© Mares

Explore Moalboal

Moalboal, nestled on the southwestern tip of Cebu in the Visayas region of the Philippines, offers an unparalleled diving experience. Known for its warm, clear waters and generally easy currents, Moalboal is a haven for divers of all levels. The town's laid-back atmosphere and minimal development add to its charm, providing a refreshing escape from bustling city life. Dive resorts and centers are plentiful, offering a wide range of choices for diving enthusiasts. From shore dives to boat trips, Moalboal caters to various diving styles, ensuring each dive is unique and memorable.

One of the highlights of diving in Moalboal is the world-renowned "Moalboal Sardine Run." This natural phenomenon, where millions of sardines form mesmerizing shapes, is a breathtaking spectacle that can be witnessed year-round. Additionally, Pescador Island, with its vibrant marine life and "The Cathedral" in the deep waters of the Tanon Strait, is a must-visit for divers seeking adventure. The region's diverse underwater landscapes, including deep walls, colorful reefs, and swim-throughs, host an array of marine creatures such as turtles, groupers, and sea snakes. For those seeking a thrilling challenge, Sunken Island offers a deep and exciting dive adventure. Moalboal truly stands out as a remarkable dive destination, inviting divers to explore its underwater wonders.

Upcoming Events

Dive Activity

Diving in Moalboal

As Moalboal is located facing into the Tanon Strait, most dives are considered wall dives along the steep drop offs, though there are some gentler reef dives too. There is a deliberately sunk Cessna plane in Rhonda Bay to explore as well. 

Moalboal is well supplied with dive centers and dive resorts, and as it is largely a backpacker town, there are lots available to suit any budget. It is a popular location for dive courses due to its interesting and beginner friendly diving. 

There are some liveaboards which operate in the area but none which leave out of Moalboal itself. Many transverse all of the Visayas region and leave from Cebu, so even if Moalboal isn’t on the itinerary - it is easy to tag on the beginning or end of your trip. They operate through most of the year but there might be less from April to June due to the short Tubbataha Reef high season that occurs in these months.

Dive Centers

Lu’Lu Diving Center

Lu’Lu Diving Center

Moalboal, 6032 CEBU CITY, Cebu - Philippines
Kasai Village Dive Academy, Michael Pettersson

Kasai Village Dive Academy, Michael Pettersson

Kasai Village Dive Resort Tuble, 6032 Moalboal, Cebu - Philippines
DIVESTORY, 다이브스토리

DIVESTORY, 다이브스토리

Basdiot, Panagsama Beach, 6032 MOALBOAL, Cebu - Philippines

Dive Sites

Elias P. (#2102022)
Pescador South (★4.3)

Pescador South (★4.3)

The south side of Pescador Island offers calm, safe entry points ideal for both divers and snorkelers. Protected from strong waves, it’s perfect during rough sea conditions. The area allows for east or west drift dives and provides adventure in shallow, manageable depths.
DIVESTORY CORPORATION, 6015 LAPU - LAPU
Pescador West / Cathedral (★4.5)

Pescador West / Cathedral (★4.5)

Pescador Cathedral is a cave that has a vertical swim through offering views of the surface. The depth ranges from 5 to 65 meters with a visibility of 20 to 50 meters. Its chimney continues to around 16m depth.
DIVESTORY CORPORATION, 6015 LAPU - LAPU
Pescador East (★4.4)

Pescador East (★4.4)

Pescador Island’s east side, near Moalboal, Cebu, features a dive starting at a 5m plateau descending to 65m along a coral-covered slope. The dive concludes on a plateau rich in small marine life, also ideal for snorkeling.
Amanda jane J. (#4079398)
White House / Mermaid Statue (★4.3)

White House / Mermaid Statue (★4.3)

The White House Scuba Diving Lodge offers direct access to nearby dive sites, including the impressive House Reef. This site features a steep wall drop starting just 30 meters from shore, descending to 60–70 meters. Ideal for various skill levels, it offers both shore and boat dives.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Pescador North (★4.3)

Pescador North (★4.3)

One of Cebu’s most colorful dive sites, Pescador North has an exciting cave with a vertical swim through, offering views of the surface and a variety of beautiful coral and fish to see.
Scubapro
Magic Island House Reef /Turtle Point (★4.3)

Magic Island House Reef /Turtle Point (★4.3)

Sampaguita Reef features a steep wall with diverse hard and soft corals, anemones, and sea fans. Depths range from 5 to 55 meters, with visibility between 15 to 25 meters. Suitable for divers of all levels, the site offers vibrant marine life and captivating underwater landscapes.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Tongo Sanctuary (★4.3)

