Most tourists head to the southern part of Cebu to see the majestic whale sharks, the gentle giants singlehandedly responsible for putting the quiet town of Oslob on the tourist map. While seeing them is an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life, the whole whale shark experience, however, would take less than an hour: You’re only allowed to swim with the creatures for a paltry 30 minutes after a brief orientation. Once that's done, what are you going to do now to make the most out of your trip down south?

The good news is that there’s so much more to see and do in southern Cebu, and we made a list of activities you could do to make your travels super sulit. Enjoy, FN girls!

Chase some waterfalls.
Southern Cebu is dotted with a number of gorgeous waterfalls, and you shouldn’t pass up a chance to see at least one of them on your trip. There’s Oslob’s Tumalog Falls, which you could visit after your whale shark encounter, and Badian’s Kawasan Falls, a must-see if you’re in Moalboal. If you have more time, you could actually see at least three cascades in a single day in the towns of Ginatilan and Samboan.

Climb a mountain.
The view from the summit of Osmeña Peak, located in the town of Dalaguete, is absolutely breathtaking: the pointy peaks of the Mantalongon range serve as the perfect foreground to watch the sun set over the waters of Tañon Strait. If the thought of scaling Cebu’s highest mountain scares you, know that the summit is just a scenic 30-minute walk in Baguio-cool temperature from the jump-off point in Mantalongon, and that there are children as young as eight years old offering to guide hikers up the mountain. If kids can do it, so could you!

Traverse a canyon.
Adventure junkies will get a kick out of canyoneering in Badian. This extreme sport isn’t for the faint-hearted: It’ll have you trekking, climbing, wading, swimming, and scrambling while following the path of Matutinao River. Make sure you’re in tip-top shape as it’s no walk in the park!

Bum on a beach.
One of the perks of living in Cebu is that you’re never too far away from the sun, sand and surf wherever you may be. More so on the island’s southern half, where the main highways hug the coast. Grab your bikini and sunblock and head to Alcoy’s Tingko Beach, Moalboal’s Bas Daku Beach, and Badian’s Lambug Beach, all guaranteed to satisfy the most discriminating beachgoers.

Dive underwater.
Moalboal is famous for its excellent marine life: A usual snorkeling or diving tour will have you seeing plenty of fishes and corals, a sardine run, and, if you’re lucky, some turtles, possibly even sharks. Sumilon island, located on the island’s southernmost tip, is home to beautiful corals, manta rays, and hammerhead sharks.

Go on a food trip.
Avid foodies with no cholesterol problems should make a pilgrimage to Carcar, a southern city that takes its pork very, very seriously. The town is famous for its chicharon, which can be easily bought at the market or at one of the many vendors around the rotunda. Less health-conscious folks should also try Carcar’s ginabot, the Cebuano version of chicharong bulaklak. Cebu is also famous for its lechon, and Carcar’s flavorful version, best eaten with the province’s trademark puso, is also a must-try.

Learn about history.
Southern Cebu is dotted with well-preserved heritage towns brimming with history. Get a glimpse of Spanish-era Filipino life in Carcar: Visit the Bahay Na Tisa, marvel at the intricate architecture of the Carcar Dispensary, and check out the rotunda, said to be the exact spot where the city was founded. From Carcar, make your way south to the municipality of Boljoon, where you could do a heritage walk to see the town’s top historic structures. You also shouldn’t miss the El Grande Baluarte, the largest watchtower in Cebu.
Get #Blessed at a church.
You could dedicate a whole day going to town after town to visit Southern Cebu’s many Spanish-era churches. Must-visit churches include the Santa Catalina de Alejandria Church in Carcar, the castle-like Simala Shrine in Sibonga, the San Miguel Arcangel Church in Argao, and the Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio Church in Boljoon, a National Historical Landmark and a National Cultural Treasure.

PHOTO: Klaus Stiefel/Flickr Creative Commons, Dex Cruz/Flickr Creative Commons; GIFS: Giphy