Planning to explore Moalboal, Cebu soon? CEBU INSIDER has the most comprehensive and updated Moalboal Travel Guide 2023 to help you get the most out of your trip.
Moalboal is a small tourist town located about 85 kilometers southwest of Cebu City. Although small, Moalboal has a rich marine ecosystem making it famous for diving. But there are many things to do in Moalboal outside of diving.
Our Moalboal Travel Guide 2023 outlines everything you need to know about traveling to the Moalboal, including the following:
- How to get to Moalboal from Cebu City
- Where to stay in Moalboal
- Beaches in Moalboal
- Nightlife in Moalboal
- Internet situation in Moalboal
- Moalboal budget
- Moalboal itinerary
Looking for more fun activities? Check out the 35 Best Things to Do in Cebu!
How to Get to Moalboal from Cebu City 2023 (3 Ways)
There are three common ways to get to Moalboal from Cebu City: by bus, van, or private vehicle.
Option #1: Bus
- Go to Cebu South Bus Terminal.
- Take a Ceres Liner bus bound for Bato via Barili and get off at Moalboal Bus Stop. Fare is 220 PHP (~4 USD) for an aircon bus. Travel time is 3 hours.
- Take a habal-habal or tricycle to your hotel. Fare is around 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person or 150 PHP (~3 USD) per entire habal-habal or tricycle. Travel time is 15 minutes. Tip: Ride with other passengers to save, but you might have to wait a bit longer.
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.
Option #2: Van
- Go to V-Hire South Terminal.
- Take a van bound for Moalboal. Fare is 230 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Take a habal-habal or tricycle to your hotel. Fare is around 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person or 100 PHP (~3 USD) per entire habal-habal or tricycle. Travel time is 15 minutes.
NOTE: Vans carry up to 17 passengers, so it could get too cramped inside. Vans don’t leave until they get full. Vans don’t have enough space for luggage. Vans in Cebu City leave as early as 4:00 am.
Option #3: Private Transfer
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 3,500 PHP (~65 USD).
If you need a bigger vehicle, you can go to the V-Hire South Terminal to negotiate a transfer for you. Vans can accommodate up to 17 people. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to Moalboal from Cebu City or Mactan Airport. They have options on which vehicle you want. Private transfers cost around 2,400 PHP (~45 USD).
If you are coming from Mactan Airport, Manila, Dumaguete, or Oslob, read our full guide on How to Get to Moalboal!
Moalboal Resorts to Check
Choosing where to stay in Moalboal depends on what you want to experience. If, above all, you are looking for the best Moalboal beach resorts with a good internet connection, here are the ones with highly recommend:
1. Pawikan Boutique Hotel – Best Beach Resort in Basdiot, Moalboal
Located 100 meters from Panagsama Beach, where the famed sardine run and snorkeling with green sea turtles take place, Pawikan Boutique Hotel puts you in front of the Moalboal’s tourist attractions. In-house facilities include a bar, a garden, a barbeque area, a free parking space, and a shared kitchen.
All rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with Netflix, a work desk, a terrace, a tea/coffee maker, and more. The resort offers a continental or à la carte breakfast.
Wi-Fi Rating: 9.2/10
Overall Rating: 9.3/10
2. Tauig Beach Resort – Best Beach Resort in Basdaku, Moalboal
Nestled right in front of Basdaku Beach, the most known white beach in Moalboal, Tauig Beach Resort offers a relaxing experience away from the touristy and party area that is Panagsama.
In-house facilities include a restaurant, a bar, a garden, a terrace, and private parking. Each room has air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a work desk, and more. The resort offers a continental, American, Asian, and vegetarian breakfast.
Wi-Fi Rating: 8.6/10
Overall Rating: 8.8/10
3. Sambag Hideaway Bungalows – Best Affordable Beach Resort in Moalboal
Located about 1.6 kilometers away from Panagsama Beach, Sambag Hideaway Bungalows gives you the right amount of relaxation away from the loud music of bars at night while having Moalboal’s prettiest sights close enough.
Sambag Hideaway Bungalows has a private beach area where guests can snorkel for free. In-house facilities include a garden, a terrace, and free private parking. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a private bathroom, a balcony, and an electric teapot, while some have a fridge ad a kitchen.
Wi-Fi Rating: 9.2/10
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Top Things to Do in Moalboal
If you are looking for tourist spots and activities in Moalboal, here are some of the best things to do in Moalboal:
1. Snorkeling at Panagsama Beach
Panagsama Beach is one of the two public beaches in Moalboal. It’s the center of tourist activities in town where bars, restaurants, and resorts abound. The beach does not have a lot of sand after a 1984 typhoon swept them away.
A few meters from the shores of Panagsama Beach is a reef that drops up to 40 meters. It’s best for freediving or snorkeling. Some fishes you will see include Mandarin fish, sardines being chased by tuna fish, green sea turtles, and if you are lucky, a whale shark.
2. Camp or Chill at Basdaku Beach
Basdaku Beach, sometimes called White Beach, is the sandy beach in Moalboal. It’s more popular for swimming and chilling by the beach.
3. Diving in Pescador Island
Pescador Island is one of the most popular tourist spots in South Cebu. It’s famous for scuba diving, although you can also go freediving or snorkeling if you wish to see schools of sardines, green sea turtles, colorful corals, submarine caves and canyons, and many other marine animals.
To get to Pescador Island, you need to charter a boat at Panagsama Beach. Alternatively, you can take the Pescador Island Hopping Private Tour if you want to be directly picked up from the airport or any point from Cebu City to Pescador Island.
4. Party at Night
Moalboal nightlife is a bit different. The nightlife scene heavily focuses on the long strip of bars and restaurants along Panagsama Beach. Don’t miss Blue Mango Bar!
Explore Moalboal’s Neighboring Town Badian
Visiting Badian too? Check out CEBU INSIDER’s Badian Travel Guide 2023!
That’s it for now. I hope you get something out of our travel guide.
