Mactan is one of the thousands of islands in the Philippines. It is close to large island Cebu and is connected to it by two bridges. The island is part of the province of Cebu and belongs to the Visayas. Here is located international Airport Mactan-Cebu.
The island is known for the death of Magellan, the famous portuguese sailor.
During the battle of the people from the expedition of Fernand Magellan with the natives, he was killed by the Maktan leader Lapu-Lapu. It happened on April 27, 1521.
An interesting fact is that the Filipinos equally revere both Magellan and his killer. A monument to the leader Lapu-Lapu is erected on the island. And on the neighboring island of Cebu, Magellan's Cross and his burial place, which are also a landmark.
Magellan is revered as the first person to bring Christianity to the islands. And Lapu-Lapu as a fighter against the colonialists.
Mactan Island has large quantity beautiful beaches... Many tourists come to them from the island of Cebu.
But there are not enough free beaches here and they are occupied mainly by local residents. But near the hotels you will find excellent sandy beach areas.
Mactan is famous for its numerous hotels with equipped beaches with water parks. You can go to boat trip around the islands by boat "bank". And you can walk through the local park and buy souvenirs in the town of Mactan Shrine, where in the 16th century the local leader Fernand Magellan was killed.
The largest selection of beaches in the Cebu archipelago is on the island of Mactan, which is visited by all tourists from Cebu, since this is where the airport is located. You will not find good free beaches here, but there are well-equipped bulk beach areas near hotels. There are free beaches on Mactan, but they usually have a rest locals, therefore, you should not look for free places and quiet rest here.
Best paid beaches of Mactan the following.
The Blue Water Maribago is accessible from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays and from 8 am to 9 pm on weekends (entry from 1,500 to 2,100 pesos). Moreover, the price of the visit includes the price for lunch or dinner at a local restaurant, use of the pools and beach towels.
The beach of the Imperial Palace Resort and Spa is suitable for families with children, as here you can visit the aqua park and swim in the pool. You can purchase a full day pass (about 3,500 pesos), which includes lunch at a local restaurant.
The Plantation Bay Resort and Spa beach covers an area of over 100 hectares. There are lagoons with different depth differences. The entrance to the beach will cost about 2000 pesos, while for this price you will receive lunch with drinks, the opportunity to use the services of renting bicycles, table tennis, boats, visit a climbing wall or play football and billiards.
And if you're looking for peace, unspoiled nature and crystal clear waters, head to Naked Island Beach, an hour from Mactan. The beach is sand spit, which appears only at low tide. Moreover, the water here is absolutely incredible azure color.
Near Mactan there is Pandanon Island, which can be reached by boat in less than an hour. Tourists are attracted here by the snow-white sand, purest water and exotic bamboo cottages. This island is especially good for photo sessions. And the beach restaurant serves deliciously cooked shells.
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Mactan is a small island located a few kilometers from east coast Cebu Island opposite the city of the same name. Mactan and Cebu are connected by the Marcelo Fernana and Mactan-Mandaue bridges. The island is part of the province of Cebu and consists of two major cities- Lapu-Lapu City and Cordoba. It is on Mactan that Cebu International Airport is located, which is the second most important airport in the Philippines.
Prior to the Spanish colonization of Mactan in the 16th century, the island was dominated by Muslim communities. In 1521, the Portuguese navigator Fernand Magellan arrived here, who was involved in inter-tribal strife and was killed by the leader Lapu-Lapu. Later, at the site of Magellan's death, a 30-meter memorial to his name was erected.
In 1730, the Augustinian monks founded the city of Opon on Mactan, which was renamed Lapu Lapu City in 1961 in honor of the warlike leader revered by the Filipinos as a fighter for independence.
Today Mactan is a large industrial center - there are about 35 enterprises, many of which are considered among the most successful in the country. Interestingly, more than half of these businesses are Japanese-owned. Furniture is produced here, ukulele and other musical instruments.
But, of course, tourism plays one of the leading roles in the economy of the island. First of all, Mactan is known as a resort with many beautiful beaches, historical sites and entertainment centers... Proximity to island capital- the city of Cebu - influenced the development of local tourism infrastructure. The only oceanarium in the region of the Visayas is located here.
