Moalboal is a sleepy town located in Southern Cebu. Best known for its beaches and colorful underwater world, it’s an impeccable weekend get-away from the hurried capital of Cebu. It’s the best snorkeling site in the Philippines that I have been to so far because of the teeming corals and fishes in the shallow waters of Tuble Marine Sanctuary. For Moalboal diving, head to Pescador Island.
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How to Get to Moalboal from Cebu City
There are buses from Cebu City South Bus Terminal to Moalboal (City Hall) for roughly 2.5 to 3 hours ride for PHP 110 ($2.20/€1.96) -PHP 120 ($2.39/€2.14) + PHP 5 ($10/€0.09) terminal fee. Ride a Ceres Bus bound for Moalboal via Barili or Badian. Vans are also available at One Citilink Terminal in Cebu City.
The bus will drop you off at the bus stop. Once you’re in Moalboal town, you can hire a tricycle to take you to Moalboal beach – White Beach or Panagsama Beach where most beach resorts are located. Tricycle fare is roughly PHP 80 ($ 1.60 /€ 1.43)- PHP 100 ($2/€1.78). Alternatively, you can also take a habal-habal (motorcycle) for PHP 50 ($ 1 /€0.89).
MOALBOAL/ PESCADOR ISLAND PRIVATE TOUR
For a hassle-free tour from your hotel in Cebu ir Mactan (includes hotel pick up), you can avail of the private tour that will take you directly to Moalboal for snorkeling in Pescador Island. The private tour includes a local guide, snorkeling gear and safety gear. You will be picked up from your hotel at around 7:30 AM and estimated arrival in Moalboal is around 9:30 AM. BOOK A MOALBOAL/PESCADOR TOUR HERE
Moalboal Tourist Spots
*Sardine Run
For snorkeling, there are several boats for hire in White Beach. You can just approach a boatman. Island hopping boat in Moalboal is roughly PHP 2,000 ($ 40/€ 36) (good for 8-10 persons).
Alternatively, you can also book a private tour from Cebu or Mactan to Moalboal and Pescador Island. The private tour includes hotel pick up (Cebu or Mactan) and drop off, local guide, snorkeling gear and safety gear. You will be picked up from your hotel at around 7:30 AM and estimated arrival in Moalboal is around 9:30 AM. BOOK A PESCADOR SNORKELING TOUR HERE
Pescador Island
This uninhabited limestone island with a charming lighthouse is a marine sanctuary and a famous diving spot because of its schools of sardines and turtles. This is where you go for the sardine run.
Marine Sanctuaries
Aside from Tuble Marine Sanctuary, you can also check out Bgry. Basdiot and Saavedra Marine sanctuary.
Busay Caves and Springs
The underground springs and caves are located in Brgy. Busay, Moalboal.
You can also take a side trip to Kawasan Falls located near Moalboal, in Brgy. Matutinao in Badian. Bus fare is Php 33 from Moalboal to Badian.
For me, Moalboal beach is just an ordinary white sand beach in the Philippines. The water is clean, but the sand is not that powdery and there are rocks and dead corals under the water so be careful when swimming near the shores. Wear aqua shoes. You can rent snorkeling gears and auqa shoes from dive shops. The real beauty of Moalboal is hidden under the water, so snorkeling and diving in Moalboal beach is highly recommended.
MOALBOAL TRIP BUDGET
*Sardine run
Here’s a list of Moalboal travel budget good for person, if you have travel buddies, it will be cheaper.
| ACTIVITIES | EXPENSES |
| Bus to Moalboal (roundtrip) | PHP 110 x 2 = PHP 220 ($ 4.39 /€ 4) |
| Habal-habal to Moalboal (roundtrip) | PHP 50 x 2 = PHP 100 ($ 2 /€ 1.78) |
| Resort | PHP 500 ($ 10/€ 9) |
| Food budget (x # of meals) | PHP 100 x 3 = PHP 300($ 6/€ 5.35) |
| Boat to for island hopping | PHP 2,000 ($ 40 /€ 36) (good for 8-10 persons) |
| Tuble Sanctuary Fee per person | PHP 25 ($0.50/€ 0.45) |
| Snorkeling Gear | PHP 100 ($ 2 /€ 1.78) |
| GRAND TOTAL | PHP 3,245 ($ 64.76/€ 57.85) |
*Rates based on PHP 1 = ($ 0.02/€ 0.02)
MOALBOAL RESORT
BUDGET
Hotel Sister’s Inn
Private Road 12 Basdiot, Moalboal
Moalboal T Breeze Coastal Resort
South of White Beach, Saavedra,, Moalboal
Maya’s Native Garden Resort
MID-RANGE
Marcosas Cottage Resort
Panagsama Beach/Basdiot, Moalboal
Quo Vadis Dive Resort
Panagsama Beach, Moalboal
Moalboal Beach Resort
Sitio Kalingking,Brgy. Saavedra, Moalboal
HIGH END
Turtle Bay Dive Resort
Tongo, Basdiot, Moalboal
The Blue Orchid
Saavedra, White Beach, Moalboal
Where to eat in Moalboal
There are several dirt cheap carinderia and small restaurants lined up in White beach,Moalboal you can also use there videoke/ video cinco for PHP 5 ($0.10 /€0.09) per song.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
ALSO READ:
OSMENA PEAK + KAWASAN TRAVEL GUIDE
Travel Guide : Swimming with the Whale Sharks in Oslob
Cebu City Walking Tour
THINGS TO DO IN DUMAGUETE
Siquijor Travel Guide
BOHOL TRAVEL GUIDE
First published : November 17,2011
Last Update: Nov 2016
Photos with * = public domain
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