Moalboal Travel Guide

In a nutshell

Moalboal is a small town on Cebu Island where diving takes precedence above all else.

Why go to Moalboal

If you are a diver and happen to be in the Philippines, you will want to make sure you don’t miss this spot or you will be hearing about what a big mistake you’ve made from your diving friends for the rest of your life.

If you have non-divers in your family, you will be able to please them as well, as Moalboal features some great white-sand beaches, which not all dive sites in the Philippines do. White Beach, for example, is a great option for those hoping to sun tan, and also has a coral reef if you decide to swim out a few minutes. It’s located about 7 kilometres north of town.

Moalboal is famous for its Sardine Run, when seemingly millions of sardines swim in formation in their schools creating clouds of fish too dense to see through. It’s an incredible experience, one that has to be seen to be believed. The coral in the area is healthy and turtles, dolphins and even whale sharks are commonly sighted in the area.

To take a dive, you should expect to pay about PHP1200-1500 which includes gear. If you are not certified, plenty of the dive shops in Moalboal offer courses for those starting out. These can be had for between PHP15,000 and 20,000, which is a small price to pay, as your certification will be valid all over the rest of the world.

Scuba isn’t the only type of diving that is popular in Moalboal - freediving is becoming a common pastime as well. The calm waters are conducive to the hobby, which involves diving to extreme depths without using any gear - just holding your breath! Sound like fun? Give it a shot at a few of the shops which offer lessons and training, like Element Freedive or Freediving Planet.

If you find yourself getting tired of saltwater, fear not, there are options for freshwater fun as well! Nestled in the rain forest about 20 kilometres south of Moalboal, you will find the Kawasan Waterfalls. You can swim in the pools created at the bottom of the waterfalls, and jump into the pools as well, if you find spots that are deep enough. Many tourists have been injured doing this though, so be sure to avoid rocks when you’re diving in!

To get to the waterfalls, taking a bus from Moalboal is simple, you’re going to take the yellow one from the center of town, and a ticket will cost you just PHP19. PHP40 is the entrance fee to the water falls, and if you pack a picnic, you’ll be able to spend a nice afternoon there. If you want to avoid the crowds, be sure to show up on the early side.

Where to stay in Moalboal

Moalboal seems to be a tad more expensive than other beach locations in the Philippines with rooms starting around PHP1500. You can also find fancier resorts in the range of PHP4000.

The Sampaguita Resort, located on the beach, is one of the higher-end lodging options. You’ll find a restaurant, bar, and air conditioning in the rooms, but expect to pay the top prices, around PHP4000 for it. A cheaper option is the Blue Orchid Resort, which is located just north of White Beach and is ranked one of the best hotels on the island.

If you’re considering staying in Moalboal for a while, you may want to think about booking some nights at Rositas Cottages. These cottages are very homey and many people stay in them for weeks on end. They feature air conditioning, televisions, hot showers, a porch or terrace and wifi in the rooms. Each of the rooms also has a kitchen so you can do your own cooking with things that you pick up at the market. Prices for the rooms vary, but they can generally be had for between PHP700 and 100.

Where to eat in Moalboal

All that scuba diving is sure to work up an appetite and there are plenty of good choices. As Moalboal is mostly a tourist beach town, the restaurant options are slightly more expensive than you would find in other places in the Philippines where there are fewer travellers, but are still quite reasonable by European or American standards.

The Pleasure Principle Resto-Bar offers seafood as it’s main attraction and if being underwater has made you hungry for sea-life, there are plenty of shrimps, fish, and other seafood to choose from. Expect to pay around PHP350 for a meal here.

If you’re interested in eating like the locals do, which is always a smart bet in Southeast Asia, take a trip to Lechon Manok stall, which is located near the market. They offer one menu item and one menu item only, whole chickens. They’re stuffed with spices and herbs, marinated, and then put on a spit and cooked over charcoal which gives it a deliciously smoky flavour. There are no side dishes and everything is take away so best to bring your own silverware or just tear into it with your hands! Each chicken costs PHP160.

How to get to and from Moalboal

It’s about 80 kilometers to Moalboal from Cebu City and there are a couple of options to arrive in town. Certainly the most convenient way to get in is with a taxi, which can be had for PHP3000 and is a set rate. However, the cheapest route to get into the city is with a bus, which will cost a fraction of the price, more around the PHP200 range. The buses will wait to be full with passengers before they leave so try and find a bus that is nearly full so that you can get on the road quicker.

Is Moalboal safe to visit?

Moalboal is a quiet beach town and while normal advice applies - don’t wear flashy jewellery or walk alone at night, if you’re smart you shouldn’t run into any types of problems that would endanger your security.