Snorkeling at Hilutungan

Before island-hopping became mainstream phenomenon here in Cebu, we were able to do it on a cut deal – 1 banca good for around Php2,000 with 20 passengers. It wasn’t popular at that time that’s why it came cheap. The package was good for 3 islands: Hilutungan or (Gilutungan), Pandanon, and Olango. These islands are now synonymous to Cebu island hopping.

Hilutungan has the marine sanctuary, reeking with Finding Nemo-like fishes. I tried to catch them but for one reason or another they seem to beat me to it. Must be because they’re fishes, they’re good at swimming. But if you bring some food with you like bread, they mob you just like Filipinos do whenever there is fiesta. And if you’re gentle enough, you can touch them and marvel at these creatures of the sea.

We had the island hopping adventure at this order: Lapu-lapu (I consider our starting point as it is an island! lol), Hilutungan where we swam with the fishes, Pandanon where we took our lunch and had a photo ops session, and finally beside Olango since we didn’t make it in time when there were lots of birds. We just enjoyed taking a dip in the aquamarine waters. By the way, Olango is the place to be if you’re a birdwatcher. There’s a season when birds migrating from Southern hemisphere to the North rests here, and that’s around November to March.

Snorkeling at Hilutungan

Snorkeling at Hilutungan

If you’re planning to go there, I highly recommend Island Banca Cruises if you’re on a splurge. Check out their website and you can see the different packages you can choose from; usually it includes this snorkeling activity. If you’re not, there are several locals in Lapu-lapu that offers the same tour. The price depends on how many people will go, and how many islands to visit. Usually it’s around Php2,500 for around 10 people I think. Shoot me an email and I’ll give you our contact there.

When you go there, bring your own food and extra money. You have to have food since you wouldn’t have the time to buy or simply because there’s no sari-sari store or restaurants along the way. Heck, I wouldn’t invest on a floating restaurant in the middle of the sea either. You also need to bring extra money since there are entrance fees in Hilutungan and Pandanon. These beauties don’t come cheap and are money-making rackets of local politicians.

Hilutungan snorkeling