Moalboal in Cebu has a growing reputation with travellers thanks to the huge variety of things to see and do in and from this town. Moalboal has some lovely beaches as well as some great coral reefs teeming with beautiful marine life just offshore ready for exploration by divers and snorkellers alike.
It is also home to the famous sardine run where you can see thousands of sardines making incredible sounds and shapes just off the shore, and home to giant turtles again found just off the coast.
So, whether you are looking for great beaches, exploring waterfalls, snorkelling for giant turtles and sardines or kicking back with an ice-cold cocktail whilst watching the sunset over the ocean, this little town has something for everyone!
If you are planning a trip to the Philippines, do check out my guide to Backpacking the Philippines as well as my Mini Guides for information on other great places in the Philippines!
But for now, let’s check out Moalboal in Cebu!
An Introduction to Moalboal in Cebu
Moalboal Philippines is a tiny fishing town on the western coast of Cebu Island in the Central Visayas region.
It may only have a small population of around 30,000 inhabitants but this little town was one of our favourite places to stay whilst backpacking the Philippines.
Moalboal in Cebu is also a great location to visit the neighbouring tourist sites including White Beach in Moalboal and the Kawasan Falls.
As Moalboal is only a couple of hours away from Cebu City by bus or taxi, it is also easy to reach and can be incorporated into any itinerary whilst backpacking the Philippines.
Despite all of this and whilst Moalboal tourism is growing, it remains a relatively undiscovered and therefore undeveloped town in the Philippines and so doesn’t have the huge tourist crowds of Boracay whilst having enough of a community of travellers to draw you in.
For me, Moalboal in Cebu is a fantastic blend; on the one hand, it has the Filipino laid-back vibe with rustic accommodation and bars whilst on the other, it has a good, but healthy, injection of ‘backpacker’ with some western bars and eateries which – I think – accentuate rather than detract from its origins.
As an initial bit of orientation, the town of Moalboal is actually centred away from the coast. However, when travellers speak of visiting or staying in Moalboal in Cebu they actually mean staying at or near the strip of bars and restaurants at Panagsama Beach.
So the vast majority of the bars, restaurants, activities and accommodation mentioned in this blog (and others) is actually at Panagsama Beach on the coast. Just to add to the slight confusion, Panagsama Beach is actually more of a coastline than a beach – but more on that later!
So in this Moalboal travel guide, I take a look at some of the things you can do in and around Moalboal in Cebu!
Things to do in Moalboal
As well as being a great, laid-back town with plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you busy there are also lots of varied things to do in and around Moalboal in Cebu. Here I take a look at some of my favourites!
Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is consistently rated as one of the top things to do when backpacking the Philippines and I would certainly endorse that view!
The Kawasan Falls is formed by the Kanlaob River in Badian, to the south of Moalboal in Cebu. The main waterfall at the Kawasan Falls is around 10-12 metres high and flows into some incredible blue waters.
You can either turn up and enjoy some time at the Kawasan Falls or, for the more adventurous, you can take a guided canyoneering tour down the Kanlaob River to the Kawasan Falls.
Visiting the Kawasan Falls
The Kawasan Falls are perfect for a day trip from Moalboal in Cebu. As I mention, the main waterfall is approximately 10-12 metres high and the beautiful, picturesque waters below are perfect for swimming and lazing.
There are two further waterfalls behind the main falls which can be accessed via some steps to the left of the main fall, or you can jump if you are feeling brave! These falls are perfect for swimming and can be much less crowded than the main waterfall at Kawasan Falls.
There is a restaurant adjacent to the main waterfall at Kawasan Falls which offers a full range of drinks, snacks and meals to keep you going throughout the day.
Whilst the Kawasan Falls can get busy, as it is a very popular tourist spot, it is definitely one of those places not to be missed whilst backpacking the Philippines.
Get there early to take a quiet swim in the main pool before the crowds arrive. While away the day surrounded by beautiful jungle scenery and incredible waters!
