Cebu is a paradise in the Philippines that is known for its highly urbanized city and buzzing nightlife. However, on the north and south ends of the city are beaches that will take anyone’s breath away.
Scuba diving in Cebu is outstanding because many diving destinations are accessible mostly by bus and boat. Scroll down below to know more about these locations and how to get to them!
Oslob
Scuba diving in Cebu with whale sharks is possible in Tan-awan, Oslob. These gigantic creatures, spanning up to 32 feet (12 meters), can be seen in the clear waters of Oslob. Even from above the surface, tourists can already see them moving deep in the water thanks to their shadows.
Despite their huge size, there’s no need to fear them. They happily exist in their natural habitat and are not too surprised to see humans. Once one experiences scuba diving in Cebu with whale sharks, it’s hard not to keep coming back. After all, there are not many other places in the world that offer this opportunity for an inexpensive cost, and there are many other activities accessible from Cebu, too.
How to go to Oslob from Cebu?
First, drive or ride a taxi to the South Bus Terminal.
Once you arrive, line up at the counter and tell them you want to go to Oslob. The ticket cost should be PHP 140 to PHP 170, which is less than 3 US Dollars.
After paying, they will give you a ticket that contains a QR code and the door number for where you should wait. Sit down on the seats near your door and ask the staff what time your bus will arrive.
When your bus arrives, get up and show the staff your ticket. Then, they’ll place you at your appropriate spot in the line. After you get on the bus, get comfortable and prepare for around a 3 to 4-hour bus ride (depending on the traffic).
If you are not familiar with the area, ask the busmen to tell you when you’ve arrived in Oslob. Don’t be shy; they will be happy to help!
Once you get there
To commute, tourists typically go by motorcycle. You can approach a motorcycle driver and try to haggle for prices not below or exceeding the PHP 80 to PHP 150 range. If it’s peak hours, they might ask for higher.
Moalboal
Moalboal is a destination in the southwest of Cebu, where wonders like Panagsama Beach (locally known as Basdiot) and White Beach (locally known as Basdaku) exist for locals and tourists to enjoy. It doesn’t take too long to get there and the clear blue waters are gorgeous!
Tourists go to Moalboal for two main experiences: snorkeling with turtles and scuba diving with sardines for the Sardine Run. Additionally, local tours offer island hopping so that people can see the nearby islands, which are just as breathtaking.
Now, let’s talk about difficulty levels. Snorkeling to swim beside turtles is much more beginner-friendly as you’re closer to the shore; therefore, it doesn’t require much swimming expertise. However, Scuba diving in Cebu for the Sardine Run requires one to be a little more familiar with swimming and diving. Scuba diving requires boats to go to deeper parts of the ocean, which a beginner would struggle to navigate initially.
How do you go to Moalboal from Cebu?
First, drive or ride a taxi to the South Bus Terminal.
Once you arrive, line up at the counter and tell them you want to go to Moalboal. The ticket cost should be PHP 209.00, which is roughly 4 US Dollars.
After paying, they will give you your ticket, which contains a QR code that the staff will scan before you are allowed onto the bus. Before you can get on, however, you need to wait for your bus to come in the appropriate “Door.” For details about this, you can see which Door you have to be at by looking at your ticket.
Sit down on the seats near your door and ask the staff what time your bus will arrive.
When your bus arrives, get up and show the staff your ticket. After, they’ll place you at your appropriate spot in the line. They do this because people who purchase their tickets earlier get to be placed further up in the line.
After you get on the bus, get comfortable and prepare for around a 3-hour bus ride. Stay attentive and remember: Don’t hesitate to communicate with the busmen to not get lost or miss your stop!
Once you get there
Visitors are advised to exit the bus at one of two stops: either at Gaisano Grand Mall or Jollibee Moalboal, whichever is closest to their accommodation. Upon leaving the bus, approach motorcycle drivers or “sikad” drivers who will take you to your hotel. Try your best to haggle the prices down to PHP 100 or 150 per person before you get on the ride.
Pescador Island
This gorgeous island is one of the islands tourists can visit from Moalboal. It is another hotspot where tourists can see sea turtles and coral gardens surrounded by fish and nudibranchs.
In this island, scuba divers in Cebu can explore natural underwater caves and tunnels to swim through. Fun!
How to go to Pescador Island from Moalboal?
After arriving in Moalboal, make your way to Panagsama Beach where boats are docked. Normally, they offer island hopping packages that’ll cost you up to PHP 2,500 which is roughly 43 US Dollars.
Malapascua Island
A lot of tourists make the journey to Malapascua Island for the main attraction: the thresher sharks. These meek sharks like to come out near Monad Shoal in the early mornings. Despite the exhaustion from the travel or previous day’s activities, scuba diving enthusiasts and tourists wake up early to not miss out on thresher shark sightings.
Don’t worry; humans are not part of their daily menu! The guides tell you to keep your distance from them because thresher sharks are shy and could run away if you get too close. Just observe them from afar.
If divers don’t go to Malapascua for the thresher sharks, their reasons for going could be its vibrant coral gardens, stunning fish that live in the reefs, and, of course, its stunning beaches.
How to go to Malapascua Island from Cebu?
First, drive or ride a taxi to the North Bus Terminal near SM City Mall.
Second, upon arriving at the terminal, choose between a bus or a van. If you have lots of luggage, it will be more convenient for you to take the bus. This is because your items can be stored in overhead bins or the bus’s lower compartment. Just don’t forget to retrieve them upon leaving the bus! On the other hand, if you just have a backpack or two, choose the van.
Thirdly, pay. The ticket for a non-air-conditioned bus will be PHP 170 per head, while an air-conditioned bus will be PHP 220. That’s 3 US Dollars and 4 US Dollars, respectively. On the other hand, riding the van will cost you PHP 350 which equates to around 6 US Dollars.
Finally, once you get to Maya Port, ride a boat that will take you to Malapascua Island. It’ll be an hour-long boat ride that will cost every passenger around PHP 100 to PHP 120. However, if you want to rent a private boat, you will need to be able to pay PHP 1,500 to PHP 2,000.
Once you get there
After arriving, tourists typically commute to their accommodations by motorcycle. You can talk to the motorcycle driver and try to agree on any price not below or exceeding the PHP 90 to PHP 150 range.
Come to Cebu!
From swimming with giant whale sharks in Oslob to witnessing the Sardine Run in Moalboal, scuba diving in Cebu is a gift that keeps on giving. Spending a few weeks or a month in Cebu grants you access to an abundance of activities and natural beauty. It’s no wonder the beaches are filled with tourists from all over the world.
Before booking your ticket to Cebu, dear reader, remember to care for the environment. Once you’re there, make sure to pay the environmental fees and avoid littering. After all, we want to ensure the beaches remain clean and healthy for our enjoyment and future generations.
