Panagsama Beach: One of Southeast Asia’s Best Beaches

• Sardine Run

The sardine run is a natural phenomenon only seen in Moalboal, where millions of small fish gather to create captivating patterns and formations. This is a year-round occurrence, but its peak is from around November to April.

The formations occur as a way for the fish to bond together to avoid predators and to feed on plankton. You don’t need to go into deep waters to see it, but it really shines at around 20 to 30 meters below.

The fish are pretty much harmless, allowing divers to swim safely through them. The diving dropoff points are marine-protected and well-maintained to keep their environment safe.

TripAdvisor users have expressed joy and excitement about the sardine run, with one user saying it topped everything you can do on the beach. One user even said she swam for five hours to witness the natural phenomenon.

• Pescador Island

Panagsama Beach is minutes away from Pescador Island, another popular spot for divers. Unlike other islands, it does not have a white sand shore, but has tons of fascinating wildlife that scuba divers will definitely enjoy.

The northeast side is abundant with schools of stonefish, white frogfish, and soft corals. This is also where you will find sea turtles and dolphins, depending on the weather.

Moreover, the southwest side is called “The Cathedral” because of its picturesque vertical cave with views of the surface. The entrance is 28 meters deep, with chambers on its sides where the sunlight shines through.

Diving resorts in Moalboal offer tours to Pescador Island, complete with trainers certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Guests have said that snorkeling is easy because of the moderate current.

Pescador Island is also popular for island hopping, with some hotels and resorts offering glass boat tours to let guests see the bottom of the ocean from the safety of the vessel.

• Talisay Wall / Turtle Point

About a kilometer away from Panagsama Beach is another dive site full of deep slopes, canyons, and caves. It is considered one of the more beginner-friendly diving spots because of its low current and shallow depth.

Turtle Point is a three-minute boat ride from Panagsama, often visited alongside other diving spots such as Bugo and Tongo Point. It is notable as a sanctuary for adorable sea turtles, which is where the place got its name.

It’s common to see two or three turtles at any depth along the Talisay Wall, but you may have to be patient since they don’t usually show themselves right away.

The two most common types of turtles seen in Turtle Point are Hawksbills and Green Sea Turtles.

• Mermaid Point

Sunstar recognized Mermaid Point as one of the best freediving spots in Cebu (2024), and it’s easy to see why. The mermaid statue creates an other-worldly environment that has become a must-see attraction for divers nationwide.

Unlike other dive spots, Mermaid Point is mostly known for its fascinating backdrops for underwater photography.

The statue stands seven meters from the top, so it is relatively easy to reach. Despite its shallow depth, Mermaid Point welcomes a variety of smaller fish, and starfish can be found on the slope where the statue is erected.

You can see Mermaid Point yourself when you book sessions with Freediving Planet, the only freediving instructor in the Philippines certified by the Association Internationale pour le Développement de l’Apnée (AIDA), the regulatory body for freediving around the world.