Moalboal Sardines, Turtles & Kawasan Canyon: 2025 Review

I mean, some places you visit just sort of stick with you. Moalboal, in the southern part of Cebu, is pretty much one of those places for me. So, people often talk about the big three things to do there, you know, the sardines, the turtles, and the wild ride through Kawasan Canyon. I had, of course, seen the pictures online, which were really amazing. Yet, seeing it all in person in 2025 was, honestly, a completely different story. It’s more or less a day trip that packs in so much raw, natural beauty that it’s a little hard to process all at once. Basically, this isn’t just about ticking boxes off a list. As a matter of fact, it’s about feeling a kind of connection to the ocean and the jungle in a way that’s actually pretty rare. Seriously, you go from being in a swirling vortex of fish to floating next to a 100-year-old turtle, and then, you know, jumping off cliffs into water that’s an unbelievable shade of blue. It’s kind of a sensory overload in the best possible way, right?

The Famous Sardine Run: It’s Honestly Overwhelming

Alright, so first up was the sardine ball, which is, you know, just off Panagsama Beach. Our guide, who was frankly a super chill local guy, told us the sardines are there pretty much all year round, so you almost can’t miss them. You just swim a little way from the shore, and then, boom, the world beneath you just sort of drops away. Suddenly, you are floating above what honestly looks like a living, breathing cloud of millions of fish. It’s actually quite loud in a way; you can sort of hear a collective ‘whoosh’ as they all move together. The way the light hits their scales is just something else; it’s like, you know, seeing a shower of liquid silver. I mean, they move as one giant organism, creating these incredible shapes that just ripple and morph right in front of your mask. It’s slightly disorienting but absolutely amazing. We were told to just float and watch, and it was seriously the right call because the school would just envelop you for a second before parting again. You really don’t need to be a scuba diver for this, which is great; a snorkel and mask are literally all it takes to witness this spectacle.

To be honest, it feels like you’ve swum straight into a nature documentary. The sheer number of fish is mind-boggling, and you actually feel very small and part of something much, much bigger.

A Gentle Encounter: Swimming Near Sea Turtles

So, after the crazy energy of the sardines, the next part of the day was, in contrast, very serene. The turtle-spotting area is apparently just a short boat ride away. Our guide knew exactly where to find them, you know, munching on seagrass in the shallows. The water here is just incredibly clear, so you can see them perfectly from the surface. We were given a very straightforward briefing: basically, look but don’t touch. It’s their home, and we were just, you know, polite visitors. It was a rule we were more than happy to follow. Spotting the first one was kind of magical. It was this big, old Green Sea Turtle, moving with a kind of ancient grace that was just so calming to watch. It would, like, glide up to the surface for a breath of air, give a little look around, and then drift back down to its grassy lunch. There were quite a few of them around, all seemingly unbothered by our presence as long as we kept a respectful distance. Frankly, it’s a really moving experience to be that close to such a magnificent, gentle creature. It’s pretty much a lesson in peaceful coexistence, you know?

The Main Event: Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls

Okay, now for the part that gets your heart pumping. After the marine life encounters, we headed inland for the canyoneering at Kawasan. First, we got all our gear—a helmet and a life vest, which were, obviously, not optional. The guides gave us a very clear safety talk, which at the end of the day, made everyone feel a lot more comfortable. The whole adventure is basically a few hours of trekking, swimming, and, yes, jumping your way down a river that cuts through a stunning gorge. The water is this Gatorade-blue color that honestly looks fake, but it’s really that vibrant. It’s sort of a natural waterpark. There are spots where you can slide down smooth rocks and pools where you can just float and look up at the jungle canopy. And then, you know, there are the jumps. They start small, just a few feet, to get you warmed up. The guides are great; they show you exactly where to jump from and where to land. The biggest jump is, like, pretty high—maybe around 30 to 40 feet—but it’s completely optional. A few people in our group skipped it, which was totally fine. I mean, the rush of leaping off that cliff and plunging into the cool water below is an incredible feeling, a memory that’s literally seared into my brain. Finally, the journey ends at the main Kawasan waterfall, which is a seriously impressive sight and the perfect spot for those victory photos.

What a Typical 2025 Moalboal Tour Package Actually Includes

So, you might be wondering how a day like this works logistically. Most tour packages in 2025 are pretty much all-inclusive, which is super convenient. A typical day starts very early, sometimes with a 4 or 5 AM pickup from your hotel in Cebu City or Mactan. The drive south to Moalboal is kind of long, usually about three hours, so you can probably get a little more sleep in the van. Once you arrive, things move pretty fast. Basically, you’ll likely do the island hopping first for the sardines and turtles. The boat, snorkel gear, and guide are, of course, all part of the package. After the sea adventure, they usually provide lunch, which is often a simple but really tasty Filipino meal, served right near the beach or on the way to the next location. Then, it’s off to Badian for the Kawasan canyoneering. That part of the tour also includes all your safety gear and a couple of dedicated canyoneering guides. They really handle almost everything for you, including entrance fees and environmental charges. You just, you know, need to bring your sense of adventure and maybe a little bit of cash for tipping or buying a coconut water at the end. At the end of the day, it’s a long but incredibly well-organized day.

Is This Adventure Right for You? A Few Honest Thoughts

To be honest, this tour is absolutely amazing, but it’s probably not for everyone. You need a moderate level of physical fitness, you know? The canyoneering involves a bit of hiking on uneven, slippery terrain, and while you don’t need to be an athlete, you should be comfortable with being active for a few hours straight. If you have a serious fear of heights, the jumping parts might be a little too much, but as I said, you can usually opt out of the big ones. Also, you have to be okay with a really early start and a long day of travel. So, if your idea of a perfect vacation is just lounging by a pool with a book, this might feel a little too intense. On the other hand, if you’re someone who gets a buzz from nature, loves the water, and wants a real, genuine adventure, then you will absolutely love this experience. It’s perfect for solo travelers wanting to meet people, couples seeking a thrill, or groups of friends looking to make some epic memories. Seriously, it’s one of those ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ kind of days that you’ll talk about for years.

Read our full review: [Moalboal Sardines, Turtles & Kawasan Canyoneering Full Review and Details]

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