There are a bunch of awesome things to do on the island of Mactan, located just offshore from Cebu City in the Philippines. While most people fly into Cebu International Airport and immediately head straight to the beaches of mainland Cebu, they are missing a real gem: Mactan Island.

If you've been smart enough to book a stay at a hotel in Cebu Mactan, then get ready for a memorable adventure. From superb beaches and historical monuments to water activities and local culture, there is a lot to discover on the island.

Besides being a tropical paradise, Mactan also offers discerning travellers a much less crowded and expensive vacation destination than its flashier neighbour. To help you make the most of your time on the island we've put together a list of our top five things to do.

Scuba Diving

Surrounded by protected marine sanctuaries and dense coral reef, Mactan offers scuba diving enthusiasts a spectacular canvas right on its doorstep. There are more than a dozen fantastic dive spots suitable for every skill level and within easy reach. Coral Reef Resort is one of the most popular spots to select; it's renowned for its underwater wall that has a 20-meter drop. This heart-pounding spot is full of amazing creatures like sea snakes and groupers. For something a little tamer but equally impressive, head to Agus, a site that will enable you to get up close and personal with beautiful coral beds teeming with sea sponges and seahorses.

Magellan Shrine

Near Magellan Port is a shrine of the same name. This shrine, circa 1866, pays tribute to Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator who died in the 1521 Battle of Mactan. He is remembered for three things: [1] being the first European to set foot in the Philippines, [2] bringing Christianity to the island and [3] inflicting grievous harm on the island's natives in his attempt to assert Spanish serenity. You can see depictions of Magellan's battle painted on the shrine showing violent fights taking place in the water.

Lapu Lapu

One of the best things to do on Mactan is to take a tricycle ride to the southern city of Lapu Lapu and then stroll around on foot, soaking up the ambience and culture of this modest residential neighbourhood. While walking, you'll be better able to explore all the small roads and side streets that make this area so fascinating and colourful. Make sure you keep an eye open for the area's ubiquitous food stands which feature a mouth-watering array of local dishes, most of them using recipes unchanged for decades.

Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant

If the above wandering has whet your appetite for local cuisine, we recommend you head on over to the Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant. Besides being treated to one of the most authentic and delicious Filipino feasts in town, you'll also enjoy the open-air restaurant's stunning seaside ambience, overlooking Mactan Channel and Cebu City. Try to reserve an early evening table to enjoy a magical Mactan sunset while you dine. The menu is extensive, but some classic dishes you won't want to skip include pancit canton (stir-fried noodles), lechon manok (roast chicken), utan bisaya (mixed vegetable soup) and, of course, an endless array of seafood dishes like spicy scallops.

Island Hopping

We would be remiss if we didn't mention some of the incredible islands off the coast of Mactan that you must explore. First is Nalusuan Island, home to an incredible marine sanctuary and picturesque resort. Similarly, Hilutungan Island is also a fish sanctuary and a beautiful snorkelling and diving spot. Olango is a protected island blessed with a diverse coastal ecosystem; it has a large sandy beach, coral reefs and a lush mangrove forest. And finally, Caohagan Island is a speck in the ocean, comprising a couple of dozen houses, beautiful beaches and inland jungle. Go fishing, snorkelling and wandering the village to experience idyllic island living.

This article has been written by Paisabank.org team. Who loves to write about real estate and hotel industry and more.