On our second day in Moalboal, we spent half of our day in the sea, basking on Cebu’s blessed underwater treasures. After our adventure at Kawasan Falls, Kuya Arnel ushered us to our next stop: Basdaku Beach and the beautiful corals of Moalboal.
Basdaku beach is around 15 minutes from our hostel in Panagsama. It has a wonderful white sand and clear blue waters. This is actually where you can pitch your tent and do your usual beach bumming — which unfortunately, Cza and I were not aware of. We thought Panagsama Beach is the way to go because of its cheap hostels, but little did we know that it was actually the haven of the divers and we could not stay on the sand until the wee hours of the night.
The white sand of Basdaku Beach
Where to rent a bangka
Where you’ll go
A sneak peak of the island!
Destination #1: PESCADOR ISLAND
A couple of minutes from the shore, Pescador Island houses beautiful coral reefs and an abundant fish sanctuary. You can bring bread to attract fishes to your direction, perfect for underwater photos. The view is just breath taking. Best experienced with an underwater camera and 20/20 vision (both of which I don’t have). Here are some photos that we captured through Cza’s cam:
DESTINATION #2: Turtle Sanctuary
There are also a lot of turtles living in the island BUT they only go out in the morning. It is advisable to go there at 7AM-11AM, when they are still very active. Unfortunately, when we got there, it was already 2PM, and we weren’t able to spot anything. They usually sleep during that time, and the waters are pretty dark (it’s really deep) so the chances of seeing them on the sea floor is very little, too.
DESTINATION #3: Sardine Run
DESTINATION #4: Coral Sanctuary
Love the under water? Here are other things that you can do while in Moalboal
Oslob Whale Shark Watching
This has been a huge attraction in Oslob, which is just a couple of hours from Moalboal. This is usually done in the morning, around 5am. Seeing them is just wonderful, I know, but I still kind of feel bad about trapping them, as feeding these gentle giants make them incapable of surviving the wild.
Dolphin Watching
This usually comes with the island hopping package that we had, but only in the wee hours of the morning. Call time would be around 5AM at Basdaku beach, and it costs Php 500.00 more than our package.
Dive!
And then, of course, there’s diving. If we enjoyed snorkeling a lot, then imagine if you can dive and see the corals and fishes more up close! I still dream of diving, but the deep waters terrify me in a weird way. Oh well, maybe someday.
Budget
Here’s a breakdown of our budget. There were four of us in the boat, so we eventually saved a couple of bucks from that. 🙂
Php 2,500.00 – Boat (625/head)
Php 15.00 – Bread
Php 50.00 – Lunch
Total: Php 690.00
How about you? Have you ever been to Moalboal? And do you enjoy snorkeling? Share your experience below and I might list down your favorite snorkel destination on my next trip! 🙂
Aaaahhh, the beautiful underwater world!! <3
Aaaahhh, the beautiful underwater world!! <3
aaahh beautiful! 😀
Animated Confessions
aaahh beautiful! 😀
Animated Confessions
I'd love to see the sardines! I've been to Moalboal once but only to go beach bumming. Never had the chance to snorkel or dive. Looks like you had a great time!
I'd love to see the sardines! I've been to Moalboal once but only to go beach bumming. Never had the chance to snorkel or dive. Looks like you had a great time!
The underwater photos look beauutiful! The corals are so colourful :')
NICOLE'S NOTEBOOK – lifestyle, food, travel, beauty & everything in between
The underwater photos look beauutiful! The corals are so colourful :')
NICOLE'S NOTEBOOK – lifestyle, food, travel, beauty & everything in between
Love the photos! This makes me want to go back to Cebu!
Last year my friends and I went whaleshark watching in Oslob. I can't swim so I was expecting the lifevests were okay but unfortunately, it wasn't as snug as I hoped it would. Other than the allergy I got from the jellyfish stings afterwards, it was a nice experience. I just wish I looked more graceful underwater when our photos were taken. XD
Love the photos! This makes me want to go back to Cebu!