Getting to the Kawasan Falls
The Kawasan Falls are approximately 20km south of Moalboal in Cebu and are easily accessed by road.
You can hire a scooter for the day for around P300 ($6, £4.50) and head to the Kawasan Falls yourself. It is an easy drive on the main road south of Moalboal in Cebu and the falls are well signposted from that road. There is a parking charge of around P50 ($1, £0.75) at Kawasan Falls.
Alternatively, you could hire a trike at a cost of around P600 ($12, £9) for the day who will take you to Kawasan Falls and wait until you are ready to return and then drive you back.
Finally, the cheapest way to get to Kawasan Falls is on the public bus heading to Bato. These buses run approximately every 30 minutes and will take around 45 minutes to reach Kawasan Falls for around P20 ($0.40, £0.30).
Once you arrive at the Kawasan Falls, it is a 15-minute walk down to the falls themselves. There will be guides offering to take you down to the falls, but the walk is well signposted so it isn’t necessary to have a guide if you prefer to go it alone.
Entry to the Kawasan Falls is around P75 per person ($1.50, £1.10) and there is a fee of P50 for life vests if needed for swimming. I believe these may be mandatory for all swimmers (we did the canyoneering tour, so we already had life vests on, so we didn’t notice!).
Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls
For the more adventurous, I would definitely recommend considering a guided day tour canyoneering at Kawasan Falls. We went and it was one of our favourite days whilst backpacking the Philippines!
The tour lasts around 3.5 hours and you will slowly descend the Kanlaob River via a series of waterfall jumps, natural rock slides and swimming downstream.
The tour finishes at the main fall at Kawasan Falls described above and for the brave, you can jump off the top of that 10-12 metre waterfall into the incredibly blue waters below to complete the tour. Don’t worry though, there is a walkway to get down if you don’t fancy relying on gravity alone!
You can book your tour in Moalboal in Cebu and your tour operator will pick you up from Moalboal and take you back again at the end of the day.
Our tour, from Planet Action, included lunch after the tour of grilled fish, rice and salad along with some cool beers (other drinks were available!). One of the standout parts of lunch wasn’t the food though (which was really tasty!) but the location – right on the sea where you could watch and hear the waves rolling in. It was absolute bliss!
The canyoneering tour of Kawasan Falls will cost you around P1,700 per person ($30, £25) and in my view, if your budget allows, this is a tour not to be missed; we had a fantastic time!
Moalboal Beaches
The two main Moalboal beaches are Panagsama Beach and White Beach in Moalboal.
As I mentioned above, Panagsama Beach is the area of Moalboal where most of the activities, accommodation and bars are located and the place where you will likely end up staying if you visit Moalboal in Cebu.
White Beach in Moalboal is further up the coast to the north and is the most popular of the beaches in Moalboal. Both of the Moalboal beaches are worth a visit so let’s have a look at each in turn.
White Beach in Moalboal
White Beach in Moalboal is not to be confused with its much famous partner in Boracay but it is still an amazing beach to visit. Of the two Moalboal beaches, White Beach is definitely the more ‘beachy’!
White Beach in Moalboal is about 15 minutes north of Moalboal/Panagsama Beach and can be easily reached by trike or by hiring a scooter and venturing out yourself. A trike to White Beach in Moalboal will cost around P80-100 ($2, £1.50).
When you arrive, there is usually a small entrance fee of P10-20 ($0.50, £0.30) per person to access the beach.
After paying your entrance fee you are confronted with a spectacular beach on white sand and shallow turquoise waters. White Beach in Moalboal is also called Basdaku Beach which means big sand, and there is plenty of room for everyone here!
There are loungers, tents and small wooden shelters available for rent on the beach as well as all sorts of activities including kayaks, snorkels, boats and volleyballs!
There are also plenty of snack and drinks huts along the beach to grab some refreshment and so White Beach in Moalboal has plenty to keep you occupied all day.
