Moalboal, Cebu

A short distance from the city, Moalboal is at the heart of marine biodiversity in the Philippines and its healthy reefs and steep walls support schools of snappers, jacks, barracudas, sardines, reef sharks, tuna, turtles, passing thresher sharks, and the well-known sardine run. Its top draw for divers is Pescador Island, an islet located at the Tañon Strait. Among the incredible species lurking around the island are frogfish, and all kinds of tiny shrimp and crabs.

Reaching a depth of more than 600 metres, the marine sanctuary is famous for its abundance of sardines, which surround divers in schools of more than 1,000 strong. The diversity and mass of reef fish is a surreal and breathtaking experience that even the most jaded divers will find rewarding. A Moalboal tour is a must-add to your Cebu bucket list. Other well-known spots include the Airplane Wreck, a purposely sunken Cessna two-passenger plane that divers will find interesting to explore; and Sunken Island, an underwater pinnacle about 25 metres below the surface where you can spot schools of big pelagics, sharks and manta rays.

Getting here Moalboal is three hours away from Cebu City by public bus. Ceres and Librando buses going to Moalboal are found in the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Meanwhile, vans that transit between Cebu City and Moalboal are stationed in Cebu South V-hire Terminal in Junquera Street near the University of San Carlos. A van will get you to Moalboal about half an hour quicker. Another option is taking a taxi, which takes only two hours but costs considerably more