San Vicente Marine Sanctuary
San Vicente Marine Sanctuary
San Vicente Marine Sanctuary
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
10 within 3 miles
Attractions
16 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
43 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
24
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Atral R
Lapu Lapu, Philippines10 contributions
Apr 2022
The restaurant is gone, damaged by a typhoon, and the walkway is missing the last 200m.
A boat will take you there from the walkway for 40 ps , entry fee is 370 pesos.
No bathroom, no water, no food available.
The school of exotic fish and crabs lives under the platform , you can swim with them if you feed them (feed is 50 pesos or bring your own)
The locals will try selling you souvenirs on board.
Be aware of sea urchins.
If you like shallow sea creatures, a floating cottage is a better use of your time
A boat will take you there from the walkway for 40 ps , entry fee is 370 pesos.
No bathroom, no water, no food available.
The school of exotic fish and crabs lives under the platform , you can swim with them if you feed them (feed is 50 pesos or bring your own)
The locals will try selling you souvenirs on board.
Be aware of sea urchins.
If you like shallow sea creatures, a floating cottage is a better use of your time
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle F
22 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
I hated everything I experienced in Mactan. The hotels are very expensive, even much more compared to Boracay. The drivers, whether a taxi, a multicab, or a tricycle, are the greediest people I have ever met in my whole life. I feel sorry to foreigners who have made the mistake to stay here since if the locals can do that to fellow Filipinos, they would probably do something worse to people they see as aliens.
This place made my mood so much better. The fishes are plentiful and static. They should learn to further preserve it though since we have seen a few garbage floating near the area. This is probably the best thing about Mactan, nothing else, and I was just really happy I was able to experience it.
If you are not into snorkeling, then just don't bother to explore Mactan at all. Their beaches suck so you would not really enjoy swimming.
This place made my mood so much better. The fishes are plentiful and static. They should learn to further preserve it though since we have seen a few garbage floating near the area. This is probably the best thing about Mactan, nothing else, and I was just really happy I was able to experience it.
If you are not into snorkeling, then just don't bother to explore Mactan at all. Their beaches suck so you would not really enjoy swimming.
Written November 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OrleyFuentes
Lapu Lapu, Philippines8 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
If you want a quick getaway from all the bad stress in your life, this place is the place to be. Just 30 minutes from the port beside Movenpick Hotel (15 minutes boat ride plus 10-15 minutes tricycle ride).
The best thing to do here is walking on the boardwalk made of light materials passing through mangroves and the waters until you reach the "floating" cottage where underneath those are fishes of different kinds ready to be fed (always bring a pack of sliced bread to feed the fish). You can bring your own food or ask the people there to cook for you (for a price).
Boat ride from the port in Movenpick Hotel is P20.00 (P15.00 boat fare + P5.00 terminal fee). Upon arriving at the Sta. Rosa port in Olango, tricycles are waiting there. They can take you to the Marine Sanctuary for a one way fare of P120.00 (can accommodate 5-6 persons). Upon arrival at the entrance, you need to pay P25.00 entrance fee, P50.00 swimming fee (if you want to swim) and 200.00 for the tables and chairs to be used. The Bird Sanctuary is also just 10 minutes away from the entrance of the Marine Sanctuary. Just ask the people there. Bird Sanctuary has a fee of P30.00. Mkae sure to go there when it's low tide so you can see the birds.
Just a little downside here is the trashes you can see floating at the start of the boardwalk near the mangroves. These should be removed so waters won't be polluted.
The best thing to do here is walking on the boardwalk made of light materials passing through mangroves and the waters until you reach the "floating" cottage where underneath those are fishes of different kinds ready to be fed (always bring a pack of sliced bread to feed the fish). You can bring your own food or ask the people there to cook for you (for a price).
Boat ride from the port in Movenpick Hotel is P20.00 (P15.00 boat fare + P5.00 terminal fee). Upon arriving at the Sta. Rosa port in Olango, tricycles are waiting there. They can take you to the Marine Sanctuary for a one way fare of P120.00 (can accommodate 5-6 persons). Upon arrival at the entrance, you need to pay P25.00 entrance fee, P50.00 swimming fee (if you want to swim) and 200.00 for the tables and chairs to be used. The Bird Sanctuary is also just 10 minutes away from the entrance of the Marine Sanctuary. Just ask the people there. Bird Sanctuary has a fee of P30.00. Mkae sure to go there when it's low tide so you can see the birds.
