Moalboal is a small town in the southwestern part of Cebu Island in the Philippines. It's best known for its clear waters, sandy beaches and beautiful coral reefs that attract many tourists throughout the year. Exploring the beauty of the ocean while diving or snorkelling is a popular activity. The city and its surroundings have a lot to offer, and you can spend at least a few days here exploring the spectacular fauna and flora.

When you find yourself on the beach, you immediately think of the precious time you spend by the sea - fantastic! That's what draws everyone here in the first place. Though if you're one of those people who get curious about the area you've travelled to after 2 days of catching the sun, this blog post is for you. I'll tell you all about the things you can do in Moalboal. Bear in mind that the list below consists of my personal favourites, and the place definitely has much more to offer, but I'm sure these highlights will give you an idea and inspiration of what you can expect. 

HOW TO GET TO MOALBOAL?

First, you need to get to Cebu from wherever you are - this is your starting point. If you're already there, you're in luck. From now on, you're just one step away from Moalboal. If getting seasick is your problem, and you're anxious about being on the boat - double luck! All it takes is to catch a bus or a taxi from Cebu to Moalboal. The distance between these two places is about 90 km. Depending on your budget and/or preferences, you can choose either of them. 

The bus takes about three hours to get to Moalboal and is a popular option among both tourists and local people.

 

→ Non-aircon bus ticket: 170PHP/£2,50

→ Air-conditioned bus ticket: 220 PHP/£3,30

If you decide to get a taxi, that'll cost you around 3,600 PHP/£54. 

Paying more money can save you up to 1,5 hours, but remember, it's not guaranteed. If you end up travelling during rush hour or any sort of traffic on the road, your journey can take just as long, so if you're choosing a car for time efficiency only, that's something to keep in mind. If you value comfort over time efficiency, then a car is much more convenient. Regardless of your choice, you'll get there in a maximum of a couple of hours, and that's the main thing. 

KAWASAN FALLS 

The Kawasan Falls are (one of many) gems of the country and deserve to be at the top of this list. These multi-layered, picturesque waterfalls not only make you want to swim and relax, but are also surrounded by lush greenery and steep paths, making it a great walk. You can also book canyoneering sessions and jump off the cliffs into the pools below. 

While we didn't go for it, this activity's popularity deserves mention. The Kawasan Waterfalls are about 21 kilometres from Moalboal. You can easily reach them by booking an organised trip or renting a motorbike - you can rent one anywhere in Moalboal, but check for other requirements (e.g. a valid driving licence).

       

SNORKELING AND DIVING 

The variety of coral reefs is astonishing, and you can enjoy the unique underwater world only a few minutes offshore. Though you can't beat those views, you might be lucky to see turtles slowly floating between the reefs. Besides the sea giants slowly cruising the ocean, make sure you get to see the famous sardine run while you're there and trust me, you don't want to miss it.

If you want to get even closer to marine life and try scuba diving, Moalboal is one of the best places in the world to do it! Going deeper into the ocean gives you a chance to see "face to face" a wider variety of fish and other sea creatures. Not many things are as breathtaking as exploring the sea world up close. Moalboal is full of scuba diving schools offering a range of courses from beginner to more advanced levels.  

                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                        *photo credit: www.padi.com                                                                                                                            

LOCAL CUISINE 

Filipino cuisine may not be world-famous, and the truth is, it's a little underrated. The street food stalls serving classic dishes aren't as easily accessible as they are in other Southeast Asian countries, but that shouldn't stop you from trying Filipino food whenever you get the chance! There are many places in Moalboal that serve delicious food, including fresh seafood. You'll find everything from grilled fish to countless barbecue options to kinilaw or balut. Halo Halo (meaning "mix-mix") is my personal favourite for cooling off after a long day at the beach. Sweet and filling with quite a combination of ingredients that somehow make sense.

WHITE BEACH

If you fancy a blissful day spent sunbathing and swimming, then The White Beach is your answer. The long stretch of white sand beach is perfect for a lazy day in the sun. There are also a few bars and restaurants nearby for you to choose from! 

Fun fact: The White Beach is also known as Basdaku (eng. Big Sand) Beach. Because of its widely spread seashores, the name is pretty accurate - there's more than enough space for every beachgoer!

SPA

After a long day of exploring, a relaxing massage or a spa treatment sounds like exactly what you need, so why not pamper yourself? There's no better way to unwind, and there are plenty of spas in Moalboal offering a variety of treatments. 

For example, have you ever heard of Hilot? It's a Filipino massage technique, including traditional healing techniques based on balancing the physical and spiritual aspects of people's bodies. Suppose this may not be down everyone's alley, but don't worry - regular full body and all the lovely stress reducing treatments are just as popular and available in every Moalboal spa.

CONCLUSION

It is safe to say that Moalboal's charm strongly revolves around beaches and water activities. Quite rightfully so! The quantity of their coral reefs, crystal clear water and white powder soft beaches is too tempting to visit the town without experiencing some of those, but there's more to it than just that. Fantastic local food and drinks, incredible sights only kilometres away or pamper treatments can give you a little break. 

Whether you've already planned your entire trip or are still in the process, Moalboal truly deserves a place on your Filipino bucket list!