If you are able, stay for the sunset and you will not be disappointed; the skies light up in some incredible colours to provide the perfect end to a perfect day!
Panagsama Beach
Confusingly, Panagsama Beach is really a stretch of coastline along which most of the bars, restaurants and accommodation of Moalboal in Cebu is located.
As a result, it is likely you will be staying ‘on’ Panagsama Beach if you are staying in most of the backpacker accommodation in Moalboal.
That said, there is still some white sand and beautiful water at Panagsama Beach! As you walk along the beach path in Moalboal, opposite Pacita’s Beach Resort, you will find a relatively small section of beautiful sand complete with loungers and bean bags on which you can relax.
There is also Andi’s Talisay located on Panagsama beach; a great café and snack bar on the beach itself for grabbing a cold drink, a beer or a snack whilst you kick back on the beach.
The water here is beautiful and also the spot where we went snorkelling with a giant turtle! Head out for an explore in the water and see if you can spot them. There are also small jellyfish in the water on occasion so have a good look around before you head in!
In addition to this patch of paradise, Panagsama Beach also holds the keys to the incredible Moalboal Sardine Run! Read on to learn more!
Moalboal Sardine Run
The Moalboal sardine run is one of the most popular Moalboal tourist spots and for good reason. The sardine run, as the name suggests, is a huge school of sardines swimming close to the shore at Panagsama beach.
Reports of over 1 million sardines make up the Moalboal sardine run which creates an incredible wall of sardines that all move in unison and create an incredible underwater show for those who get to witness it. They also make some amazing – and quite eerie – noises whilst performing!
The sardines are best seen where the reef drops suddenly away from the shore; about 20-30 metres out. This creates a wall and it’s along this wall that Moalboal sardine run can be seen in all its glory.
One of the great things about the Moalboal sardine run is that it is accessible to everyone! It is located just off the shore at Panagsama Beach and so can be seen by snorkellers, free divers and divers alike. Equally, snorkels are available to rent all around Panagsama Beach at very reasonable prices and there are no scheduled tours or guides or other exploitation of this incredible natural phenomenon.
Diving in Moalboal in Cebu
Diving in Moalboal is becoming increasingly popular and the dive site at House Reef is meant to be an incredible place to see the Moalboal sardine run.
In addition, there are some great dive sites around Moalboal Cebu, including Pescador Island just off the mainland and the Ronda Bay marine sanctuary which was one of the first sanctuaries of Moalboal.
There are a number of PADI dive shops for all your scuba diving needs in Moalboal in Cebu so if you are a keen diver then you are well catered for in Moalboal in Cebu.
We are not divers – or at least not yet! – so we can’t say much more than that but if you want to know more then check out Dive Happy for more details!
Accommodation in Moalboal in Cebu
Given the long stretch of coastline of Panagsama Beach, there is plenty of accommodation in Moalboal which all overlook the beautiful ocean.
I have picked out an accommodation option for all budget options so hopefully, there is something here for everyone!
Budget Option: Chief Mau Hostel
Chief Mau hostel offers some great budget-friendly accommodation in Moalboal, right in the heart of Panagsama Beach.
This great hostel provides dorms as well as private rooms with a shared bathroom or a private room with en-suite and so has something to suit every budget.
As well as its clean and very trendy rooms, Chief Mau offers a bar, a restaurant and a fully staffed reception which can help you organise any trips and tours that you may wish to take. Throw in a terrace complete with a pool table and big screen, a beautifully chilled garden area complete with hammocks for lazing around and you have yourself a great sociable and laid-back hostel!
Check these guys out on Instagram @Chiefmaumoalboal for more details!
Mid-Range Option: Tipolo Beach Resort
Tipolo Beach Resort is owned by Planet Action Adventure Company and offers some of the most popular accommodation in Moalboal. Tipolo comprises of 10 rooms within a beautiful and relaxing garden resort setting located right in the heart of Panagsama Beach.
