On the northern tip of Mactan Island lies the small, undisturbed fishing village of Punta Engano. The beach here is quiet, rugged and virtually undeveloped, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and solitude seekers.
While other beaches on Mactan Island, like Marigondon and Maribago, are hotspots for tourism, Punta Engano remains relatively unspoiled. This is probably because the untypical scenery is rocky and rugged, with steep rock formations and brushy beaches.
While the beach at Punta Engano may not be as spectacular as others on Mactan, its waters are some of the clearest and bluest on the island. This has made it a popular site for scuba divers who come to enjoy the uncrowded pristine coral reef gardens just offshore.
Punta Engano also happens to be the exact location where Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed by the king Lapu-Lapu in 1521. A monument marks the spot, and the battle that felled him is reenacted each year in April.
Getting There & Away
Punta Engano is easily reached by car or jeepney from anywhere on Mactan Island. There aren’t many hotels on the beach so most visitors come here for a quiet day trip. Mactan Island is home to the busy Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which handles dozens of flights each day from regional cities. Manila is particularly well-connected with Mactan so finding a flight to Punta Engano is never a problem.
Things to Do
Punta Engano Attractions
- Magellan Marker
-
A monument marks the spot where ferdinand magellan was killed by lapu-lapu as he tried to enter mactan island to spread the christian faith.
Events
- Reenactment of battle with Magellan
-
In late april each year, the people of mactan island reenact the historic battle in which magellan and his crew were defeated by lapu-lapu before they could bring christianity to the island. this victory was seen by locals as a monumental step in holding back the spanish colonizers.