Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Center — Local services in Lapu-Lapu

The Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located around four kilometers from the island of Mactan and around fifteen kilometers to the east of the Queen City of the South. It has the biggest concentration of migratory birds in the whole country. Of the 97 bird species in Olango Island, 48 species are migratory birds. The sanctuary serves as a stopover point for around 40,000 migratory birds during peak migration from November to February. These birds come from Japan, Northern China and Siberia. The place was proclaimed as a protected area on May 14, 1992 through Philippine Presidential Proclamation 903. The Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary is also among the first components of the National Protected Areas System (NIPAS Act) of 1992 or...

Masks are mandatory and you have a 30min time limit per group.

Pros: Easily accessible by tricycle, motorbike, bicycle from the pier; low entrance fee; free use of a pair of binoculars; viewing deck to observe the birds undisturbed in their natural habitat

Cons: no guide, you are on your own to spot and try to identify birds; not very senior or disability-friendly

Insider tip: go when the tide is low so that you won't have to get your feet wet crossing the stones to the viewing deck. Also, apparently more birds out when...

There aren't a flock of birds to see. Very very very few even during my 3rd time in the place. But I loved the hiking all the way to the bird sanctuary and it is a peaceful place to just breathe to catch your breath after walking under the scorching heat. Olango is indeed one of my favorite islands, as I keep on coming back here for these simple reasons. It's a simple island, has a laid back life, just the...