The resort is split into two parts; the main part of the resort is on the sea with the rooms here offering sea views and balconies. The restaurant and main reception area are also located here. To the rear of the resort are further rooms which are relatively newly built and to a high specification with air conditioning, room safes and hot showers. These are away from the sea and the main Tipolo resort area.
Tipolo has its own restaurant which serves great Asian and international food all day. It is worth a visit for the food alone, even if you don’t end up staying here!
Planet Action is also located at Tipolo from which you can book a huge number of tours and activities including a Canyoneering tour of Kawasan Falls. Tipolo and Planet Adventure also offer snorkelling and diving, fishing trips, dolphin watching and island hopping tours and mountain bike rentals.
Tipolo is a superb place to stay with a relaxed setting and friendly staff who can help you book anything you need in Moalboal in Cebu.
Luxury Option: Pescadores Seaview Suites
If your budget allows for more luxurious accommodation in Moalboal, Pescadores Seaview Suites Resort is a great option located on Panagsama Beach with great views of nearby Pescador Island.
This great Moalboal beach resort offers 22 rooms ranging from private rooms with shared bathrooms through to garden villas and VIP suites.
Rooms are either garden or sea-facing and the Resort comes complete with its own infinity pool and pool bar and a spa to complete the perfect relaxing break.
Pescadores is located a few minutes’ walk from the main stretch of Panagsama Beach so you are in a lovely quiet spot but close to the other bars and restaurants if you wish to explore.
Bars and Restaurants in Moalboal
There are a large number of bars and restaurants in Moalboal considering the small size of the town and so there is plenty of choices and somewhere different to try each day.
The standard is very high though so there are plenty of places you will definitely want to revisit!
Restaurants in Moalboal in Cebu
The variety of food on offer in Moalboal in Cebu is very impressive and vegetarians and vegans are well catered for by the majority of restaurants here.
I have tried to narrow down my best restaurants in Moalboal here; enjoy!
Smooth Café Moalboal
This superb little café is tucked away just off the main Panagsama Beach but is one not to be missed.
From superb burgers and shawarma wraps to an excellent vegetarian and vegan offering, this little gem has some of the best food in the town and it’s no surprise it is often rated as one of the best restaurants in Moalboal.
Throw in some great draft beers and excellent coffee and this great little place are well worth a visit when you come to Moalboal in Cebu.
Ven’z Kitchen
In my view, the best restaurant in Moalboal for authentic Filipino fare with a huge range of food on the menu gives you plenty of excuses to come back again!
The traditional Chicken Adobo and Pork Sisig dishes are fantastic and come highly recommended. They also offer a good range of vegetarian and vegan Filipino dishes.
There is often a queue to get in during the evenings, but the service is quick so you won’t have to wait long and it will be worth it!
Kugita Seafood and Charcoal Grill
If you want to push the boat out then Kugita’s could be a great option. Offering fantastic sushi, great seafood dishes and perfectly cooked steak, this is the perfect place for a treat meal during your time in Moalboal in Cebu!
It is one of the most popular restaurants in Moalboal for a good reason. The staff are very friendly and welcoming and there is a great atmosphere here. A true gem!
Follow them @Kugita Seafood & Charcoal Grill for regular updates!
The Three Bears
The best restaurant in Moalboal if you fancy a juicy burger, hands down! The Three Bears offer some of the best burgers on the island and have a very good reputation for its food in Moalboal.
The chicken burgers come highly recommended as do their vegetarian counterparts. The food is quick, the staff are friendly and the venue is great even if you are in a large group.
Keep up with these guys @threebearsresto and @ThreeBearsResto for all the latest news on this incredible restaurant!
Last Filling Station
Last Filling Station is the restaurant at Tipolo Beach and is set within Tipolo’s lovely garden surroundings. They serve food all day, from great breakfasts to Asian and international-inspired dishes in the evening. I loved the Thai red curry!
