Guide to Moalboal Beaches: White Beach & Panagsama Beach

Moalboal is the home to many of Cebu’s most popular nature activities. Hundreds come to visit every month just to see its beautiful diving sites and white sand beaches. Your exploration of Cebu would not be complete without experiencing Moalboal!

Moalboal White Panagsama Beach — *Photo credits to @frenchvoyageur on Instagram*

Whether you’re looking to bum on the beach or learn how to dive, Moalboal’s beaches have both in store for you. Keep on reading for more information about White Beach and Panagsama Beach.

Table of Contents

1 How to Get from Cebu to Moalboal
- 1.1 Via Car
- 1.2 Via South Bus Terminal Cebu Public Bus
2 White Beach Moalboal
- 2.1 What to Expect at White Beach Moalboal
3 Panagsama Beach
- 3.1 What to Expect at Panagsama Beach
4 Where to Stay in Moalboal, Cebu
5 Related Destinations

How to Get from Cebu to Moalboal

From Cebu City, you have two options to get to Moalboal. Travel time is roughly 2-3 hours.

Via Car

For private transfers, you can hire a car or taxi for about 3,000-4,000 PHP. It’s going to cost you more, but it will be faster since there are no stopovers or waiting for other passengers. Plus, you’ll be shuttled directly from Cebu to your Moalboal accommodation. Arrange for yours here.

Via South Bus Terminal Cebu Public Bus

If you’re in no rush, you can catch a bus to Moalboal at Cebu City’s South Bus Terminal. Trips are frequent, with a bus departing every 30 minutes. Ride the Ceres bus for 110 PHP per way. Once in Moalboal, take a tricycle to your destination.

White Beach Moalboal

The first of Moalboal’s most popular beaches is White Beach. It’s also known as Basdaku Beach, which literally means “big sand”. The name is very fitting because of its wide seashores—there’s enough space for everyone!

The fine sand and crystal waters of White Beach Moalboal make it a go-to spot for both local and foreign tourists. Its location is convenient too; White Beach is only a 16-minute drive from Panagsama Beach.

What to Expect at White Beach Moalboal

Upon arrival, a minimal entrance fee of 10-20 PHP will be charged per person. Kayaks, volleyballs, snorkeling gears, and boats are available for rent. Snacks and refreshments are also being sold in the area. If the heat becomes too much, you can rent a tent or a cottage for some shade.

After all the fun in the sun, don’t leave White Beach without experiencing its breathtaking sunset. Have a beer while watching the sky’s changing colors. Some travelers even extend their stay all the way until evening to stargaze.

Panagsama Beach

Despite its name, Panagsama Beach is not really a beach. It doesn’t have much of a shoreline or sand where you can lay. Shallow parts of the water are covered in rocks and coral so it’s not great for swimming either. So if you’re looking for a sandy beach to play on, you’re better off at White Beach Moalboal.

The charm of Panagsama Beach lies not in having powdery white sand, but in its robust underwater world. Populated by dive schools and resorts, Panagsama Beach is the prime location in Moalboal for diving.

What to Expect at Panagsama Beach

The main attraction at Panagsama Beach is the infamous sardine run. Freedivers, snorkelers, and scuba divers alike can come and swim with the large schools of fish. You can find them there almost all year round. Keep an eye out too for the house reefs and walls near the coastline.

Panagsama Beach is also the jump-off point for exploring Pescador Island. Take a 10-minute boat ride with the divers and you’ll surely see some astounding sea life at Pescador Island. Some common sightings include turtles, frogfish, seahorses, shrimps, and crabs.

Moalboal’s two iconic beaches each provide something unique to look forward to. For beachgoers, White Beach is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and overall relaxing under the sun. For divers and marine life enthusiasts, Panagsama Beach will never run out of colorful corals and sea critters.