Cebu Guide: Luxury Yacht Charter in Cebu

Cebu is the beating heart of the Visayas and one of the Philippines’ most versatile charter bases. This long, narrow island stretches 225 kilometres from north to south through the central Philippine archipelago, flanked by the Camotes Sea to the east and the Tañon Strait to the west – a deep-water channel between Cebu and neighbouring Negros that has been recognised as one of the most important cetacean corridors in Southeast Asia. Mactan Island, connected to Cebu City by two bridges and the striking Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (opened in 2022), is the primary yacht charter departure point: the Cebu Yacht Club on the Mactan Channel sits just minutes from Mactan–Cebu International Airport, making the transition from runway to yacht as seamless as anywhere in the Philippines.

What sets Cebu apart is the sheer range of experiences packed into a compact cruising ground. Within a day’s cruise of Mactan you can swim beside whale sharks off Oslob, dive into a swirling tornado of millions of sardines at Moalboal, explore the thresher-shark cleaning stations of Malapascua, or simply anchor off the powdery white sand of Bantayan Island and do nothing at all. The island’s colonial heritage – Cebu was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines, founded by Miguel López de Legazpi in 1565 – adds cultural depth to every harbour stop, and the local cuisine (Cebu’s lechon is widely considered the finest in the country) gives your onboard chef outstanding ingredients to work with. For charter guests looking to explore the Visayas, Cebu is the natural starting point.

The Cebu Yacht Club on Mactan offers berthing, fuelling, maintenance and repair services, with a café, gym, dive shop and chandlery on site. Its position near the international airport makes it one of the most convenient embarkation points in the Philippines. From here, your captain can head south to Moalboal and Oslob, north to Malapascua and Bantayan, or east across the Camotes Sea to the remote Camotes Islands. Start planning your Cebu charter with Boatcrowd and let our team design the perfect Visayas itinerary.

Why Charter a Yacht in Cebu

Marine Megafauna Encounters

Cebu offers some of the most reliable large-animal encounters in the diving world. Off Oslob, on the island’s south-eastern coast, whale sharks gather year-round near the shore – sightings run at roughly 99% between December and May. At Moalboal, on the south-western coast, a resident school of millions of sardines forms a shimmering, ever-shifting ball just metres from the beach at Panagsama – unlike South Africa’s seasonal sardine run, Moalboal’s happens every single day. And at Malapascua, a tiny island off Cebu’s northern tip, early-morning dives at Monad Shoal offer one of the only reliable encounters with pelagic thresher sharks anywhere on the planet. These three experiences alone make Cebu one of the most rewarding dive-charter destinations in Asia.

The Tañon Strait Cetacean Corridor

The deep-water channel between Cebu and Negros Island is a protected seascape and one of the Philippines’ most important marine habitats. At least 14 species of cetacean have been recorded here, including spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, melon-headed whales and, during migration season, Bryde’s whales and dwarf sperm whales. Cruising through the Tañon Strait with dolphins riding the bow wave of your yacht is a quintessential Cebu experience.

Colonial Heritage and World-Class Lechon

Cebu was the cradle of Spanish colonisation in the Philippines. Magellan’s Cross, planted in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan arrived and converted the local chieftain to Christianity, still stands (encased in a protective wooden shell) in a chapel beside the Basilica del Santo Niño in Cebu City. Fort San Pedro, built in 1565, is the oldest triangular bastion fort in the Philippines. The food is equally storied: Cebu’s lechon (whole roasted suckling pig, skin crackling to a deep mahogany) is legendary throughout the country. CNN once named it the best pig in the world, and your chef can source a whole lechon for a beach feast that will be the centrepiece of your charter.

Compact Northern and Southern Cruising Loops

Cebu’s geography lends itself to two distinct charter loops. The southern route runs from Mactan down the west coast to Moalboal (roughly 45 nautical miles), Pescador Island, and Oslob (a further 30 nautical miles south), with world-class diving, the sardine run and whale sharks. The northern route heads from Mactan up the east coast past Camotes Islands to Malapascua (roughly 60 nautical miles), with thresher sharks, pristine beaches and the white sand of Bantayan Island. A 7-day charter can comfortably combine both loops; shorter charters choose one direction and make the most of it.

Key Destinations Near Cebu

• Mactan Island – Connected to Cebu City by bridge, Mactan is the charter departure point. The Cebu Yacht Club provides berthing and full services, and the surrounding waters offer gentle reef snorkelling, sunset cruises beneath the Cordova Expressway, and easy access to Hilutungan and Nalusuan marine sanctuaries.

• Moalboal – A small coastal town 90 kilometres south-west of Cebu City on the Tañon Strait. Famous for the year-round sardine run at Panagsama Beach (millions of sardines forming a swirling ball just metres offshore), resident green sea turtles, and the stunning wall diving and sea fans of Pescador Island, a 15-minute boat ride offshore.

• Pescador Island – A small, car-free island roughly 3 nautical miles off the Moalboal coast. The underwater plateau is covered in coral, and the walls drop steeply to 50+ metres with caves, sea fans and large pelagic visitors. One of the top dive sites in the Visayas.

• Oslob – A coastal town on Cebu’s south-eastern tip, famous for its year-round whale shark interactions. Whale sharks (butanding in Filipino) gather close to shore, and snorkelling alongside these gentle giants – the largest fish in the ocean, reaching up to 12 metres – is an unforgettable experience.

• Malapascua Island – A tiny island (2.5 km by 1 km) off the northern tip of Cebu, famous as one of the only places on earth where divers can reliably encounter pelagic thresher sharks. Early-morning dives at Monad Shoal, a submerged island plateau at 18–25 metres, offer regular sightings of these elegant sharks visiting cleaning stations at dawn.

