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The Philippines has long been an ideal destination for sea lovers, boasting long coastlines, crystal-clear waters, and rich coral reef ecosystems. Among them, Cebu and Bohol are two familiar names for nature exploration trips. Located close together and separated by the Cebu Strait, these two islands are conveniently combined into a single trip.
The journey connecting the two destinations takes visitors through many characteristic experiences of Philippine island and coastal tourism, such as coastal towns, eco-resorts, waterfalls, tropical forests, and wildlife reserves, while also showcasing the Philippines' commitment to green tourism development.
According to Stephanie Villahermosa, CEO of Divaisnavi Int'l Inc, a travel company in Cebu, the preservation of heritage and cultural sites in Cebu has received significant attention since the city was recognized as a "Creative City" about three years ago. More recently, Bohol's designation as the Philippines' first and only UNESCO Global Geopark further highlights the importance of conservation and sustainable development.
The Philippines is an ideal destination for beach lovers.
"More and more tourism businesses are pursuing environmentally friendly models in their business operations, from accommodation and transportation to tours. They are joining international organizations with the goal of protecting the earth and resources, and are beginning to put their commitments into practice," she said.
Experience eco-friendly resort living in southern Cebu.
From central Cebu, a 2.5-hour drive south takes visitors to Argao – a seaside town with a slow pace of life. Compared to the urban area of Cebu City, it is quieter and has a relatively unspoiled landscape.
Nestled behind lush coastal trees, Cebu Beach Club is an eco-friendly resort. Its modest size creates a sense of privacy right from the entrance. The design prioritizes natural materials such as rattan, bamboo, and coconut leaves – familiar elements in traditional Philippine architecture. Rooms and common areas are designed with an open concept to welcome sea breezes and natural light.
Here you'll also find biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics, such as grass straws and reusable glass bottles. With its tranquil atmosphere, it's ideal for travelers seeking a relaxing getaway rather than crowded entertainment venues, allowing them to enjoy a slow-paced vacation before continuing their journey south to Cebu.
Argao egg cakes from a family-run wood-fired oven.
Before leaving Argao town, many tourists visit Jessie's Torta establishment to learn how torta – a traditional local egg tart – is made. This bakery is a small, family-run kitchen that has been passed down through generations. Here, the dough is still mixed by hand and baked in a wood-fired clay oven, without the use of machinery.
The ingredients include flour, egg yolks, milk, sugar, lard, and fermented coconut wine. Visitors can observe the entire process, from kneading the dough to baking the bread. The finished product has a rich, slightly smoky flavor, characteristic of the handcrafted breads in Argao. Many tourists choose to buy the bread as a local specialty, helping to maintain the traditional bread-making craft of the local families.
"Touching" the ocean at Oslob
A highlight of southern Cebu is the town of Oslob, famous for whale shark watching. This is one of the experiences that attracts international tourists to the Philippines.
Whale sharks have been sighted off the coast of Oslob for many years. According to locals, fishermen regularly encounter these giant fish while fishing near the shore. Around 2011, some fishing boats began feeding the sharks to keep them near the beach, thus creating the current whale shark-watching tourism activity. This is the world's largest shark, feeding on plankton and typically moving slowly near the surface.
The observation of this species is organized in a controlled manner to minimize the impact on the marine environment. Before entering the water, visitors must participate in a mandatory orientation session. Local authorities enforce several regulations, such as prohibiting the use of regular sunscreen, refraining from touching the fish, and maintaining a safe distance. Each visit is typically limited to about 30 minutes.
Whale shark watching is one of the experiences that attracts international tourists when visiting the Philippines.
Visitors are transported to the observation area by small boats operated by local fishermen – who are directly involved in the tourism service chain here. This operational method demonstrates an effort to balance the tourism experience with the conservation of local marine life.
Kawasan Falls - A "jewel" in the ancient forest.
The journey continues to Badian, home to the famous Kawasan Falls, renowned for its turquoise waters amidst the rainforest and its multi-tiered cascades flowing from mountain springs, creating crystal-clear pools in the verdant valley. This is one of the most attractive natural spots in southern Cebu, especially for travelers seeking outdoor experiences.
A typical waterfall trekking adventure begins with a trek through the forest, after which visitors move along the stream bed, overcome cliffs, and swim through natural pools. The activity combines elements such as rock climbing, water sliding, and cliff jumping, creating an experience that lasts about half a day.
Several safe locations for cliff jumping into deep water have been surveyed. Participants are always equipped with life jackets and helmets and follow a route designated by the instructor.
Kawasan Falls is one of the most attractive natural spots in southern Cebu.
According to regulations in Badian, waterfall trekking tours must be accompanied by a local guide. They are responsible for checking equipment, providing technical assistance with navigation, and reminding visitors to preserve the environment along the stream. Thanks to the small group organization and controlled activity during peak hours, Kawasan has retained its distinctive water color and relatively unspoiled landscape compared to many other famous waterfalls in the area.
Chocolate Hills - a geological wonder of Bohol
Leaving Cebu Island by speedboat, many tourists continue their journey to Bohol to explore the Chocolate Hills – one of the most famous natural landmarks in the Philippines. This complex consists of at least 1,260 conical limestone hills, distributed over an area of more than 50 km² in the center of the island.
The hills are relatively uniform in shape and covered in green grass year-round. During the dry season, the grass turns dark brown, making the entire area, viewed from above, resemble giant blocks of chocolate, hence the name Chocolate Hills.
Chocolate Hills - one of the most famous natural landmarks in the Philippines.
Currently, tours are organized to avoid direct impact on the easily eroded limestone hills. Visitors primarily observe from the Chocolate Hills Complex viewpoint in Carmen, offering panoramic views while maintaining a necessary distance from the natural landscape.
The combination of geological value and unique landscape makes this area an interesting stop on any journey to explore Bohol.
After enjoying the panoramic views from the observation deck, the green journey continues with a hands-on chocolate-making experience. This is a great way to understand the local agricultural value chain. Visitors can roast, grind, and mold pure cocoa beans using traditional Bohol methods.
Without chemical additives or industrial processes, each piece of chocolate carries the rich, subtly bitter and pungent flavors of the Visayas soil. Participating in this process helps visitors appreciate the livelihoods of local farmers and the value of organic produce.
Bohol and the mission to conserve the pygmy tarsier.
Not far from Chocolate Hills is the habitat of the Tarsier monkey – one of the smallest primate species in the world. This species has distinctive large eyes, keen hearing, and a solitary lifestyle in the treetops.
Tarsier is particularly sensitive to noise and bright light, so visitors are asked to remain quiet when moving through the forest canopy, refrain from using flashlights or selfie sticks, and avoid bringing recording devices too close.
The observations were conducted from a safe distance, under the guidance of professional conservation staff. This approach helps to limit the impact of tourism, support conservation efforts, and help maintain the lineage of this rare and endangered primate species.
Tarsier monkeys - one of the smallest primate species in the world.
Along the journey between Cebu and Bohol, it's evident that many destinations have paid more attention to organizing tourism in a way that is environmentally friendly. Resorts prioritize natural materials, water activities have specific regulations, whitewater rafting tours always have guides, and wildlife reserves strictly control visitor behavior.
While many coastal and island destinations in the region are facing pressure from large numbers of tourists, this approach helps the two islands maintain their appeal to groups of travelers seeking experiences close to nature.
