Cebu never fails to impress with its beaches. The island has it all: white sand, brown sand, pebble shores, you name it.
While a lot of beaches down south get recognition, the gems and beauties up north will not stand to have all the thunder stolen. Here are 7 gorgeous and characteristic beaches in Cebu North!
1. Lapyahan sa San Remigio
Lapyahan sa San Remigio is existing proof that not all white sand beaches have to be an expensive experience. San Remigio might be overshadowed by Bantayan Island, but it reserves the bragging rights to having the longest shoreline in the whole province of Cebu. Enjoy a long and wide stretch of white sand with gorgeous views of the sunset!
Other information
- Entrance fee: Free
- Cottages: ₱200 to ₱350 for day use
There are many resorts and hotels that offer overnight accommodation around Lapyahan. The three closest to the shoreline are San Remigio Cultural Center and Leisure, JJS Hotel & Resort, and La Mer Beach Resort.
- San Remigio Cultural Center and Leisure
- Room rates range from ₱600 to ₱1,200
- Contact number: 0917-632-8107
- E-mail: [email protected]
- JJS Hotel & Resort
- Room rates range from ₱2,800 to ₱5,600
- Contact number: 0906-972-9893
- E-mail: [email protected]
- La Mer Beach Resort
- Room rates range from ₱2,000 to ₱7,000
- More info here: https://sugbo.ph/2020/la-mer-beach-resort/
How to get there?
Exact location: Poblacion, San Remigio, Northern Cebu — 3-4 hours away from the city.
BY BUS: Head on to Cebu North Bus Terminal (currently stationed at SM City Cebu parking lot at the time of writing) and hop on a bus that passes through San Remigio. Fare is around ₱150 to ₱200 pesos and travel time is around 2.5 to 3 hours. Tell the driver that you’re going to get off at the poblacion or town proper. Upon arrival, you can ride a habal-habal to Lapyahan (fare around ₱10 to ₱20).
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Lapyahan sa San Remigio” in northern Cebu. Parking space is available.
2. Maravilla White Beach
Along the west coast and little closer to the city is another beautiful beach: Maravilla White Beach. The beach is one of Tabuelan’s tourist traps with soft white sand and clear blue waters. The beach rests on a generously extensive coast, which gives ample room for outdoor activities, games, and even long walks.
Other information
- Entrance Fee: none
The beach hosts a handful of accommodations. Here’s a quick look into the rates:
- Cottages:
- Open cottage: ₱800 day use (₱1,000 overnight), good for 12 persons
- Closed cottage, overnight: ₱1,500, good for 15 persons
- Table rental: ₱350
- Rooms:
- Air-conditioned room rates range from ₱3,500 to ₱7,000 per night.
- Contact numbers: (032) 266-9669; 0946-030-7489
- Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/481434463256171/about
- More info here: https://sugbo.ph/2021/maravilla-white-sand-beach/
How to get there?
Exact location on Google maps: Maravilla Tabuelan, North of Cebu – 2 hours and 30 minutes from the center of Cebu City.
BY BUS: From Cebu North Bus Terminal, look for and ride the MEME bus. The bus will bring you to Maravilla.
BY VAN SERVICE: If you have access to service, go by North – Consolacion – Liloan – Danao – Carmen – Sogo – Logo, and then Tabuelan to Maravilla.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Maravilla Beach” in Tabuelan. Parking space is available.
3. Tagasa Beach
Nestled in relatively under-the-radar Tabogon are loads of aquatic activities such as fishing, diving, and more importantly, deep dives with encounters with various marine life. In this quiet and sleepy municipality is a tranquil beach that compliments the atmosphere quite well: Tagasa Beach. It’s famous with the locals and is a favorite hangout spot because of the refreshing breeze and peaceful atmosphere. The beach features water glistening in different shades of blue and cream-colored sands.
Other information
- Entrance fee: none
How to get there?
Exact location: Tagasa, Tabogon, Northern Cebu — approx. 3 hours away from the city.
BY BUS: From Cebu North Bus Terminal, you can hop on a bus bound to Tabogon and alight at Tabogon Terminal. Fare is around ₱70. From there, take a habal-habal on your way to Tagasa Beach.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Tagasa Beach” in Tabogon. Parking space is available.
4. Bantayan Bay, Cordova
How about we look at a beach surrounded by the sea? That’s right, a sand bar! Bantayan Bay is a strip of white sand close to the shores of Cordova. It boasts plenty of open space and beautiful turquoise waters that glisten like glass. The white sand extends down to the bed under the waist-level water and at the edge of the sandbar, the sandy terrain drops into the deep blue ocean, making it almost like an islet that’s all beach!
Other information
- Entrance fee: ₱20 per head
- More info here: https://sugbo.ph/2021/bantayan-bay-cordova/
How to get there?
