Pescador Island in Moalboal is undoubtedly one of the most popular dive sites in Cebu, with thousands of tourists every year flocking to this underwater world. Located in the Tañon Strait – the body of water between the islands of Cebu and Negros – Pescador Island is teeming with diverse marine life. The good news is, you don’t have to be a diver to experience the beauty of Pescador Island, with plenty of coral and fish to be seen in the shallows.
HOW TO GET TO PESCADOR ISLAND MOALBOAL
The little dot of an island you can see from Panagsama Beach in Moalboal is Pescador Island. Most people will book their trip through the hotel or resort they’re staying at. We organised our tour through Quo Vadis Dive Resort, probably the most well-known and reputable dive resort in the area. Since we were staying at an airbnb, we drove to Quo Vadis in the morning and took the boat from there.
To book your own tour out to Pescador Island, you can either arrange a tour through a Moalboal beach resort like Quo Vadis or book online at GetYourGuide. It’s seamless, stress-free and they take care of everything for you, so all you have to do is show up!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PESCADOR ISLAND DIVING TOUR ON GETYOURGUIDE
WHAT TO BRING TO PESCADOR ISLAND MOALBOAL
Prepare for your trip to Pescador Island with our must-have travel essentials.
Waterproof backpack & phone case: Earth Pak 35L or 55L Heavy Duty Backpack, IPX8 Waterproof Phone Case Included (click for price)
Quick dry microfiber travel towel: Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Travel Towel (click for price)
Action camera: GoPro HERO9 Black (click for price)
GoPro dome: TELESIN Dome Port Lens for GoPro Hero 9 (click for price)
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro (click for price)
BEST CEBU TOUR PACKAGES (Diving In Moalboal)
WHAT TO EXPECT AT PESCADOR ISLAND
One of the best parts about booking our Pescador Island trip through Quo Vadis was the size of their dive boat and the professionalism of their team. Had we realised sooner just how big the boat was, we would’ve brought the drone instead of leaving it on land!
It’s only around 10 minutes from the shore to Pescador Island, and once we got closer we realised just how small it really is. There’s access to the island by steps, but we never actually set foot on land. All the excitement can be found below the surface.
Scuba diving is the main attraction at Pescador Island. Carson’s the only one of us certified to dive, so he jumped in and dove to around 18 metres. The coral was thriving down there, and he was lucky enough to see a Giant Frogfish and a Puffer Fish, among other species.
Don’t worry if you’re not certified to scuba dive! As long as you can swim, you can still have fun at Pescador Island. The reef can be seen just snorkelling, before dropping off abruptly and making way to deep water. Just beyond the shallows is where Zowie found this little guy swimming around, munching on jellyfish. No need to be a freediver either, as all turtles have to come up for air at some point!
Pescador Island was made famous for being the site of the sardine run, but for unknown reasons they moved to the front of Panagsama Beach. Most dive companies will hit up both sites on the same day, which is exactly what we did. You can read about the sardines here, or keep scrolling to see our accommodation recommendations and more Cebu travel guides.
READ: 28 BEST TOURIST SPOTS IN CEBU
READ 19 BEST SOUTH CEBU TOURIST SPOTS
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WHERE TO STAY IN MOALBOAL
Southern Cebu is where all the adventure is at, from waterfalls and whale sharks to island hopping and diving. When visiting anywhere in the south, the best place to stay is Moalboal. It has the most accommodation options, and is a fun little town with dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars. Check out our top four picks below for where to stay in Moalboal.
BUDGET/HOSTEL: CHIEF MAU
Right on the main strip of Panagsama Road you’ll find Chief Mau, a fun and social hostel that dubs itself the chillest place in town. Clean, modern and affordable, boasting a restaurant, bar and billiards, Chief Mau is a favourite amongst backpackers
MIDSCALE: ADAM’S VIEW HOTEL
Simple but with all the amenities and facilities you need – including a massive pool – Adam’s View Hotel is our top pick for those looking for a little more luxury than a backpackers. Located in the main town, Adam’s View Hotel is right next to Gaisano Mall, but still close enough to the action of Panagsama Beach to remain convenient.
LUXURY: TURTLE BAY DIVE RESORT
If you have deep pockets and an appreciation for the finer things in life, Turtle Bay Dive Resort is the place for you. Tucked away on a private cove in the quieter part of town, this luxury resort is perfect for couples looking for a little exclusivity.
AIRBNB: LRS APARTMENT
We can personally attest to how great LRS Apartment is, having spent two weeks there. Aside from a beautiful private pool, the apartment itself is modern, well furnished and spacious enough for a couple. (And a cat!) It’s just a 5 minute drive from the hustle and bustle of the restaurants and bars along Panagsama Road, but far enough away to offer a little peace and quiet. We can’t recommend LRS Moalboal enough!
SEARCH ALL HOTELS & RESORTS IN MOALBOAL
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Sardine Run Moalboal
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