Cebu has some of the best beaches in the Philippines. In Cebu you’ll find a variety of historical, cultural, and religious sites. Keep reading and plan your Cebu vacation and stay at one of the best luxury 5 star resorts in Cebu.
Cebu also has a spectacular marine life perfect for snorkeling or diving. Divers travel to Cebu diving hot spots like Malapascua to swim with thresher sharks. Thresher sharks can be seen regularly around the waters of Malapascua Island. In the waters of Moalboal, you will be able to swim with millions of sardines forming bait balls underwater.
There are also several waterfalls in Cebu, with the most popular one being Kawasan Falls in Badian. The refreshing turquoise waters of many of Cebu’s waterfalls are great places to take a dip during a hot day. They are also excellent for enjoying activities like the popular Kawasan canyoneering. You can find a the Cebu Entrance Requirements here. You can visit the Most Beautiful Islands in the Philippines here or on Pinterest.
Cebu Weather – When to Visit
Cebu weather can generally be described as either hot and wet or hot and dry. With a tropical climate, the year is split into just those 2 seasons: wet from May to December and dry from January to April. The dry season in Cebu runs from January to April. Temperatures range from averages around 86°F in January to up to 92°F in April. January and February are among the coolest months of the year, while March and April are the 2 hottest months in Cebu. Running from May to December, the wet season also goes through some variations. Cebu temperatures typically range from 75°F to 90°F and is rarely below 73°F or above 93°F. The wettest months of the year are from June to September. July to October is Cebu’s low season, and you can find great hotel rates during this time. January is busiest time of the year with the Sinulog Festival attracting large crowds.
Top 5 Cebu Beaches
Pescador Island, Moalboal
This island is beautiful above and below its azure waters. Laze on the beach to rest after a day of snorkeling and diving. Discover its underwater wonders such as corals and different fish species when you try some activities in Pescador Island.
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Logan Beach, Malapascua
Malapascua Beach is one of the best places to spend your day. Aside from the amazingly gorgeous white beach, there are also lots of activities you can do like scuba diving, thresher shark watching, wake boarding, and much more.
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Lambug Beach, Badian
A beautiful stretch of white sand, Lambug Beach has that quintessential Philippine vibe with coconut palm trees leaning towards the crystal clear aquamarine ocean. It isn’t very well known outside of the local community, so you could be the only tourists here. It’s paradise away from the crowds.
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White Beach, Moalboal
Located in Moalboal in Cebu, Panagsama Beach is now a famous spot for diving. This beach is popular for what you see beneath its waters such as the sardine run, colorful corals and diverse marine life.
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Virgin Island, Bantayan Island
Virgin Island, Bantayan Island takes around half an hour by boat to reach from Bantayan. It’s the perfect picture of ‘paradise’ with its bone, white sand, and waters in the various shades of blue. This is the place to forget stress and work and just relax.
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Best Cebu Tours & Activities
Full Day Canyoning and Whale Shark Adventure
First visit the Whalesharks of Oslob and then do the full Kasawan Canyoning ending at the Kawasan Falls. It is a mix of trekking in a river downstream with the fun and spectacular add on of making 3 to 5m high jumps into the water. There are also optional 10 to 12m jumps. Book Your Full Day Canyoning and Whale Shark Adventure Here
Canyoning + Whale Shark
Swim with the largest fish in the sea, but fear not, they are known to be gentle giants. Found in Oslob, Cebu, you get to experience the gigantic and friendly whale sharks. Also, Sumilon Island which is located in Oslob, offers a long stretch of white sand and clear water, it has one of the best sandbars in Cebu. After the breathtaking experience, you can go to Kawasan Falls and get to see the raw beauty of nature. Book Your Canyoning + Whale Shark Tour Here
Whale Shark – Tumalog Falls – Sumilon Sandbar – Pescador Island with Sardines
This package is unique since you will be visiting 4 famous tourist sites in the South of Cebu in just one day. To mention, these are the whale sharks interaction, the Tumalog falls in Oslob, the Sumilon Island sandbar, and the Pescador island and you will be able to visit also the Sardine run. It is also a hassle free tour since this is a guided tour and we can pick up from any hotel in Cebu or Mactan and we can drop you off back to your hotel right after the tour. Worry no more this is the best package for you. Book Your Whale Shark – Tumalog Falls – Sumilon Sandbar – Pescador Island Here
Oslob Whale Shark Swimming and Kawasan Falls Tour
Head to Oslob for a once in a lifetime chance to get up close to real whale sharks. Participate in shark feeding and explore surrounding coral reefs. Visit the beautiful blue waters of Kawasan Falls, where you can take a relaxing swim in the beautiful waters. Book Your Oslob Whale Shark Swimming and Kawasan Falls Tour Here