Exact location: Sitio Bantayan, Poblacion, Cordova, Northern Cebu — approx. 45 minutes away from Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
BY V-HIRE: Go to SM City Cebu Van Terminal and ride a van going to Cordova and alight at Gaisano Grand Mall Cordova. From Gaisano Grand Mall Cordova, ride a tricycle going to “Bantayan Bay” or hail a taxi.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Gaisano Grand Mall Cordova”. From there, ask around for directions going to Sitio Bantayan or Bantayan Bay.
5. Pasil Sandbar, Medellin
Ever gone camping? Well, how about camping at a beach? Experience the best of beach camping at Pasil Sandbar in Medellin. It’s a public beach on an island, so entrance is free! This means that the sound of the waves, the white sandbar, and the experience of sleeping under the stars are yours to enjoy for no cost at all. There is no electricity or accommodation in the island, so it’s a perfect place to unwind and disconnect from the bustling city for a night or two. Make sure to bring your own tent and food!
Other information
- Entrance fee: free
- Contact Numbers: 0905-064-8326; 0938-634-4890
How to get there?
Exact Location: Pasil, Gibitngil Island, Medellin, Northern Cebu — approx. 3 hours travel from Cebu City.
BY BUS: From the North Bus Terminal, ride any bus/mini bus to Kawit.Bus fare is ₱180 per person, v-hire is ₱170 per person. Ask to be dropped off at the corner of Brgy. Mahawak and take a tricycle heading to the Port of Medellin. From there, take a motor boat to the island, which would approximately take 15-20 minutes from the port. Pump boat for rent is at ₱1,500 for 15 PAX.
BY CAR: If you opt to bring your car, just navigate with Waze and pin your location to “Kawit Medellin” or to any beach resort nearby where you can park your car. You can try Kevin’s Beach Resort, Seahorse Tourist Inn, or Emelia Hotel and Resort. Parking fee may range from ₱50 to ₱150 per day. From there, ask around where you can ride a boat going to Funtastic Island.
6. Tonggo Beach
Tonggo beach, also known as “Ka-Tero”, is a mini-paradise nestled in Marigondon. Its prominent features include low-hanging cliffs suspended over clear, azure waters that create canopies providing shade while you swim or take a dip. It’s an overall unique beach with the exquisite experience of being close and one with nature!
Other information
- Entrance fee: ₱10 per head
- Limited tents are available for rent.
- You can bring your own tents, tables, chairs, and food.
- There are no guards or security personnel to watch over your valuables, so be sure to always have someone keeping watch on your belongings.
How to get there?
Exact Location: Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu – 1 to 2 hours from Cebu City
BY CAR (recommended): Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and find your way to “Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu”. Upon arrival, ask the locals for directions to Tonggo Beach.
BY COMMUTE: Ride a 01K Jeepney to Parkmall from SM City or E-mall. From Parkmall, take a MI-04A jeepney going to Tamiya terminal. You can confirm with the jeepney drivers if they are passing by Tamiya terminal. From Tamiya, ride another multicab to Crossing Marigondon.
Once there, look for habal-habal drivers and negotiate a ride to Eskina Bluereef or Ocean Pearl. If they’re willing, you can also ask them to just drop you off at the eskina of Tonggo Beach to shorten the distance to walk to the island. The total fare will only be less than ₱100.
7. Crab Island
Crab Island is a popular spot among the locals of Mactan. Not too many people know about this “hidden paradise” yet, so you have to pay a visit while it still has no entrance fee! Its beach offers a lovely dip along the rocky coastline with plenty of room to sit and lay down for some sun bathing. The waters are clear and have a gorgeous turquoise hue with a white sand bed.
Other information
- Entrance fee: free
- While entrance is fee, there is a ₱10 per head “touring” fee we recommend you contribute. This goes to preserving the cleanliness and state of the island!
- You can bring your own tents, tables, chairs, and food. There are no cottages available in the area.
- More info here: https://sugbo.ph/2019/crab-island-lapu-lapu-city/
How to get there?
Travel time: 1-2 hours from Cebu City + ~10 minutes going to the Crab Island.
BY JEEPNEY: From Cebu City, take a 01k jeepney to Parkmall (₱10 /head). From Parkmall, take a Soong (Crossing Marigondon), ₱15/head. Inform the jeepney driver to drop you to crossing Ylaya. From there, ride a Tricycle to Crab Island (₱7 /head) and walk about 6-7 minutes to the island.
BY V-HIRE: From SM City Cebu, ride a v-hire bound for Gaisano Island Mall Mactan. From Gaisano, take a Soong (Crossing Marigondon), ₱15/head. Inform the jeepney driver to drop you to crossing Ylaya. From there, ride a Tricycle to Crab Island (₱7 /head) and walk about 6-7 minutes to the island.
ALTERNATIVE: From Pier 3 in Cebu City, ride a ferry boat goig to Lapu-Lapu City for ₱14 per head. Then ride a multicab or jeepney going to Gaisano Mactan for ₱7 per head.
Check Shanke Beach Daanbantayan…dirt cheap.