Hilutungan Island Fish Sanctuary
Snorkeling and Fish feeding in the Marine Sanctuary of Hilutungan Island. Hilutungan Island. EXCELLENT SNORKELING ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. The western side of Hilutungan Island has recently been designated as a Marine Sanctuary. This protected area provides an undisturbed habitat for various marine species to feed and reproduce. The shallow waters within the sanctuary are excellent for snorkeling adventures. A wide variety of corals (hard and soft), reef fish and invertebrates are easily visible to a snorkeler in 2 to 3 meters of water. Watch for the occasional Blue Spotted ray.
The Hilutungan in Olango Island and the islets are surrounded by a reef flat-lagoon having a total of 4,482 hectares of extensive sandy beach, rocky shoreline, sea grass beds, coral reefs, inshore flats, mudflats, mangrove forests and salt marsh grass. The mangroves, mudflats, and sea grasses are the breeding ground of fishes and other crustaceans which are likewise, feasted upon by the birds that flock by the thousands to the island.
The six islets are likewise bounded by continuous fringing reefs with steep reef wall on the west and sloping reef at the east coast of Olango. It is considered as one of the most extensive reef areas in Central Visayas and offers scuba diving enthusiasts with a variety of wondrous dive sites.
Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan is a small island right off the coast of Cebu City. Mactan Island is also where the Cebu International Airport is, so almost all travellers going to Cebu City will go through Mactan. The island itself is worth a visit, as it is less hectic than Cebu City, and has numerous beach resorts and beautiful diving sites.
Lapu Lapu was the ruler of Mactan in the Philippine archipelago. He is revered to be the first Filipino hero and known to be the first Filipino to resist Spanish colonization. He refused to give tribute to Ferdinand Magellan when he arrived in his island and Lapu-Lapu and his soldiers waged battle with Magellan’s crew in a skirmish known as the Battle of Mactan. Ferdinand Magellan was killed in the battle.
Mactan is the improbable site of one of the defining moments in the Philippines’ history. It was here on 27 April 1521 that Ferdinand Magellan was fatally wounded at the hands of Chief Lapu-Lapu. The event is commemorated at the Mactan Shrine on a stone plinth bearing the date that Magellan was felled.
Mactan island has some of the best scuba diving sites in the Philippines. It also has a number of inexpensive dive shops where you can get SCUBA certified and go on a number of dives. Most sites use the PADI course, although some teach RAID, SSI, or NAUI courses.
- This is a daily tour activity. Subject to weather condition. Booking reservation must be 2 days before the tour. Price indicated does not include hotel pick up and drop off for the island tour. We will give you direction on how to locate this tour location upon your booking confirmation. Also, it does not include lunch. Most of our guest prefer to bring their own island picnic food. In case you want to have the food included, it would be a set of mixed Seafood BBQ with tropical fruits and 1 round of soft drink/bottled water. Island entrance fees is not included as well, you may prepare about Php150 to 300 pesos each and you can pay directly to the island collector. Additional services options can be added at the ‘Package’ + button. Important notice: The food/lunch order should match the number of persons going on this tour. Important notice: The food/lunch order should match the number of persons going on this tour.
- Please read carefully what is included. You can choose to have add-on service by clicking the “Package” + button. Entrance fees are not included, this will help you save if you choose to just take photos from outside. And even if you go inside, the entrance fees are at minimal cost that can only be paid directly upon entry. Some stops do not require entrance fees.
Mactan Airport pick up is okay. Subject to extra charge for delayed flight. Extra hour will be charge accordingly at Php 350 pesos per hour. 30 minutes excess is considered 1 hour extra charge to be paid directly to the driver.
Private Air-conditioned Transportation Type:
Sedan: Max 4 Passengers | Minivan: Max 7 Passengers | Passenger Van: Max 12 Passengers
Price indicated is based on minimum of 5 persons. If your group is below 5 persons, you must pay the whole amount. If your group is more than 5, it will be discounted automatically upon check out that depends on how many persons in your group.
Booking must be made 2 days before the tour.
