Olango Island Group is a unique and eco-friendly group of islands found in the
Central Visayas region of the Philippines. Known for its wildlife sanctuary, it has become one of the most-visited places in Cebu.
The Olango Island Group is part of the province of Cebu and is under the jurisdiction of two local government units; the Municipality of Cordova and of the City of Lapu-Lapu. It is bordered by Bohol Strait in the south, the Camotes Sea to the north and the Olango Channel and Hilutungan Channel in the east and west sides respectively.
The entire group of islands has an approximate land area of 1,030 hectares. It is composed of seven islands; the major Olango Island and six satellite islets namely: Sulpa, Gilutongan, Nalusuan, Caohagan, Pangan-an and Camungi.
The Olango Island Group is composed of eleven (11) barangays. Included in the jurisdiction of Lapu-Lapu City are the barangays Baring, Caw-oy, Sabang, Santa Rosa, Talima, Tingo, Tungasan and San Vicente and the island barangays of Pangan-an and Caohagan. Gilutongan and Nalusuan Islands both belonged to barangay Gilutongan and belonged to the territory of the Municipality of Cordova. Sta. Rosa was erroneously used to refer the entire Olango Island because of the wharf and the church is located in the place.
The island of Olango is located approximately five kilometers east off the shores of Mactan. Surrounding Olango and other islands are continuous fringing reefs and reef flats. This reef flat-lagoon is considered one of the most extensive reef areas in the Central Visayas. It has a total of 4,482 hectares of long-stretch of white-sand beaches, rocky shoreline, seagrass beds, coral reefs, inshore and mud flats, mangrove forest and salt marsh grass that enveloped the islands.
All the islands are raised coral reefs, elevated no more than 10 meters above the sea level. At the center of these islands is a vast tidal flat which houses the 920-hectares area of the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary.
Olango Islands has a tropical climate, classified as Type 3 which is usual in the Central Visayas region. The rainy period lasts longer than the dry season. Furthermore, the dry season is subdivided into cool dry season (from December- February) and the hot dry season (March- May).
Though Philippines lies along the typhoon belt, Olango Island is safe from its destructive upshots because the islands of Mactan and Bohol serves as its protective shields.
Residents of Olango thrive basically through fishing and other coastal-related activites like shellcraft, aquarium fish collection, boat operations and seaweed farming. There are also livestock raising and small enterprises. As Olango is fast becoming a tourist destination, various types of employment are from tourism activities.
Being a nature and animal-friendly place, Olango Island is not only proud of the Wildlife Sanctuary as haven of hundreds of migratory birds. The island is also known for its excellent diving escapades and snorkeling experiences. There are three different dive sites around the island.
The Mabini Point is situated in the northern tip of the island where when descending 35 meters, one can have a view of hammerhead sharks and occasionally, the whale sharks. The current is strong and unpredictable, good for expert swimmers only.
Baring is one of the deepest wall dives around Olango, located in the north-western side of the island. The wall starts 20 meters and ends down about 73 meters. Lots of fishes can be found in the vicinity such as tuna, barracuda, snappers and jacks and some sharks.
In the south is Sta. Rosa and the dive starts with a sandy bottom covered with corals up to drop-off at 15 meters to 50 meters. The species of fish are varied; some big and there are small.
For nature lovers, bird watching enthusiasts and diving aficionados, a visit or tour in the Olango Group of Islands is such a treat. Experience living with pure nature only in Olango Island.
How To Get There:
Olango Group of Islands is very accessible. From Cebu City, one can ride a jeepney to Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan. From Lapu-Lapu City, go for a ride with a tricycle bound for Dap Dap or Angasil and take a pump boat directly to Santa Rosa in Olango Island.
