The Philippines is greatly known for all the beautiful islands that it is encompasses. Mactan is one of them. It is an island that is part of the Cebu province and is divided into Lapu Lapu City and the Municipality of Cordova.
This place has a population of 430,000 people and measures 25 square miles (64 square kilometers). It is a pretty big island actually. On the island is an airport for easy accessibility for you, the potential visitor. It was colonized by the Spanish in the 16th-century. Now, it has some of the most successful industrial projects in the whole of the Philippines. It is also known for its high-class tourism industry. A lot of visitors come in and out in numbers every year, boosting its economy to the max.
There are so many different tourist activities that you can take part in like island hopping, diving, jet skiing, snorkeling, swimming and many more. Here I have gone ahead and listed some of the finest things that you can do while in Mactan. This place will gain you great memories and great new experiences.
1. Go island hopping (from 195 USD)
Island hopping is where you travel from one island to another, doesn’t that sound like fun? This is something that you can do in a day or less depending on how much time you would like to spend on each island. Island hopping is a common practice among visitors in Mactan because there are also many other nice islands that surround it. For example, you can visit Cebu Island, Malapascua Island, Bantayan Island, Sumilion Island and so many others. This is going to be one of those unforgettable experiences and will cater for some great selfies!
Mactan Island Hopping
Price: from 195 USD
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm.
Duration: around 3 hours required.
Access: North of Mactan Island
Website:
2. Visit the guitar factory - Alegre Guitar
The guitar factory is where you can buy any guitar you want, at a much lower price than they would sell for in retail. For those of us who like music, this place is like heaven. There are different guitars in different shapes, sizes, colors and designs. Here you can get electrics, acoustics, basses, and even ukuleles. You don’t have to buy one if you don’t want to (even though the prices may tempt you a little bit) you can just go to have a look. It is a fun, fascinating place where you could buy someone a great present.
Alegre Guitar
Address: Pajac-Maribago Rd, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines
Price: from 300 USD
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm
Duration: around 1 hour required.
Access: 17 minutes east of Mactan via Basak-Marigondon Rd, Basak-Cagodoy-Bankal-Buaya Rd and Pajac-Maribago Rd
Contact: +63 323404492
Near by Food: Maribago Grill
3. Spend time at the Cebu Happy World Museum
Ok, if you’ve been to a museum before you know the basics. Don’t touch the artifacts, don’t get too close, don’t take pictures, blah blah blah. The Happy World Museum is unlike any that you’ve visited. I say this because it is in this museum that you can, in fact, touch the displays and take as many pictures as you want. It is filled with numerous illusions, which will get you thinking twice and would excite anyone regardless of age. This museum is designed in the shape of a castle and has great things to look at inside in 3D. The museum is divided into the following sections; the Philippine Pride Section, Jurassic Animal Section, Religious Beliefs Section, World Famous Art Section, Ocean Section, and Ending Section, all which have unique displays, so be sure to pass by.
Cebu Happy World Museum
Address: Lot 2-A-3, Brgy. Gabi, Cordova, 6007 Cebu, Philippines
Price: from 7 USD
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Access: 26 minute drive south of Mactan via Basak-Marigondon Rd and M.L. Quezon National Highway
Contact: +63 9234682938
Near by Food: Swiss Italian Restaurant Cebu
4. Visit the Lapu Lapu Shrine
The Lapu Lapu Shrine is a historical spot for the Philippine nation. The shrine is a 65.5 feet (20 meter) high bronze statue of Lapu Lapu. This man was the one who commanded the Filipinos that fought the Spanish invaders. It is believed that this statue is located where the battle took place many years ago. The Lapu Lapu statue has him holding a shield and a sword, which were the weapons which he used during the battle. This place is a very significant spot in Mactan and you would really want to visit it and learn more about the history of the Philippines.
Lapu Lapu Shrine
Address: Punta Engaño Rd, Lapu-Lapu City, 6015 Cebu, Philippines
Price: Free
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Access: 24 minutes east of Mactan via General Aviation Rd and Mactan Airport Rd
Near by Food: Manna Sutukil Food House
5. Try parasailing
Posted by Mactan Island Watersports on Tuesday, 6 October 2015
For those of you who love adventure and being outdoors, then I strongly recommend parasailing. Since Mactan is such a beautiful island I assure you there are plenty of places you can parasail. If you do not know how to do it, you can always learn from the instructors as they will take you step by step through the whole thing. Once you have gotten the grip of the whole idea, believe me, parasailing is going to be one of the most fascinating things that you can do. It is a great leisure activity and also a nice way to get some exercise done.
Parasailing
Address: Mactan, Cebu.
Price: from 40 USD
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm
Duration: around 3 hours required.
