Moalboal

Introducing Moalboal

Diving, drinking and dining (in that order) top the list of activities in the dive colony of Moalboal (hard to pronounce - try mo-all-bo-all). About 90km from Cebu City, Moalboal proper is on the main road - the part that tourists mean when they say 'Moalboal' is actually Panagsama Beach, a resort village a short, bumpy tricycle ride west of town (day/night P30/60).

Panagsama doesn't actually have a beach, as such. Both typhoon damage and poor coastal development have led to all the sand being washed away. To make matters worse, many resorts have built walls jutting out to sea, making it impossible to walk beside the water. Most of the resorts are on the water's edge, with their rear balconies over the sea and their front entrances facing a path that runs the length of the village. The resorts provide captivating views of the volcanic plateaus of Negros across the Tañon Strait.

A few kilometres north of Panagsama Beach lies White Beach. Unlike Panagsama, White Beach actually has a beach - and not a bad one at that. Popular with locals, it is subject to the usual flux of domestic tourist spots: relatively quiet during the week, overflowing on weekends and holidays. If you want to see a true Philippine beach party, drop by on any given Sunday. There is only one resort worth the name here, otherwise this is beach-shack and barbecue territory. White Beach is an outrageously expensive 20-minute tricycle ride from Panagsama; or a P40 tricycle ride from Moalboal.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009