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Moalboal Sardine Run

Moalboal Sardine Run: Millions of Fish at Your Fingertips

Imagine this: you wade into waist-deep water, put on your mask, dip your face beneath the surface — and find yourself in the center of a living tornado made of millions of silvery fish. They swirl around you, part, rejoin, forming fantastic shapes. Sunbeams pierce this living wall, creating a hypnotic light show.

This is the Moalboal Sardine Run — one of the most spectacular underwater sights on the planet. And unlike the famous sardine run in South Africa, you don't need to wait for a specific season or hire an expedition. Moalboal's...

Practical Information

Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Visit Duration

Minimum2 hours
Recommended3 hours
Maximum5 hours

Entrance Fee

Free

Free access. Snorkeling gear rental: ₱100. Guide with gear: ₱300-500. Fins rental: ₱150. Photo/video service: ₱500

Best Time to Visit

The sardine run is a year-round phenomenon - they live here permanently since 2012. The dry season (November-May) offers the best visibility and calmest waters. Early morning (6-8 AM) is ideal for the most impressive displays with up to a million sardines in a single ball. Avoid visiting during typhoon season (June-October) when visibility can be poor.

How to Get There

From Cebu City, take a bus from South Bus Terminal to Moalboal (2.5-3 hours, ₱150-180). From Moalboal town proper, take a tricycle to Panagsama Beach (₱50-100). The sardine run is located in front of Savedra Dive Center, about 30 meters offshore. Many tours from Cebu City include transportation.

What to Expect

Expect to swim just 30 meters from shore to encounter millions of sardines swirling in mesmerizing formations. The sardines are not shy and often swim around and through snorkelers. You may also spot sea turtles that come to feed on the sardines. The water is warm (26-30°C) and the drop-off is steep, creating dramatic underwater scenery. The experience takes 30-60 minutes. No swimming skills required if you use a life jacket and guide.

When to Visit

Best Time

JanFebMarAprMay

Good Time

NovDec

Avoid

JulAugSep

Working Hours

Updated: Jan 2, 2026
24 hours

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access
Not accessible
Audio Guide
Not available
Staff Assistance
Available

faq.title

faq.subtitle Moalboal Sardine Run

No, swimming skills are not required. Guides provide life jackets and will tow non-swimmers to the sardine location. The sardines are only 30 meters from shore, and you can float on the surface to observe them.

No, the Moalboal sardines are permanent residents and can be seen year-round. Unlike South Africa's seasonal sardine run, these sardines have lived here since 2012. However, the dry season (November-May) offers better visibility and calmer seas.

Yes, most tours combine the sardine run with turtle watching at Turtle Point (just nearby), snorkeling at Pescador Island, and visiting Kawasan Falls. A full day tour from Cebu City covering all these sites costs around ₱2,500-3,500 per person.

Reviews

Weather

Average temperature by month

Nowweather25°
93%3 м/с
Todayweather30°24°
Tomorrowweather29°24°
Thuweather27°24°
Friweather26°25°
Satweather28°25°
Sunweather28°24°
Monweather26°25°
30°
24°Jan
31°
24°Feb
32°
25°Mar
33°
26°Apr
33°
26°May
32°
26°Jun
31°
25°Jul
31°
25°Aug
31°
25°Sep
31°
25°Oct
31°
25°Nov
30°
24°Dec
Water temperature
27°
27°
28°
29°
30°
29°
29°
29°
29°
29°
28°
27°

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