Snorkeling in Moalboal - where you can swim with giant turtles on Cebu

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Find the best snorkeling spaces in Moalboal, Cebu. Swim with the sardines and find out where the huge Moalboal tortoises are happy to be.

Have you ever found a place that you just knew that you would return there? After I was snorkeled in Moalboal for the first time in 2017, I knew that I had found a jewel! Since then, this epic small tourist center has grown quite strongly.

If you are in the area and want to snorkel, I covered you with this short guide. I will outline the best spots and give you some updated Moalboal travel information to plan your trip!

Presented in: Cebu Island Travel Guide - 15 Epic Things to do

Snorkeling and free diving in Moalboal

Undoubtedly, they have already heard of the epic snorkeling in Moabloal and she itches to put on her fins. Below you will find the best places for snorkeling and free diving.
Alt = "Sardine rune in Moalboal"

Pescador island

The far best underwater world can be found on Pescador Island, right off the coast of Moalboal.

This is my favorite place for diving in the Philippines. This is the place where I completed my Advanced Padi certification all the years ago. Since then I have done my Dive Master and worked in industry in some different locations in the world. After all this time I still consider Pescador Island on Cebu Island as one of the best places to dive!

Fortunately, Pescador is also the best place to snorkel in Moalboal! However, you have to book a boat trip out there. Below I linked the best rated trip, which also includes snorkeling on the Sardine Run and a canyoning tour to the Kawasan Falls.

Book: Sardine Run, island of Pescador, canyoning

The house reef

The best place for snorkeling in Moalbaol is what the locals call the "house reef". This is a term that shape diving shops for their local diving sites.

To get access to the reef, try to find one of the apparently always closing gaps along the main section of Moalboal, which is known as Panagsama Beach. Here you will find an epic steep wall and a couple of moped blind tortoises.

If you have problems, I marked a good place on the map below, which even contains a small section of coral beach, on which you can leave your towel while you are in the water.

Turtle grazing area on the beach of Panagsama

If you read this to find out where the best place is to see turtles in Moalbaol, they were not in the water yet.

Moalboal is famous for its great turtles who often live in the waters. In fact, there are so many that when snorkeling in Moalboal, you will have difficulty finding no turtle.

If you haven't done it for any reason, try to stay closer to the coast in the flatter waters, just before the riff's steep wall. After a short time you will surely discover one of the chilled guys who eats on fresh sea grass.

Just remember to respect you, do not touch them and keep you distance.
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Alt = “Turtles in Moalboal” snorkeling with turtles in Moalboal

The Moalboal Sardine Run

A excursion to snorkel in Moalboal is not complete without having seen the famous sardine run. When I heard about it for the first time, I immediately thought that it would require a boat trip to one of the outer islands or reefs.

However, there are huge swarms of sardine right in front of the main beach of Moalboal. If you follow the above instructions to reach access to the water, simply swim out to the deep reef wall and you will quickly recognize the huge patterns of sardine schools.

If you can't find them for some reason, either check whether there are other snorkelers in the water that could have found the swarms. Otherwise, it is certain to swim near the Cabana Beach Club Resort.

This resort has a long yellow jetty that you will not miss. The sardines usually like to stay here.
Alt = "Moalboal Sardine Run on the beach of Panagsama"

Would you like to rent snorkeling equipment?

You can rent snorkeling equipment almost anywhere on the main street in Moalboal for about 150-200 pesos, depending on the skill in the haggling.

For those in a small group, it can be worthwhile to simply book a snorkeling tour from Moalboal. This special tour includes all of the equipment and leads you to the sardine run, turtles and to the incredible island of Pescador (a must).
Alt = "Free diving with sardines in Moalboal"

About Moalboal

In my opinion, Moalboal is one of the best places in the Philippines. It is located on the west coast of Cebu and has the most western section of the coast.

For this reason, it has some amazing reef and sea creatures. Most people come to snorkel with turtles and see the famous sardine run.

Tip: Looking for a cheap private transport to Moalboal or back to Cebu City? Book this driver.
Alt = "Panagsama beach boats Moalboal"

Is Moalboal the best place to settle in Cebu?