Last year my friends and I went whaleshark watching in Oslob. I can't swim so I was expecting the lifevests were okay but unfortunately, it wasn't as snug as I hoped it would. Other than the allergy I got from the jellyfish stings afterwards, it was a nice experience. I just wish I looked more graceful underwater when our photos were taken. XD
I love the sardine run picture! I could only imagine how it must have felt having so many fishes surround you. Galing! Great experience 🙂
Thanks for sharing again and I super loooooove your pictures 🙂
I love the sardine run picture! I could only imagine how it must have felt having so many fishes surround you. Galing! Great experience 🙂
Thanks for sharing again and I super loooooove your pictures 🙂
Nice place! I don't know how you guys do it. I am terrified of the sea especially the fishes in it.
http://www.dicexcvi.com
Nice place! I don't know how you guys do it. I am terrified of the sea especially the fishes in it.
http://www.dicexcvi.com
Oh very amazing and beautiful place sweetie
Thanks for share so beautiful pics
xx
http://www.sakuranko.com
Oh very amazing and beautiful place sweetie
Thanks for share so beautiful pics
xx
http://www.sakuranko.com
love this sport! very beautiful pics
I wish you an happy day
see my new post
<<< fashion blogger Pamela Soluri >>>
kiss
love this sport! very beautiful pics
I wish you an happy day
see my new post
<<< fashion blogger Pamela Soluri >>>
kiss
I love snorkeling but it frustrate me because like you, I don't have 20/20 vision. Anyway, looks like you really had so much fun. The underwater photos are spectacular!
http://www.hintofglitter.com
I love snorkeling but it frustrate me because like you, I don't have 20/20 vision. Anyway, looks like you really had so much fun. The underwater photos are spectacular!
http://www.hintofglitter.com
I wanted to go to Oslob for whaleshark watching but after what my supervisor (who's a traveller) said, the said activity is not good for whalesharks because of the danger it ca bring to both sharks and humans. I was kinda sad, but it's for the love of nature so I'm scratching Oslob of our itinerary. I'd still go to Oslob, but on its different side! 🙂
I wanted to explore Moalboal too, so maybe from Oslob, we can go to Moalboal? How many hours would that take? We're just planning a day trip in Oslob, and I wonder if we can fit the time to travel to Moalboal and stay there overnight before we go back to the city. Do you have any recommendations for accommodations in Moalboal? Help?! Haha
I really wanted to try snorkeling and island hopping! I've been to a lot of beaches recently but because of time constraints, we weren't able to do a lot of activities.Huhu hoping I'll be able to squeeze time when we go to Cebu! 🙂
I wanted to go to Oslob for whaleshark watching but after what my supervisor (who's a traveller) said, the said activity is not good for whalesharks because of the danger it ca bring to both sharks and humans. I was kinda sad, but it's for the love of nature so I'm scratching Oslob of our itinerary. I'd still go to Oslob, but on its different side! 🙂
I wanted to explore Moalboal too, so maybe from Oslob, we can go to Moalboal? How many hours would that take? We're just planning a day trip in Oslob, and I wonder if we can fit the time to travel to Moalboal and stay there overnight before we go back to the city. Do you have any recommendations for accommodations in Moalboal? Help?! Haha
I really wanted to try snorkeling and island hopping! I've been to a lot of beaches recently but because of time constraints, we weren't able to do a lot of activities.Huhu hoping I'll be able to squeeze time when we go to Cebu! 🙂
Mas okay talaga if morning ang activities para at the same time hindi pa masyado mainit masakit din kasi sa balat.
Mas okay talaga if morning ang activities para at the same time hindi pa masyado mainit masakit din kasi sa balat.
You may checkout my place.
You may checkout my place.
The underwater view of marine life is so amazing, thanks for sharing!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com
The underwater view of marine life is so amazing, thanks for sharing!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com
Envy alert! lol, I haven't been to these places here in Ph nor tried snorkeling even once.But I hope one day soon, I will 🙂
Anyway, you look like you really had an amazing trip and the views were so lovely!