• Bantayan Island – A laid-back island roughly 25 nautical miles north-west of Cebu’s northern tip, with long stretches of fine white sand, turquoise shallows and a gentle, unhurried atmosphere. Sugar Beach and Paradise Beach are the headline draws.

• Camotes Islands – A group of four small islands east of Cebu in the Camotes Sea. Quiet, seldom-visited and fringed with white sand, the Camotes offer a genuine off-the-grid experience with freshwater lakes, caves and empty beaches.

Best Time to Charter a Yacht in Cebu

Peak Season: December to May

The amihan season brings dry, settled weather to the Visayas. Skies are predominantly clear, seas are calm, and visibility on the dive sites exceeds 20 metres. Air temperatures range from 26–33°C (79–91°F), and sea temperatures sit at a comfortable 27–29°C. March through May are the warmest and driest months, with the best underwater visibility and the calmest sea conditions for longer crossings to Malapascua and Bantayan. December through February offer slightly cooler evenings and excellent conditions for whale shark encounters at Oslob.

Shoulder Months: November and June

November marks the transition to dry season, with conditions improving rapidly through the month. June is warm and generally pleasant, though afternoon showers become more common. Both months offer quieter dive sites and softer charter rates, with the marine life encounters (sardine run, whale sharks, thresher sharks) still running at full strength.

Wet Season: July to October

The habagat brings periodic rain and occasional rough seas, particularly on the western (Tañon Strait) side. The eastern coast remains comparatively sheltered. Cebu sits in the Visayas, which is less typhoon-prone than Luzon but not immune; professional weather routing is essential. The sardine run at Moalboal is year-round and unaffected by season, and chartering is possible with flexible itineraries and a willingness to adjust to conditions.

Yacht Types Available

• Luxury Motor Yachts (78’–99’) – Ideal for covering Cebu’s north–south cruising ground efficiently. Cruising speeds of 18–28 knots reach Moalboal in under three hours and Malapascua in around four. Weekly rates from $33,000–$55,000.

• Superyachts (100’+) – For groups seeking the ultimate dive-charter experience with full crew, dive master and extensive water-toy inventory. Comfortable for extended Visayas exploration. Weekly rates from $90,000–$175,000 on MYBA terms.

• Luxury Catamarans (55’+) – Stable, spacious and well suited to families and mixed groups. The shallow draft is an advantage around Cebu’s reef-fringed marine sanctuaries. Weekly rates from $35,000–$50,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I swim with whale sharks in Cebu on a yacht charter?

Yes. Whale sharks gather year-round off Oslob on Cebu’s south-eastern coast, with sighting rates around 99% during peak season (December–May). Your yacht anchors offshore and a local guide takes you by paddle boat to the snorkelling area, where you swim alongside these gentle giants in shallow, warm water. The experience is regulated by local authorities to minimise disturbance to the animals, and your crew will brief you on the guidelines before you enter the water.

What is the Moalboal sardine run?

Unlike the seasonal sardine migration in South Africa, Moalboal’s sardine run happens every single day, year-round. A resident school of millions of sardines forms a dense, shimmering ball just metres from Panagsama Beach on Cebu’s south-western coast. You can snorkel or dive into the swirling mass – the experience of being surrounded by millions of tiny silver fish moving in perfect unison is mesmerising. Green sea turtles often feed on the reef below, adding to an already extraordinary underwater scene.

How do I see thresher sharks at Malapascua?

Malapascua is one of the only places in the world where divers can reliably encounter pelagic thresher sharks. The sharks visit cleaning stations at Monad Shoal, a submerged plateau at 18–25 metres depth, roughly a 15-minute boat ride from Malapascua Island. Dives depart at dawn (typically 5:00–5:30 a.m.) when the sharks are most active. Open Water certification is the minimum requirement. Your yacht anchors off Malapascua for the night, and the dive team has you in the water at first light.

Is Cebu a good base for a multi-generational family charter?

Cebu is excellent for families of all ages. The whale shark experience at Oslob is suitable for children who are comfortable snorkelling (no diving required), the sardine run at Moalboal is accessible to snorkellers of all levels, and the calm, shallow waters around Mactan’s marine sanctuaries are perfect for young beginners. Bantayan Island’s gentle beaches offer a day of relaxation for grandparents, and the lechon beach feast is a family event that everyone remembers. Catamarans with their stability and wide beam are the most popular choice for multi-generational Cebu charters.

Can I combine Cebu with a Palawan charter?

Yes, though the distances are significant. Cebu to El Nido is roughly 300 nautical miles across the Sulu Sea, requiring a repositioning passage of one to two days depending on yacht speed and weather. For guests with 10–14 days, a combined Cebu–Palawan itinerary is a spectacular way to experience both the Visayas and Palawan in a single voyage. Alternatively, your Boatcrowd specialist can arrange a domestic flight from Cebu to El Nido or Coron, with a second yacht waiting at the destination.

What is Cebu’s lechon and where can I try it?

Lechon is the Philippines’ iconic whole roasted pig – and Cebu’s version is widely regarded as the finest in the country. The skin is crackling-crisp and lacquered to a deep mahogany, while the meat inside stays juicy and fragrant with lemongrass, garlic and spring onion. Your onboard chef can source a whole lechon from a local specialist for a beach feast or aft-deck celebration. Ashore, the legendary Zubuchon (founded by chef Marketman) and Rico’s Lechon in Cebu City are the most celebrated purveyors. It is one of those dishes that justifies the trip on its own.