The Pinay Solo Backpacker

Moalboal is a sleepy town located in Southern Cebu.  Best known for its beaches,  colorful underwater world, it’s an impeccable weekend get-away from the rushing capital of Cebu.  It’s the best snorkeling site in the Philippines that I have experienced so far because of the teeming corals and fishes in the shallow waters of  Tuble Marine Sanctuary. For Moalboal diving, head to Pescador Island which is a divers’  favorite. Moalboal beach is also good for swimming and beach bumming, although the seafloor is quite craggy.

How to Get to Moalboal from Cebu City:

There are buses from Cebu City South Bus Terminal  to Moalboal (City Hall)  for roughly 2.5 to 3 hours ride for Php 107 + Php 5 terminal fee. Look for Ceres Bus bound to South Cebu or  Librando Bus going to Badian (just ask the driver to drop you in Moalboal, they will have a stop over there anyway). Vans are also available in One Citilink Terminal.

Once you’re in Moalboal town, you can hire a tricycle to take you to the famous Moalboal beach - White Beach or Panagsama beach.  Tricycle fare is roughly Php 80-Php 100.  For  Moalboal beach resorts and Moalboal hotels look for one in White Beach or Panagsama Beach.

We went to Alegria first before going to Moalboal beach so we retraced the route via Badian. From Badian we took a bus to Cebu City and ask the driver to drop us at Moalboal.

Moalboal expenses: How much will you spend in Moalboal? 

Here’s our list of Moalboal expenses per pax ( 4 people):

107 Php - Bus to Moalboal (or Php 33 from Badian to Moalboal)
40 Php - Dinner
20 Php - Tricycle to Moalboal (P80 total)
375 Php - Overnight at Ester (the normal rate is P1500 for non-aircon room)
38.75 Php - Brunch at Moalboal
200 Php - Boat to Tuble Marine Sanctuary (boat fare is P800)
25 Php - Sanctuary Fee (per boat is P100)
25 Php - Tricycle back to Town proper
107 Php - Bus Back to Cebu City South Bus Terminal

Total : Php 937.75 per pax (Php 3,751 for 4 people)

Moalboal Accomodation:

There are several resorts, hostels, backpackers lodge and home stays in Moalboal.

We recommend staying at Esters homestay : Php 1,500 for a clean non-aircon room good for 4 people. You can inquire about the air-conditioned room rates with Ester Basdaku.  The place is ideal as it is away from the crowded part of the beach and noisy videoke sessions at night. There are also small cottages in Ester’s fronting the beach.

Ester Homestay : +63(927) – 578-5983

Moalboal Beach –  Snorkeling / Boatman

For snorkeling, there are several boats for hire in White Beach. But we recommend you hire kuya Dodong Jaquez because he will really guide you while snorkeling while others will just let you hang on a bamboo while the outrigger boat pushes you around.

Dodong Jaquez: +63 (923)- 937-6699

Where to eat in Moalboal:

There are several dirt cheap carinderia and small restaurants lined up in White beach,Moalboal you can also use there videoke/ video cinco  for Php 5.00 per song.

Moalboal Tourist Attractions/Tourist Spots:

Pescador Island: this uninhabited limestone island with a charming lighthouse is a marine sanctuary and a famous diving spot because of its schools of sardines and turtles.

Marine Sanctuaries:  Aside from Tuble, you can also check out Bgry. Basdiot and Saavedra marine sanctuary.

Busay Caves and Springs :  the underground springs and caves are located in Brgy. Busay, Moalboal.

You can also take a side trip to Kawasan Falls  located near Moalboal, in Brgy. Matutinao in Badian. Bus fare is Php 33 from Moalboal to Badian.

For me, Moalboal beach is just an ordinary white sand beach in the Philippines.  The water is clean but the sand is not that powdery and there are rocks and dead corals under the water so be careful when swimming near the shores.  The real beauty of Moalboal is hidden under the water, so snorkeling and diving in Moalboal beach is highly recommended.

*********************************************************************

Do check out my other Cebu posts:

Travel Guide : Swimming with the Whale Sharks in Oslob

Cebu City Walking Tour

 

 

*********************************************************************************************** About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina solo adventurer, a dream chaser and a student of life.  Her (mis) adventures are documented in this blog. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter. For advertisement, partnerships and sponsorship, click here. or email me at thepinaysolobackpacker(at)yahoo(dot)com. **********************************************************************************************

Viewed 110583 times by 26391 viewers