Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Diver explores the turquoise waters of Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines. Ideal for adventure and travel themes.
📷 Elaine Bernadine Castro · Pexels

Moalboal — Pescador Island (Sardine Run)

Moalboal's Pescador Island delivers world-class macro diving and reliable sardine run encounters. Year-round access, 5–35m depths, intermediate skills required.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers chasing chasing pelagics.

updated 4 months ago
Dificultad
Intermedio
Profundidad
5–35 m
Pelagic hotspotMacroFocusBoatOnlyPhotoFriendly
+1 más
CurrentVaries

De un vistazo

Actividad
dive
Dificultad
intermediate
Profundidad
5–35 m
Mejores meses
Todo el año

Mejores operadores aquí

Ver todos los operadores ↓

Mapa

Este spot Operadores Aeropuerto Spots cercanos
© OpenStreetMap · CARTO
Abrir en Google Maps

Condiciones hoy

Condiciones

Open-Meteo
Viento
3.5 kn
Olas
0.04 m
Agua
29.9°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SW (25%)
Now: SSW (212°)
Marea (7 días)
amplitud: 1.76m

Próxima: Alta a las 02:00 (+1.46m)

+1.6 m0 m-0.2 m
▲ 02:00 · +1.46m ▼ 10:00 · +0.14m ▲ 15:00 · +0.43m ▲ 17:00 · +0.45m
Sáb 19Dom 20Lun 21Mar 22Mié 23Jue 24Vie 25
UV9.1 · very high Aire PM2.517 · moderate 05:35 17:44
Día Viento Olas UV Lluvia
09-19 7.1 0.06 9 0mm
09-20 7.8 0.04 9 1mm
09-21 9.9 0.02 9 2mm
09-22 7.2 0.04 9 1mm
09-23 6.8 0.02 6 5mm
09-24 7.5 0.02 7 2mm
09-25 7.8 0.02 8 15mm

About this spot

Pescador Island sits off Moalboal's coast as one of the Philippines' premier dive destinations. The site earns its reputation from consistent encounters with massive sardine bait balls—a dynamic spectacle where predators converge to feed. Divers navigate reefs and walls between 5 and 35 meters, spotting lionfish, snappers, and trevally in the chaos. The island's topography suits intermediate divers with solid buoyancy control. Shallow reefs near the surface hold nudibranchs, gobies, and schooling jacks. Mid-range dives on the walls expose crevices and overhangs where groupers shelter. Strong currents are common; plan descents and ascents accordingly, and use natural reef features to anchor yourself during the sardine run peak activity. Access from Moalboal town is straightforward—operators run daily trips from the shore. Weather permitting, the short boat ride to Pescador takes 15–30 minutes. The island sits in an established diving zone with light regulation, making entry seamless for visiting divers. Bring a torch for macro work in shaded crevices; the bait ball action often draws larger pelagics that reward patience and good positioning. Year-round operations mean flexible trip planning. Combine Pescador with nearby house reef dives or island-hopping to maximize bottom time and marine encounters in one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic small-island dive ecosystems.

📖 Guía: Buceo en Filipinas: 119 sitios, naufragios y paredes que justifican el vuelo

Mejores meses

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Tipos de buceo

ParedArrecifeBarcoPelágico

Esenciales del viaje

Todo lo que necesitas antes de hacer la maleta — checklist, sol, logística.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B/C · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Información de sostenibilidad
🌍 CO2 footprint MAD ↔ 12205km · ~2807kg · €51

Desde tu país de salida

Estados Unidos
Puntuación de origen: 54/100
  • Visado: Visado a la llegada · 30 días máx.
  • Vuelo: 12h · directo
  • Jet-lag: 11h este · 8 días de recuperación

Preguntas frecuentes

When is the best time to dive Pescador Island?

Pescador Island offers diving year-round. Sardine runs and large predator activity can occur throughout the year, though current strength and visibility vary seasonally. Visit during your preferred window; operators run trips daily subject to weather.

