South Cebu is home to powdery white beaches, stunning waterfalls and breathtaking hiking trails. If you want to avoid the traffic of Cebu City, heading straight to the south is an excellent choice. In this guide, we’ll share the ultimate South Cebu itinerary (2–5 days), hidden gems and thrilling adventure activities to make the most of your trip.
How many days in Cebu is enough?
You can see Cebu’s top highlights in just five days, but as someone who has lived on the island for over three years, I’m still discovering incredible hidden gems. Cebu offers endless opportunities for adventure – you could easily spend weeks uncovering its charm, from the busy city and northern Cebu to its stunning islands like Bantayan, Camotes, and Malapascua, all while experiencing the must-visit spots in the south.
South Cebu tourist spots
Waterfalls:
An epic South Cebu itinerary wouldn’t be complete without chasing waterfalls. What makes South Cebu’s waterfalls truly special is their striking Tiffany-blue colour, with over 20 scattered across the island. Some sit conveniently by the roadside, while others are nestled deep within canyons or hidden in lush jungles, waiting to be discovered.
The top Waterfalls in South Cebu to explore:
- Kawasan Falls – the most famous and popular
- Dao Falls – a quiet canyon hike to a powdery blue waterfall
- Aguinid – an 8-layered sticky waterfall
- Tumalog – a light flow fall with a magical feel
- Mantyupan – The tallest waterfall on the island accessible via a rope bridge
- Inambakan Falls – a multilayered fall with rainbows and an epic cliff jump
Beaches:
The island has a handful of jaw-dropping beaches, perfect for early morning or late afternoon activities (when it’s not too hot).
The best beaches in South Cebu to visit include:
- White Beach, Moalboal
- Lambug Beach, Badian
- Hermit’s Cove, Aloguinsan
- Panagsama Beach, Moalboal
Hikes:
If you ever need a break from Cebu’s incredible ocean adventures (though let’s be honest, that’s unlikely!), head inland for one of the island’s epic hikes. Most trails are relatively short and easy, taking just 20–40 minutes – perfect for enjoying the scenery without overheating in the tropical climate.
- Osmena Peak – the most famous hike, offering a panoramic view of the entire island
- Casino Peak – an underrated hike in Badian, with an epic peak marked by the Filipino flag
- Kandingaw Peak – a 2km mountainous hike in Badian with breathtaking views and no crowds
Snorkelling & Diving:
If you’re feeling adventurous, a diving trip is a must for your South Cebu itinerary! But if you don’t dive or aren’t entirely confident in the water, don’t worry – South Cebu also offers plenty of incredible shallow snorkelling spots to explore.
- Sardine Run – located just off the beach of Panagsama (Moalboal), lies a shoal of sardines year-round.
- Pescador Island – Found not far from Moalboal, Pescador Island has healthy reefs and turtles, perfect for island hopping or diving.
- Hermits Cove – An underrated snorkelling spot in South Cebu with healthy reefs and frequent turtle sightings.
What is the No. 1 tourist spot in Cebu?
The most famous attraction is Kawasan Falls, part of the incredible Kawasan Canyoneering adventure.
Kawasan Canyoneering involves an incredible zipline, jungle trekking, cliff jumps and swimming through a mesmerising canyon. This is the highlight of any South Cebu itinerary and only takes up half a day!
South Cebu itinerary 2 days
Day 1: Tours
- Kawasan Canyoneering
- Sardine Run
Day 2: Hiking & Falls
- Osmena Peak
- Cancalanog Falls
- Cambais Falls
South Cebu itinerary 3 days 2 nights
Day 1:
- Mantyupan Falls
- Snorkel with sardines on Panagsama Beach
- Watch the sunset at Lambug Beach
Day 2:
- hike either Osmena Peak or Casino Peak
- Cambais Falls
- Sunset at Panagsama
Day 3:
- Inamabakan Falls
- Dao Falls
- Aguinid Falls
- Binalayan Hidden Waterfall
South Cebu tour package 3d2n
If you want to see all the highlights of the island (including Sumilion Island, canyoneering, Aguinid Falls, the sardine run and whale sharks), without the hassle of planning, check out this epic 3 days tour of Cebu.
South Cebu itinerary 4 days 3 nights
Day 1: Dalaguete
- Hike Osmena Peak
- Relax at Dalaguete Beach Park
- Spot giant turtles at night
Day 2: Oslob:
- Visit Tumalog Falls
- Visit Sumilion Sandbar
- See Cuartel Ruins (Museo Oslob)
Day 3: Roadtrip to Moalboal
- Explore the falls in Samboan (Aguinind, Binalayan, Dao, Inambakan)
- Grab lunch and swim at Lambug Beach.
Day 4: Moalboal Activities
- Kawasan Canyoneering
- Snorkel with the sardines
- Catch the sunset at Panagsama Beach
South Cebu Roadtrip Itinerary
If you’re planning to base your entire trip around Cebu, renting a car is a fantastic idea for an epic road trip. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, uncover hidden gems, and make the most of everything the island has to offer.
Starting in Cebu City, here is your route & tourist spots:
1 – Dalaguete: Osmena Peak, Dalaguete Beach Park
2 – Oslob: Tumalog Falls & Sumilion Sandbar
3 – Samboan: Aguinid Falls, Binalayan Hidden Waterfall, Inamabakan Falls, Dao Canyon Trek
4 – Alegria: Cancalanog Falls, Cambais Falls, Kanlaob Falls
5 – Badian: Casino Peak, Kawasan Falls & Canyoneering, Lambug Beach
6 – Moalboal: Pescador Beach, White Beach, Sardine Run
7 – Barili: Mantyupan Falls
8 – Aloguinsan (optional): Bogo River Cruise & Hermits Cove
Cebu City itinerary
If you prefer the urban lifestyle and comfort that Cebu City provides, you can still see the highlights of the South with a day trip.
Here are some top-rated tours to consider:
Which part of Cebu is best to stay?
The best place to stay in Cebu depends on your travel style. If you enjoy nightlife and Western amenities, Moalboal is the ideal choice. For a more rural and laid-back experience, the nearby town of Badian offers a peaceful retreat.
If you would rather stay in the City, consider picking a location near IT Park.
What towns are south of Cebu?
There are many towns in south Cebu, most notably being:
- Moalboal – Party life, Cambais Falls
- Badian – Kawasan Canyoneering
- Oslob – Whale shark watching & Tumalog falls
- Barili – Mantyupan Falls
- Aloguinsan – Hermits Cove & Bogo River Cruise
- Samboan – Inambakan Falls, Binalayan Falls, Dao falls
Thank you for reading our blog!
We are Em & Yul – An English & Filipino Travel Couple. Now based in Cebu, we frequently explore the best destinations, hidden gems and cultural attractions across the Philippines.
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