Many divers who visit Malapascua take the opportunity to extend their trip and explore Moalboal. Just a few hours away, this destination offers easy yet unforgettable dives, perfect for all levels. However, what makes Moalboal a must for diving in the Philippines is its famous sardine run — millions of sardines forming dense shoals that create an incredible underwater spectacle.
Beyond this phenomenon, Moalboal offers crystal-clear waters, abundant marine life, and more than 30 internationally recognized dive sites.
In this article, you’ll discover what makes this destination special, the marine life you can encounter, and the best dive spots to make the most of your visit.
Why Dive in Moalboal
Located on the southwest coast of Cebu Island, Moalboal is one of the best diving destinations in the Visayas. Surrounded almost entirely by sea and boasting excellent visibility, it offers ideal conditions for exploring coral-rich waters. Its strategic location allows you to combine the visit with other nearby dive destinations, such as Malapascua, making it a common stop for experienced and adventurous divers alike.
But beyond its accessibility and beauty, Moalboal stands out for its marine biodiversity, its variety of dive sites, and above all, for the sardine run phenomenon. Millions of sardines gather in dense formations, creating a unique visual spectacle that attracts divers from around the world.
Marine Life and Coral Reefs
Moalboal is a true marine biodiversity haven. Its reefs host a wide variety of corals — from hard corals to sponges and gorgonians — creating colorful underwater landscapes.
Among its most emblematic residents are green and hawksbill turtles, mandarin fish, batfish, and a wide range of tropical species.
Beyond the colorful reefs, Moalboal’s waters are home to spectacular sardine shoals, reef sharks, eagle rays, and numerous pelagic species that make every dive unique. The seabed offers a living mosaic of fauna and flora that captivates every diver.
Best Dive Sites
Sardine Run (Pescador Island)
The main attraction of Moalboal — a spectacular natural phenomenon where millions of sardines gather in massive schools, creating mesmerizing shapes beneath the surface.
This dive site also offers encounters with turtles, barracudas, and tunas. To the west lies “The Cathedral,” a fascinating underwater light show that is a must for any diver.
Golden Dreams
An ideal dive for admiring a beautiful coral wall. At depths between 13 and 35 meters, you’ll find vertical canyons, small caves, and species like batfish, triggerfish, mandarin fish, and turtles. Leather corals and elephant ear sponges add color and texture to this dreamy site.
Plan Your Dive Trip with Te Moana Expeditions
At Te Moana Expeditions, we design diving trips crafted to deliver unique experiences. Moalboal is a must-stop on our Asian itineraries, especially for those seeking easy dives, marine diversity, and unforgettable encounters such as the sardine run.
Our trips include guided dives led by highly experienced instructors with deep knowledge of the local species and ecosystems — ensuring each dive is safe, enriching, and sustainable.
Explore more of our experiences in Asia and discover other diving destinations that will transform the way you experience the ocean.
