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Oslob Whale Watching in Southern Cebu


Located in Tan-awan, your visit to Oslob will not be complete without witnessing the gentle giants known as butanding. 

For more information about travelling to Oslob, please check out our travel guide here --> Oslob travel guide.
​
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Picture
Whale watching in Oslob *Underwater shots courtesy of a friend who went to Oslob in February 2016*

Although I am not a fan of any forms of unnatural fish feeding, I guess a visit to Oslob will not be complete without seeing the butanding. The trick is to lure the whales near the shore by giving them food every morning, which seems to have become a regular activity for the whales. The feeding can start as early as 6AM and ends before lunchtime.

TIP: The earlier you do your whale watching, the better, so you can take advantage of the minimal crowd. The area starts to get crowded by 7:30 AM, especially on weekends so make sure you wake up early. You don't want fins and butts all over your underwater shots.
Picture
The whale watching guides all wear blue TOSWFA shirts as their uniform.

There are rules and regulations set by the Tan-awan Oslob Sea Warden Fisherman's Association (TOSWFA) for the protection of the whales as well as the guests. Travellers are required to attend a short briefing on these do's and don'ts. One of the most important rule is not to touch the gentle giants so they won't get stressed. Those who disobey this rule will be fined or worse, imprisoned. But the most concern of all is what if the whales touch the tourists, like what happened to me? Haha!

Tip: Consider the 30-minute briefing when scheduling your trip. If you would like to start whale watching at 7:30 AM, be at the briefing area by 7:00 AM.


Picture
The whale watching crowd

The waters of Oslob tend to be very deep, possibly because of the strong waves. Whales swim almost only a few meters (less than 10, I think) from land. They swim so near that you can almost see their fins bobbing in and out of the water while standing along the shore. However, TOSWFA won't allow tourists to just swim towards to the viewing area possibly for security purposes and as other people would say, "paano naman sila kikita kung hindi gagamit ng boat ang mga turista" (how will they earn if tourists won't use boats). I'm sure they get this question a lot, especially from the more adventurous travellers. 


Picture
Enjoying the sunrise while watching the gentle giants *Photo courtesy of a friend who went to Oslob in February 2016*

​You will be given 2 choices for your whale watching - one is if you will not be swimming and another one if you would like to swim and snorkel with the whales. The following are the fees:
  • Whale watching only (no swimming) + life jacket: P300
  • Snorkelling with the whales + life jacket: P500 (locals) and P1,000 (foreigners)

If you are not whale watching, you will not be provided with a snorkelling gear but you will be given a life jacket for safety. If you are swimming but have your own snorkelling gear, there will be no deduction in the fee, sadly. 

Tip: Bring your underwater cameras. The guides can double as your photographers (service included in the fee), so take advantage of it. :)
Picture
*Photo courtesy of my friend She*


KEY CONTACT:
​

If you would like to book your boat beforehand, you can contact Kuya Jeff who is a tourist guide in Oslob. His contact number is 0998-559-7198 or 0923-530-6331. He also has a habal-habaland he could take you around Oslob's waterfalls and town proper. He could also arrange for your accommodation if you do not have the time.

If you are planning to visit other places near Oslob, please check out my suggested itinerary of Oslob-Bais-Apo Island in 6 days.

WHERE TO STAY:

For hotels/resorts in Oslob, please visit:
  • Cheap accommodations in Oslob

OTHER USEFUL LINKS:

  • Oslob Travel Guide
  • How to get to Oslob from Dumaguete City
  • Oslob-Apo-Bais-Siquijor in 6 days
  • Sumilon Island and Sandbar
  • Aguinid Falls
  • Tumalog Falls
  • Oslob Church and Cuartel
 

