Top 12 Nature Parks & Sanctuaries in the Philippines

1.Whale Shark, Monkey Sanctuary, & Moalboal Turtles Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 234 reviews · 10 hours · from $127Our pick

See three Cebu highlights in one small-group day: Oslob whale sharks, the Monkey Sanctuary, and Moalboal’s sardine run with sea turtles. Hotel pickup, transport, guides, gear, entrance fees, snacks, and a GoPro with an underwater photographer are included. Guides such as Eller, Paul, Rex, and Vince may lead different parts of the day.

“Eller is an excellent driver, first of all! Very professional and was able to explain everything we should expect ahead of time very clearly. The other focus guides were fantastic as well. Overall, an excellent experience for me and my Family which includes 2 toddlers. I recommend this tour for those who don’t wanna miss out on all the great stuff Cebu has to offer!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Whale Shark, Monkey Sanctuary, & Moalboal Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 82 reviews · from $117

Leave Cebu, Mandaue, or Lapu-Lapu City before dawn for Oslob whale sharks, a monkey sanctuary, and Moalboal’s sardine run and sea turtles. The six-person tour includes hotel pickup, guides, snorkeling stops, fresh coconut, and a free GoPro with an underwater photographer. Expect a long day, roughly three hours each way between Cebu and Oslob.

“It was a nice escape from Cebu that I enjoyed and I feel like I had enough time in each place to enjoy it. We did have to wait to get in the water with the whale sharks but so did everyone else so that is not the fault of the company. The waterfalls are also beautiful!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Dao, Forests, and Tarsier Sanctuary Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 43 reviews · from $144

Travel from Panglao or Tagbilaran with a private guide and driver to Dao market, Corella’s tarsier sanctuary, the Man-Made Forest, Chocolate Hills, and a jungle waterfall. Guides including David, Ramon, and Mon explain local life along the way, while a Filipino family prepares lunch beside a rice paddy.

“David was so knowledgeable about the area and we felt very safe with the driver. My parents are elderly and they accommodated us perfectly. Wonderful experience would definitely recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Cebu Safari and Adventure Park Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 16 reviews · 10 hours · from $90

You’ll leave Cebu City by private vehicle with an English-speaking driver for the hills of Carmen, about one to one and a half hours away. At Cebu Safari and Adventure Park, your $90 tour includes transport, admission, animal exhibits, Michel’s Garden, African Savanna, the bird show, and White Lion Safari. Plan around the exhibit schedules and bring a camera.

“got picked up and quickly taken to the Safari. had a great time, saw a ton of animals. great experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Oslob Whaleshark Scuba Diving & Sumilon Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · 8 hours · from $251

Meet whale sharks in Oslob on a scuba session, then visit Sumilon Sanctuary for coral gardens, reef fish, turtles, and possible reef sharks. Your English-speaking team provides equipment, hotel transfers, and underwater photo opportunities. Driver Jave has earned praise for safe bag storage and helpful local suggestions.

“Only saw 2 whale sharks, the guide said it was 3. But still I was expecting to see many more. The diving in the Sumilon sanctuary was good lots to see.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 6 reviews · 1 day · from $103

Spend six hours at Cebu Safari and Adventure Park after a private pickup from Cebu City, Mactan, or Mandaue. Your English or Tagalog-speaking driver handles the roughly two-hour ride to Carmen. See giraffes, zebras, lions, monkeys, and other animals, join guided zones and shows, and use free time for gardens and trails. Animal feeding costs extra.

“Very nice Park. Driver was also really good. No drinks allowed inside the Park.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Cebu Safari Adventure Park Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 6 reviews · from $97

Spend about eight hours visiting Cebu Safari Adventure Park with private hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, admission, safari truck ride, animal shows, and animal encounters included. You will see wildlife exhibits, feeding sessions, and scheduled shows, with time for park cafes and souvenir shops. Meals are extra.

“Driver was extremely nice. We paid a lot of money for the activity in advance, and when we got there we saw that the tickets were much much cheaper. A lot of the animals seemed very sad in captivity (hyena, orangutang etc) this is more like a zoo and not a safari..”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Whale Sharks, Tumalog Falls, and Monkey Sanctuary Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 5 reviews · 12 hours · from $121

Travel from Cebu City, Mandaue, or Lapu-Lapu City to Oslob for whale shark snorkeling, Tumalog Falls, a monkey sanctuary, and fresh coconut when available. An English-speaking guide leads the day for groups of up to 10. Guide Eller has earned praise for punctual pickup and friendly service, though the three-hour drive each way is a serious time commitment.

“Eller was the best guide. Pick up was very punctual. Very friendly and easy to talk to. All attractions were well organized.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Sohoton Island Hopping Tour with Jellyfish Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 5 reviews · 10 hours · from $88

You’ll travel from Siargao to Bucas Grande for a guided day at Sohoton Cove, Hagukan Cave, Magkukuob Cavern and the Jellyfish Sanctuary. The tour also includes Tiktikan Lake or Dagatan Bay, Bubon Beach, Marka-A Island, lunch, boat transfers and an English-speaking guide. Bring watershoes, goggles and a drybag.

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Cebu Safari and Adventure Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5 reviews · from $75

Spend about eight hours at Cebu Safari and Adventure Park with private air-conditioned transport from Cebu, admission to the African Savannah Tour, and an experienced driver serving as your tour coordinator. See white and orange Bengal tigers, catch a bird show, and explore a large animal park at your own pace.

“Fantastic day out, a lot of animals, with stunning views beautiful area. Animals really looked after and friendly staff. 100% recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Whale Shark, Monkey Sanctuary & Turtle Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 9 hours · from $123Top rated

Join Boss J Cebu Tours for a nine-hour private trip from Cebu City, Mactan, or nearby areas. You’ll swim with Oslob whale sharks, visit a monkey sanctuary, stop at a waterfall, and snorkel with turtles and sardines in Moalboal. Guide Jave may adjust the route if Tumalog Falls is closed.

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Half Day City Tour with Butterfly Garden

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 3 reviews · 4 hours · from $14Best value

You’ll tour Puerto Princesa in an air-conditioned van with an English-speaking licensed driver-guide. Visit the cathedral, Plaza Cuartel, Baywalk, Butterfly Garden, Mitra’s Ranch, Baker’s Hill, and Pasalubong Center. The four-hour route mixes history, nature, views, snacks, and shopping, with hotel pickup and entrance fees included.

Check availability →Read our full review