Have you ever been broke but managed to go on a beach trip? That was me last month, and thanks to a friend's unexpected invitation, I ended up on a wonderful adventure in Moalboal.
Last month we went to Moalboal for a quick escape before my classes started. It was an unexpected adventure. I didn’t even have money at that time, but my close friend suddenly said, “Let’s go on a trip,” and told me he’d cover the expenses since he was about to leave to work as a seaman. Without hesitation, I agreed. Who could say no? It was free, and as someone who enjoys adventures, I grabbed the chance right away. At that moment, I truly felt important. Imagine, he has so many friends, yet it was me he decided to bring along.
We’ve been close for years, and even though he’s five years older, I see him as more than just a friend—he’s like the older brother I never had. Not by blood, but by heart. Every time he comes home to Bogo, he always makes it a point to take me somewhere, whether it’s a small hangout or a quick adventure. That consistency, that effort, made me realize how much he values our friendship. So when he suddenly said, ‘Let’s go to Moalboal; I’ll cover the expenses,’ it wasn’t just an invitation to travel. For me, it was another memory to keep, another chance to bond with someone who has always looked out for me like family. And since my classes were about to start, I thought, why not grab this one last adventure before things get busy again?
In this part of my blog, I just want to open up about my personal experiences, feelings, and first reactions when we arrived in Moalboal. From the moment we got there, I already felt a mix of excitement and peace. The air was fresh, the beach looked so calm, and it felt like all the stress I carried before slowly disappeared. Honestly, it was the kind of break I had been needing. By the way, we stayed in Moalboal for 3 days and 2 nights, which made the trip even more special because it gave us enough time to enjoy, relax, and explore without rushing.
From Day 1 to Day 3, I’ll tell you all about our adventures, funny moments, and simple joys along the way. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed experiencing it.
Day 1 – Finding a Place to Stay & Exploring Around
Since we arrived in Moalboal around 5 PM, the first thing we did was look for a place to stay. We didn’t book anything in advance because the trip was so sudden, so we just walked around and checked out what was available. Good thing it wasn’t the weekend, so there were plenty of vacant rooms to choose from.
After walking for a while, we found an affordable place that seemed perfect for us. We went straight to the receptionist and asked for the price, and luckily, it was budget-friendly—₱1,500 for a room good for two, with two beds included. Without thinking twice, we said yes. We placed our things inside, freshened up a bit, and decided to go out to explore.
By around 6 PM, we started walking around the streets, checking out the shops and restaurants nearby. It was really fun because the people there were so friendly and welcoming. After a while, we got hungry, so we looked for something cheap but filling to eat. We ended up choosing barbecue—our favorite back home in Bogo City. For me, it didn’t matter if it was just a simple and cheap meal; what mattered most was the moment itself, and it felt so worth it.
We didn’t really do much on our first day since it was already evening. We just looked for a place to stay, walked around a bit, and ate dinner. After that, we decided to rest so we’d have energy for our adventures the next day.
Day 2 – From Turquoise Waters to Golden Sunsets
On our second day, we decided to start the morning with an adventure to Kawasan Falls. Since it was about 35 minutes away from our stay, we rented a motorcycle for ₱350, good for 24 hours. Riding on the road felt exciting because we were both looking forward to seeing the famous waterfalls. We left around 10 AM, and by 10:35 AM, we finally arrived.
At the entrance, we learned that the standard fee is ₱200 per person. This gives you access only to Level 1 of the falls. If you want to go canyoneering and reach all three levels, the package costs around ₱2,100 per head, which already includes a guide. Since we were on a tight budget, we just chose the ₱200 entrance. Life vests were also required for swimming, but good thing they were already provided, so we didn’t have to pay extra.
From the drop-off point, we still had to walk about 10 minutes to reach the falls. The path was easy and surrounded by trees, streams, and the relaxing sound of water. As we got closer, I started to hear the strong flow of the falls, which made me even more excited. By the time we reached Level 1, I was amazed. The place was surrounded by greenery, and the water looked so clear and turquoise—like something you’d see in a postcard.
We were lucky because it wasn’t too crowded yet when we arrived. Maybe because it wasn’t peak hours or weekends. The vibe was peaceful, and you could really enjoy the sound of nature mixed with the sound of the rushing falls. Of course, we took some photos first for memories.
After that, we put on our life vests and slowly went into the water. The moment I touched it, it was very cold! It was shocking at first, but later on it felt so refreshing. The cold water washed away all the stress and tiredness I had. For me, it was more than just swimming—it was like therapy from nature. I kept thinking, “This is why people keep coming back here.”
We stayed there for a while, just enjoying the water, laughing, and taking more pictures. It was one of those simple yet priceless moments that I know I’ll always remember.
After Kawasan Falls, we went back to our place around 2 PM to rest for a bit. By 4 PM, we decided to head to White Beach to watch the sunset. Even though it was close to where we stayed, we got a little lost since we didn’t have signal and couldn’t use Google Maps. We laughed so much while trying to find the way and watching the locals around us. At one point, we asked some people for directions, and it turned out the path was actually easy to follow. Being there made me feel really proud to be Filipino—Filipinos are truly hospitable, kind, and welcoming, and seeing it in action made me appreciate my culture even more.
When we finally arrived, I was amazed. Entrance was free, and the whole place had such a great vibe. The waves and the sound of the sea were so relaxing. There were people from other places visiting too, and everyone seemed so friendly. White Beach Moalboal, also known as Basdaku Beach, is a popular tropical destination in Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines, famous for its powdery white sands, clear waters, and stunning sunsets.
After watching the sunset at White Beach, we headed back to our place. On the way, we stopped by a small, affordable restaurant to grab some food. Later that evening, we went to a nearby bar where a live band was playing. We ordered some flavored beers to relax and enjoy the music. Since we both love music, it was really fun to listen, and I even joined the band for a song! I sang “What’s Up” by the 4 Non Blondes, and everyone there sang along with me. It was such a fun night! After the band finished, we went home to rest early because we planned to wake up early the next day for another adventure.
Day 3 – Sardines, Turtles, and Coral Watching
On our last day, we went to see the sardines around 8 AM since our check-out was at 11 AM. That gave us about two hours to enjoy the sea and explore. We rented life vests and goggles because I don’t really know how to swim. It was kind of funny—I was so excited to go in the water, but I couldn’t really swim properly!
When I first went into the water, it felt amazing. The water was deep, and it was my first real experience swimming like that. I felt a little jealous of my close friend because she could dive underwater easily, while I had to stay floating with my life vest. So I just took videos and pictures instead.
I was really amazed by the thousands of sardines swimming around us. We were lucky to see two turtles too! I took a lot of photos to remember everything and capture the beauty of the sea.
By around 10:20 AM, we had finished exploring, spent about 30 minutes packing our things, and then decided it was time to head home.
My journey to Moalboal may have been unplanned, but it left me with priceless memories. It might be your time to accept Moalboal if you're searching for a short getaway that is full of surprises, sun, and sea.
That’s it for now; stay tuned for my next blog. Who knows, maybe next time I’ll actually afford the snacks.