Moalbaol town view

Philippines

How to get fromCebu to Moalboal

In this in-depth route guide, you can compare the best ways to travel the 85 kilometers (53 miles) from Cebu to Moalboal. Our team of indpendent travel experts researched each route — breaking down each option by travel time, price, and comfort. Plus, we’ll share the best booking options to help you get the best deal.

Written by Ela - Senior Travel WriterReviewed by Abegail - Travel WriterLast updated: October 4, 2024

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Why visit Moalboal?

Moalboal is a small yet vibrant resort town on the west coast of Cebu Island. World-famous for its sardine run, here you can swim with millions of sardines — just a few metres off the shore!

It also boasts a vibrant coral wall, making it a popular diving destination. The best part? You won’t have to swim far or rent a boat, some of Moalboal’s best underwater worlds can be found metres from the shore. For the best diving visibility, visit between November and May.

What are the 3 ways to travel from Cebu to Moalboal?

There are 3 ways to travel the 85 kilometers (53 miles) from Cebu to Moalboal. You can choose between the bus, van and taxi. The journey takes 2 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 170 PHP ($3).

Transport

Duration

Pricing

Transport Options

Bus

4h

From 170 PHP ($3)

Read More

Van

3h

From 180 PHP ($3.10)

Read More

Taxi

2h 30m - 3h

From 4,090 PHP ($72)

Book Tickets

Where to stay in Moalboal?

Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Moalboal at the bottom of this page.

Cebu to Moalboal by Bus

Duration: 4 hours

Costs: 170 PHP ($3)

Duration: 4 hours

Costs: 170 PHP ($3)

Ceres Bus is the most popular company operating the Cebu to Moalboal route. You can easily spot them by their distinct yellow colour. Ceres buses bound for Moalboal are available as early as 03:00 in the morning.

You can choose from two kinds of buses:

Direct bus from Cebu City to Moalboal: available every 3 hours from 06:00 to 14:00. This makes its last stop in Moalboal.
Bus from Cebu City to Bato via Barili: available every 30 minutes from 03:00 to 18:30. This drops off passengers in Moalboal, before going further south of the island to the town of Bato.

A non-airconditioned bus ticket costs 170 PHP ($3) while an air-conditioned bus ride costs 210 PHP ($3.70). You can buy your ticket from the counter or directly from the bus conductor.

The bus journey from Cebu to Moalboal takes around 4 hours.

Departure and arrival station

Buses depart from South Bus Terminal, right next to CityMall in Cebu City centre.

The bus stops at Moalboal Bus Station, beside the public market. From here, you can get to your hotel with a motorbike taxi for 50 PHP ($0.90) or a tricycle for 150 PHP ($2.60).

Cebu to Moalboal by Van

Duration: 3 hours

Costs: 180 PHP ($3.10)

Duration: 3 hours

Costs: 180 PHP ($3.10)

If you’re on a budget but in a hurry, you can take a public van from Cebu to Moalboal. Vans don’t make as many stops as the bus so they can do the journey in around 3 hours.

It’s important to know that vans usually don’t depart until they are full.

With very little legroom, the trip may not be the most comfortable. Also, they charge for an extra seat if you have big pieces of luggage.

Vans are available from 04:00 to 19:00 with tickets starting from 180 PHP ($3.10). Be aware that drivers sometimes try to charge foreign tourists more.

Departure and arrival station

The last time we checked (July 2023) vans operating from Cebu to Moalboal now depart from South Bus Terminal, the same as the buses. Don’t confuse this for the V-Hire South Terminal, which has now been converted into a food park.

Vans drop off passengers at Moalboal town centre, usually at the V-Hire Terminal across the Municipal Hall.

Cebu to Moalboal by Taxi

Duration: 2h 30m - 3h

Costs: 4,090 PHP ($72)

Duration: 2h 30m - 3h

Costs: 4,090 PHP ($72)

If you want to travel comfortably and don’t mind paying more, hiring a taxi is a good option.

We recommend booking your ride beforehand through Klook. This way, you can expect a nice car with a good driver. Rates start from 4,010 PHP ($70) for a 3-seater sedan from Cebu City or Cebu Airport to Moalboal.

Check Private Transfers with Klook

You can also hail a regular taxi from the airport or within Cebu. Be prepared to haggle because taxi drivers rarely use the metre for long-distance trips. They will also try to give a higher rate when negotiating with foreigners.

For reference, a reasonable rate for a private transfer from Cebu to Moalboal is around 3,000 PHP ($52).

From Mactan-Cebu Airport

If you’re coming directly from Cebu Airport, we recommend securing your transfer a few days in advance to ensure a smooth journey. For reliable drivers and excellent service, book through BookAway.

Rates start from 4,090 PHP ($72) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 1,360 PHP ($24) per person.

Can I book a Grab from Cebu to Moalboal?

Grab is available in Cebu City and is a good way to get to nearby destinations, like Cebu Airport. However, Grab is not licensed to operate in Moalboal.

