The Diving

With more than 15 dive sites, the submarine landscape surrounding Moalboal is incredibly varied, making it an exciting place to explore for both beginners and experienced divers. Many of the reefs start close to the shoreline, and at a minimum depth of 5 metres there is a lot of opportunity for shore diving. The reefs generally have steep sloping walls, with some dropping down beyond 65 metres. However, the maximum dive depth around this area is 40 metres, and only in certain spots. You may be able to dive further if you have the correct certification. Dives also go from boats, sailing out to mooring buoys and small nearby islands, taking around a maximum of 20 minutes to reach.

Beautiful! Credit

Diving from Moalboal you’ll be able to explore caves, canyons and at Pescador Island, a cathedral, where sun light pours in from above. The established reefs are home to a vast variety of marine life, both macro and large. Depending on your dive spot, you are likely to see smaller creatures such as nudibranch, rainbow fish, pigmy seahorse, twin spot goby and damsel fish and larger sea life such as triggerfish, tuna, spotted eagle ray fusilier, green turtles and whale sharks, which are not uncommonly spotted. Hosting all this life are the vibrant coral gardens which boast beautiful hard and soft corals, sea fans, table corals and stag horn corals.

Nudibranch in Moalboal, Credit

There are plenty of dive operators to choose from in Moalboal and with a bit of shopping around you can easily find the right one for your level and needs. There area many diving instructors from around the world, so it might be possible to find someone who speaks your language. Generally, the diving equipment is of a good standard, but it is worth checking that you are happy with the equipment you are about to use. Most dive operators go out a few times a day with options for half day and full day dives.

Moray Eel, Credit

There are also dive safaris, which explore the strait between Cebu and neighbouring Negros and courses to improve your level of diving. Many dive operators encourage divers to go on early morning dives, twilight dives and night dives. Diving out at these specific times will give you the chance to see different marine life, such as decorator crabs and frogfish at twilight on Pescador Island and phosphorescent plankton and the flashing colours of cuttle fish at night.

Fishes & Corals, Credit

Getting There

Most people aim to fly into Mactan-Cebu International Airport and from there it’s a 2 and a half hour drive to Moalboal, which is 112km away.

There are a few options for getting to Moalboal from the airport. Some resorts offer transfers, but this can be pricy if they charge. If you’re feeling adventurous you can take a taxi straight from the airport, but be prepared to barter the price and for unplanned stop offs.

Diving with Shark, Credit

Alternatively, you can get a taxi to Cebu Southern Bus Terminal and get a public bus to Moalboal. Busses leave roughly every hour, some are air conditioned and some are not. Because it’s a public bus the journey extends to 3 hours. Another alternative is to get a mini bus, known as V-hire. Its a little more expensive than the public bus but more comfortable. Simply ask a taxi driver to take you the V-hire terminal and ask for busses going to Moalboal.

Once you’ve been dropped in Moalboal town you’ll need to get a tricycle to the resort areas around White Beach and Panagsama Beach. Tricycles are bicycles or motorbikes with side cars, a fun way to travel. Negotiate your price with your driver before you start your journey and be prepared for them to try and persuade you to go to a different resort (they do this as they receive commission from the resorts).

Going out

There are loads of restaurants by Panagsama Beach and White Beach, serving foods from all around the world and ranging in price.

Liquors! Credit

Similarly, there are plenty of lively bars in the area where you can drink cocktails into the early hours and sing your heart out at karaoke.

Other Activities

A popular way to spend a hot and lazy afternoon is at the Orchid Farm, a short tricycle ride from Moalboal. It boast a beautiful array of Orchids as well as other tropical flowers. The ‘farm’ part of the can be misleading, it is much more like a nursery, and has gardens in which visitors can sit and relax and they even have a pool. There is a small entrance fee to the Orchid Farm. If you’re looking for adventure then there are places to go canyoning, an exciting and hair-raising way to explore the waterfalls and canyons of the area.

Beach Volleyball, Credit

For a more gentle adventure you an also go sea kayaking and horse ridding. Another way to spend the day is at the Kawasan waterfalls. Here you can walk through the jungle, take in the landscape and climb the three levels of falls and take a swim in the cool pools. You could also stay close to the beaches, play some volleyball and soak up the sunshine.

Family Friendly

With the coral reefs around Moalboal so close to the shore and at a shallow depth, it’s excellent for snorkelling. Further inland, there are walking trips you can make to the waterfalls, the pools of which you can swim in. There is also a company that organises trips specifically for children that include activities such as cave exploration, rafting by the waterfalls and jungle treks.

Tips

The only ATM in Moalboal is inside a Pharmacy and there is a charge per withdrawal. Sometimes the money in the machine runs out and if there is a problem with electricity supplies it might not be working when you need it to be. It might be worth getting out a supply of cash in Cebu city.

Lucky day for them, Credit

The nearest recompression chamber is in Cebu City, two and a half hours away.