Hope you're having a great day!
xoxo
Jhem | JhemSays.com
Envy alert! lol, I haven't been to these places here in Ph nor tried snorkeling even once.But I hope one day soon, I will 🙂
Anyway, you look like you really had an amazing trip and the views were so lovely!
Hope you're having a great day!
xoxo
Jhem | JhemSays.com
Wow! These photos are stunning!! I've never been in Moalboal but it definitely looks like a place to visit! A new addition to my bucket list, maybe? 😉 I hope you had had a lot of fun, dear 🙂
xx
GIVEAWAY on my blog: http://www.stylebydeb.com/banggood-international-giveaway/
I love snorkeling! It's one of my favorite things to do when I'm in Hawaii. The beach there looks beautiful, and wow, you saw so many fish! I really love that photo of all the sardines. That's amazing 🙂
That's too bad you didn't see any turtles though. I've been fortunate to see several sea turtles while snorkeling in Hawaii! I've also seen them just basking on the beach. There's a few beaches in Hawaii where they'll come up and just sleep there in the day 🙂
I love snorkeling! It's one of my favorite things to do when I'm in Hawaii. The beach there looks beautiful, and wow, you saw so many fish! I really love that photo of all the sardines. That's amazing 🙂
That's too bad you didn't see any turtles though. I've been fortunate to see several sea turtles while snorkeling in Hawaii! I've also seen them just basking on the beach. There's a few beaches in Hawaii where they'll come up and just sleep there in the day 🙂
Man, I haven't gone snorkerling in yonks! It's not so expensive pala at Moalboal.
Man, I haven't gone snorkerling in yonks! It's not so expensive pala at Moalboal.
OH MY GOD. I'm getting more excited for my Cebu trip next week!!!! 🙂
Your photos look amazing. I'm inspired to take a lot of photos for my blog too! 🙂
OH MY GOD. I'm getting more excited for my Cebu trip next week!!!! 🙂
Your photos look amazing. I'm inspired to take a lot of photos for my blog too! 🙂
I always feel terrified everytime I hear the word "underwater", but look at those shots. Makes me wanna dive in and sleep there for a while 🙂
Lou | wandersoul.co.vu
I always feel terrified everytime I hear the word "underwater", but look at those shots. Makes me wanna dive in and sleep there for a while 🙂
Lou | wandersoul.co.vu
I especially love the one with corals and sardines! I envy you and your travels <3
And that budget was a lot smaller than when we traveled to Puerto Galera haha
I especially love the one with corals and sardines! I envy you and your travels <3
And that budget was a lot smaller than when we traveled to Puerto Galera haha
These photographs are absolutely beautiful! What kind of camera did you use to take them? They turned out amazing!
Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Etsy
These photographs are absolutely beautiful! What kind of camera did you use to take them? They turned out amazing!
Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Etsy
I love Cebu! <3 Next time I visit, Moalboal will be definitely part of my IT. Great pictures, makes me wish I'm currently at the beach! 🙂
I love Cebu! <3 Next time I visit, Moalboal will be definitely part of my IT. Great pictures, makes me wish I'm currently at the beach! 🙂
oh my gosh! I love these photos, this looks like so much fun!
& I love the photo with all the sardines, that must have been such a beautiful view. <3
oh my gosh! I love these photos, this looks like so much fun!
& I love the photo with all the sardines, that must have been such a beautiful view. <3
OMG! SO MANY FISHIEEES!!! LOL I got too excited there.
OMG! SO MANY FISHIEEES!!! LOL I got too excited there.
waaa. mesmerizing thousands of fishes in Sardine Run. Thanks for sharing!
Might add to my bucket list.
http://www.ijuandercebu.com
waaa. mesmerizing thousands of fishes in Sardine Run. Thanks for sharing!
Might add to my bucket list.
http://www.ijuandercebu.com
I had the chance to dive in Moalboal … some 15 years ago, I think. I remember the dive was to spot a thresher shark, which we didn’t find. Your post is so nice and reading it brought back memories. 🙂
This is unbelievably beautiful! Onto the bucket list it goes! You travel bloggers give me mega wanderlust!!!
