7 Best Things to Do in Moalboal: Underwater Paradise in the Philippines
By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this guide to Moalboal contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Looking for the best things to do in Moalboal?
Moalboal is a charming backpacker’s town on the island of Cebu in the Philippines. The laid-back village is known for colorful coral reefs, pristine beaches, and a vibrant main street.
From the world-famous sardine run to hiking, canyoneering, and relaxing on beaches, Moalboal has something for everyone. For its fantastic diving and snorkeling options, it is truly an underwater paradise in the Philippines. Follow this list and get a little sample of everything!
We adored our trip to the town last April. As young backpackers, we were glad to meet fellow travelers and found the town to be exciting and incredibly social. Don’t forget to indulge in delicious local cuisine and hang out with the warm Filipino locals.
Generally speaking, the town of Moalboal stems from one major street, Panagsama Road, which runs perpendicular to Panagsama Beach. The main stops and highlights are located along this road from the top (the bus terminal) all the way to the bottom (the beach).
Enjoy this travel guide of the 7 best things to do in Moalboal, including free activities, best beaches, adventures, nightlife, and more. Moalboal may have a lot of tourist spots, but the charm of the town is incredibly bright.
Happy Sampling!
Top Experiences in Moalboal
Table of Contents
Best Things to Do in Moalboal
(1) The Moalboal Sardine Run
You’ve either already heard of the famous Moalboal sardine run, or you’re about to be pleasantly surprised to find out what Moalboal is best known for. The town’s most unique activity also happens to be completely free and is a must-do when in Moalboal.
The infamous sardine run takes place on Panagsama Beach. All you have to do is swim 20 meters off the coast to snorkel with thousands of sardines. This phenomenon occurs every single day of the year, so it will be impossible to miss the fish. Activity is greater in the morning, and it feels as though you have swum straight into a wall made of fish. The sardines will circle you, creating a truly impressive sight.
There is no entrance fee to Panagsama Beach, so with a snorkel, the experience is completely free. Either buy your own mask from a local shop or rent them for a couple of pesos from the June Dive Resort.
(2) Panagsama Beach
Panagsama Beach is the most accessible beach in Moalboal. Most of the town’s attractions are along one main road (Panagsama Road) that runs perpendicular to the beach. It connects the main town (where the bus station is located) with the beach.
Panagsama Beach is known for its vibrancy and livelihood, with tons of restaurants, boat tours, and people hanging around. While it isn’t a sandy beach, it is free to enter and open to the public, providing everyone with access to the warm water. It is a great place to watch the sunset and is home to the sardine run! Have a meal at the Veranda Restaurant for an unbeatable view.
(3) Kawasan Falls Canyoneering
Going canyoneering in the Kawasan Falls is a quintessential activity in Moalboal. I was not familiar with the concept of canyoneering until arriving in Moalboal but was incredibly glad that I signed up for a day tour. Mind you, at the end of the day, you will be wiped out from the sun, water, and overall exercise.
The activity can be described as talentless parkour in water. After getting fitted with a helmet, water shoes, and a life jacket, you and your group walk, swim, paddle, and jump through the river and onto waterfalls. While the water never gets dangerous, you are more than welcome to skip out of the high waterfall jumps if they scare you.
A canyoneering day tour costs between 2500 and 5000 pesos and generally includes pickup at your hotel.
When picking a tour group, I would highly suggest going through your accommodation as they usually have an organized group. This helps mitigate risks associated with unknown individuals and guides. If someone approaches you on the beach with a cheap canyoneering offer, chances are that it’s too good to be true. Always stick to reputable tours, and remember that guides are required to traverse the falls.
(4) Pescador Island
Snorkeling and diving lovers must add Pescador Island to their bucket list. Located only 3 kilometers from Panagsama Beach, this island is a hub for water activities. The boat ride takes 10 minutes, opening up the door to a rich marine ecosystem. The island is drop-dead gorgeous and makes for a fantastic half-day snorkeling or diving trip. Head to the island for a chance to see tuna, barracudas, coral, and if you’re lucky, white-tipped reef shark.
For the best marine viewing, plan to set sail as early as 6 am. Even if you aren’t usually a morning person, being able to see the animals will make everything worth it. Many tours will have you go island hopping to different snorkeling locations around Pescador.
(5) Relax on Basdaku White Beach
Basdaku White Beach is one of the most beautiful locations in the Moalboal area. This narrow strip of beach has gorgeous white sand and is a great place to relax, sun tan, and swim in the warm water. It is not quite walking distance from Moalboal’s center, so you will have to take a tricycle to get there. After the 10-minute ride, there is a 25 peso entrance fee to contribute to conservation efforts. Overall, it is worth the commute for a relaxing beach experience and say hello to the stray dogs running around the beach.