Tongo Sanctuary (★4.3)

Tongo Sanctuary is a protected marine area featuring a steep wall dive with depths ranging from 5 to 55 meters and visibility between 15 to 25 meters. The site boasts vibrant hard and soft corals, small caves, and minimal currents, making it suitable for divers of all levels.
Scubapro
Tongo (★4.2)

Tongo (★4.2)

Tongo Sanctuary is a protected marine area featuring a steep wall dive with depths ranging from 5 to 55 meters and visibility between 15 to 25 meters. The site boasts vibrant hard and soft corals, small caves, and minimal currents, making it suitable for divers of all levels.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Panagsama Beach/Sardine Run (★4.4)

Panagsama Beach/Sardine Run (★4.4)

Panagsama Beach is a world-famous dive site because of the sardine ball that can be found just a few meters below the surface within snorkeling distance from the beach. This is an amazing experience for all levels of divers.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
DiveStory House Reef / Panagsama Beach / Sardine Run (★4.5)

DiveStory House Reef / Panagsama Beach / Sardine Run (★4.5)

Panagsama Beach is a world-famous dive site because of the sardine ball that can be found just a few meters below the surface within snorkeling distance from the beach. This is an amazing experience for all levels of divers.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Kasai Wall (★4.3)

Kasai Wall (★4.3)

Kasai Wall offer a shallow end with a beautiful scenery of many hundreds of coal species attracting many critters, reef fish and sea turtles. Over the edge of the reef a wall is formed dropping down to about 40m. At the bottom of the wall you can find the entry to the Kasai Cave that stretches about 140m in.
Mares
Tuble Sanctuary (★4.3)

Tuble Sanctuary (★4.3)

Tuble Point is a wall dive site featuring vertical cliffs, caves, and healthy coral reefs that drop from 3m to 40m. Highlights include sea fan forests, small caves, and the chance to see large fish like tunas and jacks. Visibility ranges from 10–22m, ideal for all levels.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
LO-OC (★4.2)

LO-OC (★4.2)

Lo-oc is a captivating wall dive site known for its rich marine biodiversity and underwater caverns. Decorated with colorful soft corals, it offers adventurous swim-throughs and varied topography. Suitable for all levels, Lo-oc promises a memorable dive experience.
Aqualung
Dolphin House Moalboal (★4.2)

Dolphin House Moalboal (★4.2)

Dolphin House is a popular dive site featuring a sloping reef that turns into a wall at around 20 meters depth. Adorned with soft and hard corals, sea fans, and overhangs, it offers excellent visibility and varied terrain, ideal for divers of all levels.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
White Beach (★4.3)

White Beach (★4.3)

White Beach features a sandy slope that turns into a vibrant wall dive starting around 22 meters deep. It offers excellent visibility, diverse coral formations, caves, and reef structures. Suitable for all experience levels, it’s ideal for scenic and macro dives.

The best Months to dive in Moalboal

It is possible to dive in Moalboal all year round. There is technically a wet season (June to November) where there will be more short downpours, and a dry season from December to May. Temperatures can drop a little from November to February. Water temperatures can drop as low as 25°C/77°F in December but for the rest of the year, they are usually around 28°C/82°F.

March to June have the highest temperatures of the year and are also the driest months, sometimes going weeks with no rainfall. Generally, February to June is considered high season and is the busiest. The visibility isn’t affected by the seasons and can range from 10 to 40 meters/33 to 131 feet depending on the day’s conditions.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Moalboal

The marine life encounters in Moalboal are dominated by the famous sardine run. It has to be mentioned - millions of sardines surrounding you on a dive, even blocking the sunlight with their numbers, is unforgettable and will make this a number one dive for many. Reef sharks and hunting fish like tuna and trevally sometimes accompany the shoal, whipping it into a tight ball in order to feed. 

Aside from the sardines, there is an abundance of life in Moalboal. Schools of other fish like barracuda and jacks are common. There are lots of turtles to swim with, some of which are huge. Looking into the reefs and corals will reveal a host of colourful life. Ribbon and moray eels hide in crevasses, and nudibranch and frogfish blend into the seabed. Cuttlefish, pygmy seahorse and ghost pipefish are common sights for those with sharp eyes. Shy octopus are frequent visitors too, especially during the mating season. You may even see a rare blue ringed one if you’re lucky! At night, timid beasties increase in numbers and you can add sightings of bobtail squid and an array of crustaceans to the list.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
2.2k Sightings
J
272
F
235
M
268
A
208
M
215
J
149
J
146
A
109
S
73
O
95
N
243
D
203

