The 12 Best Sardine Run Snorkeling Trips in Moalboal

1.Oslob Whale Sharks, Tumalog Falls & Sardine Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 343 reviews · 10 hours · from $106Our pick

Leave Cebu around 2:00 to 3:00 AM for Oslob’s whale sharks, Tumalog Falls, and Moalboal’s sardine run and turtles. Breakfast, lunch, transport, entry fees, and snorkeling gear are included. Expect a very long day, possible whale shark queues, and helpful local guides such as Rudy, Noel, or Rudeal, though guide assignments vary.

“This day was absolutely magical! Everything was amazing and it’s for sure a day I will never forget! I highly recommend this trip to everyone! Thank you so much to everyone involved, I’m so thankful and happy for this amazing experience! Much love ❤️”

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2.Oslob Whale Sharks, Moalboal Sardine Run & Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 266 reviews · 10 - 14 hours · from $113

Start before dawn for Oslob’s whale shark encounter, then head to Moalboal for turtles and huge sardine schools. Your guide handles queues, equipment, towels, and transfers, with guides such as Mae, Ken, and Norvina praised for calm, friendly help. Expect 10 to 14 hours, long road time, and excellent underwater photo chances.

“Mae was a wonderful guide :) I did this activity twice in a row because nature is metal & the whale shark x turtle collabo is extraordinarily trill!”

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3.Whale Sharks, Kawasan Falls, & Sardines Run Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 114 reviews · 8 hours · from $135

Start before dawn for Oslob whale sharks, then continue to Kawasan Falls and Moalboal’s sardine run with turtle snorkeling. You get air-conditioned transport, entrance fees, gear, hotel or airport pickup, and local English-speaking guides. Drivers such as Raul, Jave, and Jepoy are praised for keeping the day moving and helping with photos.

“A unique day out with lots of variety. Be prepared for a long day. Our pickup was at 2am with a long drive to Oslob. When we got to Oslob we had to queue from 4:40am for an hour to get a ticket for the whale shark experience. Now this is necessary as it gets very busy and so essentially ensures you get on the boat earlier. We got out to the water about 7/7:30 am, the time goes quicker than you think. If you arrive after 5am I can see you having to wait much longer so although not necessary pleasant it is a blessing in disguise to leave…”

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4.Oslob Whale Sharks and Moalboal Sardine Run, Sea Turtles Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 98 reviews · from $113

Leave Cebu or Mactan around 3 a.m. for Oslob’s whale shark encounter, then snorkel with sardines and sea turtles at Panagsama Beach in Moalboal. Fun Group Cebu provides transport, gear, towels, water, insurance, and guides such as Mae, Norvina, Farrah, and Nino. Expect a 14-hour day with about six hours on the road.

“Fantastic trip, it was absolutely breathtaking Bit of a long drive out but plenty of local atmosphere Our tour guide Mae was really friendly and welcoming, it was all planned out for us and she made sure we were looked after”

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5.Kawasan Canyoneering & Sardines Run and Turtle Chase

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 80 reviews · 12 hours · from $90

Spend a full day combining Moalboal snorkeling with Kawasan Falls canyoneering. Swim among huge sardine schools, look for sea turtles, enjoy a home-cooked Filipino lunch, then slide, wade, and jump through the canyon with local guides such as Bryan, Melvin, Sam, or Ivan. Cebu City pickup, gear, entrance fees, and lunch are included.

“The canyonners were funny, engaging, and energetic. It’s a super fun activity. Advice eat a big breakfast or snacks in the car because you don’t eat lunch until 3pm.”

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6.Moalboal Sardines Run Snorkel & Kawasan Canyoneering

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 73 reviews · 1 day · from $142

Spend a full day in Cebu’s water country: snorkel for Moalboal’s huge sardine schools and sea turtles, then go canyoneering through Kawasan’s pools, slides, waterfalls, and cliff jumps. Guides such as Jerome, Joel, Benji, and Roy are known for patient safety help and taking photos. Lunch, gear, entry fees, and select hotel transfers are included.

