White Beach Moalboal, also known as Basdaku Beach, is the most popular beach in the busy tourist town of Moalboal, and one of the nicest South Cebu beaches. The first thing you need to understand about the Philippines is that any white sandy beach is going to attract a lot of locals, so this is as much a local spot as it is a tourist attraction.
Tourists often stay in Moalboal when they come to explore the South Cebu tourist spots, like Kawasan Falls or the Oslob Whale Sharks, so White Beach Moalboal can get a little crowded. Despite the throngs of tourists, it’s still a beautiful stretch of sand with enough space to spread out and secure your little spot for sunset. A relaxing afternoon at White Beach is the perfect end to a busy day exploring the many things to do in South Cebu!
HOW TO GET TO WHITE BEACH MOALBOAL
White Beach Moalboal is around 15 minutes from Panagsama Road, the main tourist strip in town. The cheapest way to get around Moalboal is to rent a motorcycle, which you can usually find for around ₱400 (USD $8) for 24 hours. If you’re wandering down Panagsama Road you’ll likely get offered a ride via tricycle or even pump boat to White Beach Moalboal, but be mindful of this tourist trap as it’s priced pretty high.
WHITE BEACH MOALBOAL ENTRANCE FEE
Aside from the cost of getting to White Beach Moalboal (Basdaku Beach), there’s also a small entrance fee of ₱10 per person which is collected at the gates. If you have your own transport there’s ample parking but you’ll need to pay ₱10 for a scooter and ₱40 for a car.
SOUTH CEBU TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
WHAT TO BRING TO WHITE BEACHES IN MOALBOAL
Prepare for your trip to Beaches in Moalboal 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)
Snorkel, mask & fins: Cressi Adjustable Mask, Fin & Snorkel Set with Carry Bag (click for price)
Quick-dry microfiber travel towel: Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Travel Towel (click for price)
Insulated water bottle: Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle (click for price)
Hiking Sandals: Teva Women’s Hurricane Hiking Sandals (click for price), Teva Men’s Hurricane Hiking Sandals (click for price)
If you’re interested in photography and/or videography this is the gear we can’t live without:
Professional camera: Sony a7iii (click for price)
Action camera: GoPro HERO9 Black (click for price)
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro (click for price)
WHAT TO EXPECT AT WHITE BEACH MOALBOAL (BASDAKU BEACH)
This 1km stretch of sand is incredibly popular amongst locals and tourists alike, particularly on weekends when Cebu City residents head down to Moalboal to escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. If you’re not a fan of crowds, we urge you to steer clear of weekends.
The turquoise water at White Beach Moalboal (Basdaku Beach) is perfect for taking a dip, standup paddleboarding and even snorkelling. During the thick of the high season, there’ll be pedlars offering snorkelling gear, but we encourage you to bring your own and avoid hefty tourist prices. You’ll also be approached by young girls selling souvenir jewellery, which pulled at Zowie’s heartstrings so she bought a bracelet and made a few new friends.
White Beach Moalboal (Basdaku Beach) is the perfect spot to catch the sunset, as it dips behind the island of Negros Oriental across the Tañon Strait. For us, it was especially beautiful as we’d just spent 10 months on Negros Oriental and now here we were, looking back at it from a distance.
MOALBOAL SARDINE RUN
You can’t visit Moalboal without experiencing the famous Moalboal sardine run. This epic attraction is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one of the best South Cebu tourist spots that you need to add to your bucket list. There are few places in the world where you’ll have the chance to swim with millions of sardines, just 30 metres from the shore. Check out our complete guide to the Moalboal Sardine Run here.
READ: 28 BEST TOURIST SPOTS IN CEBU
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MORE MOALBOAL TRAVEL GUIDES
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!
