon Island, Cebu

Within the municipality of Oslob in the province of Cebu is the enchanting island of Sumilon. It’s a 24-hectare expanse bordered on one side by the clear oceanic waters with varying hues of aquamarine and white sand beaches in the different areas of this coral island. Created in 1974 as a marine sanctuary, it is, in the Philippines, the first protected island with its marine life by Siliman University Marine Reserve of Dumaguete City, in the neighboring province of Negros Oriental.

Oslob is renowned in the country and international tourism circles for the exceptionally grandiose beauty of its dive sites. Most tourists love these diving spots for the stark visibility, rich coral reefs and a conglomeration of different marine species that make for a memorable, long-lasting diving experience. Sometimes, during dives, sightings of the black-tipped sharks are reported. Oslob has been able to boost its tourism due to the rare excitement of whale-shark watching that generally happens between 7-9 am when visibility is tops.