It’s a really chilled place with great service and a good atmosphere; stop for some food once you have booked a canyoneering tour of Kawasan Falls with Planet Action!
Bars in Moalboal in Cebu
Many of the restaurants in Moalboal also offer great drinks and often live music as you move through the night so you will always find somewhere to dance away the evening if you still have the energy!
I have rounded up some of the best bars in Moalboal (in my humble opinion!) below.
Chilibar
Chilibar is a one of the best bars in Moalboal in Cebu and certainly one of the liveliest!
It is located right in the heart of the Panagsama Beach stretch with views overlooking the ocean. It is a fantastic place to watch the sunset whilst sipping on a well-deserved drink after a long day!
They offer a great range of beers and cocktails as well as a decent food selection including good pizzas and burgers. They also have live music and a pool table making it a great place to spend the evening.
Shaka Café
Pitched as a healthy alternative, this Filipino chain of cafés adds some great, fresh drink choices to the usual suspects in Moalboal.
With great coffees, energising loose-leaf teas, freshly pressed juices and delicious smoothies, this is a great place to get some much-needed vitamins especially if you have encountered some less than healthy drinks the previous evening! This is one of the best bars in Moalboal for a quick detox and refresh!
Mayim Beach Bar
Perfectly located on the beachfront at Panagsama Beach, Mayim Beach Bar is one of the best bars in Moalboal to grab a drink and watch the sun sink over the horizon.
Plenty of drinks to choose from and the cocktails are great and very reasonably priced. The food here is also very good if you fancy staying longer – we definitely recommend the pizzas!
Keep an eye on their socials @mayimbeach and @mayimbeachbar for updates!
Getting to Moalboal in Cebu
Cebu island is one of the main transport hubs and travel destinations in the Philippines and so if you are backpacking the Philippines then chances are that you will pass through Cebu Island at some point.
Its capital, Cebu City, is a major international airport and seaport providing transport links both internationally and to other major destinations in the Philippines including Bohol, Siquijor and Dumaguete.
Therefore, if you are backpacking the Philippines then chances are you will be, at least, passing through Cebu City at some point. Fortunately then, Moalboal in Cebu is only a few hours from Cebu City depending on which mode of transport you take.
How to get to Moalboal from Cebu City
It is 85 kilometres from Cebu City to Moalboal by road and you have various options depending on your budget to cover that distance.
Cebu City to Moalboal by bus
Buses depart from Cebu South Bus Terminal and are operated by Ceres. You want to look out for the Ceres Bus that is heading from Bato via Barili. Ask the driver to drop you at Moalboal Town Hall or bus stop.
Please be aware that there is another bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal heading to Bato but via Oslob. Don’t take this bus as it does not go via Moalboal. I would recommend asking the driver to drop you at Moalboal as you board the bus to double-check you are on the right one!
The bus from Cebu City to Moalboal should have a travel time of 3 to 4 hours to arrive at Moalboal. From the Town Hall or bus stop, you will be able to jump on a trike, or a habal-habal to take you to your accommodation.
The bus from Cebu City to Moalboal will set you back around P150-P200 ($3-4/£2-£3) assuming you take an air-conditioned bus which I would advise. Whilst the air con is usually quite cold (so take a jumper or jacket!) the buses are much newer than the non-air-conditioned versions. They also have the advantage of not picking up passengers from the road on the way which makes the journey quicker.
Traffic in Cebu City can be terrible, especially later in the day. Therefore I would suggest getting a bus as early in the day as you can to try and avoid the Cebu City traffic.
Also, the later buses (after 3 pm) tend to get busier and after 6 pm they get more expensive; they can be as much as P300 – P500 ($6-10, £4.50-7).
Cebu City to Moalboal by minivan
Alternatively, you can take a minivan from Cebu City to Moalboal. These depart from the One Citilink Terminal in Cebu City which is just a few metres from the Cebu South Bus Terminal mentioned above.
