Nalusuan Island + Banana Boat Ride + Simala Monastery Tour

Nalusuan Island 
It has been a well-established destination on the local island circuit for years. The swimming area is well protected so it’s excellent for kids. Upon arrival on the island you pass by a large man-made salt water pool that contains a variety of local marine life, Sea Turtles, Lapu-Lapu (a local species of grouper) and other species can be observed. Explore the underwater world of the Marine Sanctuary at Nalusuan Island. This tropical reef sits at a depth of about 2 meters and can be viewed easily from the surface by a snorkeler.

Nalusuan is a natural island resort in the Cebu Strait, the Philippines, and one of the islands comprising the Olango Island Group. The island, which measures close to a hectare, is situated between Mactan Island and the Province of Bohol.  Originally a sand bar, it was reclaimed to allow the construction of the Nalusuan Island Resort, which occupies the entire island.  The island was originally and locally known as “kalusuan” meaning “a place of penises” in Cebuano. The local fishermen named it as such because the waters surrounding the island is teeming with sea cucumbers, which looked like the male genitalia. The island is administratively within the jurisdiction of the town of Cordova and specifically in the barangay of Gilutongan.

Banana boat (or water sled), is an unpowered, inflatable recreational boat meant to be towed. Different models usually accommodate three to ten riders sitting on a larger, main tube and resting their feet on two laterally flanking tubes which stabilize the boat. The main tube is often yellow and banana-shaped. Some models have two main tubes.  Banana boating is a fun beach vacation activity that you can try with your friends and family.

It is an activity where everyone straddles a canoe – like float that is literally shaped like a banana and pulls it with a motorboat.
If the water surface is flat, it will meander, and if the surface is rough, it will feel like a rodeo. If you’re not familiar with banana boating, it involves being towed behind a motorized boat on a banana-shaped, yellow-colored inflatable water sled that usually seats about six to ten people. IT is very popular water activity here in Cebu.

Let’s fly over the sea surface with a speedy banana boat.  The more people there are together, the more fun and the more  interesting it will be. Let’s all invite each other and ride.

• 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 Php 400 to 550 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.

Simala  Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Our Lady of Lindogon Shrine and commonly known as the Simala Shrine or the Simala Parish Church is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Sibonga, Cebu, Philippines.

The Simala Shrine is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site. The site hosts the image of the Our Lady of Lindogon which is believed to be miraculous by devotees of the Virgin Mary after it is attributed to the healing of those who were afflicted with dengue in the area in 1998 after it reportedly shed tears. The image has reportedly shed tears four more times, the latest being on September 8, 2016.

The image, originally attributed to be that of the Our Lady of Fatima, was donated to the Marian Monks by Terry Brooks from Pampanga. The construction of the Simala Shrine is also believed to be the realization of a prediction by Ingko Niyong Villamor that the hills of Lindogon, the current site of the shrine, would become “holy” once a “miraculous white lady reign in the place”.

Important Notice:

Please read carefully what is included. You can choose to have add-on service by clicking the “Package” + button.  Lunch is not included, our driver can give recommendations where to eat if you will ask for assistance.  Mostly, lunch can be done at the shopping mall food court where you can find many variations and choices of food. You can stop by at SM City or Ayala mall for an hour to have your lunch and it will be counted on your time duration as always. Shopping malls in Cebu are very tempting. You need to decide between malling or touring the City :).

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,  please make your booking from ” Island Hopping ” tour page and kindly click ‘package’ + button to add on the water sports of your choice. If your group is more than 5, it will be discounted with 10% automatically upon check out. Banana Boat Ride activity is not recommended for children under 6 years old.