Hotels near Mactan Island Island-Hopping

Mactan Island holds Cebu's international airport and doubles as the launch point for the easiest island-hopping in the province. Outrigger bancas depart Punta Engano and Maribago for Nalusuan, Hilutungan, Pandanon, Caohagan and Olango. A full-day shared trip covering three stops with lunch and snorkelling gear runs PHP 1,500 to PHP 2,500 (EUR 23 to EUR 39) per person, while a private boat for six costs PHP 5,000 to PHP 8,000 (EUR 78 to EUR 125). Marine sanctuary fees of PHP 100 to PHP 300 per island are collected separately on arrival.

Hilutungan has the healthiest reef wall of the group, dropping steeply just metres off the floating platform. Pandanon's sandbar appears and disappears with the tide, so ask about timing before committing. Olango Island is a Ramsar-listed wetland where migratory waders stop over between September and November. Back on land, the Lapu-Lapu Shrine and the Magellan Marker at Punta Engano mark the 1521 battle in which Lapu-Lapu's forces killed Magellan, worth 20 minutes either side of the boat trip.

Pro Tip: Confirm whether sanctuary fees are included before you hand over anything to the boat operator, because they rarely are and add PHP 500 or more per person across three islands. Take the 8am departure so you are back ashore before the afternoon chop builds around 2pm.