Moalboal Island Hopping and Kawasan Canyoneering Adventure
Dive into the gorgeous azure sea, swim alongside sea turtles, and discover the majestic Moalboal sardine run. Cut through a sea of trees while riding an adrenaline-pumping motorbike and head for the Badian River. Go trekking, climbing, rappelling, swimming, snorkeling, and even jump from 30-foot high cliffs while canyoneering. Book Your Moalboal Island Hopping & Kawasan Canyoneering Adventure Here
Best Cebu Restaurants
The Big J’s International & Local Cuisine
The Big J’s International & Local Cuisine Restaurant is a simple affair built of wood, bamboo, and rattan panels. You will be surprised by the flavors of the dishes served here. From their crispy lechon kawali to their sweet and sour fish fillet, and from their mango alamode to their crispy turon, all at reasonable rates. Telephone: 63 922 382 6269 Web: The Big J’s International & Local Cuisine
Lantaw Restaurant
Lantaw is a restaurant made of wood on the second floor of Neptune’s Dive Cente. It serves an eclectic choice of dishes from all around the world and features a cool terrace offering sea views. You can enjoy Indian, Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Italian, and Filipino dishes literally prepared in front of you in the open kitchen. As a seaside restaurant, seafood is also predominant in the menu. Rates are not cheap but remain affordable. Telephone: 63 915 278 5388 Web: Lantaw Restaurant
Ibiza Beach Club
Ibiza Beach Club is a stylish venue to dine and relax, located at the end of the jetty that closes the bay in front of the Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island. The outdoor terrace offers a comfortable place to enjoy a skillfully mixed cocktail while watching the ocean and listening to the unobtrusive live music. Telephone: 63 32 492 7777 Web: Ibiza Beach Club
Zubuchon
The name of Zubuchon comes from mashing together the original name of Cebu (Zubu) with the island’s star dish (Lechon). The signature Spanish suckling pig dish is excellent here, made with meat from pig that’s raised locally in a natural environment and fed with top-notch natural products, including organic food. Telephone: 63 32 239 569721 Web: Zubuchon
Anzani Restaurant
Anzani is a highly renowned fine-dining restaurant on Nivel Hills run by a charming couple, Marco and Kate Anzani. Chef Marco Anzani is considered one of the founders of “new Mediterranean cuisine”, and his restaurant has received several international awards. Telephone: 63 32 232 7375 Web: Anzani Restaurant
Best Cebu Night Clubs
The Distillery
The Distillery offers an extensive choice of whiskeys, international beers, and other spirits that can be enjoyed in a refined yet relaxed atmosphere. The bar is usually busy, but the most popular night is probably the so-called “Too Good Fridays”. Telephone: 63 977 829 6426 Web: The Distillery
Club Hype
Club Hype is a popular dance club located at Mango Square on General Maxilom Avenue in Cebu City. Mango Square is one of the hottest spots in Cebu City after dark. Despite its name, this nightclub is unpretentious and affordable. Telephone: 63 917 636 6878 Web: Club Hype
Marshall’s Irish Pub
Marshall’s Irish Pub is a popular bar and restaurant located in the heart of the Cebu nightlife scene – Mango Square. You’ll find all the classic pub grub you’d expect from an Irish pub here, with a range of drinks to match, as well as live music in a cool and festive atmosphere. Telephone: 63 32 412 6418 Web: Marshall’s Irish Pub
Club Lotus
Club Lotus is one of the only nightclubs in Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island. It’s a rather fancy club, so it’s best to dress up and definitely leave the shorts and flip-flops behind. Telephone: 63 925 633 3888 Web: Club Lotus
Club Icon
Club Icon offers a world-class nightclubbing experience right in the center of Cebu City. This club attracts a mixed crowd of upper-class Filipinos, Korean tourists, and a few westerners. Despite its rather luxurious aspect, Icon remains affordable. Telephone: 63 977 859 5911 Web: Club Icon
Wow! Cebu is beautiful and seems to offer a lot of activities as well as relaxation (and good food). I would love to visit someday and do the canyoneering with the whale sharks. I have never been to a luxury 5-star resort. But I am tempted….on my bucket list now!
The water is so beautiful and waterfalls I love. I only wish I wasn’t afraid to scuba dive. Everything looks wonderful!
The Philippines are on my bucket list once we have more freedom to travel again, and Cebu seems like a definitive stop. I loved watching the drone showing some amazing places. The waterfalls are quite spectacular and combined with the tropical vegetation, it does look like a dream world.
How safe is it to travel around the Philippines? Is there not a lot of crime and violence? That is the only thing that would worry me. Thanks.
Wow! Sounds like Cebo is the place to be. I would love to swim with the whale sharks and the weather there sounds great! What I want to know though is what is the condition of one of those 10 dollar hotels, Why are they so cheap? I loved the video and it looks so beautiful there n Cebo especially the waterfalls. I am definitely putting this place on my vacation list. Thanks for sharing.