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  • Home
  • Explore Philippines
    • Luzon >
      • Metro Manila >
        • 15 Best Luxury Hotels in Metro Manila
        • Staycation at Shangri-La at the Fort
      • Benguet >
        • Baguio >
          • 10 Cozy and Instagrammable Airbnbs and Hotels in Baguio in 2023
          • Best Hotels Near Session Road and Burnham Park
      • Mountain Province >
        • Sagada >
          • Blue Soil Hills
      • Batangas >
        • Vivere Azure Resort
      • Cavite >
        • Tagaytay >
          • Vineyard in Tagaytay
          • Twin Lakes Hotel Review
          • Harry Potter Themed Airbnb
          • Relaxing at Nurture Wellness Village
          • 10 Things to Do and Tourist Spots to Visit
      • La Union >
        • Best Hostels and Resorts
      • Albay >
        • Cagsawa Ruins
        • Daraga Church
        • Tabaco Church
        • Where to Stay in Tabaco City: A List of Hotels and Apartelles
        • IshiAya Garden Bistro
        • Cheap Accommodations in Legazpi City
        • Mayon Volcano
        • Mid-Priced to Premier Hotels in Legazpi City
      • Sorsogon >
        • Subic Beach
        • Tikling Island
        • Juag Lagoon Fish Sanctuary
        • Calintaan Cave
        • Sorsogon - More than just the Butandings
        • Pink Sand Beach
        • Cheap Accommodations in Sorsogon City
      • Quezon >
        • Cagbalete Island >
          • Cagbalete Island: A Travel Guide
          • Cagbalete Island: Budget and Suggested Itinerary
          • Cagbalete Island: How to Get There
          • Cagbalete Island Beach Resorts
          • A Review of Dona Choleng Camping Resort
          • Cagbalete Fish Sanctuary
          • Yang-In Sand Bar
          • Ilog Bukana at San Jose River
          • Cagbalete White Sand Beach
        • Budget and Itinerary | Padre Burgos and Pagbilao
        • Borawan Island
        • Where to Stay and Eat in Mauban
        • How to Get to Mauban from Manila or Lucena
        • Tips and Suggested Itinerary for Pahiyas Festival 2015
        • Things to Do (or Eat) in Lucban, Quezon
      • Palawan >
        • El Nido >
          • Small Lagoon
          • Top 5 Spots in El Nido
          • Cheap Accommodations in El Nido
          • Mid-Priced to Premier Hotels in El Nido
        • Coron >
          • Giraffes and Zebras at Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary
          • Review of Vienna Hotel Coron Palawan
    • Visayas >
      • Iloilo >
        • Budget Accommodations in Iloilo City
        • Isla de Gigantes >
          • How to Get to Isla de Gigantes
          • Tangke Salt Water Lagoon
          • Cabugao Gamay
          • Cabugao Dako or Cabugao Grande
          • Antonia Beach
          • Bantigue Sandbar
      • Bohol >
        • Panglao >
          • Dolphin Watching and Island Hopping
          • Top Things to Do for Overnighters and Daytrippers
          • Coco Vida Bar and Restaurant
          • South Palms Resort
          • Mithi Resort and Spa
          • Halamanan Residences
          • Buzzz Cafe of Bohol Bee Farm
          • Bohol Bee Farm Resort
          • Alona Vida Beach Resort
          • New Panglao International Airport
          • Luxury Resorts in Panglao
          • Affordable Beachfront Resorts in Panglao
        • Loboc >
          • Loboc River Cruise and Floating Restaurant
          • Tarsier Conservation Center
        • Bohol Day Trip Travel Guide from Cebu
        • Bohol Chocolate Hills
        • Bilar Man-Made Forest
        • Day Tour | Countryside Tour
        • The Mangrove Forests of Maribojoc
        • Cheap Accommodations in Tagbilaran City
      • Cebu >
        • Oslob >
          • Travel Guide to Oslob
          • 6 Things to Do in Oslob
          • How to Go to Oslob from Dumaguete
          • Oslob Whale Watching
          • Tumalog Falls
          • Sumilon Sandbar
          • Oslob Church and Cuartel
          • Cheap Accommodations in Oslob
        • Malapascua >
          • How to Get to Malapascua Island
          • Budget and Suggested Itinerary
          • Ocean Vida Resort
          • Travel Guide
          • Where to Stay
          • Where to Stay near Maya Port
        • Samboan | Aguinid Falls
        • Cebu City | Bayfront Hotel Review
      • Dumaguete >
        • Apo Island >
          • Apo Island: A Travel Guide
          • Apo Island: Budget and Suggested Itinerary
          • Cheapest Way to Experience Apo Island
          • Resorts and Homestays in Apo Island
          • Oslob-Apo-Bais-Siquijor in 6 Days
          • Apo Island: A Photo Gallery
          • Ronor's Lodging: A Homestay Review
        • Cheap Accommodations in Dumaguete City
      • Siquijor >
        • Siquijor Travel Guide
        • 7 Must-Do and Must-See in Siquijor
        • A Review of Islandia Beach Resort
        • Kagusuan Beach
        • Salagdoong Beach
        • Lazi Church and Convent
        • Cambugahay Falls
        • St. Francis of Assisi Parish
        • Santa Maria Church
        • Enchanted Balete Tree
        • Cheap Accommodations in Siquijor
        • Mid-Priced to Premier Resorts in Siquijor
    • Mindanao >
      • South Cotabato >
        • One Night Travel Guide to Lake Sebu
        • Dolores Lake Resort
  • Discover the World
    • 15 Beautiful Places in France
  • Travel Tips
    • How to Cancel Agoda Bookings
    • 8 Most Beautiful Islands and Beaches in the Philippines
  • Contact Me