Cebu might not be at the top of the list when it comes to the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines, but this island absolutely shines in adventure and unique activities. Think of spectacular waterfalls that you can not only view but also climb through during exciting canyoning tours. Underwater, Cebu does not disappoint either: here you can snorkel among thousands of sardines that surround you like one giant cloud. The best place to stay in Cebu is the village of Moalboal, on the southwest coast of the island. It has a cozy atmosphere, plenty of great restaurants, and there is always something to do in the evenings. In this article, you’ll read about the highlights of Cebu, how to get there, and I’ll give you tips for the best restaurants to eat at. So, plenty of reasons to keep reading!
How to travel to Cebu (Moalboal)?
Most people travel from Port Barton or Siquijor to Cebu. Below you can read about how the journey exactly goes.
From Port Barton to Cebu (Moalboal)
Travel from Port Barton by minivan to Puerto Princesa Airport. This ride takes about three hours. From Puerto Princesa, there are several daily direct flights to Cebu City. If you book an afternoon flight, you won’t have to stay overnight in Puerto Princesa and can go straight from Port Barton to the airport.
After landing at Cebu Airport, you still have to travel 100 kilometers (62 miles) to Moalboal. You can take a taxi or public transport. The taxi is the most expensive but also the easiest option. Someone will be waiting for you at the airport, and then you’ll drive for 3 hours to Moalboal. You’ll be dropped off at your accommodation. You pay per taxi, so the more people you share the taxi with, the cheaper it is. Check taxi prices.
A cheaper option is to travel by public transport. It will take you about 5 to 6 hours, and you will have to transfer a few times. Take a taxi from the airport to the South Bus Terminal in Cebu. From there, take the Ceres Liner bus with the sign “Bato via Barili.” This bus leaves about every half hour and stops in Moalboal. Once at the Moalboal bus station, you can take a tricycle to your accommodation.
From Siquijor to Cebu (Moalboal)
Step 1: Take the ferry from Siquijor to Dumaguete. The duration of the trip varies from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on which boat you choose. You can buy tickets on-site, but if you want to make sure you get a good boat, it’s best to book in advance. View all ferries from Siquijor to Dumaguete.
Step 2: Upon arrival, take a taxi to Sibulan Seaport. This is a 15-minute ride.
Step 3: Take the ferry to Liloan Port. The boat departs every hour/half hour, and you can buy tickets on-site.
Step 4: At Liloan Port, shared minivans are waiting to take you to Moalboal in 2 hours.
Tip: Take a travel pill in advance if you are prone to seasickness.
Things to Do in Cebu
There are many fun things to do in Cebu. Here are the 10 best tips!
Tip: The attractions in Cebu are quite spread out. To visit them, it’s best to rent a scooter. Loy’s Motorbike Rental is a good rental company in Moalboal. If you don’t want or can’t drive a scooter, take a day trip with a driver.
Visit the beautiful Kawasan Falls
When you arrive at Kawasan Falls, you’ll immediately understand why this is one of the most beautiful and popular places in Cebu. The crystal-clear water, sourced from natural mountain springs, turns turquoise due to the minerals and reflections of the limestone. At the bottom of the waterfall, you’ll find a beautiful pool with water that immediately invites you to jump in. Although this lower level is stunning, the true beauty of Kawasan Falls is hidden in the higher levels. However, you can only reach these by taking an adventurous canyoning tour. In the next section, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about this exciting activity.
Good to know: It’s 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from Moalboal to Kawasan Falls. From the main road, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the base of the waterfall. During the walk, keep an eye out, as you might see clusters of bats hanging in the trees and colorful butterflies fluttering around you.
Must-Do in Cebu: Canyoning at Kawasan Falls
Want to experience Kawasan Falls in all its glory? Then join the Kawasan Canyoning tour! You’ll start at the top of the waterfall, a place that can only be reached through the tour. With a guide, you’ll follow an adventurous route down the waterfall. You’ll walk over rocky steps, and you’ll walk, float, or swim through the river. You can make it even more challenging by jumping into the river from cliffs or sliding down natural slides. Feeling a bit scared of heights? Don’t worry, all jumps are optional, so there is always an alternative path. With the canyoning tour, you’ll explore all the levels of the waterfall and end with a refreshing dive into the lower pool.
Tip: This is the most popular activity in Cebu, so it can get very busy. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to book the first time slot. Pickup from Moalboal is included in the price.