I really can’t answer why some of the hotels are just really such a good bargain. I would look at the reviews closely, as that will give you a good idea if they are somewhere you want to stay 🙂 Yes, must swim with the whale sharks!
I love the beaches like these with clear water! I have never been to Cebu and that video really took me there, it’s so beautiful and I couldn’t stop watching. I made sure to save this to my Pinterest since I spend a lot of my time there searching for different things and when me and my family decide to take this trip I will definitely be coming back to this great site because it has a great amount of information on what to do in Cebu. Thank you so much for sharing!
I must say, the Philippines is blessed with so many beautiful places. I just can’t seem to get enough of each post you have shared about the Philippines. I am so glad you included a YouTube video to this post. The 5 star resorts in Cebu seems to be top-notch and I am amazed they have a club called Ibiza Beach Club… Wonderful. Pls, which of these Islands or Beach would you recommend is best for a family vacation?
Yes, they are blessed for sure. For families I would pick Mactan Island in Cebu. There are some really great all-inclusive beach resorts that will keep everyone having fun. I am glad you enjoyed your digital visit to the best luxury 5 star resorts in Cebu.
Cebu is very close to where I live in Vietnam and I have always been meaning to go to the Philippines so this will give me the nudge to commit. Cebu and the surroundings look fantastic. I looked at some of the hotels and there are some very budget-friendly ones, right down to $17 per night.
The beaches look fantastic and there looks like there is a lot to do at night too. My only concern is it safe there?. I have heard some stories about the Philippines being a bit violent. Is this true?
Stephen
There are areas of the Philippines that are violent, non of which I have listed. Stay away from the Sulu Archipelago. That is not a good area to vacation to with the crime, terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest.
Wow! Cebu sounds like the perfect destination. I think this would be an amazing location to visit for an extended period to really relax and take it all in. Do you know if Cebu has any Villas or Apartments that could accommodate a larger family trip (10-12 in total)?
I love the sound of all the beaches. On days where I want some peace and quiet, Lambug sounds like heaven.
Yes Danny, Cebu is heaven. I’m glad you enjoyed your digital visit to Cebu. Thanks for taking the time to leave me comments as well.
It was a great chance to come across your blog and read about CEBU! I am really amazed about the beaches you describe and I think it is worth planning to travel to. It is nice you put together all the information about restaurants and 5-star resorts around which can help more comfortable planning.
Thanks a lot
Glad you enjoyed Farzad! Thanks for stopping by!
I am so happy I came across your article about the Best Luxury 5 Star Resorts in Cebu. I actually live in Cebu, and I am sorry to say that I have not visited any of these great locations yet. I am definitely bookmarking this page and as tourist sites continue to open back up, we’ll definitely be visiting them. Seeing the Whale Sharks in Oslob is definitely at the top of the list. I can even imagine it, but I am sure it’s an experience of a lifetime! Thank you so much for sharing this information! Mel
You are very welcome. Living there must be a dream and yes, musts see the whale sharks in Oslob. That is an experience ! I am glad you enjoyed even though you do live in Cebu!
I’ve always wanted to visit the Philippines and really enjoyed the drone video that showed in real-time this gorgeous island. Cebu seems to have it all luxury accommodation, historical, cultural, and religious sites to visit, and friendly people. The Cebu waterfalls look heavenly for that cool swim in the tropics.
Can you go out the fishing canoes that are in the pictures? Lovely review. Can’t wait.
You can go fishing. I am not sure if fishing off a canoe is the best option, but you will have options for fishing in Cebu. Glad you enjoyed the information on the best luxury 5 star resorts in Cebu. Thanks for visiting Lily.
Cebu is also in the Philippines? Wow, I feel like everything is in the Philippines. Also the one thing I have noticed is that there is a lot of beaches in the Philippines. I will be sure to do more research on Cebu and see if it’s a place that I would like to visit one day.
Yes, Cebu is in the Philippines 🙂 And yes, there are a ton of very beautiful beaches in the Philippines. You will have to visit Cebu one day, you will be amazed at the beauty.
Wow! Cebu sounds like the perfect destination for me. I think I would have to go for at least five nights in order to try out every restaurant you mentioned. If possible though, I’d love a two-week stay here so that I could really relax and take it all in. I am no longer into nightclubbing, but it sounds like they have some great clubs for those that are.
I love the sound of all the beaches. On days where I want some peace and quiet, Lambug sounds like bliss. I really enjoyed this article, because the images were so beautiful and I could just picture myself here.
Yes, it is pure bliss Clair. I am glad you enjoyed your digital visit the the best luxury 5 star resorts in Cebu. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave me comments.