How it is to dive in Moalboal, in Philippines
You might have never heard about Moalboal, but if you like to dive or to do snorkeling, then for sure you´d like it!
Moalboal is one of the main places to dive in Philippines – it has super colorful corals 
(especially in Pescador Island), and it´s a perfect place to see macros (tiny sea life). It´s very easy to spot turtles there, and you might even see a shark (it was the first shark I saw while diving)!
Another cool thing about Moalboal is the incredible Sardine Run that happens there, just by the coast: huge sardines schools “run” underwater, very close to the surface, making a unique spectacle!
I guess these reasons are enough for diving in Moalboal… haha… I did my dives with Savredra Dive Center, it was a great experience!
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WHEN TO GO
You can dive in Moalboal at any time, but the best time to do it is from march to May/June (the dry and hot season).
From December to February is also a good moment, it´s already after the rainy and typhoon season, but it might still rain quite a lot. I was there in January, the visibility was perfect for diving.
From July to October/November is the typhoon season, if you can, avoid it.
Are you going to Moalboal? Here you can check all the accommodation options, from hostels to hotels and resorts. And if you book it through this link, you help to maintain this blog online, and you don´t have to pay anything for that.
DIVE SITES
The dive sites in Moalboal are located nearby the coast, you can reach most of them by boat after 15/20 min. There are plenty of turtles around, and you might even see a shark diving (I saw a thresher shark there).
The most known dive site is Pescador Island, a small island just in front of Pagnasama Beach, which is the divers paradise! It´s one of the most know spots in Philippines for diving – it´s a great wall full of colorful corals and a great variety all around the island.
At Pagnasama Beach you can (you must!) see the impressive Sardine Run – sardine schools “run” all around, making a real show, nearby the surface and the shore. You´ll feel like taking part in Fiding Nemo! It happens all year long, just in front of Savredra Dive Center, with whom I did my dives.
Bloggers tip: apart from diving, you can also do some snorkeling with the sardines – these way you can see them from the bottom, and also from the surface!
There are many options of dive sites in Moalboal – you can dive at White Beach, or even at an airplane wreck. As most of the dive sites are close to the coast, usually the dives interval is at the coast.
Bloggers tip: Travel safe using the best travel insurance, which covers even adventure sports! Get a quote here
FOR WHO STILL DOESN´T DIVE
If you still don´t dive, there are two ways to start: doing the Discover Scuba Dive, or doing an Open Water diving course.
At the Discover Scuba Dive in one day you learn the basic notions and already go diving. You get to experience the dive, but after it you aren´t apt to dive.
In my opinion, the best thing is to do the Open Water course, so that you learn to dive properly. It takes 3/4 days, including theory and practice, and after being certified you can dive anywhere until 18m deep! Cool, isn´t it?
To learn to dive, the tip is to look for Savredra Dive Center – they are super experienced and a great diving center. An Open Water course costs 18,000 PHP (U$ 360 – Jan/17), all inclusive (theory, practice, all the gear you need, boat transportation and the 4 dives).
WHICH DIVE CENTER TO CHOOSE
In some way Moalboal reminds Koh Tao, in Thailand – it seems there´s a diving center in each corner!
To choose one, the best thing is to pick a very good school, to guarantee a good experience – we did our dives with Savredra Dive Center, and we definitely recommend it.
Savedra is a 5 stars PADI dive center, that has a very professional team, with instructors from different parts of the world.
It´s very well located, in Pagnasama Beach, just by the coast, and exactly in front of where the Sardine Run happens. They offer 3 times a day for diving (7:30, 10:30 AM and 2PM).
The dive center has an ample space and a very good structure, and if you go diving more than once with them you have a place assigned just for you, to keep all your gear.
The facilities are great, it has showers, soap, changing rooms, water, coffee, tea, bananas and wifi, and all for free! The fun dive, including the gear, costs 1,580 PHP by boat (U$ 35), or 1,380 PHP from the shore (U$29 – Jan/17).
If like to dive and are planning to go to Philippines, make sure you include Moalboal in your itinerary, and look for Savredra Dive Center when you get there!
How about you? Have you already been to Moalboal and have some cool tips about the city? Or do you plan to visit it and have some doubts? Share your ideas leaving a comment here!
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Planning your trip:
– Accommodation: you can book your accommodation here – hotels/hostels comparing and free booking cancel
– Travel Insurance: travel safe using the best travel insurance that covers even adventure sports – get a quote here
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The blogger did the dives by invitation of Savredra Dive Center. I’d like to thank again for the opportunity, and also make it clear that all the opinions present here are independent and personal.
