Panagsama Beach, Moalboal - Diving Holiday Destination

Panagsama Beach, Moalboal (Phillipines)

The Phillippines are a multitude of tropical & semi-tropical islands, spread in the middle of the South China Sea. Miles of stunning coral reefs – most of them still waiting to be explored. A friendly, welcoming English-speaking population, a stable economy and a democratically-elected government. With warm blue tropical waters, sandy beaches and palm trees, the Philippines deserves it's nickname Asia's Diving Capital. The islands offer idyllic weather and water temperature for divers.

Spectacular drop-offs, deep dives, caves, wrecks, and a richly varied marine life await the visitor. The variety of hard and soft corals is amazing; there are more than 500 species (the entire Caribbean only has around 60). Divers commonly see sharks, rays, moray eels, octopus, and sea snakes, along with innumerable species of fish, including groupers, jack, tuna, surgeonfish, parrot fish, sweetlips and lionfish, to name a few. Of the 100,000 known species of shellfish, over 21,000 are found here, including many that are unique to the Philippines. It's a diver's paradise!

One of the unique diving attractions in the Philippines is the availability of local dive boats or outriggers called “Bankas”. These comfortable boats are able to get into shallow areas with expert precision, in order to let you enjoy your dive experience to the fullest. Certain dive operations also operate with traditional dive boats and if neither of these options is appealing, there is always the Liveaboard to serve your diving needs.

Cebu lies in the heart of the Philippine archipelago and serves as the ideal gateway for tourists to more than 7,100 fascinating islands of the country. It has rich history, multifaceted culture and captivating people. It provides a glimpse of the country’s glorious past, with a number of preserved historic relics still standing.

Apart from its popular heritage sites, Cebu is endowed with a wealth of inviting, natural attractions that engage visitors in various activities. It boasts of white sand beaches, pristine waters and rich marine life fit for diving and snorkeling, as well as verdant mountains, mysterious caves and challenging trails for mountain trekking and other outdoor sports activities.

All types of accommodation facilities can be found throughout Cebu Island, ranging from prime hotel/resort chains to modest apartelles and pension houses.

Moalboal, a small town, is located in the southwestern part of Cebu which is relatively sheltered. Moalboal name means bubbling brook, and is known for good snorkeling, white sand beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.

Panagsama Beach is a very old fishing village that has evolved into a tourist spot because of the nearby divespot Pescador Island. Panagsama Beach offers a very laid back life style and it is the perfect place for relaxing and scuba diving.

Climate

CLIMATE: The Philippines is a tropical country with an average temperature of 32°C (80°F). March to June is hot and dry (36°C); rains and typhoons abound from July to October; November to February is pleasantly cool (around 23°C) and dry. In mountainous regions, temperatures dip to about 15°C.

Dive Facts

WATER TEMPERATURE:

December - March 21 C to 25 C

April - November 25 C to 28 C

These average temperatures allow divers to experience the underwater world in comfort in as little as a dive skin or when acclimatized, some divers prefer a full 3mm wetsuit.

Dive Attractions

See our Dive Sites Directory for more info on Cebu Island Dive Sites, and our Dive Club Directory for Cebu Dive Clubs and Tour Operators.

The advantage of the dive sites at Panagsama Beach is there are no rivers coming in and a slight current, which is supporting the growth of corals. Highlight is Pescador Island with a lot of dive sites.

Dive Sites Include:

PESCADOR ISLAND (150ft/50m)

Location:southwest of Tongo Point in the Tanon Strait
Attraction: Pescador Cathedral
This is the best diving area of Cebu, Pescador Island is an open top funnel that bottoms out. It also has a wall that overhangs, and cracks and crevices with gorgonian sea fans, black coral, large barrel and tube sponges. The fish life includes just about everything: sweetlips, jacks, barracuda, Napoleon Wrasse, Moorish idols, parrotfish, Whitetip and Grey Reef Shark, lionfish, Zebra Lionfish, scorpion fish, stonefish, moray eels, sea snakes, hammerhead sharks, Manta Rays and Spanish Dancer nudibranches.

BADIAN ISLAND (75ft/25m)

Location: North Badian Point
Attraction: Whalesharks, Gorgonian sea fans
At this drop-off, expect to see some big gorgonians sea fans, colorful soft coral, sponges, nudibranches, angelfish and butterfly fish.

COPTION POINT (75ft/25m)

Location: West Point of the northern end of the Coption Peninsula.
Attraction: Napoleon Wrasse, Banded Sea Snakes, Spot Tail Sand Perch, Fire Gobies and colorful corals. Coption Point is a steep sandy slope that is rich in healthy soft, leathery and stony colorful corals.

BAS DIOT (45ft/15m)

Location: Drop-Off by the Moalboal Reef Club
Attraction: Plentiful of butterfly fish and Bubble Coral
Bas Diot is a drop off with a reef-top that exhibits typhoon damage with variety of scorpion fish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, goat fish, small shoals of catfish, colorful soft corals, gorgonian sea fans, crinoids, smaller angelfish, butterfly fish and Bubble Coral.

Other

Capital: Manila
Languages: Phillipino and English
Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)

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