Diving & Snorkeling in the Philippines: Moalboal & Oslob - 7 Days

Highlights

• Marvel at the vibrant marine life off Pescador Island
• Witness the underwater spectacle of a sardine run in Moalboal
• Experience the thrill of swimming alongside Oslob's whale sharks 
• Take a day trip to explore the crystal-clear waters of Sumilon Island

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cebu City, Transfer to Moalboal

Welcome to Cebu Island in the Philippines! Your private driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Moalboal, which is known for its sandy beaches bordered by lush greenery and dive sites brimming with colorful marine life. Relax and enjoy the scenic three-hour drive.

Once settled into your hotel, explore Moalboal at your own pace. For a quiet and laid-back beach experience, head to Lambug Beach. Take a refreshing dip in the azure waters, then, with the House Reef just feet offshore, dive and snorkel among vibrant corals and fish species in their natural habitat. Follow up with a swim at the multi-tiered Kawasan Falls—just half an hour's drive away and famed for its turquoise water.

Day 2: Dive & Snorkel in Moalboal: Pescador Island

Kick off the first full day of your vacation with an exhilarating diving and snorkeling day trip to Pescador Island, Moalboal's premier dive site. This uninhabited gem, just a 15-minute boat ride from the coast, promises a world of underwater wonders. With bright-colored corals, crystal-clear waters, and various dive sites—from shallow to deep—Pescador Island is every diver's dream come true.

Gear up and plunge into the azure depths for a truly enchanting diving experience. Marvel at the beautiful soft corals and take in the vibrant colors of frogfish, pilot fish, nudibranchs, lionfish, snapper, and more. Swim with turtles, and if you're lucky, witness vast schools of sardines swimming together—an awe-inspiring spectacle that'll leave you breathless.

Day 3: Panagsama Dive, Sardine Run Encounter 

Another day of diving and snorkeling awaits, this time off Panagsama Beach, a slight stretch of sandy shore in Moalboal. Unlike other seasonal runs worldwide, what sets this place apart is the year-round spectacle of the "sardine run" right off the coast. The sardines are more active in the morning, so set out early.

Sardines aren't the only draw of this prime dive site—a bustling underwater paradise of clownfish, butterflyfish, starfish, green Chromis, and graceful sea turtles lies just 20 yards (18 m) from the shore, where the reef drops off and plunges to depths of over 20 feet (6 m). After a break for lunch, do some more exploring under the shade of boats and piers where the sardines like to shelter on sunny days. 

Day 4: Transfer to Oslob, Free Time to Explore

Join your driver this morning for a 2.5-hour transfer to Oslob, a charming coastal town at the southern tip of Cebu. World-renowned for its marine giants—including the whale sharks that gracefully roam its waters—Oslob has even more to offer away from its shores.

After checking into your hotel, set out to explore Oslob's treasures. Grab a habal habal (motorcycle taxi) and head for the awe-inspiring Tumalog Falls. Stand beneath its veil of cascading waters and bask in the cool of the tropical rainforest before making your way back to town. Then, enjoy a traditional Cebuano dish like cebu lechon (roast pork) or balbacua (stew) at a local restaurant.

Day 5: Dive & Snorkel with Whale Sharks in Oslob

Rise and shine for a full-day guided excursion just offshore in Oslob. Today, you'll have the rare opportunity to swim with the world's largest fish species—whale sharks. You'll leave your hotel around 7 am to begin an exhilarating diving and snorkeling trip in search of these gentle giants. Don't forget your camera; you'll want to capture this moment forever.

Following a detailed briefing on the do's and don'ts of interacting with the whale sharks (like no touching for their protection), gear up for an underwater experience like no other. Encounter the massive males reaching up to 30 feet (9 m) and even larger females stretching to 47 feet (14.5 m), gracefully gliding through the water, their enormous mouths occasionally wide open to feed. Pause for lunch, then plunge back in for more swimming before cruising back to Oslob.

Day 6: Dive & Snorkel in Oslob or Sumilon Island

Your day, your choice! Dive into an ocean of possibilities as you select today's privately-guided adventure. Want more underwater thrills with the gentle giants in Oslob? Hop on a boat to their watching area, where you can dive or snorkel beside these incredible whale sharks, capturing priceless memories of this protected species.

Alternatively, head to the pristine Sumilon Island, a 20-minute boat ride from Oslob. With its crystal-clear waters, powdery white beaches, and a kaleidoscope of marine life, this island marine sanctuary is a haven for underwater exploration and relaxed beachcombing. Swim at the white sandbar, kayak in a mangrove-framed lagoon, or dive and snorkel among vibrant corals and tropical fish. Lunch will be included before cruising back to Oslob to enjoy the final evening of your trip at leisure.

Day 7: Transfer to Cebu City, Depart 

This morning, take a moment to explore the intriguing history of Oslob's Spanish colonization at heritage sites like the Cuartel Ruins, the 18th-century watchtower of Baluarte, and the historic 19th-century Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. Then it's time to bid farewell! A private driver will transfer you from your hotel to the airport in Cebu City via a four-hour drive. Safe travels!

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