Take In the Beauty of Cebu's Skies

© CEBU navi SAKURA ｜ vol.3 May-Jun.2016

Take In the Beauty of Cebu's Skies

See the Glowing Brilliance from Mactan Island

The beautiful sea, coral reef, and tropical fish... The many attractive diving spots
in Cebu. The Chocolate Hills on Bohol Island, Osmena Peak, etc. The mountains
with unusual ridgelines where a variety of fruits and vegetables grow. The animals
and plants. But we must not forget about the sky... The sunrise and sunsets beyond
the horizon convey a magical beauty as well.

The sight of dawn from the East coast of Mactan Island. The moment the sun peaks from beyond Olango Island. A marked line show us; on the left is the spreading blue skies of morning and on the right, the spreading darkness of night.

The Argao Sun Rising from Bohol Island.

The white fish "Bangus" is a familiar fish with the locals. There are fish preserves for Bangus cultivation along the main roads of Argao. The sun lights up the fish preservations like clockwork, rising from the Chocolate Hills of Bohol Island. Just before daybreak, flocks of seabirds take off from inside the deep nearby forests.

The Morning Glow of an Oslob Dyed Purple

This is just before the sun appears from between Bohol Island and Siquijor Island. The air is clear. Just before daybreak, the sunlight reflects off the clouds of Oslob and they change with the vivid morning glow. You can hear the quiet rippling waves.

From Marigondon in Mactan Island.

See a beautiful break of day from the rooms of the nearby resort in Cordova. The reflecting colors of the lagoon and sounds of the birds set the stage all the more. The Marigondon Port is nearby and is always bustling with people.

The divineness which rises in Olango Is.

Olango island to look at from the northern resort area of the Mactan Island. The proof that shallows are large as for there being few waves. Brightness to spread through the sea is fantastic. The place that the sun rises by time changes. Some expressions are different.

The Ebb Tides of Olango Island

The tide goes out at daybreak. We went down to the uninhabited mudflats and could feel the coming of a beautiful sunrise. We decided to calmly wait. The seawaters of the tidelands become bright within a few minutes. The blue sky was reflected off the tideland waters and began to shine like gold. We could hear the pleasant sounds of murmuring ebbs and far off ripples.

One of the beauties of Cebu is the sunrise but it's unknown to many people. If you have the chance to get away from the towns, wake up early and enjoy the amazing sunrise. It's definitely worth it. There is beauty here that we cannot recommend enough.

The View of Metro Cebu from Olango Island.

While we were waiting for the sun to set into the west, we could see the faraway smog of Metro Cebu. Beautiful silhouettes of resort hotels in front of Mactan Island. Children cheerfully coming to the tidelands to catch sea urchins and starfish. It seems like the tides of change are coming soon to their daily lives.

The Inlets of the Lake-like Bantayan Island

It takes about one hour to arrive via ferry from the northern part of Cebu. We could see the popular White Beach of Bantayan Island. The inlet is not a sightseeing spot but a fishing village. There is a hardly a wave; like a mountain lake, a quiet inlet without the shadow of a person. The surface of the water glistens as the sun sets slowly.

The Up & Coming Malapascua Island

Malapascua Island attracts the attention of Pelagic Threshers and is also popular spot for diving. The beach resort is well maintained and is also growing in popularity. The evening sun sets in the northernmost part of Maya.

The Barili Sunset Sinking into Negros Island

Barili is on the West Coast of Cebu. Steep rocks aline the beaches. Mangroves of many trees are deeply rooted. On the opposite bank, you can see the large, expanding mountains of Negros Island where the sunsets and the ridgeline lights up brilliant for an instant. Watch the sun swiftly disappear as the darkness of night envelopes the sky.

The sinking sunset takes on a different appearance with the seasons. Even though it's the same sun, expressions of the evening sun are completely unique. The setting instant - we want more people to know of the fleeting beauty and pause for just a moment.

The starry summer night skies of Cebu

After watching a captivating sunset, it is time for stargazing. The best season for this is between April and June, at the height of summer in Cebu. The Southern Cross is visible in this period, as the sun approaches the Tropic of Cancer. After the sun has set completely, look to the Southeast after eating dinner. Although it is rather small, it will definitely be visible in good weather. To prevent mistaking the 'False Cross' nearby for it, you may want to ask someone knowledgable at first. Being featured on the national flags of Australia, Samoa, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Brazil, the Southern Cross is beloved by many. This is your chance to have a good look at it from the Northern Hemisphere. Incidentally, it looks upside down when viewed from the Southern Hemisphere. You can get a good look at the starry sky outside the city and from remote islands. The stars will always be waiting there for you.

Southern Cross
The best time for watching the Southern Cross:
April - June from 8 PM, in the Southeast.

Shoot Spots

Malapascua

Malapascua is a world-famous diving spot where you can see pelagic thresher up close, swimming elegantly about 25 m deep.

Bantayan

The White Beach of Bantayan is popular with tourists and Cebuanos from the city alike.

Mactan

Mactan Island is famous for its resorts. It has become popular around the world for its calm sea and many resort hotels.

Olango

As there is a banca boat ferry to Olango from Mactan Island, you can enjoy this country island full of smiles on a day trip.

Barili

Barili is located on the way to Moalboal and Kawasan Falls from Cebu City. You can go for a nice drive along the coast.

Argao

Argao is located on the way to Oslob from Cebu City. The expansive fields will give you a different view of Cebu Island.

Oslob

Oslob is a world-famous diving spot where you can see whale sharks up close. Nearby Sumilon Island is very popular, too!