Summary:
Moalboal, a small yet picturesque town in Cebu, offers a wide range of activities that make it a perfect quick getaway without the need to fly out of Cebu City. Visitors can explore various natural wonders such as waterfalls, caves, beaches, and dive sites. Some key highlights include Taginis Falls, Basdaku Beach, the renowned Kawasan Falls, and the Sardine Run at Panagsama Beach. The area also offers unique experiences like dolphin watching, turtle diving, and visiting artificial reefs such as an airplane wreck. Moalboal’s diverse attractions cater to thrill-seekers, nature lovers, and those looking for a tranquil escape.
Top 14 Must-Do Activities in Moalboal for Nature Lovers
Such short period of time for your leave? Fret no more. We’ve got you covered with this perfect getaway without having to book a plane ticket to enjoy. We are talking about the humble town of Moalboal.
Moalboal, a small town with beautiful, quiet beaches is the perfect place to go if you’re planning for a quick or long escape from Cebu City. We are unveiling our favorite things to do in Moalboal.
1. TAGINIS FALLS – BRGY. BALA
If you’re up to chase waterfalls, Taginis Falls screams nothing, but paradise. With its spotlessly clean blue waters and its lovely scenery, Taginis Falls is nothing short of tantalizing and mesmerizing.
Entrance Fee: FREE
HOW TO GET THERE
From Gaisano Grand Moalboal, look for a motorbike (habal-habal) or a tricycle and ask the driver to send you to Sitio Budlot in Bala. Fare varies, but estimated is P50 per person.
2. BUSAY CAVE & SPRING – BRGY. BUSAY
The home to some bats, birds, and wonderful formation of stalactites and stalagmites, Busay Cave & Spring is perfect for the adventure junkies.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: FREE
HOW TO GET THERE
From Moalboal town proper, take a bus/jeep heading to Badian until Brgy. Balabagon. It will direct you to Brgy. Busay and drop off where you could see the sign ‘Busay Cave’
You can also take a motorbike (habal-habal) from the town proper and ask to be sent to Busay Cave. Fare is only P50.
3. KAWASAN FALLS – BRGY. BATAD-BATAD
One of the most popular falls in Cebu, you can swim and relax in this turquoise blue waterfalls. You can also opt to hike around the area and take snaps of the beautiful scenery.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: P45 (foreigners) and P20 (locals)
HOW TO GET THERE
From the town proper, take a bus going to Badian. It will only take you 30-40 minutes to get to the falls. Walk your way towards the signs pointing to Kawasan Falls. Everything is well-indicated for you not to get lost along the track.
4. BASDAKU BEACH – BRGY. SAAVEDRA
A kilometer long stretch of white-sand beach, turquoise blue waters with saltwater wonders, Basdaku Beach is the perfect beach getaway you could plan for the holidays.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: 15php (5 for the barangay and 10 for the owner of the private lot)
HOW TO GET THERE
From the town proper, hail a motorbike (habal-habal) to Basdaku Beach. Fares vary depending on your agreement with the driver.
5. PANAGSAMA BEACH – BRGY. BASDIOT
Panagsama, unlike the aforementioned, doesn’t have a white sand beach. Instead, it has corals lining its shores. However, if you’re only looking for affordable accommodation while in Moalboal, we suggest you stay here because they offer affordable rooms. Nonetheless, waking up fronting the ocean is definitely one of the best waking moments.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: FREE
HOW TO GET THERE
From the town proper, hail a motorbike (habal-habal) to Basdaku Beach. Fares vary depending on your agreement with the driver.
6. PESCADOR ISLAND
Ten minutes away from the main land, Pescador Island is a small yet precious island considered to be a diver’s paradise. Home to a variety of beautiful corals and hundreds of species of reef fishes, Pescador Island is also home to thresher sharks, frog fishes and turtles.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: FREE
HOW TO GET THERE
From the the Gaisano Grand Mall or the Moalboal Municipal Hall, take a tricycle to Pinagsama Beach. After drop-off, you can rent a boat for island hopping and/or to Pescador Island.
