Cebu Private Tour FAQ: Booking, Payment & What to Expect

No. Submitting sends your request immediately, but nothing is charged and no slot is held yet. We check real availability (guide schedules, sanctuary permits, ferry timetables, weather windows) and confirm everything in writing, usually within a few hours. Your slot is secured once you pay the reservation fee after written confirmation.

Oslob is about 3 hours south of Cebu City. The whale shark activity starts around sunrise, and arriving early usually means fewer boats, calmer water, and a more personal experience before large group tours arrive.

Yes. Private tours use a minimum pricing baseline, so solo travelers and couples are welcome as long as the minimum private charge is accepted. Your vehicle, driver, and guide remain private to your group.

The reservation fee (PHP 500 per guest per tour day, up to PHP 5,000 per booking) is paid via PayPal or GoTyme Bank Transfer (SWIFT wire, a remittance app, or a local InstaPay QR scan). We only collect payment after availability is confirmed, and the fee is deducted from the final tour payment. The remaining balance is paid in cash on activity day.

Pickup and drop-off in Cebu City, Mandaue, and Mactan are included for most Cebu tours. Pickups outside those areas may carry a small surcharge, always confirmed in writing before the tour.

Yes. Entrance, environmental, and local government fees for your tour's stops are included in the total price. The only costs not included are personal expenses, meals not listed in your confirmation, and optional add-ons you choose separately.

Yes, for water-activity tours. Snorkeling gear, life vests, and other required safety gear are included at no extra rental fee — each tour's own inclusions list confirms exactly what's provided.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity unless your written confirmation gives a longer free-cancellation window. Late cancellations or no-shows may incur supplier costs. Weather-forced closures can be rebooked or refunded based on supplier rules.

Yes. Cebu OK Travel offers multilingual support in English, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified) across WhatsApp, LINE, KakaoTalk, Messenger, and WeChat, and can arrange a Japanese, Korean, or Chinese-speaking guide for your tour on request.

Yes, Japanese-speaking guides and Korean language support are available on request. Please request 3-5 days in advance when possible so the team can confirm guide availability.

Yes. Your group, your vehicle, your pace. Cebu OK Travel does not add other travelers to your tour without your clear permission. The one exception is the Oslob whale shark viewing itself, done from a small outrigger boat managed by the local government and shared with other guests by local rule — the same for every operator, not something we control.

After the tour is confirmed, the team sends a secure waiver link connected to your booking ID. The signed waiver is archived with your typed signature name, date signed, tour date, and booking details.

No minimum group size. Solo travelers, couples, and families all book private tours. Pricing is structured around a private vehicle baseline — we quote based on your actual group size and route.

Many Cebu tours can work for families, but suitability depends on each guest and current activity operator rules. Tell us every child's age, swimming ability, mobility needs, and relevant health information. We confirm eligibility before recommending canyoneering, snorkeling, boat access, or another activity.

Wear swimwear under light clothes. Bring reef-safe biodegradable sunscreen (chemical sunscreen is banned at whale shark sites and marine sanctuaries), a rash guard or UV shirt, hat, towel, change of clothes, and PHP 500–800 cash for entrance fees, food, and extras. Snorkel gear can be rented on site.

Two to three days in advance is usually enough for most tours. For tours requiring special guides (Japanese, Korean), Kalanggaman Island (tide timing), or multi-day trips, five to seven days ahead is recommended. Peak season (December to April) books up faster — one to two weeks ahead is safer.

Yes. Chinese-speaking support is available via WeChat, and the booking chatbot handles Simplified Chinese. On-tour Chinese-speaking guides are available on request — please ask when submitting your quote request.

The reservation fee is deducted from your final tour balance — it is not an extra charge. If Cebu OK Travel cannot confirm availability for your chosen date, the fee is refunded in full. If you cancel with adequate notice (per your written confirmation), refund terms are clearly stated in your booking confirmation.

Yes. Airport pickup and drop-off to and from Mactan-Cebu International Airport are available as a standalone service or added to any tour day. Rates depend on hotel area and vehicle size — include your flight details when requesting a quote.

Yes — combination tours are the most popular option. Common combinations: Whale Shark + Sumilon Island (most popular south Cebu day), Whale Shark + Tumalog Falls, Whale Shark + Sumilon + Tumalog (full day), Oslob + Moalboal Sardine Run, Kawasan Canyoneering + beach time. Tell us your interests and we suggest the best fit.

We monitor conditions 24 hours before. If the tour cannot safely run, we notify you and offer rescheduling to your next available date at no extra cost. If rescheduling is impossible, refund terms follow supplier policy and are stated in your confirmation.

Yes. Cebu OK Travel specialises in Cebu-based private tours and also coordinates selected trips to Bohol, Palawan, Siquijor, Dumaguete, Kalanggaman Island, and Bantayan Island. Routes outside Cebu depend on transport, local supplier, weather, and date availability, so the team confirms the full plan and price in writing before payment.