Just a little downside here is the trashes you can see floating at the start of the boardwalk near the mangroves. These should be removed so waters won't be polluted.
Written September 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
waltk2016
Shenzhen, China14 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
This place is a complete joke now. When we came 6 years ago it had some vestige of being a wildlife sanctuary but now it's just a money making pit.
The first thing you see when you arrive is a large sign saying that you cannot enter without a vaccination card. This, of course, is complete nonsense.
I needed to relieve myself before going further. This, we were told will cost 10P .
Next was a sign listing all the things you were not allowed to do. These included swimming and diving.
The next sign listed all the things you could pay to do (on top of the entrance fee). These included swimming and snorkeling.
We walked out along the rickety boardwalk and reached something resembling a restaurant. where people seemed to be eating their own food. We were told it would cost us P200 each just to sit there and would be allowed 40 minutes. There had been another building on stilts alongside but that must have been destroyed by the typhoon and never rebuilt.
There is nothing to indicate that it is a sanctuary of any sort. There is a proper Wildlife and Marine Sanctuary a little further down at the southern tip of the island. Go there and enjoy it. Do not waste time and money with this rip off.
The first thing you see when you arrive is a large sign saying that you cannot enter without a vaccination card. This, of course, is complete nonsense.
I needed to relieve myself before going further. This, we were told will cost 10P .
Next was a sign listing all the things you were not allowed to do. These included swimming and diving.
The next sign listed all the things you could pay to do (on top of the entrance fee). These included swimming and snorkeling.
We walked out along the rickety boardwalk and reached something resembling a restaurant. where people seemed to be eating their own food. We were told it would cost us P200 each just to sit there and would be allowed 40 minutes. There had been another building on stilts alongside but that must have been destroyed by the typhoon and never rebuilt.
There is nothing to indicate that it is a sanctuary of any sort. There is a proper Wildlife and Marine Sanctuary a little further down at the southern tip of the island. Go there and enjoy it. Do not waste time and money with this rip off.
Written April 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Islandhoppingaddict
Skokie, IL12 contributions
What an awesome place to hangout and snorkel! I highly recommend the place. You can't go wrong with a very affordable entrance fee!
Written August 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Princess
Mandaue, Philippines17 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
The place is nice! The staffs are accomodating. If you are a group of 10, you'll be paying one hundred each because of the additional environmental fee. I suggest you bring some goggles and gears so that you can swim and watch the fishes under the water and save some money in renting those gears. There are also life jackets provided. And a long walk from the receiving area which might be hard if you are bringing some elderly loved-ones.
Written June 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fvancaen
Paris, France326 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
You ll found lot of boats with snorkeling but very few for diving. The place is good for snorkeling, but they feed the fishes. For the dive is really good as there is more or less no others divers. The water is really clear and there are nice fishes to see. Nothing really special but a nice dive.
Written July 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andycap68
Auckland, New Zealand27 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
A enjoyable day to relax and enjoy the amazing sea life and the water so crystal clear.So many types of fish, coral .
Written October 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isabel D
Encinitas,Ca43 contributions
Apr 2018
I just came back from a short visit to Cebu Island and did the island hopping including this sanctuary, had an amazing time surrounding myself with many kind of fish and coral, warm water and beautiful turquoise and green water.
Written April 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jay C
Tuguegarao City, Philippines99 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
Nice place to do snorkeling. This sanctuary place still have several variety of fishes. Be ready to take videos by your underwater camera.
Written July 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We arrive Cebu airport 10:40 am Sun, Jul 16, Leave 10pm so 5 hours to spend in San Vicente Marine Sanctuary, after lunch and before dinner. Is there public transport from the airport, and how much is ferry, entrance, snorkel hire etc. Many thanks Anna and richard.
Written July 12, 2017
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