Sure, you can try booking a Grab ride on the app. You might get excited to see a cheaper quote compared to the rates provided above — around 2,500 PHP ($44). But the question is, will any driver accept your booking?

The most likely answer to that question is no. It will be difficult to find a driver who’ll accept that fare, knowing they won’t be able to get a passenger on the way back. It’s more likely that they’ll try to negotiate and ask for double the price, meaning you’ll also pay for their trip back to Cebu City.

In conclusion, it will be better to book a taxi from Cebu to Moalboal via Klook or BookAway.

Taxi options from Cebu to Moalboal

Tourist

Tourist Car 3 PAX

Price per person = 1,360 PHP ($24)

Cebu Trip Rent A Car

4,090 PHP ($72)

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SUV

SUV Car 5 PAX

Price per person = 1,110 PHP ($19.40)

Cebu Trip Rent A Car

5,600 PHP ($97)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 5 PAX

Price per person = 1,160 PHP ($20)

MYE Travel and Tours

5,800 PHP ($100)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 9 PAX

Price per person = 705 PHP ($12.30)

Cebu Trip Rent A Car

6,400 PHP ($110)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 12 PAX

Price per person = 695 PHP ($12.20)

MYE Travel and Tours

8,400 PHP ($145)

Get Your Tickets

Best places to stay in Moalboal

Moalboal is a paradise for marine life, and that’s what you want to be focusing on — finding the best snorkelling trips, witnessing the Sardine Run if you’re there at the right time.

If you’re looking to stay close to the action, we recommend staying close to Panagsama Beach. It’s the main town boasting a lively atmosphere. This is where most of our favourite stays are located.

Your time shouldn’t be spent finding the right hotel. We’ve done that for you:

Secret Paradise Moalboal - Treating Yourself

Area: Next to Panagsama beach, only a 1-minute walk

The name says it all for this place. It actually does feel like a secret paradise, hidden amongst its green gardens and away from the business of the town. All of the rooms are centred around a large and inviting swimming pool that even has tables in the water.

Secret Paradise feels like a mini resort, whilst still maintaining an intimate vibe.

Huge swimming pool
Tropical paradise
Spacious and quirky rooms
On-site bar

Double rooms start from $50 per night

Check Available Rooms

Vailtin Home Point - Mid Range

Area: Basidot — approx. 10-minute drive to Moalboal town centre

Slightly out of town and surrounded by lush greenery, Vailtin feels like a secluded bubble from the outside world. Especially when you’re relaxing in the pool and soaking up the sun.

The rooms are spacious and offer all of the amenities you could need. The staff here will also ensure that all of your needs are satisfied.

Outdoor pool
Tropical garden areas
Great staff
Nice location

Double rooms cost $30-$50 per night

Check Available Rooms

Maayong Hostel - Mid Range

Area: Panagsama Beach — approx. 10-minute walk to famous Moalboal Sardines Run

Whether you choose the funky bamboo bungalows or the dorm rooms, you’ll love your stay at Maayong Hostel. The bungalows feel like little oases with their tropical outdoor bathrooms and peaceful design.

When you’re not making the most of your bungalow, there are plenty of spots to hang out in throughout the hostel — the bar, restaurant, chill out areas with hammocks and bean bags. The vibe here is perfect!

Quirky bamboo bungalows
Dorm beds with curtains
Bar, restaurant and chill out areas
Great vibe

Double rooms cost $30-$50 per night

Check Available Rooms

Garden Village Resort - Budget Friendly

Area: Panagsama Road — approx. 10-minute walk from the centre town

You’ll be blown away that Garden Village Resort is a budget friendly option. Not many places for under $30 offer a swimming pool, bar and a good restaurant.

The bungalows are relatively basic but still provide everything you need and offer great value for money. The affordable price does mean that you compromise on location a little. Here you’ll be a 25-minute walk or a 6-minute drive from the centre of town.

Large swimming pool
Relaxing pool area
On-site bar and restaurant
Cute cottages

Double rooms cost $15-$30 per night

Check Available Rooms

RNA Guesthouse - Budget Friendly

Area: Just outside Moalboal town — approx. 15-minute drive from the town centre

RNA Guesthouse is a great budget option in Moalboal. The rooms are basic, but have everything you need. They’re the perfect place to rest your head and get a good night’s sleep.

The hosts are what give this place a few extra gold stars. They are incredibly helpful and will make sure you have the best time in Moalboal.

Great value for money
Helpful hosts
Spacious and clean rooms
Good location

Double rooms cost $15-$30 per night

Check Available Rooms

Frequently Asked Questions about Cebu to Moalboal

What is the distance from Cebu to Moalboal?

The distance from Cebu to Moalboal is 85 kilometers (53 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Cebu to Moalboal?

The fastest way to get from Cebu to Moalboal is by taxi and takes 2 hours 30 minutes.

What is the cheapest way to get from Cebu to Moalboal?

The cheapest way to get from Cebu to Moalboal is by bus with ticket costs starting from 170 PHP ($3).

Rounding it up

We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Cebu to Moalboal. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.

PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!

About the author(s)

Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.

Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.

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