7. SARDINE RUN –
They say that the Sardine Run in Moalboal is better than that of South Africa. Because it is a year-round natural phenomenon, you get to experience an almost guaranteed sighting of millions of sardines every day. Walk out from the shore of Panagsama Beach and witness this phenomenon firsthand. Panagsama Beach is at Brgy. Basdiot.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: Panagsama Beach is FREE, but if you wish to have a private package tour, the rough estimate would coust you P1,500 to P2,000 for four to six people.
HOW TO GET THERE
From the town proper, hail a motorbike (habal-habal) to Panagsama Beach. Fares vary depending on your agreement with the driver.
8. MOALBOAL HERITAGE PARK – TOWN PROPER
A heritage and seaside park in one, Moalboal Heritage Park is the perfect place to spend time with friends talking, laughing, and just spending good moments together. From the exhausting chasing of waterfalls to the diving with the sardines, chill and take a break at Moalboal Heritage Park.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: FREE
HOW TO GET THERE
From Cebu City South Bus Terminal, you take the bus heading to Moalboal and ask the driver to drop you off their Public Market. Fare is P120-130.
9. MAGPAYONG ROCKS – MAGPAYONG SAAVEDRA
A rock formation formed as an umbrella is what people rave about in Brgy. Saavedra. Old folks usually regard this place as mysterious. In fact, they said that one of the rocks in the area will sound like a bell if you try to whack it with a stone. This is why old folks in the area will usually prohibit you to shout in the area during your visit.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: P10 per person
HOW TO GET THERE
From Gaisano Grand Mall or Moalboal Municipal Hall, take a motorbike (habal-habal) and tell the driver to drop you off at Magpayong Rocks which is located near the white beach. Fares vary depending on your agreement with the driver.
10. AIRPLANE WRECK – PANAGSAMA BEACH, BRGY. BASDIOT
An American-based plane LancAir donated a two-seat airplane as an aritifcial reef. Such artificial reef is now covered with plenty of small corals and has a turtle inside the cockpit.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: P100 per person
HOW TO GET THERE
From the Gaisano Grand Mall or Moalboal Municipal Hall, take a tricycle or motorbike (habal-habal) and ask the driver to drop you off Panagsama Beach in Brgy. Basdiot. Fares vary depending on your agreement with the driver.
11. DOLPHIN WATCHING – PESCADOR ISLAND
Apart from the naked beauty of Pescador Island, you get to also experience the beautiful sight of the well-loved dolphins as an experience while in the island. Get the chance to experience a school of dolphins swimming and jumping alongside your boat while at it.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: There are boats you can rent for a rough estimate of P1,500 to P2,000.
HOW TO GET THERE
From the Gaisano Grand Mall or the Moalboal Municipal Hall, take a tricycle to Pinagsama Beach. After drop-off, you can rent a boat for island hopping and/or to Pescador Island.
12. TURTLE WATCHING – PANAGSAMA BEACH, BRGY. BASDIOT
Be fascinated and get the chance to swim with the turtles while at Panagsama Beach. Get the chance to experience the depth of the waters while being guided by turtles.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: Panagsama Beach is FREE, but if you wish to have a private package tour, the rough estimate would coust you P1,500 to P2,000 for four to six people.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Gaisano Grand Mall or Moalboal Municipal Hall, take a tricycle and ask the driver to drop you off at Panagsama Beach. Fares vary depending on your agreement with the driver.
13. FISH SANCTUARY – TONGO POINT, BRGY. BASDIOT
The Basdiot Fish Sanctuary is locally and also popularly known by divers. It is a 4.17 hectares sanctuary with thousands of different species of fishes.
OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance Fee: P100 per person
HOW TO GET THERE
From the Gaisano Grand Mall or Moalboal Municipal Hall, take a tricycle or motorbike (habal-habal) and ask the driver to drop you off at Tongo Point in Brgy. Basdiot. Fares vary depending on your agreement with the driver.
14. WHALESHARK WATCHING – PESCADOR ISLAND
Though I know that whaleshark watching is famous in Oslob, Pescador Island also offers such viewing for your convenience. While you’re in the island, they could allow you to swim with these gentle giants so you won’t have to line your way through to see such beautiful creatures.
OTHER INFORMATION
Fee: P200 (locals) and P500 (foreigners)
HOW TO GET THERE
From the the Gaisano Grand Mall or the Moalboal Municipal Hall, take a tricycle to Pinagsama Beach. After drop-off, you can rent a boat for island hopping and/or to Pescador Island.
