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Group of islands in the Philippines
Photo: Leodb, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Olango Island is in Cebu Province, just offshore from (east of) Mactan Island and Lapu-Lapu city. It is known mainly for its wildlife sanctuary but also has some fine beaches and dive sites. The Olango Island Group includes Olango and six smaller islands nearby. The main town and main port is Santa Rosa on the west coast.
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A wetland area with many water fowl, very popular with bird watchers; close to a hundred species are found here, about half of them migratory and half permanent residents. It is listed by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat. See Ramsar sites.
Facilities are minimal; the sanctuary office sells coconut juice and provides a bathroom, but there are no restaurants or accommodation on-site.
A government-protected fish sanctuary with good snorkelling, located south of Olango around the smaller islands of Nalusuan and Hilutungan. It is one of the largest reef areas in the Visayas, about 4.5 km².
formerly Isla Bonita Inn
Somewhere between a normal homestay and a small resort hotel; guests are in a separate wing but the rest of the compound is inhabited by locals. Rooms on land have solid walls, a/c, & private bathroom with cold water shower. Others are built over the water with woven bamboo walls, electric fan, shared bathroom, & the sea visible through gaps in the bamboo floor at high tide. Some travellers find the sound of waves very relaxing Not much else except a large patio area; no restaurant but they can provide Filipino food if asked. Nearby shops have drinks and snacks.
A pleasant establishment between Santa Rosa and the Wildlife Sanctuary. Nice swimming pool, rocky not-very-nice beach, tennis court, a small playground with swings etc., restaurant with both western and Filipino food. Rooms all have a/c, shower, hot water, fridge, TV. Apartments available for long-term stays.
A large place with a swimming pool, massage service, dive center, reasonably good but expensive food.
Aqua sports activities like wave runners, jet skiing, scuba diving, and water skiing.
As the name implies, this is a white building. It is large and looks rather like an antebellum plantation from the American South.
25 rooms, 25 villas, all A/C with cable TV, refrigerator, bathtub, private toilet and hot and cold water.
There are several ferries, only a few of which carry vehicles. The most-used route is from a pier next to the Hilton Hotel on the Lapu-Lapu side to Santa Rosa on Olango.
Read in the guideThe commonest mode of transport on the island is a motorcycle plus sidecar rig known as a pedicab. These are more expensive on the island than elsewhere; most rides cost ₱120.
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Cebu City/Lapu-Lapu City · International · CEB
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