Planning a Moalboal itinerary in 2024? You’re in the right place! Moalboal is the best place to base yourself to explore the beautiful island of Cebu. Whilst spending 2 or 3 days in Moalboal, you can explore the best things to do in Moalboal – from visiting turquoise waterfalls to snorkelling with turtles and sardines, Moalboal has a bit of adventure for everyone!
Let’s find out what to do in Moalboal and plan your itinerary!
Moalboal is a small town on the west coast of Cebu Island. It’s home to one of the largest sardine runs in the world, which is pretty impressive! Alongside sardines you can also spot turtles grazing in the water right next to the shore of Panagsama Beach – the main area to stay in Moalboal.
With 2 or 3 days in Moalboal, you can experience the underwater world, hiking to the top of peaks and canyoneering in the famous waterfalls nearby.
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Best time to visit Moalboal
The best time to visit Moalboal is from December to May! This doesn’t mean you can’t travel during the rainy season – just be prepared for some rainy days. We visited in May and although it was raining, some of the activities on our Moalboal itinerary are still okay to do in the rain!
How to get to Moalboal
The best way to get to Moalboal is from Cebu City. You can get to Cebu City by flying or catching a ferry from Bohol or Siquijor.
How to get from Cebu City to Moalboal:
Once you’re in Cebu City, head to the South Bus Terminal and purchase a ticket for the next bus to Moalboal. There are air-con buses and non-air-con buses at different prices if there’s one you prefer. The journey can take around 3-4 hours depending on traffic!
How to get from Siquijor to Moalboal: From Siquijor Pier (location), catch a ferry over to Dumaguete port or Liloan Port. If you can, it’s better to get the ferry to Liloan as then you won’t have to catch another ferry from Sibulan Seaport (in Dumaguete) to Liloan Port or Bato port. The times for these vary, but you can ask the ferry port or your accommodation for times.
After catching the ferry you’ll arrive on Cebu Island and there are regular buses heading north of the island. Ask the driver if they’re going to Moalboal and just jump off when it gets to your stop. Check Google Maps along the way just in case.
Note: Most ferry terminals in the Philippines charge a terminal fee to enter the waiting area (which is mandatory anyway).
How to get around Moalboal, Cebu
- Scooter – We highly recommend Majona’s Motorbike Hire when renting a scooter in Moalboal. The scooters are in great condition and the wonder is so lovely! Expect to pay around ₱350 per day.
- Tours – There are many tour operators in Moalboal offering different experiences around Cebu. We booked a canyoneering tour with our hostel and they put us on a trip with ICanyon Cebu Canyoneering Group who were amazing!
- Tricycles – The easiest way to get around Moalboal is by tricycle! We used them to get from Moalboal town to Panagsama Beach and they also offer many day trips in the area.
Check out our 3 Week Philippines Route & Itinerary: Where to visit!
Moalboal Itinerary: Best Things To Do
Here’s our travel guide on the best things to do in Moalboal! We’re going to create a 3 day Moalboal itinerary with options of what you can do if you have extra days. As Moalboal is a great base to explore the island, some of these activities are outside of Moalboal so you will need to rent a scooter, use a tricycle or book an excursion/ tour! Let’s create your Moalboal itinerary!
Day 1 – Snorkelling & Beaches
On day one of your Moalboal itinerary, you’re going to be exploring the beautiful underwater world! If you arrive quite late in the day you can save the snorkelling for another morning.
Watch the Sardine Run
One of the best things to do in Moalboal is to see the impressive sardine run! It’s one of the largest sardine runs in the world and happens in Moalboal every single day.
Rent a snorkel from a nearby shop (we rented ours from Moalboal Backpackers Lodge) for a small price and head to Panagsama Beach! Here’s the location of the sardine run.
There isn’t much of a sandy beach at Panagsama Beach so be careful when getting in the water as there are sharp rocks and slippery surfaces! The water starts off shallow and the coral reef stretches as far as 30m out from shore.
There is a drop around the 30m mark and that’s usually where you can see the sardines! It’s truly magical and feels so surreal to see so many fish at once.
Snorkel with the turtles
Whilst watching the sardines you might be lucky enough to spot one of the local turtles grazing on the sea grass. They’re usually spotted early morning before the waters get too busy with tourists and boats.
It’s extremely important not to touch the turtles at any point and to give them enough space to move. The bacteria on our skin isn’t too friendly for turtles and they can sadly become stressed.
Visit White Beach
After a spectacular show underwater, grab a tricycle and head to White Beach which is a 15-minute ride north of Panagsama Beach. Bring your rented snorkel too!
