Exploring Philippines: Moalboal, Cebu's divers paradise

Greetings Steemit! Blogging my trip to Moalboal, in the island of Cebu, here in the Philippines. Moalboal is a pristine diving paradise located south of the island of Cebu. Getting there takes a two hour bus ride from the Cebu City Bus Terminal which costs around 110php – 120php (roughly $2.00- $3.00) depending if you ride the air conditioned bus or not. Another option is to go by Vhire(a public van service), you can ride from Colon which costs around 100php($2.00).

We opted to travel at night after we finished our day jobs and spend the night in Moalboal so we can get an early start for the next day. We booked beds at Nicco’s Place at 400 php ($8.00) per head. Nicco runs a hostel, as a freediver himself he is a great guide along with his companions who make sure your trip goes smoothly. You can contact Nicco's Place on their facebook page or through the number below.

(Nicco's Place contact No: 09985305434)

Moalboal is huge and full of wonder for this trip we decided to go to the top three diving spots that this beautiful place has got to offer, Sardine Run, Pescador Island and Turtle Bay. With this in mind renting a boat is essential. Nicco’s place can get you a boat for 2,500.00php($50.00) good for 6-8 people. We got on our boat and started out the adventure!

Our first stop was Sardine run located In Panagsama beach. As the name suggests this is the perfect place to come swim with not only fish but hundreds and probably thousands of sardines. Diving down and seeing the sardines move like one big cloud was literally breath-taking. Even near the surface non-divers are able to enjoy swimming with the sardines. If you want to visit without going through the whole Island hopping experience you can directly visit with a 10-20min tricycle ride from where the bus drop-off is.

(A view from below as sardines swim around the boat)

(Diving with thousands of sardines)

After spending a lot of time with the sardines we got back on our boat and headed to Pescador Island. The island is home to vibrant corals and colourful fish. You don’t even need to be a deep diver to fully experience the beauty this reef has to offer. You can even feed the fish some bread as you swim with them.

(Vibrant blue fish)

(Fish feeding)

Last stop for this adventure was turtle bay, home to some of Moalboal’s gentle creatures. You can dive with not only one but up to three turtles if you’re lucky. Aside from the magnificent turtles, this spot is a true diver’s paradise as the deep blue just calls you to go deeper and deeper to just try and get a glimpse of the sea floor.

(Visiting the locals)

(Deeper and Deeper)

(Dive Buddies)

Ofcourse there is way more to see in Moalboal than we did on this trip, you can also check out Basdaku which is white sandy beaches for miles on end. Or go canyoneering in Badian it’s a 1 hour tricycle ride from Moalboal and Nicco’s place can even provide guides to improve your experience.

THE BUDGET:
•Transport(Back and forth):120×2=240php($5.00)
•Nicco's Place: 400php($8.00)
•Boat *among 5 friends: 2500/5: 500php($10.00)
•Food: 300php($6.00)
Total: 1,440php($29.00)

TRAVEL TIPS:
First, since its an island hopping adventure bring a few friends so the boat wont cost as much. Secondly, Moalboal has a market, McDonalds, 7/11 and other stalls to find food in so you wont have to bring food from the city. Third, do not visit during holiday season as the bus terminal will be full of people going home to the provinces and it would take you hours 'til you get on the bus. Fourth, even non-divers will br able to enjoy the trip!

Cebu beyond the city is an island full of beautiful spots, iconic beaches, mountain tops and breath-taking sunsets I can’t even begin to describe. Most of these treasures are merely an hour or two away from the city may it be Moalboal, Badian, Oslob, the Camotes Islands, or Bantayan Island. It's called “The Philippines’ Queen City of the South” for a reason. I haven’t visited all of these gems yet, but I plan to. I hope you stick around to explore the rest of Cebu with me.

‘Til the next adventure! Thank you for reading Steemit!