You should come visit if you had the time, though! 😀
Oh my this place was sooo beautiful. I will go to Cebu this March hoping to visit this spot too!:)
Yay!!! Enjoy Cebu!!! 😀
Ok I need to come to the Philippines as soon as possible! Moalboal looks incredible!! I’ll be adding this to places me and my boyfriend need to visit!
I am celebrating my birthday in Cebu next month and your post just made me feel more excited!
Yay! You should definitely go here if you have the time! 😀
Have not tried my hand at diving or snorkelling the. I am not a good swimmer and may be that keeps me off this beautiful activity. I
Wow! I’d love to go there! I haven’t been outside Luzon!haha I hope they maintain the beautiful sea life there.
Yes, I hope so too. 🙂 You should try visiting them sometime! The place is really beautiful 😀
AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGG Pictures 🙂
Thank you! 😀
It’s a shame I haven’t been to Cebu. I really would love to explore the place.
You should! There is so much to see in Cebu. 🙂
I am envious!!! I miss the beach, the star fishes, the tropical breeze and the white sand. I am glad I am headed back home in Davao next month so that I can experience it again.
Aw, I want to go to Davao as well!
check this http://travelingmind2anywhere.com/2015/06/07/samal-islands-hidden-treasure-little-hagimit-water-falls/
That is hagimit waterfalls.
So beautiful! I am planning yo go scuba diving this year in summers.
Looking forward to your diving stories then! 🙂
Ahh i’m so jealous! Lol just kidding, but it looks like a paradise. Your photos are stunning 🙂
Thanks Dunja! 🙂
I love the water(beach) but not the underwater, yet. Hehehe.. just the thought of sharks, and sea snakes, and wild, mystical creatures under the sea creeps the sanity out in me. (Exaggerated! Hehehe..) thanks for sharing your moalboal snorkeling story.i wanna try snorkeling too, and i wanna see that thousands of sardines. Just crossing my fingers for my imagination not to run wild. Hehehe…
Don’t worry about the creatures underwater! Most of them are really, really fascinating! Besides, you won’t be brought on the areas where there are sharks (unless you ask for it hehe!) or some place that’s really dangerous. 🙂 You should try at least once, it’s really amazing
I haven’t read anything but when I saw the photos I was like “Oh my God, where is this?” Will surely bookmark this post for future reference. Thanks doll
airinaapril.blogspot.com
Thanks Airina! 🙂
What a beautiful place!! Can’t wait to visit this place soon
Those photos are absolutely breathtaking! I have been to several islands but have yet to be able to take part in scuba or snorkeling, though I want to so much! I want to experience something like that sardine run. Great share!
Bidy
http://www.dearlittlerme.com
Hi Wildflower,
We stayed at Club Serena Resort, White Beach, Basdaku back on May 27, 2018. The corals fronting the resort, just before the drop, were alive and very colorful. The fishes were actually congregating at the drop. We also saw some turtles at this point but they were very elusive. They would hide at a coral by the drop and swim away once they spot the snorkelers. You were right about the abundance of fishes at Pescador. Were we swam, we saw mostly fan corals which were not as colorful as those in front of Serena Resort. I was told that Pescador Island has a side that has dense and colorful corals as well. We swam with about 7 sea turtles at a shallow beach; I am not sure if this was Tongo Point. We were there at 11:30 am just in time for the turtles wandering and feeding on the grass. I also thought that witnessing the sardines congregate and dance in groups was just surreal. You were right that they would hide under the banca’s where no one would disturb them. We were there at 10:30 am.
I think Moalboal had a good density of marine life. I snorkeled in Malwawey Reef in Coron on April 29. There were colorful corals also but the density of fishes was not as good compared to that in Moalboal. I would like to go back to Moalboal another time to spend more time in Pescador and Panagsama. I would like to see the sardines one more time. I read that the best time to see the sardines is at 6 – 8 am when bigger fishes would hunt for them. At this time, they would stay close to the surface of the water. I had a good time reading your write up on these dive sites. Best regards.
Thanks for reading my entry, Luanne! I really appreciate it. 🙂 Hope you had an amazing time in Cebu!