How to get from Malapascua to Moalboal

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.

There are 3 ways to travel the 170 kilometre (106 miles) distance from Malapascua to Moalboal. You can choose between the bus, shared minivan and taxi. The journey takes 6 hours 15 minutes to 9 hours 15 minutes and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by shared minivan with tickets starting at 760 PHP ($12.90).

Travelling by bus from Malapascua to Moalboal involves 1 boat and 3 bus rides.

Although this may seem like a lot of transfers, it is less complicated than you think. Just follow the step-by-step guide below.

From Malapascua Island, boats depart for Maya Port every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 16:00. A ticket costs 200 PHP ($3.40) for the public boat, and the ride takes about 45 minutes.

If you prefer a private boat, it’s best to ask your hotel for assistance. Private boats will be more expensive, but a good alternative if you’re travelling in a group of 10 to 15 people.

That being said, be aware that there have been several reports of locals at the port trying to scam tourists. Some may claim the public boat won’t leave due to a lack of passengers and push you to take an overpriced private boat instead.

Unfortunately, even the official ticket booth isn’t always reliable — some travellers have been quoted inflated prices. Your best option is to know the standard fare of around 200 PHP ($3.40) in advance so you can stick to it if needed.

Ferries depart from the Boat Station on Malapascua Island. They dock at the New Ferry Port in Maya.

From Maya Port, you can transfer to a bus bound for Cebu City. Ceres Bus is the most popular operator on this route, but you can also travel with White Stallion Express (formerly known as Cebu Rough Riders).

You’ll find both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses. A ticket for an air-conditioned bus costs 320 PHP ($5.40). The bus ride usually takes about 4 hours, but it can take longer if the bus stops often to pick up passengers.

Bus trips start as early as 01:00 in the morning, with the last leaving Maya at 17:40. All buses park at the North Bus Terminal, within the perimeters of SM City Cebu.

Getting from Cebu’s North Bus Terminal to the South Bus Terminal

From Cebu’s North Bus Terminal, you’ll need to get to the South Bus Terminal, where all buses to Moalboal depart.

The cheapest way to do this would be to take a MyBus, which you can also find within SM City Cebu. Ticket prices start from 30 PHP ($0.50) and the journey takes about 30 minutes.

Alternatively, you can take a Grab for around 170 PHP ($2.90).

For the route from Cebu City to Moalboal, Ceres Bus is also the most trusted option. You can easily find its yellow-coloured buses at the South Bus Terminal.

You can choose to take a non-air-conditioned bus for 170 PHP ($2.90) or an air-conditioned bus for 210 PHP ($3.60). Travel time is around 4 hours.

Let your driver or conductor know you’re heading to the Moalboal town centre. If you’ve got a hotel landmark, mention that too.

If your hotel is located along Panagsama Beach, you will need a tricycle or motorbike transfer from the main road. Rates start from 150 PHP ($2.60) and 50 PHP ($0.90), respectively.

The cheapest way to get to Moalboal from Malapascua is by taking a ferry followed by two minivan rides.

The first step is to take a boat from Malapascua to Maya Port. A public ferry ticket costs 200 PHP ($3.40) and the ride takes 45 minutes.

Boats arrive at the New Maya Port.

From Maya Port, you can take a van to Cebu City. A seat costs 350 PHP ($6), and the trip takes about 4 hours.

Keep in mind that vans in the Philippines don’t provide a lot of legroom, so the journey may be a bit cramped.

Vans stop at the North Bus Terminal, beside SM City Cebu. From here, you’ll have to transfer to the South Bus Terminal, where vans bound for Moalboal are parked.

The most affordable way to do this is to take a MyBus, available at SM City Cebu. A ticket costs 30 PHP ($0.50) for the 30-minute ride. You can also take a Grab for 170 PHP ($2.90).

At Cebu City’s South Bus Terminal, you can catch a van for about 180 PHP ($3.10).

Since vans rarely make stops, the trip takes around 3 hours.

In Moalboal, they usually drop passengers off near the Municipal Hall in the town centre.

Taking a taxi from Malapascua to Moalboal is more expensive, but it saves you the hassle of transfers. It’s a great option for small groups, especially if you’re travelling with kids or have lots of luggage.

You will first have to take a boat from Malapascua to Maya Port. A public ferry ticket costs 200 PHP ($3.40) and the ride takes 45 minutes.

If you prefer a private boat, you can also hire one for 2,000 PHP ($34).

The ferry docks at the New Maya Port.

You’ll usually find a few taxis waiting at Maya Port, and you can hire one to take you directly to Moalboal. Rates start at around 6,000 PHP ($100), but drivers often ask for more since it’s unlikely they’ll find passengers for the return trip.

The taxi journey from Maya Port to Moalboal takes about 5h 30m. You will be passing through some busy roads, though, so don’t be surprised if it takes longer. The good thing is that the taxi will drop you off right at your hotel’s doorstep in Moalboal.

If you’d rather book in advance, you can reserve a taxi through 12Go.Asia. It’s more expensive with rates starting at 7,000 PHP ($120), but you’ll get a reliable driver and a comfortable ride.