How to Get to Moalboal from Cebu City

Cebu to Moalboal: How to Get to Moalboal From Cebu City in 2024

Wondering how to get to Moalboal? In this guide, I detailed the step-by-step process of getting to Moalboal from Cebu City and other places like Mactan Airport, Oslob, Dumaguete, and Manila. Check it out!
Find this helpful? Share it!

Trying to figure out how to get to Moalboal from Cebu City? There are several ways to get there. In this guide, I detailed the step-by-step process of getting to Moalboal from Cebu City and other common points like Cebu Airport, Oslob, Dumaguete, and Manila.

Moalboal is one of the top places to visit in Cebu. Located in South Cebu, just 85.7 kilometers away from Cebu City, it is known for its rich marine ecosystem where you can experience the famous sardine run.

Moalboal is also a good base for exploring the southwestern part of Cebu Island, including Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc, Ginatilan, and Samboan.

👉Book a private transfer to Moalboal from Cebu City or Mactan Airport!👈

Moalboal Sardine Run2
Taking a selfie with millions of sardines in Moalboal, Cebu

How to Get to Moalboal From Cebu City

Option #1: Bus

  1. Go to Cebu South Bus Terminal (see map).
  2. Take a Ceres Liner bus bound for Bato via Barili (not Bato via Oslob) and get off at Moalboal Bus Stop. The fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD) for an aircon bus. Travel time is 3-4 hours, depending on the traffic situation. There are more affordable non-aircon buses that ply the Cebu City to Moalboal route, but Ceres Liner has the most reliable schedule.
  3. Take a tricycle to your hotel. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person, or you can charter the entire tricycle for 200 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 15 minutes.

Moalboal Bus Schedule: Ceres Liner operates 24/7. Ceres Liner buses depart from Cebu South Bus Terminal every 30 minutes. Aircon buses travel faster and have limited stops compared to non-aircon buses.

👉Book a private transfer to Moalboal from Cebu City or Mactan Airport!👈

Option #2: Van (Cheapest)

  1. Go to Cebu South Bus Terminal (see map).
  2. Pay your fare at the van ticket booth near the passenger exit and proceed to the van terminal to look for your ride to Moalboal. The fare is 180 PHP (~3.5 USD). Travel time is 3-4 hours, depending on the traffic situation.
  3. Take a tricycle to your hotel. Take a tricycle to your hotel. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person, or you can charter the entire tricycle for 200 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 15 minutes.

NOTE: Vans leave every hour as early as 4 AM. They carry up to 17 passengers, so it could get too cramped inside. If you are a 6-foot individual or someone carrying big luggages, this might not be the best option.

👉Book a private transfer to Moalboal from Cebu City or Mactan Airport!👈

Van ticket booth at Cebu South Bus Terminal
South-bound passengers queue at the van booth inside Cebu South Bus Terminal (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)
Van ticket booth at Cebu South Bus Terminal
Van ticket booth for south-bound passengers (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)
Family outing to Moalboal
My nephews and nieces on a van on the way to Moalboal (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

Option #3: Private Transfer (Most Convenient)

The most convenient way to get to Moalboal from Cebu City is through chartered vehicles. From Mactan Airport or any point in the city, you can directly ask a taxi driver if they take you to Moalboal. Sedan taxis carry up to 4 people with enough space for your luggage. This usually costs around 5,000 PHP (~100 USD).

However, this could be tricky, especially if you don’t speak the local language. I highly recommend booking a private transfer from a reliable service provider in advance to make things safer and more transparent for you. It also gives you the chance to choose the type of vehicle you need.

👉Book a private transfer to Moalboal from Cebu City or Mactan Airport!👈

How to Get to Basdaku, Moalboal From Cebu City

  1. Take a Ceres Liner bus bound for Bato via Barili at Cebu South Bus Terminal or a van bound for Moalboal. The regular bus fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD) and travel time is 3-4 hours. Van fare is 180 PHP (~3.5 USD) and travel time is 3-4 hours.
  2. Get off at Moalboal Bus Stop.
  3. Take a tricycle to Basdaku/White Beach or Basdiot/Panagsama Beach, wherever you are staying. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person, or you can charter the entire tricycle for 200 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 15 minutes.

How to Go to Moalboal From Cebu Airport

How to get to Moalboal from cebu airport

If you’re going straight from Mactan Airport to Moalboal, you can either take a bus, a van, or a private vehicle.

Option #1: Bus

  1. Take MyBus just outside Cebu Airport’s arrival gate. MyBus will take you to the MyBus Terminal (see map) at SM City Cebu. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person. Travel time is 30-45 minutes, depending on the traffic. NOTE: MyBus operates between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm at 30-minute intervals.
  2. Take a taxi to Cebu South Bus Terminal (see map). The fare should be around 150-200 PHP (~3-4 USD). Travel time is 20-30 minutes.
  3. Take a Ceres Liner bus bound for Bato via Barili. The fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD) for an aircon bus. Travel time is 3-4 hours.
  4. Get off at Moalboal Bus Stop.
  5. Take a tricycle to your hotel. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person, or you can charter the entire tricycle for 200 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 15 minutes.

Moalboal Bus Schedule: Ceres Liner operates 24/7. Ceres Liner buses depart from Cebu South Bus Terminal every 30 minutes. Aircon buses travel faster and have limited stops compared to non-aircon buses.