(6) Visit the Whale Sharks in Oslob
The whale-watching adventure takes place in the city of Oslob, approximately 1.5 hours from Moalboal in South Cebu. In this experience, swim with a population of permanent whale sharks off the coast of the shoreline. They are harmless and are an incredible sight.
Big note: while going to Oslob to visit the whale sharks is a popular day trip, there are a ton of mixed reviews about how the whales are treated overall. Concerns have been raised about the ecological nature of the experience. We ended up skipping out on the activity because we didn’t want to contribute to a potentially harmful organization.
Overall, it is up to you to decide whether you think the guides are doing a good job with conservation or are treating the whales poorly. After all, they are not captive but are kept in the area by constant feeding.
(7) Hike Osmeña Peak
Last, but certainly not least, take a hike up Osmeña Peak, one of the tallest mountains on the island of Cebu. Located around an hour’s drive from Moalboal, the hike to the summit is very short but provides a fantastic view from the top. From the parking lot, expect to spend around 20-30 minutes walking to the viewpoint.
Many hostels and hotels offer tours to Osmeña Peak, giving you the option to take a tricycle to the mountain and have a guide walk with you to the top. Guides are not required, and if you choose not to take one, the trail is clearly marked. We would suggest finding a tricycle driver who is willing to make the drive and wait for you, as it will be difficult to find a ride back if you don’t have one arranged already.
Fog at Osmeña Peak can be heavy in the morning, so for the best views, head to the trail around mid-afternoon or later in the evening to catch the sunset.
Best Things to Do in Moalboal at Night
(8) Sing Karaoke
It’s not a trip to the Philippines without doing karaoke on one night. Filipinos love their karaoke as a fun and cheap way to have a good night, and you will see locals going crazy over this activity. The Nomad Music and Art Bar, located along Panagsama Road, is a great place to go, sing a few songs, and grab cheap food.
(9) Check Out a Restaurant in Moalboal
There are quite a few restaurants in Moalboal that come alive at night and are a great place to grab a bite to eat and have drinks. One of the best ways to find a good restaurant is to wander down Panagsama Road and find an establishment that looks lively and crowded.
Our favorites were Veranda Restaurant, Three Bears, and Betsy’s Grill & Restobar for their fantastic food options and good vibes.
(10) Go Bar Hopping on Panagsama Road
Finally, if you are looking for nightlife in the form of bars, head to Chili Bar for an absolute favorite spot. For travelers looking to be extra social and make new friends, our pro tip is to hang out at a party hostel to meet like-minded people. Crazy Bears and Chief Mau are two locations with frequent evening parties, no matter the day of the week. They gladly welcome visitors who aren’t staying in their hostel to come and party with them.
Getting to Moalboal
Moalboal is a municipality on Cebu, an oblong island of the Philippines. Moalboal itself does not have an airport, with Cebu City, approximately 3 hours away, being the closest one. From the Cebu City airport or ferry terminal, there are 3 main ways to get to Moalboal. The bus and van terminals are in separate locations, so make your decision on the mode of transportation before traveling to the terminal.
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Option #1 – Bus (Cheapest & Slowest)
Take a bus from the terminal in Cebu City to Moalboal. While this is by far the cheapest option, it is also the longest. Buses leave when they are at capacity, meaning that there is no set schedule. Between frequent stops and traffic, it takes approximately 5 hours to get to Moalboal. Luckily, the buses tend not to have windows, so even without air conditioning, they provide some relief from the heat. It costs ~200 pesos for a ticket, although this price is changing all the time with inflation.
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Option #2 – Taxi (Most Expensive & Fastest)
Taking a taxi is the fastest option but certainly the most expensive. While you can get to Moalboal in around 3 hours in a private van that doesn’t make stops, the downside is the price. Expect to pay upwards of 2,000 pesos to make the journey.
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Option #3 – Van (Our Recommendation)
Our recommended option for the mid-ground of price and efficiency is to take a van. This approximately 4-hour trip from Cebu City to Moalboal costs ~300 pesos. Just like the buses, the vans don’t leave until they are completely full. However, the capacity is only ~10 people, so even if you are the first in the van, it will leave relatively promptly.
Pro tip: make sure to ask the van driver if the van has air conditioning, and if not, pick one that does. While it may cost a few extra pesos, your lack of heat-induced migraine will thank you.
