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SCUBA DIVING MOALBOAL
Destinations:Cebu: Moalboal
 

In a country like the Philippines where typhoons and monsoons are accepted realities, can you imagine a place where you can scuba dive year-round? 

Over the last decade, Panagsama beach, more popularly known as Moalboal, which is the small town to which it belongs, has become the favorite haunt of serious scuba divers. Just 2 and a half hours drive over paved roads from Cebu City takes you to Moalboal town proper, home to approximately 15,000 cebuanos, mostly farmers and fishermen. A brief, bumpy ride over a dusty dirt road brings you to Panagsama Beach (population: approximately 320 households or 2,500 people), which one easily notices as being a spot designed primarily for the diving tourists. The ambience is laid-back and friendly. Strikingly absent are the hawkers and hustlers ussually pushing their wares and services in most tourist towns. Even the t-shirt peddlers are somehow less aggressive than their counterparts in Boracay, for instance. The children are more interested in their hand-made tops, which they expertly spin and aggressively hit against each other's, than in the latest tourist arrival.
 
 

RECOMMENDED DIVE SITES

PESCADOR ISLAND
Directly across from Panagsama Beach and about 20 minutes banca(outrigger) ride away, offers some of the finest diving to be had in Moalboal. Even the uninhabited island itself guarantees and incredibly wide variety of marine life to view. Whale sharks have been spotted in open waters south of the island, and one is almost certain to see anywhere from 20 to 30 hammerhead sharks around the northeast edge of the reefat around 33 to 40 meters(10 to 120 feet). It was here at Pescador that the 500 millimeter long Spanish Dancer [Hexabrancha nudibranch] was captured on film by photographer Bob Yin. Divers can traverse the series of apertures of the Pescador Cathedral, an undersea formation resembling a giant funnel which drops to 115 feet. The Lionfish Cave on the northern edge of the reef was so named as it is the best place to spot lionfish and scorpionfish. Jacks and pelagic fsh as well as schools of sweetlips abound all around the reef. 
 
 
BAS DIOT AND SA-AVEDRA
These dive sites are recommended for their good coral coverage and a wide variety of large fish. Particular points of interest in Bas Diot include underwater caves at around 24 to 30 meters (80 to 100 feet) and sea snakes. Sa-avedra, on the other hand, features giant sea fans and gorgonians which dramatically jut out from the reef wall.
 
 
TAPANAN AND TONGO POINT
Tapanan, with its undersea cliffs and coral arches and Tongo Point are even better diving sites and the easiest to dive during amihan, the northeast monsoon from November to February, when the waters are slightly rough but comfortably cool and exceptionally clear. 
 
 

DIVE FACILITIES

Occupying prime locations around the square are several dive shops with signs advertising dive lessons from internationally certified instructors proficient in English, Japanese, German, and even Swedish; a number of Moalboal's locals were once tourists who have decided to stay. 
 
 

TRAVEL DETAILS

GETTING THERE
Getting to Moalboal is incredibly easy, with three flights a day from Manila to Mactan on Philippine Airlines. Taxis and cars can be hired at the airport for approximately US$100 to $120 round trip. One can also take the airconditioned bus - even more comfortable than a taxi - from the bus terminal for approximately US$2 one way to Moalboal town proper. From there, a 20-cent tricycle ride over a bumpy gravel and dust road will give you the right local flavor to start off your dive vacation. Peak diving months are November and December, although diving season is from November to May. In July and August, when most of the country endures the monsoon rains, visibility around Moalboal still averages 27 to 33 meters( 80 to 100 feet). The waters are calmest from April to June.
 
 
ACCOMODATION AND FOOD
Just a stone's throw away beyond the Moalboal Reef Club Resort, and lined up along the coast, are some 20 or more dive lodges and an international array of cuisines. Great seafood can be had at Sumisid Lodge which, along with Pacita's and Moalboal Reef Club, can claim to have started Moalboal's dive tourism industry. Hannah's Place serves German food and Cafe Europe has the best schnitzel in town. Most places will cook your fresh seafood any way you want it served; you can buy your seafood early in the morning directly from the fishermen. 
 
 

Dive Resorts

Moalboal resorts

Hannah's Place
Sumisid Lodge

Badian resort (luxury resort south of Moalboal)

Badian Island Beach Hotel

If you are interested in diving Moalboal or want more details, just send E-mail to us at Dive Buddies Philippines (inquiries@divephil.com). 

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