Access: Southern beaches of Mactan Island
Website: Ilink Parasailing
6. Have a day at Boyla Diving Resort
Keep Calm and Blow Bubbles. #GoDiving #BoylaSummer For group tour diving: Call to 4921823 Send message to 09433628094 www.boyladivingresort.net boyladiveresort@yahoo.com
Posted by Boyla Diving Resort on Monday, 20 March 2017
I am a fan of being out on the waters. Being on Mactan Island will have you doing so many water activities, and you won’t get enough of them. The Boyla Diving Resort is where you and your family can go and have fun diving and/or learning how to dive. Water sports in Mactan are very common and this is one of the activities you should take part in. Every day, there are many people who come to the Boyla Diving Resort to enjoy themselves, this is also a great way to spend a day with the kids!
Boyla Diving Resort
Address: Buyong Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, 6015, Cebu, Philippines
Price: from 74 USD
Opening Hours: Always open
Duration: around 3 hours required.
Access: 30 minute drive south of Mactan via Basak-Cagodoy-Bankal-Buaya Rd and Pajac-Maribago Rd
Contact: +63 324921823
Near by Food: The Cove
Website: Boyla Diving Resort
7. Magellan Shrine
The Magellan Shrine has been up since 1866 and is a highly respected place. It is named after the late Ferdinand Magellan, who was a Portuguese Navigator and the first European to set foot into the Philippines. When he was on the island, he did a lot of good deeds such as building houses and fixing the cross. All of this is displayed on the inside of the shrine and on the ceiling in the form of paintings. This is a great place to visit because you get to view one of the sacred places of Mactan and there is a spot where people come and light candles in his honor.
Magellan Shrine
Address: Punta Engaño Rd, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Access: 26 minute drive northeast of Mactan via General Aviation Rd and Mactan Airport Rd
Near by Food: Manna Sutukil Food House
8. Enjoy international fusion food with stunning views at Scape Sky Deck
Wine and dine with a view so fine at Scape Sky Deck on the roof deck of Azon Residences in Lapu-Lapu City. Take your loved ones and friends to this vibrant buffet restaurant with killer views and a promising and delectable array of international fusion food. Scape Sky Deck was opened back in 2015 and has since become one of Lapu-Lapu City’s premier destination for fine dining and luxurious dinner views. From their Linguine Vongole to their Mackerel Confit, there’s a flavorful bite in this fusion cuisine, a little bit of everything to please everyone. Not to mention, a smashing dinner date with the place’s gorgeous views, indeed, the Scape Sky Deck is one dining establishment to book a reservation at, truly, one of the most delightful dining experiences to remember.
Scape Sky Deck
Address: Roof Deck, Azon Residences, M.L. Quezon National Highway, Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City
Website: Scape Sky Deck
Opening hours: Sundays to Mondays; Lunch: 11 am to 2 pm, Dinner: 5pm to 12am, Happy Hour: 5pm to 7pm
9. Go for an island adventure at the Nalusuan Island and Marine Sanctuary
Mactan Island is otherwise known as the heart of the Philippines’ when it comes to underwater adventures for locals and travelers alike. Hundreds of tourists plague Mactan Island for a great beach getaway during long weekends, holidays, and other celebrations. When out and about with your family and friends during summer vacation, make it a point to visit Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary. Water babies who enjoy multiple recreational water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking, to name a few, are all available here. This sanctuary is known for its superb location, environmental awareness, and sustainable living practices, which resulted in a more positive marine life impact that showcases moray eels, Malabar groupers, and stingrays more often for tourists to enjoy. Besides, swimming with stingrays is a must to check off your bucket list.
Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary
Address: Olango Reef, Cordova Mactan, Cebu, 6017, Philippines
Website: Nalusan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary
Contact: (032) 254 1995
10. Go on a romantic Yacht Sunset Dinner Cruise with your loved one (from USD 76.0)
Travelers who came with their special someone or significant other will definitely find a ton of things to do in Mactan Island. From beach hopping to windsurfing, there’s a whole variety of to choose from, but if you’re traveling to the island for a honeymoon or anniversary, best to try something a little more special. Hop on a yacht and go on a sunset dinner cruise while enjoying a delectable meal on board, complete with hotel pick up service, dinner, drinks, and of course an amazing moment to share together. This Viator tour is a great deal at just 75 USD per head and gives guests the chance to see at least eight stunning sights around the Cebu province. Experience a romantic cruise in one of the most promising islands in the Philippines.
Cebu Yacht Sunset Dinner Cruise
Duration: 3 hours
So when are you coming?
As you can see from the places mentioned above, Mactan is a place full of fun! There are so many beautiful things to see and marvel at. It is a pretty small island, so not very many people fully know about it or have visited. This is your opportunity to go visit and come back to tell everyone about how great it was. Mactan gives you the opportunity not only to experience things, but to learn about the history, as well as enjoy great water activities. So what are you waiting for?
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