Cordova: Mactan's Mangrove-and-Marine Town on the CCLEX

Cordova is a small island municipality at the southern end of the Mactan Island group — most of it spread across separate low limestone islands off Mactan’s southern coast, linked to Mactan Island by two bridges and, since 2022, connected directly to mainland Cebu by the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX). It is the smallest local government unit in Metro Cebu by land area (789.6 hectares), bordered by Lapu-Lapu City to the north and the Cebu Strait to the south, and it takes in the islets of Gilutongan, Nalusuan, Shell, Tongo, and Lava. The terrain is flat karstic limestone — highest point about 10 metres — and its defining natural feature is a roughly 100-hectare mangrove forest and swamp.

Cordova is described as a quiet fishing town, and that low-key character is its appeal. The CCLEX has made it a short, direct trip from Cebu City, good for coastal scenery, mangroves, and marine sanctuaries. The Day-as Boardwalk and Marine Park is the main gateway to the mangroves; offshore, the Gilutongan and Nalusuan islets — part of the Olango Island Group — hold marine sanctuaries popular for snorkelling and diving. Food is part of the draw: Cordova is associated with bakasi (moray eel), commonly cooked as linarang and celebrated in the local Dinagat festival, with Entoy’s Bakasihan the named local spot. The CCLEX itself, the region’s longest sea bridge at its opening, is part of the appeal of the trip.

Cordova suits travellers who want an easy half-day from Cebu City — mangroves, marine sanctuaries, and an eel lunch — or a Mactan-side base near the airport. It doesn’t suit anyone after a full resort-island holiday; for that, the Mactan resort coast to the north is the fuller option.

What’s here, briefly

• Day-as Boardwalk and Marine Park — the main gateway to Cordova’s ~100-hectare mangrove forest and swamp.
• Gilutongan and Nalusuan marine sanctuaries — offshore islets in the Olango group, drawn for snorkelling and diving.
• The CCLEX — the 2022 sea bridge connecting Cordova directly to Cebu City; a scenic crossing in its own right.
• Bakasi (moray eel) — the local specialty cooked as linarang, celebrated in the Dinagat festival; Entoy’s Bakasihan is the named eatery.
• Kamanpay Public Beach and the Bantayan Lighthouse — a local swimming spot and a historic coastal landmark.

At a glance

How to get to Cordova

The CCLEX from Cebu City

The defining route is the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway, completed in 2022, which connects Cordova directly to Cebu City — the third bridge linking mainland Cebu to the Mactan area, after the Mactan–Mandaue and Marcelo Fernan bridges, and the fastest approach. Cordova is 18 kilometres from Lapu-Lapu City and 28 kilometres from Cebu City, and because it sits on Mactan’s southern side, Mactan-Cebu International Airport is relatively close via the island road network.

Getting to the islets

Within the municipality, the main island connects to its outlying islets — Gilutongan, Nalusuan, and the others — by boat from the main island. Arrange watercraft for the marine sanctuaries and check sea conditions first.

What to do in Cordova

The mangroves and the boardwalk

The Day-as Boardwalk and Marine Park is the recommended access point to Cordova’s roughly 100-hectare mangrove forest and swamp, spread across several barangays; the 10k Roses Café is a known stop on the boardwalk circuit. This is the town’s signature low-key experience.

The marine sanctuaries

For marine life, the Gilutongan Marine Sanctuary and the Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary — both on islets in the Olango Island Group — are the draws for snorkelling and diving, reached by boat from the main island. Kamanpay Public Beach offers a simpler local swim.

Bakasi and the bridge

Cordova’s food signature is bakasi (moray eel), commonly cooked as linarang and celebrated in the Dinagat festival; Entoy’s Bakasihan is the named spot. And the CCLEX itself — the area’s longest sea crossing at its opening — is part of the appeal of getting here.

Where to stay in Cordova

Cordova sits at the southern end of Mactan, minutes from the airport and the Lapu-Lapu resort coast, so most travellers base on the wider Mactan resort strip and treat Cordova as a half-day trip — though the municipality has its own resorts, including Solea Mactan. For the fuller Mactan-side supply, see the best Mactan resorts.

Practical realities

Payment: cash for boats and small eateries; cards at the resorts and café.

Connectivity: reliable as part of Metro Cebu; workable on the near islets.

Timing: because the attractions are coastal and marine and the land is barely above sea level, calmer, drier conditions favour the boardwalk and the island-hopping — the early-year dry months are the safer window, though confirm sea conditions locally before booking.

Tides: the marine sanctuaries and boat trips are tide- and weather-dependent — check before you set out.

Other places to consider

• Mactan Island — the resort island and airport just north; the fuller base for this corner.
• Lapu-Lapu City — the city on the main body of Mactan, bordering Cordova to the north.
• Cebu City — the mainland capital, now a direct CCLEX drive away.
• Mandaue City — the Metro city on the mainland side of the Mactan bridges.
• Cebu Island — the province overview and how Metro Cebu and Mactan fit the wider island.

Location, distances, and local detail reflect publicly available information as of 2026-07-15. Confirm sanctuary boat arrangements and sea conditions before travel. cebu.tips earns a commission on bookings made through partner links at no cost to you.