The minivans are cheaper than the public bus at around P120 ($1.50, £2) per person and they cover the distance faster and so you should reach Moalboal in Cebu in around 2-3 hours.
However, there is no set timetable for the minivans; they simply complete a loop to Moalboal and are available once they arrive back from their last journey.
As they are located next to the bus station, it may be worth checking when the next minivan from Cebu City to Moalboal is likely to leave and if it isn’t convenient, you can head back to the bus station.
Cebu City to Moalboal by Taxi
If your budget allows then the easiest and most convenient option is to take a taxi to Moalboal in Cebu.
Generally, taxis in Cebu are charged according to the meter but I would recommend agreeing on a price in advance for the journey from Cebu City to Moalboal. Not all taxi drivers will want to commit to such a long journey but keep asking and you will find one.
The taxi price is of course negotiable but I would expect to pay between P1,500 to P2,000 ($30-40, £22-£30).
We actually took a taxi the other way, from Moalboal to Cebu airport, on the way home as we had to be at the airport in the middle of the night and the journey was comfortable and quick and so a good option if your budget allows.
Dumaguete to Moalboal
If you are exploring Dumaguete then it is possible to reach Moalboal in Cebu without having to go to the capital city.
You can take a small pump boat from Dumaguete to Bato (Santander) on Cebu Island. These little boats hold around 25 passengers at most and so take some travel-sick pills/remedies in advance if small boats make you nauseous.
Once you arrive at Bato, you can catch the public bus to Cebu via Barili which will pass through Moalboal in Cebu and drop you at the Town Hall or the bus stop. This is the same bus mentioned above but in reverse.
Getting around Moalboal in Cebu
If you arrive in Moalboal via public bus then you will need to take a trike or Halal-Halal (a single motorbike, better if you don’t have luggage) to take you down to the coast and your accommodation.
There are many trikes waiting by the town hall for the arrivals on the public bus so be prepared to haggle for the best price. Expect to be quoted around P80 ($1.60/£1.20) and expect to pay between P40 and P80 depending on your haggling skills, desire to arrive and the number of trikes available!
Moalboal in Cebu is a small town and so you will not need (or be able to take) a trike to get around the town itself but they can be useful if you wish to explore further afield.
For example, to visit White Beach in Moalboal, which is slightly out of town, then a trike or halal-halal are both affordable options. A trike to White Beach in Moalboal will set you back around P80-100.
There are also places to hire scooters if you prefer to head to White Beach in Moalboal on your own. We paid around P350 for the day to hire a scooter ($7, £5) from Majoria’s which is opposite Tipolo beach resort.
Best time to Visit – Moalboal Weather
The Moalboal weather is broadly split into wet and dry seasons as with the rest of the Philippines.
The dry season runs from March to September with the months of March, April and May seeing the hottest of the Moalboal weather with temperatures reaching 36 degrees.
The dry season runs from October to February and whilst the Moalboal weather during this period remains hot and sunny, there is an increased chance of rainfall as well as the occasional typhoon especially towards the end of the year.
As always, the best of the Moalboal weather also brings the most tourists and the highest prices. That said, Moalboal in Cebu is not as busy as other tourist destinations in the Philippines which means that crowds and prices are lower than in the ‘traditional’ tourist spots even during the dry season.
Summing Up
Moalboal in Cebu was a little gem and one I was really happy to have decided to visit. There is a really great vibe about this beach-side town with a huge range of activities without the exploitation of an area that sometimes accompanies a place with natural beauty and attractions.
Moalboal tourism is increasing thanks to Kawasan Falls and the Moalboal sardine run which are two amazing experiences that make this place very special they are backed up by beautiful beaches and some great bars and restaurants. That said, now is a great time to visit this unique little town.
If you have been, let me know what your favourite experiences were – I would love to hear from you!
If you are planning a trip to the Philippines, do check out my guide to Backpacking the Philippines as well as my Mini Guides.
I hope you have found this Moalboal travel guide useful and if you have any questions, just let me know!
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