👉Book a private transfer to Moalboal from Cebu City or Mactan Airport!👈

Option #2: Van (Cheapest)

  1. Take MyBus just outside Cebu Airport’s arrival gate. MyBus will take you to the MyBus Terminal at SM City Cebu. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person. Travel time is 30-60 minutes, depending on the traffic. NOTE: MyBus operates between 6 AM and 10 PM at 20-minute intervals.
  2. Take a taxi to Cebu South Bus Terminal (see map). The fare should be around 150-200 PHP (~3-4 USD). Travel time is 20-30 minutes.
  3. Pay your fare at the van ticket booth near the passenger exit and proceed to the van terminal to look for your ride to Moalboal. The fare is 180 PHP (~3.5 USD). Travel time is 3-4 hours, depending on the traffic situation.
  4. Take a tricycle to your hotel. Take a tricycle to your hotel. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person, or you can charter the entire tricycle for 200 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 15 minutes.

NOTE: Vans leave every hour as early as 4 AM. They carry up to 17 passengers, so it could get too cramped inside. If you are a 6-foot individual or someone carrying big luggages, this might not be the best option.

Option #3: Private Transfer (Most Convenient)

The most convenient way to get to Moalboal from Cebu City is through chartered vehicles. From Mactan Airport or any point in the city, you can directly ask a taxi driver if they take you to Moalboal. Sedan taxis carry up to 4 people with enough space for your luggage. This usually costs around 5,000 PHP (~100 USD).

However, this could be tricky, especially if you don’t speak the local language. I highly recommend booking a private transfer from a reliable service provider in advance to make things safer and more transparent for you. It also gives you the chance to choose the type of vehicle you need.

👉Book Moalboal island hopping and canyoneering experience!👈

How to Go to Moalboal From Oslob

How to get to Moalboal from oslob
  1. On the highway, flag down a Ceres Liner bus bound for Bato. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD). Travel time is 30 minutes.
  2. Get off at Bato Port and then take a Ceres Liner bus bound for Cebu City via Barili. Tell the driver or conductor you are getting off at Moalboal Bus Stop. The fare is 136 PHP (~2.5 USD). Travel time is 1.5 hours.
  3. Take a tricycle to your hotel. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person. Alternatively, you can charter the entire tricycle for 200 PHP (~4 USD) so you don’t have to wait for other passengers. Travel time is 15 minutes.

👉Find hotel deals in Moalboal!👈

How to Get to Moalboal From Bantayan Island

How to get to Moalboal from bantayan island
  1. Take a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) or tricycle to Santa Fe Port. The fare is 30 PHP (~0.5 USD) per person or 100 PHP (~2 USD) for the whole ride. Travel time is 5 minutes.
  2. Take a ferry to Hagnaya Port. The fare is 305 (~6 USD). Travel time is 1 hour. Check out the updated ferry schedule from Santa Fe to Hagnaya and vice versa!
  3. Take a bus to Cebu South Bus Terminal. The fare is 280 PHP (~6 USD). Travel time is 4-5 hours.
  4. Take a Ceres Liner bus bound for Bato via Barili. The fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD) for an aircon bus and travel time is 3-4 hours.
  5. Get off at Moalboal Bus Stop.
  6. Take a tricycle to your hotel. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person. Alternatively, you can charter the entire tricycle for 200 PHP (~4 USD) so you don’t have to wait for other passengers. Travel time is 15 minutes.

👉Book your Pescador Island hopping tour!👈

How to Get to Moalboal From Dumaguete

How to get to Moalboal from dumaguete
  1. Take a jeepney or tricycle to Sibulan Port. The fare is 15-30 PHP (~0.5 USD). Travel time is 10 minutes.
  2. Take a ferry to Liloan Port in Santander. The fare is 70 PHP (~1.5 USD). Travel time is 45 minutes. Check out the updated ferry schedule from Sibulan to Liloan Port and vice versa!
  3. Take a bus Cebu City-bound bus via Barili. Tell the driver/conductor you are getting off at Moal Bus Stop. The fare is 136 PHP (~2.5 USD). Travel time is 1.5 hours.
  4. Take a habal-habal or tricycle to your hotel. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person or 200 PHP (~4 USD) for the whole ride. Travel time is 15 minutes.

How to Get to Moalboal From Manila

How to get to Moalboal from manila
  1. Fly from Manila Airport to Mactan Airport. Airfare costs around 2,000-4,000 PHP (~40-80 USD). Travel time is 1 hour.
  2. Take MyBus just outside Cebu Airport’s arrival gate. MyBus will take you to the MyBus Terminal at SM City Cebu. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD). Travel time is 30-60 minutes, depending on the traffic. NOTE: MyBus operates between 6 AM and 10 PM at 20-minute intervals.
  3. Take a Bato via Barili-bound Ceres Liner bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal or a van bound for Moalboal. Bus fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD) for aircon and travel time is 3-4 hours. Van fare is 180 PHP (~3.5 USD) and travel time is 3-4 hours.
  4. Get off at Moalboal Bus Stop.
  5. Take a tricycle to your hotel. The fare is 50 PHP (~1.5 USD) per person or 200 PHP (~4 USD) for the whole trip. Travel time is 15 minutes.

👉Find flights from Manila to Cebu!👈

Your Complete Moalboal Travel Guide

Moalboal is one of the must-visit tourist destinations in the Philippines, especially if you are into diving. It’s also a good base if you’re exploring the southern part of Cebu and neighboring tourist destinations like Dumaguete and Siquijor.

If you’re still planning for your trip to Moalboal, read these useful guides:

Got questions about your trip to Moalboal? Leave them in the comments and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

For updates, follow CEBU INSIDER on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Find this helpful? Share it!
Mario Manlupig
Mario Manlupig

Mario is the Founder of CEBU INSIDER. In March 2018, he left his full-time job at the Philippines' biggest TV network and became a digital nomad, traveling all over the country until the pandemic happened. He now calls Cebu City his home.

Articles: 87

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.