Since Mactan is coral island, then various aquatic species sports: diving, snorkeling, aquabike, windsurfing. Mactan and neighboring island Olango is divided by the Hilutangan Canal up to 300 meters deep, which is perhaps the main "diving" attraction of the island. Other famous diving spots in Mactan include the coral reef at Shangri La Mactan, the Vista Mar wall up to 40 meters deep, the sandy slope of Tambuli, at the bottom of which the remains of the plane rest, Whale Rock, Kon-Tiki wall and the Marigondon underwater cave.
Diving on Mactan Island (Cebu)
popular resort and good walls
Small island Mactan, located off the east coast of the island of Cebu, opposite the city of Cebu. Through the strait dividing Cebu and Mactan, two bridges are thrown. It is on Mactane is the Cebu International Airport, the second largest in the Philippines.
Mactan is popular as a resort, here it is possible beach vacation, visiting local attractions and entertainment centers, the Mactan Aquarium ( Mactan island aquarium), etc. In addition to the relatively well-developed infrastructure, the popularity of Mactana affects proximity big city Cebu, the oldest in the country.
2. Mar y Cielo (Sea and sky)
Locals also know this site as "Vista Mar". The wall is up to 35-40 m. The most interesting is at depths of 15-25 m, below 30 there is nothing remarkable. You can find triggerfish, eagle rays, two-color angels. Required level of training: Open Water and higher. The site is too deep for snorkelling.
3. Climaco
Slope, wall up to 40 m. The most interesting is at 20-25 m. The current is weak. You can find anglers, dragon fish (dragon pegasus). The site is too deep for snorkelling.
4. Tambuli
Sandy slope. The most interesting is at depths of 10-20 m. At 22 m there is a small plane. You can find pomacentra fish, sergeant fish, angler fish, crocodile fish, blue-nosed moray eels, small barracudas, etc. If you are lucky, you can see a whale shark. 
5. Costa Bella
Slope up to 30 m. You can meet various nudibranchs, orange clowns (amphiprions), triggerfish. Required level of training: Open Water and higher. Snorkeling is possible, but the conditions are not very comfortable.
6. Whale Rock
Locals may know this site as "Dakit-dakit". Slope up to 40 m. The most interesting at a depth of 10-22 m, below 25 you can not go down. The dive starts in front of the rocks in shallow water. The northeast dive site is slightly better with more fish and healthier coral. In high season, watch out for busy traffic, including jet skis. You can see small hard corals, sponges, nudibranchs (in shallow waters), a variety of reef fish, yellow-tailed barracuda, striped anglerfish, etc. Snorkeling is possible.
7. Marine Station
Wall up to 35 m. Magnificent hard corals, nudibranchs, striped anglers, lionfish, seahorses, etc. The current is insignificant. Good visibility (up to 30 m). Required level of training: Open Water and higher. Snorkeling is possible.
8. Kon-Tiki
The site is named after the dive center of the same name, named after the famous Heyerdal raft, which bears the name of the Inca deity. Located near the Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort. Wall from 15 to 40 m. There is a large excavator bucket at 7 m. Possible entry and exit from the shore. A good site for beginner divers. Night dives are interesting. Snorkeling is possible. You can find various coral fish, anglers, scorpions, napoleons, with the luck of sharks. Watch Spanish dancers on night dives. 
9. Ludo
The wall is from 7 to 35 m. The most interesting at a depth of 10-20 m, deeper than 30, nothing interesting. You can see titanium triggerfish, sergeant fish, painted unicorn, blue-sided wrasse (cirrilabrus), tuna, etc. The site is good for night dives. Snorkeling is possible.
10. Hadsan
Site named after Hadsan hotel Beach Resort opposite which it is located. Slope from 7 to 25-35 m. The most interesting at a depth of 10-15 below is nothing interesting. Parrotfish can be seen. With a lot of luck, whale sharks are found. Night dives are interesting. Snorkeling is possible.
