Invading a Diver's Haven: Moalboal

I am blessed with a built–in flotation device around my middle that it would be difficult for me to become a diver. I'd probably have to put on a truckload of lead weights to make me sink. So, no, I am not a diver. And a diver's haven is not my place.

Truth is, I just cannot afford to get certified nor am I brave enough to delve deep into Poseidon's world. I am perfectly content just floating about on my back, squinting at the sun. Or floating about on my belly, pretending to be a big ole whale, peering down at the little sea creatures. No, a diver's haven is not my place, but I can still lurk in the fringes of their haven.

Moalboal is a diver's haven and it is one of my favorite diver's havens to lurk in. For these five very good reasons:

1. Nemo doesn't give me a hard time finding him. The waters around Pescador Island is his playground along with his colorful friends. They can be seen, too, just a few meters off the shore of White Beach or Basdaku, and at the marine sanctuaries of Moalboal, such as Tuble, Tongo, and Saavedra.

Pescador Island

I could stay here for hours just looking at them fish

2. The fish are most hospitable. Their colorful homes at Saavedra Fish Sanctuary and at White Beach are open for everyone to visit. All they ask is for each and every guest to be respectful and not touch or step on their homes, please.

3. Nemo's friends Squirt and Crush and all their relatives laze about in Moalboal's Pawikan (Sea Turtle) Area. We spied eight of them one afternoon, including Crush. Crush was so big that a person near him looked so small. Crush is wider than two persons put side by side. Honest.

This is Crush

4. I can catch me a meal just a few meters off the shore of Panagsama Beach. But that is not allowed and I can only smack my lips imagining my year's supply of sardines. Sardines in tomato sauce. Spanish style sardines. Portuguese style sardines. Sardine omelette. Mmmm...sardines...

I see breakfast, lunch, and dinner

5. You get a surprise on your birthday. And it's not an iPod. Poseidon must have favored our friend so much that when we embarked on her little birthday boating trip one late afternoon to see the above four, he sent us a welcoming committee: a pod of dolphins!

An awesome birthday surprise!
(Video taken by K. Hong)

Were my five "very good" reasons very good reasons for you too? If it has got you packing your bags for a trip to Moalboal now, you might want to know that...

• Moalboal has two main beach areas: Panagsama Beach or Basdiot (where there is no sand), and White Beach or Basdaku. If you're into scuba diving, go to Basdiot where there are many dive shops that can assist you in your dive expeditions. If you're into sitting around on a white sandy beach, go to Basdaku.
• There are many accommodation options in Basdiot or Panagsama Beach, and only a dozen options in Basdaku or White Beach.
• Boating can be arranged through your accommodation. Boating costs Php 2000 to Php 2500 for up to 10 persons and usually takes about 3 to 4 hours.
• Dolphin watching is offered in Moalboal and is usually done in the morning. (We were very lucky to have seen so many dolphins that afternoon when dolphin watching wasn't part of the plan.)
• Best time to go see the sea turtles or pawikan is during low tide. I guess so you can spot them better when it isn't so deep?
• Sardines are waiting to show off their glimmer a few meters from the shore of Panagsama Beach. Go and be dazzled by them in the morning or early afternoon.
• Mask and snorkel can be rented from dive shops in Panagsama Beach or Basdiot.