Mactan Island (Lapu Lapu)
Just across the water from Cebu City, Mactan Island (Lapu Lapu) is where most visitors begin their Cebu journey, at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. But there’s more to Mactan Island than transportation alone. It’s home to sleek resorts, a wealth of water sports, excellent scuba diving, and even a monument or two.
Mactan Island is also known as Lapu Lapu for the early freedom fighter and Philippine hero Lapulapu, who killed the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan here in 1521. The island’s main city bears his name; his 66-foot (20-meter) statue is a Mactan landmark; and the Victory in Mactan festival each April celebrates his triumph. Many travelers opt to spend a couple of days here enjoying all-inclusive resorts or beach clubs, exploring the coral reef by scuba, snorkel, or free diving, trying out water sports from parasailing through to helmet-supplied “seawalking”, or simply island hopping.
- Mactan Island is a great choice for beach lovers and divers alike.
- Mactan Island is a popular destination for upscale Asian travelers and is home to Cebu’s best hotels. Budget travelers seeking beach bungalows would do better on Moalboal or Malapascua.
- Upscale resorts are generally accessible to travelers who use wheelchairs, but the rest of the island can be challenging.
Most travelers arrive on Mactan Island by air. Mactan-Cebu International Airport has connections across the Philippines and to regional travel hubs including Hong Kong and Singapore. Bridges link the island to mainland Cebu City, where ferries arrive from Bohol and beyond.
Mactan Island’s peak season runs between March and May, with Easter a particularly popular period. Many travelers aim to visit for Cebu City’s colorful Sinulog festival (held the third weekend in January) or the Victory in Mactan festival each April: Book well ahead.
For convenience and upscale living, Mactan Island is a great choice when on Cebu. Other travelers love Malapascua, known for golden beaches and the chance to dive with long-tailed thresher sharks. Sumilon Island, off Cebu’s southern tip, houses a private island resort, while a wealth of smaller islands between Bohol and Cebu are perfect for island-hopping.
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