Snorkeling in Moalboal: Sardine Run and Kawasan Canyoneering

Sardines, sea turtles, cliff jumps and jungle trails in a single morning-to-evening push

Spend a full day snorkeling Moalboal's sardine run and sea turtles, then canyoneering Kawasan Falls near Badian with cliff jumping, swimming and jungle trekking. A live English-speaking guide leads both halves. Round-trip hotel transfers, lunch, canyoneering gear and snorkel equipment are included. Minimum age is 14, and you need moderate fitness for the waterfall section.

Step-by-step itinerary

Moalboal snorkeling and Kawasan canyoneering

• Travel at sunrise to Moalboal
• Boat cruise to marine sanctuary
• Snorkel and watch marine life
• Swim with sardines and sea turtles
• Travel to Badian town
• Prepare for Kawasan canyoneering
• Cliff jump, swim, float, trek

The experience

The day starts before dawn with a hotel pickup and a drive to Moalboal, arriving as the sun rises. A 10-minute boat ride takes you to a marine sanctuary where you'll spend about 30 minutes snorkeling in clear water among coral and thousands of sardines moving in tight formation. Sea turtles often glide through the same waters, and if conditions align, dolphins appear too. The snorkel gear is provided. You handle the mask and fins yourself in shallow, accessible depths.

After snorkeling, the group travels 30 minutes inland to Kawasan Falls near Badian for the canyoneering half. This is where the pace shifts: you'll put on a life vest, helmet and wetsuit, then move through the waterfall zone on foot, swimming between pools, floating downstream and jumping from rock ledges into deeper water. The route includes trekking through jungle trails that connect the different levels of the falls. This section demands active participation and moderate physical fitness. It's not observation, it's movement.

Lunch is provided between the two activities. The guide stays with the group throughout both sections and speaks English. All snorkel equipment, canyoneering gear and round-trip transfers from your Cebu hotel are included in the price. The full day runs roughly 10 hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Snorkel equipment and canyoneering gear (life vest, helmet, wetsuit with aqua leggings or rash guard, aqua shoes).
• a live English-speaking guide for both the snorkeling and canyoneering sections.
• round-trip hotel transfers from your Cebu location.
• and lunch.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:00

Book up to14h before

AgesAdult (14 to 50 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 19 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by DIVAISHNAVI INTL. INC.

Is this one for you?You do both the snorkeling and the canyoneering yourself (this is not a watching activity), so it suits anyone who wants to be in the water and moving through the landscape rather than observing from a boat or a trail. The shared group format keeps costs down and pairs you with other travelers. A minimum of two people per booking is required, and groups max out at ten.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the sardine run I'll see in Moalboal?

The sardine run is a natural phenomenon where millions of sardines school together in tight, shimmering formations just offshore. You'll snorkel in the same water where they move, often alongside sea turtles and occasionally dolphins. The fish stay in the area year-round, though their density and behavior vary by season and time of day.

How deep is the snorkeling, and do I need experience?

Snorkeling in Moalboal happens in clear, shallow water near the shore where you can see the coral and fish without diving deep. No prior snorkeling experience is required. The guide will show you how to use the mask and fins. The water is calm enough for anyone comfortable swimming at the surface.

Is cliff jumping at Kawasan Falls mandatory?

Cliff jumping is part of the canyoneering activity, but the guide can show you alternative routes through the waterfall zone if you prefer not to jump. You'll still swim, float and trek through the jungle sections regardless. The whole activity is designed to keep moving through the landscape rather than staying in one spot.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The price covers snorkel gear, all canyoneering equipment (life vest, helmet, wetsuit), lunch, a live English-speaking guide, and round-trip hotel transfers from Cebu. Bring a towel, change of clothes, reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes or sandals you don't mind getting wet. Souvenir photos are available for purchase if you want them.

How fit do I need to be for this day?

Moderate physical fitness is required, especially for the canyoneering section where you'll be moving, climbing and jumping for several hours. The snorkeling is low-intensity, but the waterfall portion involves sustained activity. The operator does not recommend this for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or children under 14.