Discover the lesser-known sister – Inambakan Falls
Inambakan Falls is a hidden gem in the south of Cebu. Like Kawasan Falls, this waterfall consists of multiple layers, but they are a bit more pristine and less crowded here. The lower level is especially impressive. From several streams, the water cascades down from a height of 30 meters (98 feet) into a clear turquoise basin. This is the perfect place for a refreshing swim, while enjoying the lush nature around you.
It’s about a 2-hour drive from Moalboal to Inambakan Falls. Due to this distance, it’s much quieter than other popular waterfalls like Kawasan Falls. From the parking lot, it’s only a short walk to the base of the waterfall.
Snorkel with sardines and turtles in Moalboal
Snorkeling among thousands of sardines is an experience you absolutely shouldn’t miss when you’re in Moalboal. This incredible phenomenon, known as the sardine run, can only be experienced in a few places around the world, and Moalboal is one of them. As soon as you step into the water with your snorkel, you’ll be amazed by the breathtaking sight. Huge schools of sardines appear under and around you, moving in perfect synchrony, constantly changing shapes, as if they’re one organism. The massive sardine schools also attract bigger fish, and with a bit of luck, you might even encounter turtles.
The sardines are available every day of the year near Panagsama Beach, the central beach in Moalboal. Right next to Veranda Kitchen & Bar, there’s a small office where every snorkeler must pay a small environmental fee before entering the sea. The great thing is you don’t need a boat or tour because the sardines swim right along the coastline. All you need is a snorkel set, perhaps fins, and of course, an underwater camera to capture this unique experience. These items can be rented at several spots along the beach. Go early in the morning (from 7:00 AM) or later in the afternoon for the calmest water and the best chance to see the most fish. If you have trouble finding the sardines, feel free to ask locals on the beach where to swim.
Tip: Want to swim even deeper among the sardines? Consider bringing a guide who can teach you freediving techniques and give you longer fins. This way, you’ll get even closer and experience the sardine run at its best! You can arrange these guides on-site.
Hike to Osmeña Peak & Lugsangan Peak (Casino Peak)
Feeling like a nice short hike with a spectacular view as a reward? Put on your hiking shoes, drive to the starting point, and hike up to the top of Osmeña Peak. At 1,013 meters (3,323 feet), this is the highest point of Cebu. From the top, enjoy a breathtaking panorama: unique, cone-shaped hills that resemble the famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol, but a bit more rugged, dramatic, and with significantly fewer tourists. The hike up takes about 20 minutes along a rocky path, which is doable even for beginner hikers.
Want an extra challenge and to see even more of this beautiful area? Combine Osmeña Peak with nearby Lugsangan Peak, also known as Casino Peak. First, hike back down and head to the starting point for Lugsangan Peak a little further along. The climb to this peak is shorter, about 10 to 20 minutes, but steeper. Since the viewpoint is a bit lower, it attracts fewer people, but the view is just as stunning!
Good to know: When traveling from Moalboal to Osmeña Peak, Google Maps will default to the shortest route, but this goes through the inland with many steep and poor roads, which isn’t comfortable to ride on a scooter. Therefore, it’s recommended to take this route, which first follows the coast from Moalboal and then goes inland through Alegria towards Osmeña Peak. This route is fully paved, less steep, and better passable. Keep in mind that there are some sharp turns, so some experience with scooter riding is helpful. Stop by Cambais Falls along the way, which lies right along this route. The total travel time from Moalboal is about 2 to 2.5 hours one way, so plan accordingly for your return trip.
Swim in the turquoise pool of Cambais Falls
Cambais Falls is a beautiful waterfall located on the route from Moalboal to Osmeña Peak. Therefore, they are perfect to combine! After a short walk, you’ll quickly reach the crystal-clear water of the lower pool, where you can swim. Cambais Falls consists of several layers, some of which can be reached via bamboo ladders and adventurous paths. Cambais Falls is still rarely visited and is located in a beautiful piece of jungle.
About a 15-minute drive from Cambais Falls is another impressive waterfall, called Montpellier Falls. From a great height, the water crashes down onto a large rock and splashes into a turquoise basin. Since Montpellier Falls is still relatively unknown, it’s likely that you’ll have this beautiful place all to yourself.
