Everything you need to know about Sardines Run in Moalboal (2025), Cebu

My happy version. In the water!

The Sardines Run in Moalboal, Cebu is one of nature’s most mesmerising underwater spectacles. Imagine millions of sardines swirling in perfect harmony, like a scene straight out of a National Geographic documentary. 🎥🐟

Whether you're a seasoned snorkeler or a first-timer, this natural wonder will leave you in awe.

In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of your Sardines Run adventure—from the best time to visit to top tips for an unforgettable experience. Let’s dive in! 🌊

Diving in the middle of millions of Sardines in the Sardine Run

Best Time of the Year to Go

The Sardines Run in Moalboal is a year-round event, meaning you’re always in for an unforgettable experience! However, if you want the absolute best conditions, the dry season from November to May is ideal.

During this time, the skies are clearer, the seas are calm, and the underwater visibility is exceptional—perfect for getting those cinematic underwater videography shots you’ll want to keep forever. 🎬

⚠️ Heads up! Typhoon season typically runs from June to October, bringing strong winds, rough seas, and reduced visibility. While the sardines are still there, unpredictable weather can make things tricky. If you’re the type who loves a bit of chaos (or a dramatic stormy backdrop for your videos), you could go—but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Sardines are everywhere you look

For fewer crowds and prime snorkeling conditions, I recommend visiting late January to early February—most holiday tourists have gone home, and the sea is still in top shape for your underwater adventures. 🏊‍♂️

How to Get to Sardine Run Moalboal

Reaching Moalboal to witness the Sardines Run is all part of the adventure! 🛫

First, you’ll need to fly into Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu City. From there, you have a few options:

🚍 By Bus: If you’re up for a bit of local immersion, take the Ceres bus from South Bus Terminal in Cebu City. Look for buses marked “Bato via Barili”—this will take you directly to Moalboal. The ride takes about 3 to 4 hours, but hey, you get epic countryside and coastal views along the way.

🚗 By Private Car: If you prefer speed, flexibility, and avoiding random bus karaoke sessions, a private car is your best bet. The drive takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, and you can book through Klook, GrabCar, or local operators. Expect to pay more, but you get door-to-door comfort (and full control over the aux cord 🎶).

What Will You See There?

The Sardines Run is breathtaking on any given day, but sometimes, nature throws in surprises that make it next level. On one of my dives, I captured something surreal—a moment when the skies turned dark in an instant, transforming the underwater scene into a “Snorkeling Eclipse”. 😲🐟

Curious? Watch my underwater videography masterpiece below to see what it’s like when day suddenly turns to night, and millions of sardines create a swirling, otherworldly landscape. If you’re planning a trip to Moalboal, this is the kind of magic that might be waiting for you.

Best Time of Day for Snorkeling

Day turning into night. Sardine Eclipse.

⏰ Timing is everything!

💡 Early morning is the golden hour for the Sardines Run. When I say early, I mean in the water by 7 AM to catch the best conditions. The light is softer, the water is calm and crystal-clear, and the sardines shimmer like living silver confetti. Plus, fewer people = fewer accidental flippers to the face. 😂

If mornings aren’t your thing, sunset snorkeling offers a different vibe. The water takes on a golden glow, and while the visibility may not be as sharp, the sardines still put on an incredible show as the sun dips below the horizon. 🌅

Sardines Run Snorkeling

One of the great things about snorkeling at the Sardines Run is that you don’t necessarily need a tour. The sardines are right by the coast, so you can literally just swim out and boom—instant underwater spectacle!

But I’ll be honest—I’m usually not a fan of tours. I like exploring at my own pace. However, after staying in Moalboal for 15 days and snorkeling with the sardines countless times, I can confidently say that the MTS Travel and Tour experience was worth it. 💯

📸 Their guides knew exactly where to go, and the GoPro shots they took of me were next-level cinematic. 🎥 If you want to make the most of your underwater videography adventure, I highly recommend them. Check out my video above for a glimpse of what to expect!

And if you are interested in becoming a Underwater Videographer pro yourself, check our courses.

Sardines Run Scuba Diving

It was noon, but underwater it looked like night.

If you’re a certified diver and want a different perspective, you can scuba dive with the sardines. Moalboal has many dive shops offering trips to the sardine schools. I gave it a shot, and while it was cool, I have to say...

🤿 Snorkeling (or should I call, Deep Snorkeling) was the real MVP!

With snorkeling, you’re right in the middle of the action, in shallow waters where the sardines swirl around you like a silver tornado. With scuba, you get a wider view, but the sardines tend to stay above you.

Plus, scuba schedules are fixed (usually at 8 AM, 11 AM, and 4 PM), while snorkeling lets you jump in whenever you want.

Both are amazing, but if you ask me? Snorkeling wins. 🏆

Final Thoughts

The Sardines Run in Moalboal is hands down one of the most incredible underwater experiences you can have. Whether you’re a casual snorkeler, a freediving enthusiast, or someone looking to level up their underwater videography, this is a bucket-list-worthy adventure. 🌊🎥

And who knows?

Maybe you’ll experience your own Snorkeling Eclipse moment. 😉

Got questions? Drop them in the comments and I will try to answer on the same day!