Cebu’s Sta Rosa Island & Olango Wildlife Sanctuary

The first leg of our Cebu Island Adventure was a visit to Sta Rosa Island and Olango Island Wildlife Bird Sanctuary.

Unfortunately it’s not yet migration season hence we didn’t see any migratory birds which Titus was looking forward to. Locals told us that October is the best time for bird watching as birds from as far as Siberia, Japan and China flock to the island to escape the hard winters of these countries.

The birds uses Olango as a major pitstop on their journey to Australia and New Zealand, and as they go back to their nesting grounds.

Government protected Bird Sanctuary

shoreline at Shalala Beach

On going there you have two choices the boat terminal in Angasil/Portofino or the terminal beside Hilton hotel. We choose the Angasil port, so from Mactan mainland ride a multicab with a ‘Soong’ signboard (Php10) and tell the driver to drop you off in Angasil. From Angasil  you can either ride a tricycle or a habal-habal or walk to the port. Walk we did. Then pay for the pumpboat ride at only Php10 per person. Note though, there is no time schedule for the boat, it will leave once full. The pumpboat ride took about 15 minutes.

our short pumpboat ride to Sta Rosa 🙂

When you arrived in the port of Sta Rosa,  you can hail a tricycle to go to the viewing deck and the DENR operated sanctuary museum (Php20 entrance fee).

The island is rich in mangroves and crabs and and its great for kayaking.

one of the many crustaceans that lives, feeds and spawns on the island

(we put him back in the water)

We opted to go to Shalala beach because it’s near Leah’s relatives place.We found out that kayaking was very easy and no danger at all. Well if you take into consideration that the center of Olango is a vast tidal flats and the water especially at Shalala beach is shallow that even children can be left to their devices without worry.

kids enjoying shalala beach

one of the facilities offered in shalala — kayaking!

Cottage rental in Shalala beach is at P200/day but we got it at only P100 because of Leah’s association with the island’s idol Gorio hahhahaha. Rental of the kayak is at P200/day. We also bought this fish  in Sta Rosa central market at only P192 which was later grilled by Leah’s aunt.  We also had freshly picked  buko (young coconut) to complete the island lunch experience.

Titus swore that he will be back in time for the migratory birds come October and to once again test his kayaking skill or the lack of it.  Let’s see hehehe.

Another reason for our visit was to accompany Leah as she visits her relatives before she leaves for Singapore.We were lucky to have tag along because we got to finally start our mission of rediscovering Cebu! Thanks ley for being with us for the Sta Rosa and Olango Island leg!

me & leah 🙂

View of Mactan Island from Sta Rosa Port  during sunset

(fyi: last trip for the pumpboat bound for Angasil is at 6pm)