What depth and skill level does Pescador Island require?

Depths range from 5 to 35 meters, suitable for intermediate divers with solid buoyancy and current-handling skills. Shallow reefs welcome newer explorers, while walls and deeper features reward experienced divers. Strong currents are typical; comfortable finning and situational awareness are essential.

What marine life will I see?

Expect sardine bait balls, lionfish, snappers, trevally, groupers, and nudibranchs. Pelagic predators—jacks, barracuda, and occasionally sharks—converge during feeding events. Macro life in shallow reefs includes gobies, scorpionfish, and small crustaceans in reef crevices.

How do I access Pescador Island?

Moalboal town serves as the launch point. Dive operators run daily boat trips to the island (15–30 minutes by boat). No special permits required for diving. Book through local operators in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

Operadores cerca de este spot

Centros de buceo, escuelas de kite y surf en un radio de 10 km, desde OpenStreetMap.

M&L Diver Town

2.4 km
4.5 (38 reviews) closed
Centro de buceo
Verified Booked 48+ times this month
Teléfono: +639173235183
Horario: Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Love's Beach and Dive Resort

2.3 km
4.4 (290 reviews) closed
Centro de buceo
Verified
Teléfono: +63 966 450 3011
Horario: Friday: 7:30 – 9:00 PM

Cebu Fun divers

2.3 km
Centro de buceo

Quo Vadis dive center

2.3 km
4.4 (424 reviews)
Centro de buceo
Verified

The Blue Abyss Dive Shop

2.3 km
Centro de buceo

Dodong & Inday Snorkeling Shop

2.4 km
Centro de buceo

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

The Ultimate SARDINE RUN & TURTLE Guide 2023 | Moalboal

Backpacker Felipe

RooWanders | Diving in Moalboal | Sardines, Pescador and Narc Rock

RooWanders

PESCADOR ISLAND, SARDINE RUN AND SWIM WITH TURTLES AT MOALBOAL, Cebu, Philippines

Roy Vistal

Spots cercanos

Diving spot 2 Philippines Buceo
🇵🇭 Philippines

Diving spot 2

Year-round diving in the Philippines with active species monitoring and community content available.

Principiante Ene·Feb·Mar+
Sampaguita Philippines Buceo
🇵🇭 Philippines

Sampaguita

Sampaguita is a year-round Philippine dive spot with 12 documented species observations and emerging coral health concerns worth monitoring.

Principiante Ene·Feb·Mar+
Lighthouse West Philippines Buceo
🇵🇭 Philippines

Lighthouse West

Lighthouse West is a year-round Philippine dive site with healthy coral and documented marine biodiversity. Accessible and suited for divers of varying experience.

Principiante Ene·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Buceo
🇵🇭 Philippines

Balicasag — Rico's Wall

Intermediate wall dive off Balicasag Island with steep drops to 35m and strong pelagic activity. Accessible year-round from the Philippines.

Intermedio 8–35m
Tubbataha — Jessie Beazley Reef Philippines Buceo
🇵🇭 Philippines

Tubbataha — Jessie Beazley Reef

Jessie Beazley Reef at Tubbataha offers advanced divers pristine coral walls and pelagic encounters in a protected marine park.

Avanzado 8–40m
Walindi — Bradford Shoals Papua New Guinea Buceo
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea

Walindi — Bradford Shoals

Walindi's Bradford Shoals offers advanced divers dramatic deep coral formations and prolific pelagic action in Papua New Guinea's Kimbe Bay.

Avanzado 18–40m
St. John's — Habili Ali Egypt Buceo
🇪🇬 Egypt

St. John's — Habili Ali

Habili Ali is an advanced deep reef dive in Egypt's Red Sea, dropping to 40m with strong currents and rich marine life.

Avanzado 12–40m Ene·Feb·Mar+

Sugerir un operador

¿Conoces un buen centro de buceo, escuela de kite o guía local en este spot? Cuéntanos — lo revisamos y lo añadimos.

Hasta 500 caracteres
Planear
View →