White Beach is the best beach in the area with white sand stretching along the turquoise shores. It’s a popular spot to visit and it’s where most of the ‘fancier’ resorts are in Moalboal. There is a small entrance fee to enter the beach and there are also a few activities to do here as well as relaxing on the beach.
Watch the Sunset
If you’re at White Beach until the late afternoon then you must stay for the sunset! As Moalboal faces the west – there are some spectacular sunsets to watch and admire. You can also see the sunset at Panagsama Beach another day on your Moalboal itinerary.
Day 2 – Canyoneering & Relaxing
Now it’s time to explore Cebu Island and head to the popular Kawasan Falls. We’ve created a travel guide about our full experience whilst canyoneering at Kawasan Falls as Typhoon Odette has damaged most of the area. We still visited and had a great time but it looks very different to any photos or videos before the end of 2021.
Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls
Visiting Kawasan Falls is on most people’s bucket lists when creating a Moalboal itinerary. It’s now possible to visit Kawasan Falls in 2024 after Typhoon Odette! The destruction of the typhoon has changed the area though.
The only way to visit is by going on a canyoneering trip to the falls which is an awesome experience! We booked this trip through our hostel (MoalBoal Backpackers Lodge) for 1,500 pesos each and it included transport, lunch and our canyoneering equipment! The next day we found it the tour was booked with ICanyon Cebu Canyoneering Group who we highly recommend!
Spend the second day of your Moalboal itinerary doing 2 to 10 metres jumps into beautiful turquoise water (tip: hold your nose when you’re about to hit the water)! Although the typhoon affected the beauty of the falls, it’s still great fun jumping around the water and the guides will make sure you’re having the best time!
Here are their details if you’d also like to book a tour with these guys:
- Check out their Facebook here: ICanyon Cebu Canyoneering Group
- Location on GoogleMaps: ICanyon Cebu Canyoneering Group Location
- And here’s their phone number which you can call or Whatsapp (+63977 126 9689)
Find out more information here - Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls: 2024 (After Typhoon Odette!)
After a long day of canyoneering, head to the Panagsama Beach area for food and chill at one of the local bars to watch the sunset. Unsurprisingly, you’ll be pretty tired from all the jumping and swimming from the day!
Day 3 – Exploring Badian
It’s time to explore more of the Badian area on day 3 of your Moalboal itinerary! There are many beautiful waterfalls, peaks and viewpoints in Badian and it would take a few days to discover them all. If you browse on Google Maps you can discover some amazing places!
At this point we recommend renting a scooter from Majona’s Motorbike Hire and exploring Badian on your own schedule, however, it’s totally possible to ask a tricycle driver to take you around!
Hike up to Osmena Peak
The first place of the day will be heading to Osmena Peak – the highest mountain in Cebu! The views are similar to the Chocolate Hills in Bohol so you’ll be rewarded for your journey!
How to get to Osmena Peak?
The road to the trailhead is a very long but beautiful drive. Be very careful when driving by yourself as the weather can change fast in the mountains. The best way to get there safely is to head to Alegria first and then drive up the mountains.
Google Maps will show three different ways and after talking to other travellers, this way is the safest! Here are the directions – How to get to Osmena Peak Directions and here’s the – location of Osmena Peak (Trail Head). The journey will take around 1.5 hours to get there so leave early in the day.
After the long journey, you will arrive in a small village with a few different places to park for a small price and then you are required to have a guide to take you to the top of Osmena Peak. The walk is only 30 minutes and not difficult but it’s mandatory to have and the guides will offer to take your photos too.
Discover Casino Peak
When you’re in the area, head to another beautiful peak in Badian – Casino Peak! It’s a little harder to get to but it’s only a 10-minute hike. After visiting Osmena Peak, head to Casino Peak Hiking Trail to begin your hike! There is a small entry fee again.
It’s also possible to do a 1-hour hike from Osmena Peak to Casino Peak and one of the guides will help you with directions.
More places to discover in Badian
- Cambais Falls
- Montpellier Falls
- Kansanto Spring
- Exploring the Badian Highlands
After visiting the Badian highlights make your way back to your accommodation and appreciate another beautiful sunset on one of the beaches in Moalboal. If you have more days on your Moalboal itinerary, check out some of these things to do!
Other things to do in Moalboal
- Archery-Asia – For a bit of a change, try out archery at Archery-Asia!
- Day trip to Pescador Island – (Sadly Typhoon Odette has damaged a lot of the coral in the area, but it’s still possible to snorkel and dive around the area)
- Go Diving – we recommend Savedra Dive Center!
Where to stay in Moalboal
The most popular area to stay in Moalboal is Panagsama Beach. It’s the perfect base to explore Cebu and book any trips from local hostels or travel agencies. In the north of Moalboal along the coast, there are a few luxury resorts that a far away from the town.
