Here Are the Best Snorkeling Spots in Moalboal

Find out the best snorkeling spots in Moalboal, Cebu. Swim with the sardines and find out where the giant Moalboal turtles like to hang out.

Have you ever found a place that you just knew you’d come back to? After snorkeling in Moalboal for the first time way back in ’17, I knew I’d found a gem! Since then, this epic little tourist hub has grown quite significantly.

If you’re in the area and looking to do some snorkeling, I’ve got you covered with this quick guide. I’ll outline the best spots and give you some updated Moalboal travel information to plan your trip!

Pescador Island

By far, the best marine life can be found on Pescador Island, just off the coast of Moalboal.

This is my favorite place to go diving in the Philippines. This is the place where I completed my Advanced PADI certification all those years back. I’ve since gone on to do my Dive Master and work in the industry in a few different locations in the world. After all this time, I still consider Pescador Island on Cebu Island as one of the best places for diving!

Luckily, Pescador is also the best place for snorkeling in Moalboal as well! However, you'll need to book a boat trip out there.

The House Reef

The best place for snorkeling in Moalboal is at what the locals call the "house reef". This is a term dive shops coin their local dive spots.

To get access to the reef, try to find one of the seemingly ever-closing gaps along the main stretch of Moalboal known as Panagsama Beach. Here, you'll find an epic, steep wall and a bunch of Moalboal turtles hanging around.

You'll find this directly in front of Quo Vadis Dive Resort on Panagsama Beach.

Turtle Grazing Area on Panagsama Beach

If you're reading this to try to find where the best place to see turtles in Moalboal is, then you haven't been in the water yet.

Moalboal is famous for its large turtles that frequent the waters. In fact, there are so many that you will struggle to NOT find a turtle while snorkeling in Moalboal.

If for some reason you haven't, try to stick to the shallower waters closer to shore, just before the drop-off wall of the reef on Panagsama Beach. After a short while you will no doubt spot one of the chill dudes chowing down on some fresh sea grass.

Just remember to respect them, don't touch and keep your distance.

The Moalboal Sardine Run

A trip snorkeling in Moalboal isn't complete without seeing the famous sardine run. When I first heard about it, I immediately assumed it required a boat trip to one of the outer islands or reefs.

However, there are huge schools of sardines just outside the main beach on Moalboal. If you follow the instructions above to reach the water access point, simply swim out to the deep reef wall, and you will quickly spot the huge patterns of schooling sardines.

If for some reason you can't find them, either look to see if there are any other snorkelers in the water who may have found the schools. Otherwise, a safe bet is to swim near the Cabana Beach Club Resort.

This resort has a long yellow jetty that you won't miss. The sardines usually like to hang out here.

Where to Rent Snorkeling Gear in Moalboal

You can rent snorkeling gear pretty much anywhere on the main drag in Moalboal for around 200-300 pesos, depending on your haggling ability.

For those in a small group, it might be worthwhile to just book a snorkeling tour from Moalboal. This particular tour includes all gear and will take you to see the sardine run, turtles, and the incredible Pescador Island (a must-visit).

Is Moalboal the Best Place for Snorkeling on Cebu?

Dive towns– they always start as a well-kept secret dive destination and often turn into a booming hotspot complete with cafes and nightclubs. Moalboal is no different.

If you're looking for a place to base yourself in Cebu for snorkeling, diving or adventure trips around the island, then Moalboal is one of the best options.

The location makes it an excellent spot for visiting one of Cebu's hundreds of famous jungle waterfalls. The fringing reef is also one of the best and most diverse in all of Cebu. If you're into scuba diving, then I would highly recommend trying to get out to Pescador island, a truly magical reef that will not dissapoint.

There are also several hostels, cafes, nightclubs, bars, and restaurants to keep you entertained after a day of adventuring around Cebu or diving on the reef.

It takes approximately 30 minutes to ride to the famous Kawasan Falls, or an early two-hour bus ride for a day trip to Oslob and the South.

In my opinion, as long as you rent a motorbike, Moalboal is an excellent choice as a base for your Cebu adventures.

I hope you've enjoyed this quick guide to snorkeling in Moalboal, Cebu. If it's helped you find the sardines or the famous Moalboal turtles, then I've done my part! While you're here on this blog, make sure to check out some of my other inspiring travel guides to the island below.

• Siargao Travel Guide - discover the epic island of Siargao and why there are so many more things to do than just surfing
• Cebu Island Travel Guide - my ultimate adventure travel guide to Cebu
• Siquijor Island Guide - off-beat adventures in Siquijor
• Kawasan Falls - how to visit the Philippines' most famous waterfall
• 10 Best Islands in the Philippines - a roundup of my 10 favorite islands to travel to in the Philippines
• Accommodation Guides: Plan where to stay in Siargao and find great hotels in Cebu