You know, we ABSOLUTELY loved our snorkeling tour in Moalboal and Pescador Island during our 4-day stay in South Cebu. The sardine run we experienced that day? IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE.
However, we realized there are certain things we could have done to make the trip even better. I am sharing those details and tips here so you can have an even more amazing experience than we had.
Click the images below to enlarge
I’m writing this because I really want to return and keep track of everything we learned for our next trip.
Did you know that we actually missed the chance to swim closely with the sea turtles? We were looking forward to it because it would have been so cool. We also wished the water had been clearer during the sardine run since seeing everything with perfect visibility would have been incredible.
Don’t make the same mistake we made. Read along to find out how. We’ll discuss:
Hi reader! It’s Eljon, and before we continue, I want to welcome you to my blog, Explore to Thrive. Here, I share my experiences with traveling, reflections on spirituality, personal growth and insights on building an online business, all to make a difference. But my mission goes beyond that. You can learn more about what I do by visiting my homepage.
Requirements
As of this writing, I am not sure who will join me when I go back to Cebu for the sardine run or to see the sea turtles.
I think I will likely go with whoever is up for it since there are no age limits or physical requirements for snorkeling. Of course, good judgment remains essential for everyone.
For example, if you cannot stay in the water for a long time or if you get cramps while swimming, you should probably sit this one out. Also, if you have a disability that would make it difficult to get on and off the boat safely, it might be better to skip this experience.
If you want to bring your kids along, you should ask the tour operator ahead of time if they provide small life vests or buoys that fit them properly.
But yeah, you can totally go snorkeling even if you are not a swimmer.
Life vests and buoys are provided by the operators or dive centers during the snorkeling activity. Based on our experience, those are enough to let anyone enjoy the trip even if you cannot swim well (like struggling to move through the water even though you are paddling with all your might).
I described how it works in my post about our actual experience.
If you are looking for a more exciting experience like scuba or free diving, you should talk to dive centers beforehand and bring your medical certificate or a valid certification card.
To learn more about diving in Moalboal, I recommend visiting the official PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) website. You can find all the accredited dive shops, resorts, and courses in Moalboal plus any other details you need right there.
Best Time to Go
During our trip, we did not pay much attention to the best time of day to snorkel in Moalboal, whether there is a better hour to see sea turtles, or when the water is clearest for the sardine run.
And while the sights were enjoyable, the lack of timing meant our snorkeling trip turned out to be quite ordinary. I can only imagine how incredible the sardine run would have looked in clear water or how exciting it would have been to encounter a sea turtle.
In fact, we visited during the rainy season because we wanted to avoid the crowds at the most popular natural attractions in South Cebu like Kawasan Falls canyoneering. And to tell you honestly, it really felt like a gamble with the weather. Fortunately, we did not run into any weather issues that would have ruined our trip.
On our way back to the shore, we discussed our experience and I believe our guide heard us mention that we missed seeing a sea turtle.
He offered his two cents that if we want to see one next time, we should choose an earlier snorkeling tour. During the morning (6 am to 9 am), the surface water is cooler, which is the temperature sea turtles prefer for swimming. Tourists who join a snorkeling tour have a better chance of seeing a sea turtle.
He also mentioned that the seawater is typically clearer in the early morning, which is the perfect time to watch the sardine run.
This happens because there is very little movement in the water from swimmers, snorkelers, or boats at that hour. Once the day gets going and tourist activity increases, the particles that settled on the seafloor get stirred back into the water, making it harder to see.
As for the best time of year to visit, our guide told us that the sardine run and the sea turtles are visible all year round.
Getting There
Considering the time of day you need to go snorkeling to see sea turtles and the sardine run clearly, choosing a strategic home base for your trip is important. It should be close to Panagsama Beach, which serves as the starting point for most snorkeling tours and diving activities.
You could also stay anywhere within Moalboal to ensure you can reach the shore early in the morning.
For the most convenient choice, I recommend booking accommodations in Barangay Basdiot instead of the Moalboal town center. That is what we did and we reached Panagsama Beach that day with a short walk from our homestay.
To get to Moalboal or your homestay in Barangay Basdiot from Cebu City, head to the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Look for a bus bound for Moalboal or Bato via Barili. Get off at the Moalboal town center, where you can hire a tricycle or a habalhabal to reach Barangay Basdiot.
All in all, the trip is approximately 90 kilometers and takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the traffic.
In our case, we hired a private van to get to Moalboal, so we did not have any trouble reaching our destination.
If you are traveling as a group, I strongly recommend this option, especially if you plan to visit other attractions in South Cebu like we did. It made getting around much more convenient and allowed us to maximize our time because we did not have to wait for a bus or negotiate fares with tricycle drivers.
Guides and Tours
As someone who didn’t have much time to spend, joining a tour was one of the best decisions we made during our entire trip.
After we finished breakfast, we just walked to Panagsama beach to meet our guide. Within a few exciting minutes, we were already on the boat heading toward Pescador Island for the first part of our snorkeling tour.
Everything was organized smoothly. Our boat, life vests, and snorkeling gear were ready so we felt like every moment of our time was well spent. Because of that, I plan to do the same thing when I go back for my second sardine run.
