Searching for the best things to do in Moalboal, Cebu? CEBU INSIDER has compiled all the tourist-friendly activities in Moalboal that you will enjoy.
Moalboal (pronounced mu-al-bu-al, not mowl-bowl) is a small tourist town known for its opulent dive sites. For locals from the city, Moalboal is the best quick weekend getaway for its white sand beaches.
Whether you want to visit Moalboal for diving or its white sand beaches, we got you covered. We compiled all the best things to do in Moalboal.
Getting ready for your trip to Moalboal? Check out our Moalboal Travel Guide for the latest information on how to get there, where to stay, and more.
What to Do in Moalboal, Cebu
There are many things to do in Moalboal. On this list, we have included tourist-friendly ones that you would enjoy.
1. Snorkeling at Panagsama Beach
Panagsama Beach is one of the main public beaches in Moalboal. Located in Basdiot, Panagsama Beach is the center of tourist activities where a strip of bars, restaurants, resorts, and souvenir shops is located.
After a strong typhoon struck Moalboal in 1984, Panagsama Beach was left sandless. To date, you will not see much sand on its shore. But the beauty of Panagsama Beach lies underwater.
A few meters from its shore is a reef full of marine life. Whether you are scuba diving, freediving, or snorkeling, this shore entry dive spot drops up to 40 meters ready to wow you with its wonders. Some underwater creatures you will see include Mandarin fish, sardines being chased by tuna fish, green sea turtles, and if you are lucky, a whale shark.
2. Go Camping at White Beach
White Beach is the widest white sand beach in Moalboal popular among sunbathers and local campers. Also known as Basdaku Beach, White Beach is located about 5 kilometers away from Panagsama Beach.
The beach is lined with resorts and restaurants. Other than that, there’s nothing much you can do here other than chill and camp. Admission is 10 PHP (~0.2 USD).
3. Diving in Pescador Island
Pescador Island is one of the most popular Moalboal tourist spots for diving. Accessible through island hopping tours, Pescador Island has schools of sardines, turtles, colorful corals, submarine caves and canyons, and many other marine animals.
You don’t have to go scuba diving to visit the island. Even freediving or snorkeling, Pescador Island will leave you breathless with its diverse marine life.
To get to Pescador Island, charter a boat at Panagsama Beach or ask your hotel about it. 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 the Night Away
Moalboal has a growing expat community. One thing you can expect from it is a nightlife full of vacationers, foreign tourists, locals, and expats.
Moalboal’s nightlife is a bit different. The nightlife scene heavily focuses on the long strip of bars and restaurants along Panagsama Beach. Some bars we recommend are Blue Mango Bar (Don’t miss!), The Nomad Music and Art Bar, The Lounge Wine and Tapas, and Isla Bar.
5. Enjoy Water Activities at Eskapo Verde
Eskapo Verde is a 2-hectare eco-tourism resort getaway surrounded by a thick mangrove forest. How thick? You need to walk about 150 meters of stilt-elevated bamboo boardwalk to reach the resort’s reception.
The resort is located on the borders of Moalboal and Badian, facing Badian Bay where you can kayak, paddleboard, do a mangrove tour, and do other water activities for a fee. Did I mention it has one of the best sunset views? Kayaks for rent cost 400 PHP (~8 USD) per hour, while stand-up paddleboards cost 300 PHP (~6 USD) per hour.
When it opened in 2016, I was one of the resort’s first guests. And I can tell you it’s one of my best experiences in Moalboal, although it’s quite far from the main attractions. If you want an off-the-grid kind of experience, this is the closest you can get.
6. Take a Dip into Busay Cave’s Pool
Busay Cave is a tiny cave that has a springwater pool that you can swim in. It is considered a hidden gem for now as a few tourists only visit it to enjoy its crystal clear blue water.
The cave is located in Barangay Busay, about a 30-minute drive from Panagsama Beach or White Beach. It is best visited as a stop if you are heading towards Badian or Alegria for Kawasan Falls and canyoneering. Admission is free.
7. Practice Archery Skills at Archery Asia
Archery Asia is a resort in Moalboal that hosts the first archery parkour in the Philippines. The parkour is enclosed in a 400-meter-long bamboo fence with a jungle course nearby that has 6 shooting spots and more than 3D animals. This experience allows you to learn and practice a new skill, in the middle of a jungle, underneath coconut trees.
Archery Asia has beginner and advanced courses. They have all the equipment necessary like bows, arrows, quivers, arm guards, and gloves. All you need to do is show up.
If you want to try something new, getting your hands on archery and crossbow is one of the best things to do in Moalboal. Archery Asia is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. For inquiries, email them at contact@archery-asia.com or call +63-932-350-1745.
8. Visit Orchid Gallery
One of the unusual things to do in Moalboal is to visit the Orchid Gallery, the biggest display of orchids in Southeast Asia. They source most of their plants from South America, Hawaii, and other parts of Asia.
With over 200 varieties of tropical orchids, including Vandas and Cattleyas, the Orchid Gallery is one of the biggest suppliers of potted plants and orchids in Cebu. They also have a swimming pool that guests can use. Admission is 20 PHP (~0.5 USD), while pool use is 50 PHP (~1 USD).
9. Take a Breather at Mushroom Rock
I don’t necessarily consider this a must-visit attraction. But if you want a little bit of time alone while in Moalboal, whether you are looking for a place to meditate or do random sightseeing, Mushroom Rock is a great spot.
Located about 4 kilometers away from White Beach, the vast, rocky beach of Mushroom Rock is dotted with various-sized mushroom-like rock formations that have been shaped by typhoons and the tide over the years. The beach is not swimmable by any means. However, it’s a great place to watch fiery sunsets. Admission is free.
Things to Do in Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines
That’s all for the best things to do in Moalboal.
If you are still gearing up for your trip to Moalboal, read these useful guides:
- Moalboal Travel Guide
- Best Hotels in Moalboal
- How to Get to Moalboal
