Mactan is a small island located a few kilometres off the eastern coast of Cebu Island opposite the city of the same name. Mactan and Cebu are connected by the Marcelo Fernan and Mactan-Mandaue bridges. The island is part of the Cebu Province and consists of two major cities, Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova. It is on Mactan that the Cebu International Airport is located, which is the second most important airport in the Philippines.
Before the Spanish colonization of Mactan in the 16th century, the island was home to predominantly Muslim communities. In 1521, the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan arrived here, who became embroiled in tribal feuds and was killed by the leader of Lapu-Lapu. Later, a 30-meter memorial in his name was erected at the site of Magellan’s death.
In 1730, monks from the Augustinian order founded the town of Opon on Mactan, which was renamed Lapu-Lapu City in 1961 in honour of the warrior chief revered by Filipinos as a fighter for independence.
Today, Mactan is a major industrial center with 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, Hawaiian guitars and other musical instruments are manufactured here.
But, of course, one of the leading roles in the island's economy is played by tourism. Mactan is primarily known as a resort with many beautiful beaches, historical sites and entertainment centres. The proximity to the the island capital, Cebu City, has influenced the development of the local tourist infrastructure. The only oceanarium in the Visayan Islands region is located here. oceanarium.
Since Mactan is a coral island, it is particularly popular for a variety of water sports: diving, snorkelling, snorkelling, diving and snorkelling. A variety of water sports: diving, snorkelling, aquabiking, windsurfing. Mactan and the neighbouring island of Olango are separated by the Hilutangan Channel, which is up to 300 metres deep, which is perhaps the main "diving" attraction of the island. Other famous dive sites in Mactan include the coral reef at the Shangri La Mactan hotel, the Vista Mar wall up to 40 meters deep, the sandy slope of Tambuli, at the bottom of which rests the remains of an aircraft, Whale Rock, the Kon-Tiki wall and the Marigondon underwater cave.
