Cebu Tour Packing List: What to Bring for Every Activity

Whale shark tour (Oslob)

What to bring for the whale shark tour

You leave very early — typically 2:30 to 3:30 AM. Pack your bag the night before.

• Rash guard / UV shirt (most important) — Chemical sunscreen is discouraged in the water; a long-sleeve rash guard protects you from the sun, follows conservation guidelines, and photographs better than a swimsuit
• Swimsuit underneath the rash guard — worn the entire morning
• Reef-safe or mineral sunscreen — for face and hands not covered by the rash guard
• Waterproof camera or GoPro — the single item guests regret forgetting most. Your phone is at serious risk of water damage in the interaction zone
• Towel and dry change of clothes — for after snorkeling, before the long drive back
• Cash (PHP 500–1,500) — for locker rentals, optional bamboo raft, breakfast at the site, and Tumalog Falls entrance if added
• Snacks for the van — it is a 3-hour drive each way; light snacks help on an early start
• Any prescription medication — motion sickness tablets if you are prone in small boats

Leave at your hotel

• Jewellery and watches — lockers are available but unnecessary items are a stress
• Glasses without a sports strap — the interaction zone is choppy
• Large backpack — a small drawstring or dry bag is enough for the morning

Kawasan canyoneering

What to bring for Kawasan canyoneering

The canyon is 3–4 hours in the water. You will be wet from start to finish. Pack accordingly.

• Water shoes or old sports shoes — closed-toe, grippy sole, worn into the water. No flip-flops, no bare feet. This is the item most guests underestimate
• Swimsuit — wear it under your canyoneering clothes, or go straight into the water in it
• Quick-dry shorts or board shorts — nylon or polyester; avoid cotton which stays heavy and cold when wet
• Rash guard or UV shirt — protects arms and torso from scrapes on canyon rocks
• Waterproof camera / GoPro with wrist strap — critical. Clips are not enough; wrist mounts hold during cliff jumps
• Dry bag — your phone, cash, and dry clothes go here and stay in the van
• PHP 500–800 cash — for bamboo raft at Kawasan Falls and lunch at the restaurant after
• Change of clothes + towel — for the drive home

Leave at your hotel or in the van

• Glasses without a sports strap
• All electronics except a waterproof camera
• Any bag that cannot be sealed waterproof

Island hopping

What to bring for Mactan island hopping

You'll be on an outrigger boat (bangka) in open water, eating lunch on a beach or floating platform. Different risk profile from canyoneering — the concern here is sun exposure and wet electronics.

• Dry bag or waterproof pouch — spray gets everything wet on a bangka. A PHP 150 dry bag from any beach stall saves your phone
• Rash guard / UV shirt — 6+ hours of full tropical sun on open water. Sunburn happens faster than you expect
• Reef-safe sunscreen — for face and feet
• Swimsuit and flip-flops — comfortable and appropriate for beach stops
• Snorkel mask — most tours provide one, but your own fits better. A budget mask from a Mactan dive shop costs PHP 300–500
• Cash PHP 500–1,000 — for optional activities (banana boat, paddleboard), souvenir shops at island stops, tips
• Light lunch (or confirm it's included) — all Cebu OK Travel island hopping tours include a barbecue lunch on the water or at Nalusuan
• Seasickness tablets — if you are sensitive to boat motion, take them 30 minutes before boarding

Leave at your hotel

• Valuables and laptops
• Any bag you cannot seal against spray

Bohol day tour

What to bring for the Bohol day tour

This is a land-based sightseeing day with a boat lunch on the Loboc River — no swimming, but a full day of transit.

• Light layers — the Chocolate Hills viewpoint is breezy; the tarsier sanctuary is shaded forest
• Comfortable walking shoes — you'll walk 30–60 minutes total across multiple stops
• Camera or phone with charge — the Chocolate Hills view is the main photo opportunity; bring a full battery
• Cash PHP 500–800 — for tarsier conservation fee (included in most packages), optional souvenir shopping at the mahogany forest, and tips
• Ferry-ready layers — the fast craft between Cebu and Tagbilaran is air-conditioned. Bring a light jacket or use the provided blanket
• Passport or valid ID — required for ferry boarding

All tours — universal list

Universal checklist for every Cebu tour

• ✅ Your hotel address and phone number (for driver confirmation)
• ✅ Emergency cash in a waterproof pouch
• ✅ Portable charger / power bank
• ✅ Insect repellent (especially for jungle/falls stops)
• ✅ Any prescription medication taken daily
• ✅ Light snacks for transit times (3-hour drives are common)
• ✅ Confirmation of your tour in writing (WhatsApp screenshot is fine)