Moalboal Aug 2024

[Centrals]

It has been over 10 yrs since I dived Moalboal. So I decided to take the advantage of Cebu Pacific special promotion fare HKG-CEB.
The plane was no more than 50% occupied. Unfortunately the flight was delayed because of the late arrival of the plane so everyone on board was offered a snack and a drink FOC. Touched down at Mactan around 14:00.
e travel QR code was checked and some passengers have to apply for it on the spot. Anyone who does not want to waste time, please apply for it 3 days(72hrs) before your arrival. It is easy and FREE.
Traffic was very heavy and slow going. It took well over an hour from the airport to the Southern Bus Station. I gave the driver P400.00(meter indicated P370.00). Did not notice any sign of the bus terminal! The building is quite small and there is a electronic monitor indicating various bus/van schedule. The Ceres AC bus to Bato/Bartoli was P209.00. After nearly 4hrs, including a quick 20 mins food/toilet break, I was dropped off at Moalboal and took a trike(P200.00) to Panagsama Beach. It was well passed 20:00 already. Time for a warm shower and early night.

 

[YYCLuke]

Usually it's only 3 hours bus. Unusual for it to be so long. Last time we got about 3.25 hours in a taxi from the airport for 3000pesos.

Hope things look better there than last year. Everything deeper than 60, and Pescador was still looking good last year (except that pickup location on the plateau).

 

[Centrals]

Friday afternoon might have something to do with it. The traffic within Cebu City was awful.

Ceres bus for Dumaguete also departs from the same bus terminal.

Two dives today at Pescador Island and Tongo Point.
Pescador is still nice but sign of noticeable destruction in couple of places. Not much fish life but there was no current.
Tongo Point, even worst than Pescado in destruction but saw the school of sardines and many pipefish.

"Wuhan Virus" made Philippines off limited to tourism from Mar 20. And the super typhoon Odette(Dec 21) was like "put fuel to the fire" adding even more miserable to a lot of people.
Odette was causing far more damage in Moalboal than Southern Leyte(my own observation).

 

[Centrals]

There must be some good reasons why so many Koreans in town!

 

[YYCLuke]

Yeah Odette did a big number to the town. All the condos across from Savedra right on the beach are destroyed, and they were complete before Odette rolled in.

If you look closely though you will see signs of recovery on the wall. My first dive last year I almost cried at the destruction, but after a few conversations with owners and DMs I opened my eyes and saw the small bits starting to regrow. It'll be at least ten years until we see something on a grander scale I think.

 

[Centrals]

There are still some beach front abandoned buildings without roof top.
Dolphin house reef seems pretty intact and without any visual damage(my observation).
Tumble Point was not that lucky. The shallow area, above 12m, suffered badly.
Not much fish life over last two days. Did not notice any current at all.
Recovery will take awful long time.

Do not write off Moalboal yet.

 

[Centrals]

Yesterday:
Pescardor and Tongo Point(north to south, the reverse of the previous dive).
Today:
Marine Sanctury. The sea fans are still there because of depth 35m+. Beautiful but the shallow area was AWFUL. The worst so far.
White Beach. Patchy and the shallow area further south is good.

Two more dives tomorrow.

 

[Centrals]

Dolphin House: The best for me in this trip.
Kasai Wall: Odette(Dec 2021) has done a pretty good job in the shallow area but wall is still good though. Odette is the second most powerful tyhoon to hit the country. We all remember Yolanda(Haiyan) in 2013.
10 dives in 5 days.
My personal opinion:
A lot of destructions by the recent typhoon. Most shallow areas are highly affected/decimated. Pity.
Lost of habitat in the shallow reef has greatly reduced the fish population and the vibrant colour of soft corals. I did not see many colourful nudibranch in this trip but lots of pipefish. There were turtles(Green & Hawbill), even saw a Hawkbill couple of meters from shore and the lucky few snorkellers could not believe their luck. Frog fish from quite a big white one to a small yellow one sitting on the anemone.
I believe the place is most suitable for beginner/inexperienced/out of tune divers seeking inexpensive place to learn/practice/remember/-refine some of the forgotten skill/technique learnt yrs ago.

 

[Centrals]

P2,600.00 for two boat dives(own equipment) all inclusive.
Big AC room with hot water is P1,300.00 per night, Philipino breakfast is P125.00. Home baked muffin is P10.00 a piece. There are places offering inexpensive Pinoy's food. 5L of water is P80.00. Croissant for P120.00(US$2.00)!!
There is even a Korean supermarket.

Six Singaporeans started their training today.

 

[Micko1974]

I was in Moalboal last week myself. First time diving there since Odette. I came the opposite way. Apekop ferry from Momo Beach in Panglao(1000PHP-90 minutes). Private car from Oslob to Moalboal(2000PHP- 2 hours).

I just did 3 dives, one at Pescador; The reef is non-exsistant above 8M. The soft corals on the wall were quite nice below that. We did a 2nd dive at Talisay. The reef was OK. Lots of turtles, and froggies.The following day I did one shore dive with the sardine. It's always good. The OP is correct. Diving is more suited for new divers or people who just fancy 'getting wet'.

The beach is devoid of sand following Odette, along with many beachfront buildings. Nothing has been rebuilt as it's all still under a demelotion order from the DENR(10M from the high-tide line). Saying that there are many new and nice restrauants, cafes and bars there. The diving is very resonable also. I paid 2800PHP for 2 boat dives with rental equipment.