On your way back to Cebu City from Moalboal, we suggest taking whatever mode of transportation leaves first as vans and buses depart based on capacity. In Cebu City, the bus and van terminals are separate but in Moalboal, they are the same.
Where to Stay in Moalboal
If I could be an ambassador for the Pig Dive Hostel, I would sell my soul to do so. If you’re a budget traveler looking for a hostel with clean dorm rooms, this is your place to go. Not only is the Pig Dive Hostel a beautiful and safe complex with outdoor seating, balconies, and mouth-watering breakfast, but it is also a wonderful social place.
If you are interested in hiking Osmeña Peak and canyoneering in Kawasan Falls but aren’t sure how to plan the trip, you can book tours directly from the Pig Dive Hostel. This makes sure that the tours are reputable, organized, and you can meet fellow mates. They won’t be private tours, but they will be incredibly social and fun!
Pig Dive Hostel is located on a quieter part of Panagsama Road, where the beach is about a 20-minute walk away. However, even if you don’t fancy a nice walk, the hostel has a free shuttle service taking you to and from the beach area.
For travelers on a backpacking budget who want a party hostel, Chief Mau is the best option in Moalboal. It is located incredibly close to the beach in the heart of Panagsama Road. While not as quiet and relaxing as the Pig Dive Hostel, Chief Mau should be your top choice if you are looking for nightlife in the town. They host events close to every night of the week and the hostel is a fun place to go for young people wanting to connect with other travelers.
The Pescadores Suites Moalboal is a great mid-range hotel for travelers who want a location that is more upscale than a dorm room in a hostel but not as expensive as a resort or a larger hotel.
Pescadores Suites is a boutique hotel with a small pool overlooking the ocean. It has a cabana feel with nice, clean rooms and is located within walking distance of Panagsama Beach and the attractions on Panagsama Road. However, it is far quieter as it is located on a smaller side street.
Best of all, they offer a shuttle to the Cebu City Airport, meaning no need to deal with the hubbub of vans and buses!
Another fan favorite is the Dolphin House Resort, a 5-star boutique resort that combines your accommodation with nature. The hotel has great ecotourism goals and is a fantastic spot for people who want an upscale bungalow-style resort specializing in snorkeling and diving. To preserve the authenticity of the shoreline, the Dolphin House Resort doesn’t have any rooms with a beach view. While it is on the more expensive end of Filipino hotels, it is far cheaper than luxury hotels in other destinations!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Things to Do in Moalboal
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How many days should I spend in Moalboal?
The perfect amount of time to spend in Moalboal is around 3 days as it will give you time to enjoy adventures such as the sardine run and canyoneering, but you are also able to relax on the beach and take time for yourself. With any less than 3 days, you’ll find that you will have a packed itinerary.
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What is Moalboal Cebu known for?
Moalboal, Cebu is known for being a fantastic hub for young people and backpackers. It’s a great town with a laid-back nightlife in the form of family bars and gastropubs as well as down-to-earth hostels and fun activities. During the day, there are many outdoor adventures to explore, such as the sardine run, snorkeling, water activities, canyoneering, and hiking. If you are a young person or are young at heart, you absolutely must add Moalboal to your Filipino bucket list.
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Does Moalboal have nightlife?
While Moalboal is not the party capital of the Philippines, it does have a few spots that could lead to a very fun night. The city caters to a younger crowd of backpackers and digital nomads, so it certainly brings a more vibrant atmosphere to the area. In terms of nightlife, you’re not going to get the crazy parties that you might find in Bali or even El Nido, the Philippines, but there are a few bars as well as party hostels that are sure to provide great entertainment for the night.
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Is it worth diving in Moalboal?
Moalboal has fantastic diving opportunities in the Philippines. From a simple dive off the coast of the shoreline to see the sardine run to a longer dive around Pescador Island, there is an activity for travelers of all diving skill levels. The only note is to always make sure to do your research before picking a diving company. It is imperative that they get good safety ratings, for obvious reasons.
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Is Moalboal worth visiting?
Absolutely! Moalboal is a super laid-back and vibrant town on the island of Cebu that is worth anyone’s time. It is an especially good location if you are a young backpacker or digital nomad as the village is made for younger folks. Enjoy canyoneering, snorkeling, and other active events in the area.
We hope you enjoyed this bucket list of things to do in Moalboal, Cebu, the Philippines. The town has fantastic energy with young backpackers making the most out of their stay. Regardless of whether you like to go canyoneering, relax on a white sand beach, try out a new restaurant, or go snorkeling, Moalboal has something for everyone. There are so many awesome things to do in Moalboal, making it a necessary town to add to your Philippines bucket list and is a must-see in Asia.
Happy Sampling!