Guide to the Best Beach Resorts in Moalboal

Where to stay on Cebu Island

Cebu Island is large and you are probably wondering which area is the best to stay.

While some tourists choose Cebu City, we suggest not doing that for a few reasons. Firstly, the city is loud and busy. Secondly, you’ll be too far from all the best tourist spots on Cebu.

The most popular choice is Moalboal, and it’s easy to see why. You’ll have a great selection of dining options, accommodations, and activities! It’s where you’ll also find the Moalboal Sardine Run, too.

Best area in Moaboal

Moalboal is a vast area with multiple accommodation options scattered around. If you’re wondering which area is the best one, we recommend staying close to Panagsama Beach.

We chose this in particular due to available possibilities – whether you want a nice restaurant for your dinner, rent a motorbike, join a day-tour. You’ll find everything you might need as a tourist here.

Overview of Beach Resorts in Moalboal – Top Picks

Best Hotels & Beach Resorts in Moaboal

Luxury Beach Resorts

Pawikan Seaview Villas

Perfect for: Couples looking for a romantic stay with privacy

Pawikan Villas offer an incredible, luxurious retreat with plenty of privacy. Both villas feature a private swimming pool with ocean views. Each room has a smart TV and a speaker to make your stay even more pleasant.

Continental breakfast is included in the price, and you can choose a floating breakfast for a unique experience. Another fantastic feature is free paddleboards to explore the nearby sea.

In your free time, you can grab a snorkel and enjoy the marine life in the surroundings. The villas are only 1km from Panagsama Beach.

Secret Paradise Moalboal

Perfect for: Couples looking for a peaceful stay

Secret Paradise is very convenient, only a few minutes’ walk from the beach with the sardine run. Yet it is a quiet and relaxed place, perfect for a peaceful stay.

Since there are only a couple of rooms, the hotel has a cozy atmosphere. The outdoor pool is perfect for cooling down on hot days. While the rooms are relatively simple, they have everything you might need for the perfect stay.

The resort also has a restaurant, which the guests greatly review. The restaurant serves tasty meals, quality wines, and fresh cocktails.

The Blue Orchid Resort

Perfect for: Divers or those who prefer remote places

The Blue Orchid Resort is located on White Beach, away from the busy Panagsama Beach area, making it a perfect choice for a quiet stay surrounded by nature. It features a swimming pool and direct sea access, with great snorkeling opportunities nearby.

Blue Orchid Resort also has its own dive center, where you can get PADI certified or try a fun dive. They organize various day trips as well, adding to the adventure.

All rooms come with either garden or ocean views, and each has a balcony to enjoy the stunning scenery. Thanks to its location, the resort also offers breathtaking sunset views.

Dolphin House Resort

Perfect for: Couples and nature lovers seeking a tranquil beachfront stay

Dolphin House Resort offers a perfect escape for those looking for relaxation while staying close to the main attractions. Thanks to its location on Moalboal Beach, you’ll be just steps away from snorkeling and diving opportunities. Resort also provides stunning ocean views.

It’s a 45-minute drive from Kawasan Falls and a 15-minute drive from Panagsama Beach. The rooms blend traditional style with comfort, ensuring a pleasant stay. Each room has a desk, tea/coffee machine, private bathroom, and a personal safe.

Guests can spend their free time by the outdoor swimming pool. The resort’s restaurant serves Asian and international cuisine. Its peaceful atmosphere and friendly staff make it a top pick for travelers.

Mid-Range Beach Resorts in Moalboal

Sunset Beach Resort

Perfect for: Couples or families seeking a calm beachfront retreat with easy access to activities.

Sunset Beach Resort offers a beachfront stay in a relaxing and scenic area by the sea. It’s located at Basdiot Beach, only a short walk from Panagsama Beach. Thanks to its location, the resort provides a calm atmosphere together with easy access to Moalboal.

The resort’s design is tropical-inspired, mixing traditional and modern Filipino elements. Many rooms have a private balcony offering sea views. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TV, AC, and private bathrooms. 

Sunset Beach Resort also offers an outdoor swimming pool, perfect to cool down after a day of exploration. You’ll also have direct access to the sea, where you can swim or snorkel.

East Holiday Resort Moalboal

Perfect for: Travelers looking for a peaceful stay with easy access to local beaches and attractions.

East Holiday Resort offers a peaceful stay just a short walk from Panagsama Beach. Despite being close to the hustle and bustle of Moalboal, it’s nestled in a quiet area.

The resort’s design blends modern and tropical elements. You can stay in a bamboo chalet equipped with AC, a spacious room, a private bathroom, and a balcony overlooking the lush garden.

Relax in the garden, which is full of tropical plants. The price includes continental breakfast.

Cebu Seaview Dive Resort

Perfect for: Diving enthusiasts and travelers seeking for an easy access to top dive sites.

Cebu Seaview Dive Resort is a modern beachfront property located on Panagsama Beach.

