Visayas

The central Philippine islands: Cebu, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Boracay's white sand, the Moalboal sardine run and Siquijor.

The Visayas lie in the central Philippines, made up of large islands such as Cebu, Bohol, Panay, Negros, Leyte and Samar, along with many smaller ones, spanning several administrative regions; they are the heart of Philippine island travel. Cebu is the gateway and transport hub; the city has Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Niño. In the south, Moalboal offers snorkeling from shore among a sardine run, Oslob lets you swim with whale sharks, and there is canyoneering at Kawasan Falls; Malapascua Island at the northern tip is famous for thresher shark diving. Bohol has the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier Sanctuary and Panglao Island's beaches; Boracay, off the northwest of Panay, has a 4-km stretch of white sand, with well-developed sunset sailing and water sports. Dumaguete in Negros is the gateway to the turtle dive sites of Apo Island and to Siquijor, the island of witchcraft; Iloilo and Guimaras are known for Spanish-era churches and mangoes. Classic itineraries are Cebu–Bohol for 4–5 days plus 3–4 days on Boracay, or an island-hopping trip of 7–10 days from Cebu to Dumaguete to Siquijor. Islands are linked by ferries and domestic flights, so leave buffer days in typhoon season; feeding whale sharks at Oslob is controversial for animal welfare, so weigh it for yourself.

Destinations

• Cebu
• Bohol
• Boracay
• South Cebu (Moalboal & Oslob)
• Siquijor
• Dumaguete
• Iloilo & Guimaras
• Malapascua Island
• Bacolod
• Tacloban
• Bantayan Island

Itineraries

• Central Visayas Island Hopping Slow Route – A backpacking island-hopping route heading south from Cebu, passing through Dumaguete, Apo Island, and Siquijor to Boho…
• Philippines Island Highlights Loop – Starting from Manila, this two-week first-timer's route connects Coron, El Nido, Bohol, and South Cebu.
• South Cebu and Bohol Classic Route – A classic combination of Cebu Old Town, Moalboal, Kawasan Falls, Oslob, and a ferry crossing to Bohol.
• North Cebu Twin Islands White Sand & Diving Route – A North Cebu route combining the slow-paced white sands of Bantayan Island with thresher shark diving in Malapascua.
• Western Visayas Heritage, Food, and Boracay Route – Eat your way through Bacolod, Iloilo, and Guimaras while exploring heritage sites, ending at Boracay's White Beach.