Moalboal Sardine Run in Cebu and Bohol

Part of the Cebu and Bohol travel guide — see every topic in All Cebu and Bohol Guides.

Moalboal is a small town on the southwest coast of Cebu. It is famous for one thing above all: a huge school of sardines that lives close to shore all year. You can swim with millions of fish just a few metres from the beach. Sea turtles are also common. This guide explains how to see the sardines, where to stay and what to do nearby.

The sardine run

Off Panagsama Beach, the reef drops into deep water a short swim from the shore. A very large school of sardines lives along this wall. The fish move together like one living cloud. They turn and change shape when larger fish come close to hunt. Snorkellers can see the school from the surface, and divers can swim right into it. The sardines are usually there all year, although their exact spot moves a little. Local guides know where to find them each day. Morning is often calm and clear, before the wind picks up.

Snorkelling and diving

You do not need to be a diver to see the sardines. Many people rent a mask, snorkel and fins and swim out from the beach with a guide. Wear a life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer, because the water gets deep quickly. Divers can book trips with the many dive shops along Panagsama Beach. Pescador Island, a short boat ride away, is a popular site with walls, caves and colourful coral. Use reef-safe sun cream or a rash guard, and never touch coral, turtles or other sea life.

Sea turtles

Green sea turtles feed on the seagrass and reef near Moalboal. They are often seen in shallow water near the shore, especially in the morning. Many snorkelling tours combine the sardine run with a turtle spot. Keep a few metres away from the turtles. Do not chase them, block their way to the surface or try to ride them. Turtles need to come up to breathe, and stress can drive them away from their feeding areas. If you stay calm and still, turtles often swim close by on their own.

Kawasan Falls and canyoneering

Kawasan Falls is in Badian, the town just south of Moalboal. The water is a bright blue-green colour and falls into cool pools in the forest. Many visitors try canyoneering here. This means walking, swimming and jumping down a river canyon toward the falls with a guide, a helmet and a life jacket. Jumps can usually be skipped if you prefer. Choose a registered guide group. The river can rise fast after heavy rain, so tours may close in bad weather. Go early in the day to avoid the biggest crowds.

Getting there and staying

Buses to Moalboal leave from the Cebu South Bus Terminal in Cebu City. The trip takes about three hours, depending on traffic. A private car is faster but costs more. Get off at Moalboal town and take a tricycle to Panagsama Beach, where most guesthouses, dive shops and cafes are. White Beach, also called Basdaku, is a few kilometres north and has softer sand for swimming. Moalboal is a relaxed place with simple rooms and small resorts. Two or three nights is enough to see the sardines, turtles and the falls.

Moalboal Sardine Run at a glance

Getting there	About three hours by bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal
Hours	Sardines can be seen in daylight; mornings are often calmest
Cost	Snorkel gear rental is cheap; guided tours and dives cost more
Best time	All year; roughly December to May has calmer, drier weather
Bring	Reef-safe sun cream, rash guard and water shoes