The hike to Montpellier Falls begins at this point. From here, follow the narrow path down, which runs mostly parallel to a pipeline. Along the way, you’ll walk through nature and pass a few small houses. The hike to the waterfall takes about 20 minutes. The trail is not yet marked in Google Maps or the Maps.me app. Therefore, it can sometimes be hard to find, but the locals are happy to help guide you. The last part of the walk requires extra caution due to loose and possibly falling stones.
Diving in Cebu
Cebu is an excellent destination for diving. Besides being able to admire the famous sardine run from an entirely different perspective than during snorkeling, you’ll also find stunning coral reefs full of underwater life. Pescador Island is a popular dive spot due to its impressive steep walls, colorful corals, turtles, and large schools of barracuda. Alongside Panagsama Beach – the main beach in Moalboal – is a street with many dive shops. Savedra Dive Center is a well-regarded dive school.
Relax and swim at White Beach
The beaches of Cebu may not be the most beautiful in the Philippines, but they are perfect for a relaxing afternoon. Panagsama Beach is right by Moalboal, and although you can snorkel beautifully here, it’s not the best beach to just relax. Luckily, a few kilometers (miles) further down, you’ll find the peaceful White Beach. This is a 3-kilometer (1.9 miles) long beach with powder-white sand, plenty of space to lay down your towel, and great swimming. Stay until sunset, as they’re often breathtaking from this beach. You’ll find a few small restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish. To get to White Beach, navigate to this point where you can park your scooter. Don’t want to drive? You can also take a tricycle.
DO NOT do in Cebu: Swimming with whale sharks
One of the most popular activities in Cebu is swimming with whale sharks. You have a 100% chance of seeing them all year round, as they are fed. This causes them to lose their natural migration patterns and become dependent on humans. This disrupts the ecosystem and has very harmful consequences for the population in the long term. Moreover, the activity is extremely crowded: every day, hundreds of boats go out into the sea, which causes stress for the whale sharks. To protect the welfare of these special animals, we strongly advise against swimming with whale sharks in Cebu.
Tips for great restaurants in Moalboal
- Ven’z Kitchen – Authentic Filipino dishes with surprisingly many vegan and vegetarian options. Don’t forget to try their famous mango float dessert!
- Hungry Monkeys Moalboal – For lovers of Asian food, with delicious dishes like Pad Thai and spring rolls.
- Smooth Cafe Moalboal – Healthy and creative food with a mix of Eastern and Western flavors, with many vegan and vegetarian options.
- The Three Bears – Craving a juicy burger? They serve the best in Moalboal.
- El Mercado de Moalboal – This is a cozy indoor food market with various stalls, ideal for trying different cuisines and snacks.
- Bawud Cafe – The place for a hearty breakfast with variations of avocado toast and freshly baked bagels.
- Lovegan Cafe – 100% vegan restaurant with colorful, nutritious dishes.
- Chief Mau – In this hostel, you can not only enjoy delicious food but also join fun activities like beer pong.
- Shaka – The go-to spot for fresh smoothie bowls, good coffee, and other healthy breakfast options.
Where to Stay in Cebu?
It’s good to know that the village of Moalboal is the best base for exploring Cebu. Once a small fishing village, Moalboal is still quite small but now attracts travelers from all over the world. The atmosphere is wonderfully laid-back, with many cozy restaurants and great accommodations. Below you can read about our three favorite places to stay in Moalboal.
Our Favorite Spots in Moalboal
One of the most beautiful hotels in Moalboal is Tongo Hill Cottages. Here you stay in a cozy bamboo bungalow with an outdoor bathroom. The bungalows are set in a green garden, in a peaceful location, yet only about a 5-minute drive from the center of Moalboal. The staff creates a nice atmosphere, and fun activities are organized, such as movie nights. If you prefer a hostel, Chief Mau Moalboal Cebu is perfect! This social hostel is located on the main street of Moalboal and is a good choice if you’re looking for sociability. There’s a large common area with a pool table, and fun live music nights are regularly organized. The private rooms are comfortable, and the dorm beds offer plenty of privacy. Lastly, we want to recommend the beautiful hotel Secret Paradise Moalboal for those looking for more luxury. You stay in a lovely spacious room, but the real highlight of this hotel is the pool. It’s the ultimate relaxation spot with a shallow area and many lounge chairs. The restaurant also serves delicious food.
  Tongo Hill Cottage |
  Chief Mau Moalboal Cebu |
 Secret Paradise Moalboal |
