Moalboal, Cebu is a place for complete relaxation and fun-filled outing with friends and acquaintances. Its powdery white sand coupled with its clear waters makes Moalboal a popular Cebu destination for tourists, foreigners and locals alike.
Known for its wonderfully-preserved marine lives, Moalboal became the Diving Capital of Cebu. Its underwater realm is very rich with color-stunning coral reefs and interesting species of fishes and some risky yet exciting appearances of alarming creatures such as barracudas and some kind of sea snakes.
Moalboal is the 4th class municipality of Cebu with a total of more or less 30,000 residents. Located 89 kilometers southwest from the main Cebu City, it rests in between Alcantara and Bandian. A tour by bus took 2.5 hours to reach. Strolling in the western shoreline, the island of Negros can be seen from afar. Separated by the Tañon Strait, Moalboal is extended to a peninsula. Pescador Island, governed by Moalboal, is another popular diving attraction.
History
Moalboal, which means “bubbling brook”, is such an unfamiliar name with a bit of difficulty in pronouncing it. There are two stories that can relate to the history of the place. Either of the two, which of these do you think is more likely to be true?
Once, a certain stranger wandered in the place and asked a woman about the place and its name. Thinking that the stranger was asking the name of the spring nearby, she said “bukal-bukal” which is the actual translation of the spring. Because of her speech impairment, it sounds “Moalboal” thus naming the town Moalboal.
Another folklore about the place is the exile of a warrior named Laguno from Bohol. He arrived in the shores of Moalboal with his entire family. Laguno had is “yam-yam” or oracion, a strong magical defense from enemies. When the Moro invaders came, Laguno instructed his men to cast coconut husk on the sea and with his “yam-yam”, he made it appear as real men. Seeing countless men and their sure defeat, Moro invaders flee. Laguno found reverence by his men and on his death, hisbody was buried in near freshwater spring located on the beach. A large trunk of tree was place to protect his burial ground so as not to disturb it. Until now, the truck was still present and when cut, it bleeds. The spring as well is still prevailing.
Locals are called “Moalboalanons” from its town name yet descended from Bohol where Laguno Sabanal originally resided. Though using Cebuano dialect, there is till traces of Boholano accent.
Way back 1970’s, Moalboal started its tourism industry because of it accessible geographical location and panoramic view of nature’s abundance. It focuses on beaches and on diving activities.
One famous diving resort is the now-defunct Panagsama Beach. Upon its onset, Panagsama Beach is one of the first scuba diving destinations. In early 1980’s, it became very famous and tagged as the diving destination in Asia before a typhoon struck everything to pieces on 1984.
Few kilometers from Moalboal proper is the Saavedra Peninsula, where White Beach or the “Bas Dako” located. Boasting with long white sand beaches, rocky coves and irresistible underwater splendor, White Beach is excellent for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Three kilometers across the Tañon Strait is the Pescador Island, famed for its marine park which took only 20-minute ride by a motorboat. You can see translucently the real attraction of the underwater world. There is a huge diversity of marine lives ranging from corals to sponges, shells and starfishes, eels and fishes to sea snakes and sharks and rays if lucky.
Aside from Scuba diving and snorkeling, tourists can enjoy other activities like sea kayaking, sun bathing, wind surfing. Some accommodations offer horseback riding, river climbing and mountain climbing. For some, it is paradise but for divers, it is heaven. Experts and beginners are invited to explore the deep.
No wonder, many tourists keep on going back. A peaceful place and an abode of many amazing animate objects, Moalboal is a perfect whereabouts for family get-together or an adventure with friends and associates.
How To Get There
Those who wanted to visit Moalboal and experience its diving pleasure, one can take a taxi from Cebu International Airport for faster and safer transportation. But bus is another good option. But be sure to know where to stop or else, you will be lost. Tricycles are very much willing to transport you where you wanted to go. Accommodations are not a problem. High class or affordable hotels are available in and outside Moalboal.
