Moalboal in the Philippines is mostly known for beautiful beaches, incredible snorkeling and diving. It is a great base for any adventurer traveling Cebu island. You can even find the best waterfalls on the island near this area. Maolboal is a great choice for many travelers due to its perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
In this guide, we’ll cover all the options of traveling from Cebu City to Moalboal on Cebu island. We’ll go through travel time, costs as well as convenience of each option. Furthermore, we’ll share some useful travel info.
Where is Moalboal
Moalboal is actually a municipality on Cebu island. It is located on the southwestern coast of the island, approximately 89km from Cebu City. Additionally, it’s the most popular area for tourists is definitely Panagsama beach.
Best hotels on Cebu
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Cebu City to Moalboal overview
The distance between Cebu City and Moalboal is 89km. The journey should take 3 hours. However if you’re unlucky and the road conditions are not great, it might even take up to 6 hours.
Additionally, you have 2 options how to travel – by bus or a private car.
Tip for a tour: If you have some extra time and want to explore the city more, check out this guided tour of Cebu City. We also recommend this action-packed 3-day Cebu tour.
Cebu City to Moalboal by bus
Price: 209 pesos (11.4€)
Travel time: 3-6 hours
Traveling to Moalboal by bus can be a bit adventurous. Yet it’s certainly a great and the cheapest way to travel around Cebu island. You also get to meet friendly locals or other backpackers to chat with!
The bus feels rather comfortable and makes a few breaks along the way. We stopped once for food and toilets. While it shouldn’t take longer than 3-3.5 hours, you must count with possible delays.
Cebu City South bus terminal
The bus to Moalboal leaves from South terminal bus station. It’s where all the buses headed to the south make a stop. There are a few local restaurants selling filipino food. You can find also waiting rooms around, with classic iron / steel chairs. Not the most comfortable but will do.
Additionally, there are restrooms available for 5 pesos. There’s a window for buying tickets, which come with QR code. There are turnstills installed at the gates. It’s necessary to use the QR code to enter the boarding area.
How to get to South bus terminal from Mactan Cebu airport
There are two ways how to get to South bus terminal from the airport. You can either travel by bus or by a taxi.
By bus
Obviously, bus is the cheapest option. There are green-blue “My buses” traveling from the airport to SM City Cebu near North Bus terminal. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a bus going directly to the South bus terminal. You can catch the bus at both T1 Domestic and T2 International arrivals.
The buses are in operation between 6am and 9pm. They run in 30 minute intervals. Here is the up-to-date bus schedule. The ticket can be bought directly in the bus and it costs 50 PHP (around 1€). The journey takes 20 – 30 minutes.
Once you arrive to the SM City Cebu you have to find a place where small shared vans stop. It should be around this parking spot. You can also ask the drivers to see if they go to South bus terminal. The shared van only costs 15 PHP (0.25€).
It’s just 4 km from SM City to South bus terminal. The journey shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.
By taxi
If you’re not really looking for the cheapest way Grab is a great option too. Of course you need mobile data for that. Traveling by Grab is perfect of you have lots of luggage or also if you’re traveling in a group.
The whole trip from Mactan Cebu airport to South bus terminal takes around 30 – 40 minutes by Grab. The price might be around 400 PHP (6.6€).
Cebu City to Moalboal bus schedule
There is no official bus schedule. The buses operate between 6am and 10pm. There should be a connection every 30 minutes or so.
Bus ticket price
The air-conditioned bus costs only 209 PHP. There are buses with no AC as well, but I don’t recommend using those. They’re slightly cheaper, however the journey is not the shortest.
The bus tickets can be bought at the ticket counter at the bus station.
Tip: When visiting Cebu Island you you should certainly visit Dao Falls – another hidden gem. One of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island.
Getting to Panagsama beach
Once you arrive to Moalboal, you’re not in your final destination yet. Panagsama beach is another 5km away. However there are no buses or vans, only tricycles available. No worries, there will be plenty of drivers waiting for you upon arrival.
The price for a tricycle to Panagsama is around 150 PHP. It also depends on your bargain skills.
Note: One-time environmental fee of 25 PHP per person must be paid upon arrival to Panagsama area. You will get a receipt which can be used anytime you enter the area again.
Tip: There are not so many beautiful beaches on Cebu. Lambug Beach is the perfect choice if you want to soak up the sun and spend a day sunbathing and relaxing on white sand.
Cebu City to Moalboal by private car
Price: 64 € – 80 €
Travel time: 3 hours
Traveling by a private car is a great option if you’re short on time or if you prefer more comfort. After arriving to the airport you can simply meet your driver outside and he’ll take care of the rest. The biggest advantage is that you don’t need to change connection so many times.
The prices range between 64€ and 80€ (on Klook) depending on the size of the vehicle and a group. It is definitely more expensive than a bus. However when shared with a group, it’s a very good price for such a long journey.
You also can organize a transfer directly at the airport. It might be slightly more difficult and expensive though. Therefore I recommend booking a private driver online in advance.
Check out this private transfer between Cebu City and Moalboal on Klook.
Best things to do on Cebu Island
Kawasan Canyoneering
Kawasan Canyoneering is one of the best things to do on Cebu Island. This adventure is full of cliff diving, swimming, exploring different parts of the canyon, and having fun.
Jumping from pool to pool, and enjoying the natural water slides and swings was an incredible experience. You should definitely not miss visiting this place! You can book the Kawasan Canyoneering experience in Moalboal or online.
Dao Falls
Dao Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the area and you’ll definitely fall in love with its amazing turquoise pool which is right under the waterfall.
Many people don’t know about Dau Falls and they’ll visit only the most famous waterfall – Kawasan Falls, which is definitely great adventure too. But Dao Waterfall is also one of the most popular destinations for tourists and locals alike who visit Cebu for its natural beauty.
It’s a perfect place if you want to escape the crowds, enjoy waterfalls, and have some fun during your hiking adventure.
Montpellier Falls
Montpellier Falls is an impressive tall waterfall. The water descends in a steady stream, landing on the rocks below. It’s not too strong, so you can easily stand underneath it.
Around the waterfall, there’s a beautiful blue lagoon, surrounded by lush green jungle and towering cliffs. On the other side, you can enjoy views of numerous palm trees and the ocean in the distance.
It’s not among the most visited waterfalls on Cebu island. There’s a huge chance you’ll have it all to yourself. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty all around you.
Best time to visit Moalboal
Dry season: December – April
Rainy season: May – November
The best time to travel to Cebu island is between December and February. The days are mostly sunny with almost no rain. The temperatures are still mild, making daily exploring much more pleasant.
March – May are also good. It’s actually very popular time to travel to Cebu for both local and international tourists. However, this period is also the hottest.
Rainy season between May and November brings many typhoons to the island. Your plans might easily be ruined by many storms. Snorkeling becomes harder due to rough sea and low visibility.
When strong typhoons hit the island, some of the most popular activities (such as Kawasan canyoneering) might become too dangerous. July and August are the wettest months of the year.
If you’re traveling to Siargao next, you should know that Siargao Island has the opposite seasons. The dry season is between March and October.
Cebu City to Moalboal – conclusion
If you find any information to be incorrect, let us know. We’ll be more than happy to update our guide. If you liked this post and found it helpful leave us a comment. Also check our other blog posts for more travel tips.