Moalboal Hotel, Hostels & Guesthouses
Moalboal Backpackers Lodge $ – This is where we stayed on our Moalboal itinerary and loved it! It’s so close to Panagsama Beach and the people here are very friendly! – Moalboal Backpackers Lodge link here!
Moho Hostel $-$$ – This is the most popular backpacker spot in the area, a great place to meet other travellers – Moho Hostel link here!
Garden Village Resort $-$$ – If you’re fancying a place with a pool, here it is! – Find the Booking link here!
Best places to eat in Moalboal
- Smooth Cafe Moalboal $$ – An international menu with a bouji atmosphere (location)
- Venz Kitchen $ – Filipino cuisine with amazing vegan options (location)
- Shaka $$ – Another luxury spot here serving smoothie bowls (location)
Planning a Moalboal Itinerary
There are a few things to consider before visiting the Philippines and Moalboal! In peak times accommodation can get booked up including the best hostels in Moalboal. Check flights to plan how to get to Cebu and where your next destination is. Here are some helpful links:
- Check for any public holidays on your date of visit (check here)!
- Book your flights – check Skyscanner prices here!
- Get Travel Insurance – Find out more here!
- Book your accommodation on Hostelworld here or Booking here!
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- 3 Week Philippines Route & Itinerary: Where to visit in 2024
How many days do you need in Moalboal?
We recommend spending at least 2 days in Moalboal! It’s quite a long journey to get to Moalboal from Cebu City or Dumaguete area, so if you can add an extra day to your Moalboal itinerary it will give you a more relaxed time.
There are enough things to do in Moalboal to spend up to 5 days here relaxing and taking things slower, however, we understand there’s so much to do in the Philippines.
What to do in Moalboal in one day?
If you only have one day in Moalboal, only pick one of these days from this Moalboal itinerary. It’s totally possible to go canyoneering at Kawasan Falls and then snorkel with the sardines when you get back to Moalboal. Alternatively, you can spend the day exploring the peaks in Cebu, snorkelling and visiting the nearby beaches!
Travel Essentials for a Moalboal Itinerary
- GoPro Hero 12 and a GoPro Water Float – perfect for canyoneering or snorkelling!
- Amazon Basics Packing Cubes – the ultimate travel essential for packing!
- The Little Bodhi Microfibre Towel – an easy lightweight towel for your Moalboal itinerary.
- Waterproof Bag 20L with Waterproof Phone Case – keep your valuables safe from the water!
- Rain Mac in a Bag and a Backpack Cover are two more essentials for rainy days.
- Anker Power Bank – always have a charged phone on the go.
- Stainless Steel Water Bottle – who needs plastic water bottles anymore?! (Sawyer Mini Water Filter)
- Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – The lightweight travel essential to take photos of yourself! We love our Joby GorillaPod and use it for our Sony A600. There’s also a Joby Phone Tripod!
Deciding between Moalboal or Oslob
Moalboal is a great base for activities on the island of Cebu. The only reason travellers visit Oslob is due to the whale sharks that live in the area. We spoke to other travellers who visited Oslob before Moalboal and they told us although it’s guaranteed to see whale sharks, it’s not really ethical as the locals feed them.
The town feeds the whale sharks to keep them in the area for tourists (for money). It leads to poor nutrition for the whale sharks as they don’t migrate and feed off their regular plankton diet.
If you want to see whale sharks on your Philippines trip, we highly recommend visiting somewhere else such as Donsol or areas around Bohol where they are wild and not fed.
Is Moalboal worth visiting?
If you’re already visiting Cebu and the islands of Bohol or Siquijor, it’s definitely worth visiting Moalboal! The town itself isn’t doing too great after no tourism and the typhoon, however, the area of Cebu is amazing to explore and we can’t believe that it’s possible to swim with sardines. We hope that the town picks up again in the future as it’s a great base to visit these beautiful spots in the Philippines!
Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! – SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
SafetyWing is a totally flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world. Find out more here!
More Philippines guides:
- 3 Week Philippines Route & Itinerary: Where to visit in 2024
- The Best 2 Days in Manila: Things to do & Itinerary (2024)
- The Best Bohol Itinerary: 3 Days in Bohol, Philippines
- Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls: 2024 (After Typhoon Odette!)
- The Best 3 Days in Siquijor Itinerary – Philippines (2024)
- All our Philippines posts!
That’s the end of our Moalboal Itinerary: The Best Things To Do (2024)! Have the best time exploring Moalboal and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
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Beautiful photos, the water and the food. Looks an amazing place 🙂