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You know what I like in Cebu? During lazy travel days and you want to hit the beach, there is always a beach spot close to the city for that quick escape. So, when we found ourselves with nothing to do on a Cebu Sunday, we hopped on a cab to Angasil Port and boarded a boat for an island known for its wildlife and rustic tropical vibe. It wasn’t going to be another usual Sunday. We will be vibing in Olango Island.  When you have nothing to do on a weekend or a Sunday in Cebu, explore Olango Island! Olango Island is a group of islands composed of the main island and 6 islets. The main island and 4 islets are under the jurisdiction of Lapu-Lapu City while the Nalusutan and Gilutongan Islets are under the municipality of Cordova. The main island is a popular weekend spot from the city because of its accessibility. It is home to a wildlife sanctuary and beach camping spots that give guests that tropical rustic vibe. The island slows you down and recharges you from the buzz of the metro. Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary The Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary is the main tourist attraction of the island. The 920-hectare sanctuary is one of the known “bird transit stops” in the world for migratory birds. It has the largest concentration of migratory birds in the country, with 48 out of the 97 identified species as migratory birds from Japan, Northern China, and Siberia. The tidal flats were declared a protected area in 1992 and is one of the 10 areas included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in the Philippines.  Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary is the prime tourist attraction of Olango Island. Visiting Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary needs proper timing, that is, during low tide for you to be able to fully experience and explore the sanctuary. The main entrance has the time posted as to what is the best time to visit the sanctuary. You can still explore the place during high tide but you won’t be able to head up to its bird viewing decks. You can also opt to camp in the sanctuary as they have designated areas for overnight stays.
Guests are first given an orientation at the sanctuary’s Guest Area. The AVP gives you a brief on the facts about the sanctuary and its importance in the ecosystem, not only in the Philippines, but also in the world. Most of the tourist facilities are located here so, if you need to go to the rest room, you need to do it first before heading out to the birdwatcher’s station. From the guest area, we walked along the trail thru the Bantigue Mystic Forest. The “forest” is a mangrove tree lined path that gives you a preview of the island’s vast mangrove covers. The trail leads to a fork that leads to the two birdwatching stations of the bird sanctuary.
Bird-station 1 is located on the southern end of the island. You walk along a natural rock trail that leads to the viewing deck. On one side you have the mangrove covers and on the other side you have the shallow marsh area of the sanctuary. There were very few birds at the time that we visited and the birdwatching guide later on explained that the birds usually move to the area just right before the sun sets. The vibe was very calming as you watch the horizon. On a clear day, you could see the city view of Cebu from a distance.
We headed back to the fork and walked through the stone trails that leads to Bird-station 2. This cemented pathway is visually appealing because it cuts straight into the marsh waters of the sanctuary. The resting hut in the middle of the pathway adds drama to the landscape. A guide was stationed in this station when we arrived. He gladly gave us a quick view of a flock Little Egrets in view on the shoreline of the island. The calm vibe of the spot, with the refreshing sea breeze, was so relaxing and energizing. It was a good way to enjoy a lazy Sunday. Blu-ba-you Beach This nice and cozy beach spot is a perfect spot to enjoy a quick dip without the usual crowd. This is a fave spot is enjoyed by locals facing Cumungi Island. The waters are calm and serene with a perfect view of the neighboring island.
This beach spot was a great spot to enjoy the sun and sand. It has basic facilities for a day guests and it also has facilities for those who intend to stay overnight. The blue waters of the sea was inviting that I could not stop myself from getting my feet wet. This is definitely a perfect weekend spot if you want a quick escape from the buzz of Metro Cebu. Caribbean Beach Resort From the calming vibe of Blu-ba-you, we went on to enjoy the fun and tropical vibe of Caribbean Beach Resort. This new spot buzzes with its party music and its crowd. It gives off that beach party vibe complete with neon colors, party music, and crowd. It is also a beach stop of an island hopping pirate ship so don’t be surprised if the resort flows with the crowd.  Getting a dose of the sun at Caribbean Beach Resort. We found a spot close to the beach as we enjoyed a quick foot and leg massage under the sun. The entrance fee comes with complimentary fruit shake that cooled as down while enjoying the beach vibe. If you want to take a quick dip, the resort has a small cove for that. They also offer water activities for guests.
One thing that guests really enjoy here is getting that IG-worthy pictures. They have installations that really catches the curiosity and creativity pf its guests. From their stairway to heaven to their “I love Cebu” sign, it promises to be a visual treat on guests’ socmed feeds. The resort currently offers daytrips only but it is being developed by the owners to a fully functional resort in the future. Olango Island Tour Apart from exploring Olango Island, there are boat tours that tour you around the waters of the island. The jump-off point of these tours are in Maribago and the boat trip sails you along the waters of Hilutungan Channel. The cruise makes stops just a few meters from the shore where you can enjoy a quick salty dip and/or immerse in the underwater beauty of Olango Island.
Our tour started out in the morning where we boarded a boat that could easily fit 25 people. The bangka cruise made its first stop near the San Vicente Sanctuary where we had fun jumping into the waters of the channel. We then proceeded further down where we were met by providers of water activities so we hopped on a banana boat to get that extra thrill of enjoying the waters of Olango Island. There were also fishermen who docked on our side, selling fresh produce from the sea. Of course, we had our fill. Cruising on the waters of Olango Island is also a great way to enjoy a lazy day with friends. POST TRAVEL NOTES Olango Island is a quick destination, close to the metro, that could give you that easy beach fix. Whether you are jumping into its waters or exploring its sanctuary, it does not fail in giving you that much needed city break without having to go very far. Olango Island is indeed a sanctuary, not only for migratory birds, but also for humans who need a break from the usual humdrum of city life.  We're exploring another Metro Cebu destination next! There will always be lazy days even when we are on the move. There will be times where, as much as we want to take a break, there are constraints. Remember that travel is not about going to a new spot. It can be your usual destination, your go-to-spot, or somewhere near, only this time, you try to re-discover the place or just simply enjoy what you have loved about the destination. Watch out for the release of my Lapu-Lapu City adventure on my Youtube Travel Channel soon. #MahalinNatinAngPilipinas Getting there: There are direct flights to Mactan-Cebu International Airport from both local and international airports. You can take a cab from the airport to Angasil Port where you can take a ferry from Angasil Port to Santa Rosa Port in Olango Island. You can hire a trike to explore the island. You can contact Kuya Gerby for a day tour in Olango Island at (0927) 680 1542. Shoutout to my travel buddies - HULL & STERN Dry Bags for keeping my stuff safe and dry during my travels and MAGWAI for their alternative and eco-friendly products for my local travels.
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Marc del Rosario
I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment. 
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