Moalboal is a small tourist town on Cebu that is extremely popular for diving and snorkeling off of its coast. The area is a known sanctuary for both sea turtles and sardines and is a good jumping off point for more inland activities.
Get in the Water!
As a diving hub, this is extremely obvious! There are some incredible things to see in the waters surrounding Moalboal, so get on in there!
Sardine Run – I almost didn’t do this and I am SO glad I randomly decided to. The Sardine Run is a snorkel site right off the coast where millions of sardines travel together. Go between 8am and 11am for the best experience!
NOTE: I recommend doing this snorkel on your own, not with a tour group. Groups tend to scare off the sardines and it is much cheaper to just rent a snorkel from the beach than to pay for an entire tour.
Pescador Island – Although I did not go diving in the Philippines, if you are interested in diving in Moalboal then you should definitely get to Pescador Island. There is an abundance of fish and turtles that thrive in the coral surrounding the island!
NOTE: There are plenty of great dive resorts along Pangasama Beach.
White Beach – Slightly north of the main road of Moalboal is White Beach. This beautiful white sand beach is perfect for a relaxing day in the sun and beating the heat with some ocean waves!
Get Active!
Although the town of Moalboal is a chill area to hang out in, getting out of the town can be even more rewarding! There are various hikes and activities to do from Moalboal so here are my recommendations:
Canyoneering – Canyoneering tours are everywhere in Moalboal, offering you a chance to swim in cool waterfalls all day! Just a warning though: they are incredibly popular, crowded, and tend to consist of waiting in long lines just to jump in the water.
Osmeña Peak – If the large crowds of canyoneering aren’t for you, I recommend you opt for a hike instead! Osmeña Peak is a short hike to an outlook that is comparable to the famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol.
Casino Peak – An even LESS popular hike is Casino Peak. This is a bit more difficult than Osmeña but it’s definitely worth it!
NOTE: If you are taking a motor bike to these hikes… The shorter route (through Badian) is a more difficult terrain than the longer route (through Alegria). It is up to you but definitely take your motor biking skills into account.
Archery-Asia – Just 5 minutes out of town is a tiny, family-run archery resort. We stayed here for two nights in a cheap, private bungalow for an escape from the hustle and bustle as well as to shoot some arrows!
Eat!
There are tons of options for food along Pangasama Road and all of them are delicious. Below are just some of my favorites!
Shaka – The best smoothie bowl spot in Moalboal! Their smoothie bowls are designed to perfection and taste so good.
Hummusta – Delicious Israeli cuisine! Sometimes on a hot day in the Philippines you just need some hummus.
Betsy’s Grill – You can’t go wrong with Betsy’s. I had the barbecue ribs and they were cooked so well the meat just fell right off the bone. Everything that came out of their kitchen looked freaking amazing.
Tipolo Beach Resort – This beachside Italian restaurant is perfect if you are craving some pizza on your travels. Go at sunset and sit in their outdoor seating for great views as well!
There is plenty to do in Moalboal but I admit we spent a little too much time in the area. I recommend staying for 3-4 days and then moving on to a different area or island.
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