It features a relaxed tropical design, spacious rooms with large windows and plenty of natural light, and beautiful views of the surroundings. The rooms have AC, a private bathroom, and a private balcony.

Guests can enjoy food in the on-site open-air restaurant and bar overlooking the beach. Both Western and local dishes are served.

One of the main highlights of the resort is the infinity pool. If you’re after diving, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a PADI Dive Center at the resort. 

Low-Budget Hotels

West Side Cabana

Perfect for: Budget travelers looking for a convenient stay near Moalboal Beach

West Side Cabana is a charming budget-friendly stay in Moalboal, perfect if you’re looking for a laid-back atmosphere and want to stay close to the beach.

The accommodation offers a lush garden, cozy lounge area, and a terrace to relax. It’s just a short walk from Panagsama Beach. The rooms are simple but comfortable, equipped with AC and flat-screen TVs. Some also have a balcony. The bathrooms are private.

West Side Cabana is an excellent choice for travellers looking for an affordable stay within walking distance of Moalboal Beach, restaurants, and activities. 

Babas Guesthouse

Perfect for: Budget travelers looking for a comfortable room

Babas Guesthouse lies 2.5 km from Panagsama Beach. The guesthouse offers a calm atmosphere, a lush garden, and rooms with AC. Each room has a flat-screen TV, and housekeeping is provided daily.

Expect a simple but comfortable stay, perfect for low-budget travelers. The owner is very friendly and can provide many helpful recommendations. If you’re interested in tours, need a taxi, or want to rent a motorbike, the guesthouse can arrange that for you. 

Green Acres Village

Perfect for: Nature lovers and families

Green Acres Village consists of charming wooden cabins surrounded by tropical greenery. Each unit comes with AC and a private balcony and offers lovely garden views. Cozy interior provides a comfortable and relaxed stay, while keeping the price low.

Guests can also enjoy communal areas, such as an outdoor fireplace, picnic spots and garden paths. The property is focused on eco-friendly practices, which makes it a perfect choice for nature lovers. There’s also an outdoor playground for kids.

On-site dining is provided at the restaurant, serving local and Western meals.

Getting to Moalboal

To get to Moalboal, you’ll first need to travel to Cebu Island. Both the airport and the main port are located in Cebu City. So, whether you arrive by flight or ferry, you must get to Moalboal from Cebu City.

The best option is private driver, but it’s rather expensive. Taking the public bus is cheaper if you don’t mind a bit of an adventure and longer travel time.

How to travel around

While public transport is available, buses are less frequent. Therefore, it is difficult to use your time effectively when relying on buses.

We always prefer to be independent and flexible with our plans. Because of this, we prefer renting a scooter whenever possible. Few rentals can be found in Moalboal, most of them with similar pricing—rental costs from 250 PHP per day.

If driving a scooter is not an option, you can either pay for a tricycle ride or join a day trip to visit the best highlights of the Cebu Islands.

Where to Eat

• Shaka – tasty refreshing smoothie bowls, not far from the beach
• Hungry Monkeys – incredible Filipino meals
• Smooth cafe – the best place to spend a lovely evening listening to live music with a cocktail
• Betsy’s grill – they are known for their amazing burgers and ribs, but it’s often full so make a reservation

Best Activities

Kawasan Canyoneering

Kawasan Canyoneering is one of the most popular and interesting activities on Cebu Island. Join your guide on the unforgettable adventure as you explore the canyon full of natural water slides, waterfalls, and cliff jumps.

We went on an excellent Badian Canyoneering tour and had a fantastic day! Everything felt organized, the guide was fun, and we had a delicious lunch. The whole trip was well-prepared and certainly worth joining!

Moalboal Sardine Run

Moalboal is home to an incredible marine life – you can snorkel with sea turtles and sardine run just a few meters off the coast on Panagsama Beach! Grab your snorkels, head to the beach, and have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter!

Imagine being surrounded by millions of sardines. Words can’t describe how incredible this feels. Swimmers can easily do this independently, while non-swimmers can find guides to help them navigate the deep waters safely.

Explore the Waterfalls

Cebu Island is home to multiple stunning waterfalls. If your stay is short, deciding which ones to prioritize might be hard. After visiting most of the waterfalls, here are our recommendations.

Inambakan Falls is a beautiful series of cascades ending with one tall waterfall surrounded by a turquoise lagoon. We certainly recommend going on a little hike following the stream upwards to explore all the hidden falls, lagoons, and pools.

Dao Falls requires a 15-20-minute hike through a beautiful, narrow canyon. At its end, there’s a tall cliff surrounded by lush jungle. Water drops from approximately 120 meters to a turquoise pool, where you can swim.

Some other waterfalls worth a visit are Binalayan Falls, where brave ones can cliff jump from various heights. Montpellier Falls is fantastic if you’re looking for a hidden gem, where you won’t meet many other tourists. Lastly, Kabutongan is a fun canyoneering experience.