“Guides were excellent, took great care of us & were very entertaining! Guille was there early to pick us up at our accommodation in a very comfortable air- conditioned bus. Canyoneering was the best part, maybe advice to bring shoes with a proper sole (vs swim shoes) - would have made it easier to walk on rocks :)”

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7.Oslob Whale Shark Snorkeling & Pescador & Sardine Run & Turtle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 65 reviews · from $150

Start before dawn for Oslob whale sharks, Tumalog Falls, and a full Moalboal snorkel trip with sardines and turtles. Private hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, equipment, and local guides are included. Guides such as Abam, Robbie, Ray, and Noel have earned praise for safe driving and attentive help, but expect crowds, a very long day, and a whale shark encounter shaped by feeding.

“From start to finish the day was amazing. Nothing can prepare you for snorkeling with the whale sharks!! My driver Abam was the best. Very safe, courteous and professional - nothing was too much trouble. It’s a long day in the car but totally worth it - Abam knew all the short cuts to avoid the heavy traffic areas. My guide Ellen was also fantastic. I highly recommend Cebu City tour and would definitely use them again. An incredible day in Cebu!!”

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8.Whale Shark, Canyoneering, Sardines Run and Turtles with Transpo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · from $180

Start at 3:00 am from SM City Cebu for Oslob whale sharks, four hours of Kawasan canyoneering, then sardines and turtles at Panagsama Beach. Private air-conditioned transport, lunch, equipment, and taxes are included. Guides such as Cha Cha, Clyde, and Jomar have been praised for safety and fun, but the day is long and whale shark tourism is ethically debated.

“I don't normally do reviews, but this was so good I had too. This company did an excellent job, picked up on time, friendly driver and patient. Then the handoff to each of the respective excursions went great. It was nice watching the walk up pRead more”

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9.Moalboal Sardines Run Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 24 reviews · 1 hour · from $25

Meet your English-speaking guide at Panagsama Beach for a one-hour private snorkeling trip to Moalboal’s sardine shoal, only about 30 meters from shore. Masks, fins, and a life jacket are available. Guides such as Jonathan can also provide GoPro footage for an added fee, and turtles may appear.

“Jonathan was great, I rented his go pro for 500php and we swam out to the sardines and saw many turtles. I asked him to film the animals so he dived down to get the best shots but kept checking in on me as I floated at the top. I was solo so I had him to myself, it was awesome! highly recommend. 10am was the perfect time.”

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10.Moalboal Sardines Run Private Tour w/ Transfers Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $20Best value

Meet your local guide at Panagsama Beach and swim about 30 meters from shore to Moalboal’s famous sardine school. The private tour lasts about an hour and includes a mask, fins, snorkel equipment, insurance, fees, and a guide. Jonathan has led memorable sardine outings, and GoPro footage is available as an add-on. Transfers can also be arranged.

“The whole experience was amazing, it was seemless and easy. If you don't want to spend the whole day out this is the perfect activity. I would recommend going early since we may catch some turtles.”

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11.WhaleShark , Tumalog Falls, & Sardine Run Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 1 day · from $124

Start with whale sharks in Oslob, then cool off at Tumalog Falls before snorkeling beside Moalboal’s sardine school and sea turtles. Boss J Cebu Tours includes hotel pickup, entrance fees, a local English-speaking guide, and drop-off. The tour is private except for the shared whale-shark boat, as required by local policy.

“Professional driver Gabriel and guides are so efficient…… will recommend. Thank you.”

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12.Guided Sardine Reef Snorkeling Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 16 reviews · 4 hours · from $38

Meet a certified local freediving guide for a four-hour sardine reef outing from Panglao. You’ll receive a safety briefing, full snorkel gear, hotel pickup, and help in the water. Guides such as Dude and Rex have earned warm praise, but sardines are wild and sightings can change with ocean conditions.

“Really enjoyed it. Well organised tour. Guide was great. Saw plenty of Sardines and done Nemo fish. fun experience.”

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