Diving cities - they always start as well -kept secret diving goals and often turn into a booming hotspot with cafés and night clubs. Moalboal is no different.

If you are looking for a place where you can snorkel, dive or adventure trips around the island, then Moalboal is one of the best options.

The location makes it an excellent place to visit one of the hundreds of jungle waterfalls famous of Cebus. The hem reef is also one of the best and most diverse in all of Cebu. If you like to dive, I would highly recommend you to visit the island of Pescador, a truly magical reef that you will not disappoint.
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There are also several hostels, cafes, night clubs, bars and restaurants that you entertain after a day full of adventure around Cebu or diving at the reef.

It takes about 30 minutes to drive to the famous Kawasan waterfalls, or an early two-hour bus ride for a day trip to Oslob and south.

In my opinion, Moalboal is an excellent choice as a starting point for your CEBU adventure as long as you rent a motorcycle.
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How do I get to Moalboal?

The journey to Moalboal is usually pretty simple and inexpensive. Apart from that, it can still be a small task to find the best transport options for a price -conscious traveler.

This is because the landing at Cebu Airport can be a little chaotic, since only a few or no local information is available for tourists who want to reach the southern ends of the island without paying through the roof.

Cheap local option - public bus

There is a public bus that often drives from Cebu to Moalboal and even south to Oslob. It takes about three hours to get to Moalboal from the South Bus Terminal.

The costs are 90 peso for a bus without air conditioning and 110 peso for a bus with air conditioning.

The operating companies are Lebrando and Ceres Buses.

My advice is to just go to the South Bus Terminal and ask someone who works which buses go to Moalboal. Remember not to pay more than I suggested.
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Where to spend the night on Cebu

You have many options to choose from if you plan where you want to stay on Cebu Island.

Read: Cebu accommodation guide

In my opinion, Moalboal is the best place to settle down because it is close to the best activities and epic attractions that you want to add to your Cebu Reiseeroute. However, if you plan to travel the island, I would also recommend staying here:

  • Cebu City/Mactan
  • Oslob
  • Malapascua
  • Sumilon island

Best luxury resort in South Cebu: Ancelle Cristo Re

  • Amazing free breakfast
  • Private beach with great snorkeling (sea turtles)
  • The proceeds go to the support of the local orphanage
  • Led by three amazing sisters
  • 10 minutes walk from the Panagsama beach
  • Spacious villas

Alt = "Ancelle Cristo Re, Cebu Island Resort accommodation"
Best resort in Mactan/Cebu City: Bai Hotel

  • Large room
  • Daily breakfast buffet
  • Near international airport
  • Car rental on site
  • Luxury atmosphere with pool on the roof

Alt = "Bai Resort Cebu Island"
Backpacker hostel with atmosphere in Moalboal: Chief Mau

  • Great backpacker atmosphere
  • Friendly staff
  • Bar on site
  • Clean, spacious rooms
  • Large rooms with shower in everyone

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Sustainable accommodation in Malapascua: Villa Sandra

  • Made from sustainable and recycled materials, including plastic bottles
  • Tree house atmosphere
  • Great restaurant with great dishes
  • Great atmosphere
  • Diving with fox sharks and island shopping activities on site

Alt = "Villa Sandra Island Malapascua, Cebu travel guide"
Spend the night on Sumilon Island: Sumilon Bluewater

  • Spend the night on the private island of Sumilon
  • Amazing snorkeling and swimming in crystal clear water
  • Tiny remote island
  • Rent water equipment
  • Free boat transfers

Alt = "Island Sumilon, Cebu, Philippines"

My camera and photo equipment

  • Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
  • Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
  • 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
  • Landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
  • All-round lens: Canon RF 24-105 mm f/4L
  • Tele lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
  • Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bulletime)
  • Landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
  • Camerarucksack: F-STOP Tilopa
  • Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip

A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.

If you want to use one of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my print store or contact me directly for customs deductions from pictures on WE Seek Travel.

Further activities in Cebu

I hope you liked this short guide for snorkeling in Moalboal, Cebu. If it helped you find the sardines or the famous Moalboal turtles, then I have contributed to it! While you are here in this blog, be sure to take a look at some of my other inspiring travel guides for the island below.

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