The Views of Cebu Seen from the Sky

© CEBU navi SAKURA ｜ vol.8 Mar.-Apr.2017

The white sand beaches, the coral reef, the beautiful blue gradations from the drop-offs of the sea

①OLANGO Is

②CAOHAGAN Is

③NALUSUAN Is

④HILUTUGAN Is

If you fly from Mactan International Airport by Cessna, before long, you'll feel like you're floating and when you look down, you'll see the gradations of blue spreading out below you. Let yourself get lost in the many nuances of blue.
The first sight is Olango Island ① which houses an international bird sanctuary. Though just a 20 minute boat ride away from Mactan Island, the beauty of the island is fully appreciated from above. The shallows of the coral reef, which has many diving spots, will dazzle you with its vibrant colours like emerald and cobalt blue. In addition, the huge mangrove forest is also a birds' paradise.
When continuing on from Olango Island, looking south from the spreading coral reef, you'll see Caohagan Island ②. The large, white sand beaches on the western coast are quite popular and many people from Japan and Taiwan enjoy island-hopping in the area. Surprisingly, some people on the island speak Japanese, as the owner is Japanese!
Nalusuan ③ and Hilutungan ④ Islands are also on the list of the well-known diving spots. The gradation of the reef to the drop-off is visible from the sky. A banka boat draws a white line through the sea.
The Philippines is made up of over 7,100 islands. These include unnamed and small islands, the island for fishermen with the burnt-down church, and an island that only appears during low tide. All of these charming sceneries are worth seeing as long as you are up in the sky.

After taking off from the Mactan International Airport, the plane turns to the right. We see buildings under construction in the eastern part of Mactan Island, an area that's urbanizing. While looking at Punta Engaño peninsula on the left, Mactan fades away.

The fishermen island appears in the distant seas suddenly. At the heart of the island, there is a shop to buy soda and snacks, and a school for the kids. There is also a decaying church on the outskirts of the island. A number of banka boats can been seen but, this island is not a sightseeing spot.

Spread your wings, fly higher & farther, to the skies of Cebu that you haven't seen yet.

⑤Mangrove field

⑥Mountains and field

⑦Simala Church

⑧Setting Sun

⑨Metro Cebu

⑩Village of fishermen

（11）BANTAYAN Is

As you fly up, away with Cessna, leaving Metro Cebu, you will see beautiful, new views.
A mangrove field spreading out in the coral reef ⑤, the enormous, vegetable fields in the mountain region of Cebu ⑥, the church of Simala, where miracles like healing injuries & diseases and passing exams occur ⑦. With wings of flight, you can enjoy landscapes from a different angle.
The nighttime cityscape of Cebu and Mactan under the setting sun ⑧. Metro Cebu, a harbor city, tells of flourishing trade in ancient times ⑨. The village of fishermen just like floating on the sea ⑩, shows people’s way of living in nature.
Let's escape from the Metro. There's a northern island, where not many Japanese people have been, called Bantayan Island. The white sand beaches and pristine waters are popular among westerners nowadays. The town of Santa Fe, connected to Cebu via ferry, is progressing commercially （11）.
In Contrast, many people come to the southern part of Cebu, for the whale sharks and the captivating coral reef of Sumilon Island. Bohol, a neighboring island of Cebu, has, under a Japanese company, began the construction of a new international airport. There are many tourist attractions here, such as the Chocolate Hills.
More Japanese should enjoy the splendid countryside in the suburbs of Cebu. The superb view from the sky tells us so.

Chocolate Hills in Bohol Island
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol Island seen from above is a fascinating sight. From the sky, the countless hills spread out, looking like waves in the earth. On the peaks of some hills are white houses, an expressive sight.

The Mysterious Island
As we head back to Mactan Island from Bohol Island, a mysterious sight is spotted. A sandy small island appears in the vast sea. There is not a human, house, or plant to be seen. If you ask why, it's because this island disappears during high tide; some even say it's a phantom island. But, it's visible to the naked eye from the sky. It may look like it's covered in sand, but it's actually fossilized coral reef. They say if you try to secretly take some with you, the God of the Sea will be angry.

The Whale Sharks
The whale sharks in Oslob Island are famous worldwide and are one of the most visited tourist attractions of Cebu. Divers and snorkelers enjoy swimming with young whale sharks, which are only up to 7-8 meters long.

写真提供・撮影・取材協力／セブトップ CEBU TOP
CHIEF PILOT　Tetsuya Sakurai
Tel. 032-495-1840（日本語OK）
0917-319-0311（櫻井）　0917-118-1610（福原）
・Chocolate hills & Beautiful coral tour /pp.（2persons+）P6,000
・Scrumptious lunch in Bantayan Is /pp.（2persons+）P15,000
・Day trip in Bohol Is /pp.（2persons+）P13,500
・Sightseeing plane flying experience /pp.（1person）P12,500