Cebu (Phillipines) - Good place for a beginner to Snorkelling and learn!?

Tongo Point in Moalboal has a lot of turtles, There is a marine sanctuary nearby. It is kind of a hassle to get there if you don't stay at one of the resorts there but you can take a tricycle for 20 or 30 pesos.

I suggest wearing a life jacket if anyone feels uncomfortable. In Moalbaol they will push diving but the snorkeling is just as good in my opinion I have more fun.

Apo has strong currents so I suggest she wear a life jacket for sure. The clownfish in the sanctuary there are incredible. Beautiful soft corals as well.

Don't be self concious about the life jacket. My girl has been almost inside the mouth of a whale shark wearing one and had some other amazing swims with me wearing one as I towed her around. She loved it!

dp

I suggest you bring your own snorkel and mask and fins along.

It is great to have a mask that fits. I like the plain snorkle without the fancy gadgets and purge valves. Fins that fit your feet are nice too.

dp

Apo Island was amazing snorkeling but we went out on a boat from the Dauin Beach area and did not stay on the island itself. Dauin Beach is also great for snorkeling right off the beach - amazing coral in shallow waters with great fish life. I have been snorkeling for years and always wear a snorkel vest(can't free dive due to ear problem) - I find that it lets me just float along above the coral and if I need to adjust my mask I just bob along without having to worry about doing damage to the coral with my fins. I agree with dutchpickle that having your own equipment is the way to go.

Moalboal itself is probably not a good option for snorkeling because all the dive shops have the waterfront blocked off with fences and gates.

The island of Negros probably has better opportunities.

Kookoos Nest has a nice sandy beach south of Dumaguette. It would be a nice sheltered place to learn the basics but the actual snorkeling there is not very interesting.

Other beaches on Negros as #3 pointed out are very nice.

Although Cebu's pretty good, you had better check out Palawan. It's got some of the best dive and snorkeling spots. If ever you decide on Palawan, Coron in the northern part of the province is the way to go. You'd be treated to a cool display of marine life even in shallow waters.

While Tubbataha, which is near Cuyo Municipality, is awesome, the dive spots here are for more experienced divers. Check out the Palawan website, and you can choose where in Palawan to go.

Happy snorkeling!

I have traveled a lot in the Philippines, and i would rather recommend Moalboal for snorkeling.
nowhere i saw a more snorkeler friendly reef like in Moalboal:

• no boat needed
• perfect shallow depth
• lots of macro staff
• no or only small current
• no jetski's
• and snorkeling above the drop off ledge is amazing
• easy sand beach entry at White Beach

If you stay on White Beach there is no problem at all with the entry! no resorts blocking the sea at all, and SAND! not to mention the turtles. i saw them about every second time i was in the water.

By the way: i did a Freedivng course at Club Serna - White Beach. Its like snorkeling, but just way cooler.

bye,tim