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
988 Sightings
J
94
F
114
M
99
A
92
M
89
J
44
J
92
A
43
S
33
O
46
N
119
D
123
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
420 Sightings
J
56
F
68
M
43
A
19
M
17
J
0
J
12
A
36
S
36
O
30
N
42
D
61

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus

Octopus
191 Sightings
J
31
F
5
M
1
A
11
M
15
J
8
J
17
A
13
S
11
O
7
N
47
D
25
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
74 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
15
A
11
M
0
J
7
J
14
A
4
S
4
O
1
N
4
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Alamy/imageBROKER
Thresher Shark

Thresher Shark
70 Sightings
J
0
F
15
M
26
A
19
M
0
J
7
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
1.9k Sightings
J
198
F
209
M
211
A
142
M
171
J
113
J
165
A
87
S
79
O
80
N
210
D
196

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
1.8k Sightings
J
183
F
208
M
176
A
157
M
165
J
123
J
175
A
109
S
73
O
83
N
202
D
142

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach
Pipefish

Pipefish
1.4k Sightings
J
164
F
188
M
163
A
125
M
137
J
86
J
96
A
72
S
51
O
52
N
178
D
109

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
1.4k Sightings
J
148
F
160
M
160
A
146
M
119
J
105
J
125
A
78
S
49
O
36
N
149
D
145

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
969 Sightings
J
93
F
131
M
85
A
89
M
78
J
71
J
93
A
62
S
31
O
22
N
111
D
103

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
952 Sightings
J
104
F
116
M
53
A
61
M
83
J
80
J
111
A
76
S
25
O
27
N
106
D
110

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 50

istock-atese
Frogfish

Frogfish
881 Sightings
J
95
F
111
M
71
A
98
M
90
J
56
J
63
A
41
S
42
O
20
N
133
D
61

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
879 Sightings
J
93
F
104
M
53
A
63
M
68
J
63
J
108
A
61
S
28
O
23
N
104
D
111

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
841 Sightings
J
101
F
71
M
103
A
75
M
77
J
43
J
76
A
34
S
15
O
35
N
117
D
94

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
657 Sightings
J
73
F
81
M
57
A
35
M
51
J
57
J
70
A
41
S
8
O
7
N
85
D
92

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish
492 Sightings
J
57
F
37
M
52
A
51
M
28
J
26
J
54
A
22
S
32
O
20
N
76
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
447 Sightings
J
47
F
26
M
25
A
42
M
31
J
42
J
60
A
37
S
17
O
14
N
62
D
44

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp

Shrimp
433 Sightings
J
62
F
27
M
37
A
29
M
38
J
16
J
58
A
12
S
13
O
14
N
78
D
49

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
432 Sightings
J
45
F
63
M
41
A
50
M
22
J
32
J
19
A
18
S
7
O
13
N
43
D
79

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
414 Sightings
J
40
F
30
M
33
A
31
M
28
J
34
J
55
A
38
S
32
O
8
N
48
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
253 Sightings
J
39
F
26
M
13
A
10
M
9
J
38
J
24
A
14
S
5
O
0
N
27
D
48
AdobeStock-Richard Carey
Banded Sea Krait

Banded Sea Krait
229 Sightings
J
18
F
30
M
15
A
16
M
23
J
6
J
62
A
11
S
14
O
5
N
17
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan
Tuna

Tuna
217 Sightings
J
24
F
32
M
25
A
24
M
20
J
3
J
21
A
11
S
11
O
0
N
23
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
212 Sightings
J
9
F
27
M
4
A
4
M
2
J
12
J
32
A
24
S
25
O
8
N
32
D
33

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab

Crab
208 Sightings
J
32
F
9
M
41
A
0
M
1
J
14
J
25
A
6
S
9
O
7
N
39
D
25

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
165 Sightings
J
23
F
28
M
0
A
0
M
11
J
30
J
8
A
11
S
23
O
2
N
6
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
152 Sightings
J
19
F
16
M
11
A
4
M
6
J
17
J
28
A
4
S
6
O
0
N
1
D
40

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Stonefish

Stonefish
150 Sightings
J
22
F
3
M
17
A
7
M
18
J
6
J
29
A
4
S
6
O
3
N
15
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder
Garfish

Garfish
94 Sightings
J
0
F
22
M
0
A
13
M
0
J
4
J
3
A
4
S
2
O
0
N
4
D
42

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

Snapper
72 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
6
J
1
J
1
A
6
S
2
O
0
N
8
D
45

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j
Sand Eel

Sand Eel
60 Sightings
J
2
F
19
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
5
J
6
A
2
S
6
O
8
N
7
D
3