But if I have a longer trip like two or three days in Moalboal and a friend who knows how to swim well joins me, I might try shore entry snorkeling in addition to the boat tour. This would definitely be the case if I do not get to see a sea turtle during the tour.
How it works is that you simply swim out from Panagsama beach. The sardines are roughly 10 meters from the shore and hang around in the water at depths of 5 to 15 meters.
The mask, snorkel, fins or aqua shoes, and life vests are available from any of the dive shops and stalls along the waterfront. When renting gear, you need to leave a valid ID and a cash deposit as collateral. And before you go snorkeling, make sure to check the equipment for any cracks or tears so you won’t be charged for pre-existing damage.
Good to know: for shore entry snorkeling, you can see the sardines or sea turtles on your own. No guides are required.
But if you want my opinion, I would still hire a professional. They likely know the best locations for viewing the sardines and sea turtles. And besides, having a guide feels more reassuring; feel safe while in the water.
Remember to hire only official guides. The local government maintains a registry of snorkeling professionals who have undergone training in safety protocols and marine conservation. For official bookings and the latest rates, contact the Moalboal Tourism office.
You can check their website or social media page for the current contact information they use.
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tourismmoalboal
- Tourism Web Page: https://moalboalcebu.gov.ph/tourism/
- Contact Page: https://moalboalcebu.gov.ph/contact-us/
You may also book online for snorkeling at Panagsama beach to ensure you are hiring a registered guide.
If you are in Cebu for a quick two day trip and want to check out the sardines and sea turtles, it is totally doable. You can easily do a day trip to Moalboal from Cebu City.
The best part is that many tours cover other South Cebu attractions beyond Moalboal snorkeling. For instance, you can go canyoneering at Kawasan Falls, whale shark watching in Oslob, or visit Simala Parish Church.
Just DON’T forget to pick a group tour that departs around 4:00 AM or 5:00 AM so you can begin snorkeling by 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM while conditions are still ideal.
What to Bring
Once the tour is booked, your snorkeling adventure is set. The next step is preparing what to pack. Here is a quick checklist:
- Rash guard (optional)
- Personal snorkeling gear like a mask, snorkel, and fins (optional if you are joining a tour)
- Anti fog spray
- Action camera
- Dry bag
- Water bottle
- Towel
- Reef safe sunscreen (important)
For the actual underwater sightseeing experience, I cannot emphasize enough how much you might need anti fog spray.
During our trip, my goggles fogged several times, forcing me to lift my head and rinse them out. I could have stayed underwater the entire time to witness the beauty and spectacle, but the fogging prevented that.
It felt like an ad popping up in the middle of a great YouTube video.
When it comes to an action camera, you can rent one if you do not have one or if you forget to bring yours. Most dive shops and tour operators let you rent a camera, which is what we did during our trip. Usually, the rental includes an SD card so you do not have to provide one.
Just REMEMBER, before you take the camera from the shop, check that it is working and actually recording. You would not want to use the camera while snorkeling only to realize later that it did not record your adventure at all.
For Your Safety
During our four hour snorkeling trip, we felt completely safe throughout the entire experience. As you may already know, our tour was seamless and enjoyable from the moment we started until we returned to shore.
Yes, the water is generally safe, though you should remain aware of your environment because stray jellyfish can occasionally appear. Our guide mentioned that the local government provides updates if there are any sightings in the area.
When it comes to sharks, I recommend avoiding movies like Jaws before your trip. Most of the sharks in Cebu are viewed as a highlight of the experience rather than a danger.
Our guide mentioned that reef sharks and barracudas frequently swim around Pescador Island. Within our hour of snorkeling there, we unfortunately missed seeing any.
Lastly, while snorkeling is typically safe, you may want to get travel insurance to ensure complete peace of mind for all your adventures in Cebu. Remember to list the adventurous activities from your itinerary when you request a quotation.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, here are the main tips I want to share.
- There are sightings of the sardine run and sea turtles all year, so you can visit any month, though you should consider how weather patterns and tourist crowds might affect your experience across South Cebu.
- Snorkel early in the morning or choose the earliest tour departure to increase your chances of seeing turtles up close and enjoying better underwater visibility for the sardine run.
- Stay in a place within walking distance of the beach so you can quickly start your snorkeling activity.
- Your packing list should include a rash guard, snorkeling gear, anti fog spray, an action camera, a dry bag, a tumbler, a towel, and reef safe sunscreen.
- Book your snorkeling tour online to ensure you work with accredited guides and tour operators.
- If you are coming from Cebu City, you can maximize your day by joining group tours that combine Moalboal snorkeling with Kawasan Falls canyoneering or Oslob whale shark watching.
That’s all! I truly hope your snorkeling tour becomes an unforgettable experience. Have fun!
Planning to Visit Cebu?
I am here to help you plan your journey and ensure you have an incredible time. You should check out my travel maps, planning tools, itineraries and tips, which are all derived from my own adventures in Cebu.
Click the maps below to view or download them:
Cebu City
South Cebu
Central Visayas
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From this page, you can also book the top 3 unmissable activities in Cebu. You can find alternative experiences in Oslob, Badian, Sibonga, Moalboal, Bantayan, and Malapascua as well.
Of course, if you’re visiting Cebu City, I also have tips for you. And if you want to go beyond Cebu, you can discover nearby destinations like Bohol, Siquijor, and Dumaguete.
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