Wildlife· Cebu· Philippines
Moalboal Sardine Run
9° 56.8′ N · 123° 21.9′ E · approximate
A shoal of millions of sardines lives on the reef drop-off right off Panagsama Beach, twisting into bait balls a few metres from shore while jacks and tuna hunt them - you can snorkel it from the beach.
Practical
Approximate coordinate on the reef edge about 100 m off Panagsama Beach (OpenStreetMap beach 9.9466°N 123.3662°E); the shoal moves along the wall. The sardines once lived at Pescador Island but have moved inshore; they left after a February 2012 earthquake and returned in May 2013. Swim 20-30 m from shore to the drop-off. Turtles are often seen close in, especially at Tonggo Point (south Panagsama). Freediving schools operate here. Watch for bangka traffic at the surface; carry a buoy.
Best for
Snorkelling with the sardine shoal straight from the beach
Season
Year-round
Nearby
- Moalboal Dive Shops (Panagsama)0.1 NM away
- Moalboal Panagsama Anchorage0.1 NM away
- Panagsama House Reef Wall (Moalboal)0.2 NM away
- Smooth Cafe (Panagsama)0.2 NM away
- Panagsama Beach Bars and Restaurants0.3 NM away
- Talisay Wall (Moalboal)0.3 NM away
- Kyro Cafe (Moalboal)0.4 NM away
- Tongo Point and Turtle Bay (Moalboal)0.9 NM away