My First Travel Dive Trip to Moalboal, Philippines

A Mix of Excitement & Nerves

There’s something about your first big dive trip that sticks with you—whether it’s the thrill of exploring new waters, the challenge of pushing your limits, or just the sheer excitement of experiencing marine life up close. For me, that first adventure led to Moalboal, Philippines, a place famous for its sardine run, sea turtles, and clear blue waters. But truth be told, I didn’t exactly choose this destination myself.

The trip was organized by our instructor, a seasoned diver who had already explored countless dive sites. My girlfriend introduced me to the group, and since they were all experienced divers looking for a fresh destination, Moalboal became the pick. As a complete newbie, I was just tagging along, trying to keep up, and hoping not to embarrass myself.

And that’s where the conflicting emotions kicked in. I love to travel—I've done plenty of business trips and vacations—but this was different. This wasn’t just hopping on a plane, exploring a new city, or enjoying food in a foreign country. This was a dive trip, and I was the least experienced one there. I worried about dragging the group down or making mistakes underwater. Would I be too slow? Would I panic? Would I embarrass myself? These thoughts ran through my head even as I packed my bags.

But there was one thing pushing me forward: the chance to see a whale shark. That was the dream. That was the goal. And as I touched down in Moalboal—one of the few places in Southeast Asia I had yet to visit—it felt like the start of something completely new. An adventure I wasn’t fully prepared for, but one I was determined to take on.

An Unexpectedly Wild Ride

Traveling to Moalboal wasn’t exactly straightforward, but that just added to the adventure. Instead of taking a direct flight to Cebu, we opted for a more budget-friendly route—flying with Philippine Airlines from Hong Kong to Manila, then catching a connecting flight to Cebu. From there, our dive resort, Club Hari, had arranged a private van to take us on the final leg of the journey—an overland trip from Cebu Airport to Moalboal.

What we didn’t expect was that the van ride itself would turn into a thrill-seeking experience. Our driver handled the winding roads of Cebu like he was auditioning for Fast & Furious. Speeding past slower vehicles, overtaking on blind corners, and weaving through traffic, it was impossible to fall asleep. The entire group sat wide-eyed, gripping whatever we could, exchanging nervous laughs as we mentally prepared for impact at any given moment. Fortunately, we arrived in one piece—a little shaken, but very much alive.

And the Price We Paid

Before the trip, we had done our research and were under the impression that we’d be able to see whale sharks during one of our planned dives. It was something we were all excited for—until we realized that wasn’t actually the case. Turns out, whale shark encounters don’t happen in Moalboal itself, but rather on the other side of Cebu, in Oslob.

Not willing to miss the opportunity, we decided to pay extra for a last-minute side trip, waking up at 4 AM to make the long journey just to swim with these gentle giants. Was it worth it? Absolutely. But between the steep price and the exhausting early-morning start, it was one of those unexpected add-ons that we wished we had planned better.

The Perfect Vibe for Diving

The moment we arrived, all the stress from traveling disappeared. Moalboal was everything I imagined a laid-back dive town should be—relaxed, scenic, and effortlessly welcoming. The calm blue waters, the simple beachfront cafes, and the slow-paced rhythm of life made it feel like a place where time moved differently. It was the kind of place that made me fall in love with diving instantly.

There was something about the atmosphere that just clicked. This was the diving vibe I had always pictured in my head—not just about the underwater experience, but about the whole lifestyle that comes with it. If I wasn’t already hooked on diving before, Moalboal definitely sealed the deal.

A Trusty Dive Resort with a Local Touch

For accommodation, we checked into Club Hari, a Korean-owned dive resort that was reasonably priced yet reliable. It wasn’t a luxury resort, but it offered comfortable rooms, decent food, and solid service. Some of the group had stayed at Club Hari’s other locations before and vouched for its reputation, so we knew we were in good hands. It was exactly what we needed—a no-frills but well-managed base to eat, sleep, and prepare for the dives ahead.

One thing we really appreciated about the area was the nearby international food market—an outdoor food court with covered seating that offered a mix of local and international cuisine. While we loved the atmosphere of Moalboal, having a spot where we could find familiar comfort food was a nice bonus. It gave us a chance to unwind and enjoy good meals without venturing too far from the resort.

The Moment It All Clicked

Unlike structured dive trips where every site is planned in advance, our dives in Moalboal were more spontaneous and flexible. The dive master chose locations based on what we were interested in and where he thought we’d get the best sightings. That meant every dive felt like a bit of a mystery—we never knew exactly what we’d see until we descended.

There wasn’t a single dive that stood out as the best. Instead, the entire trip was one huge learning experience for me. This was my first travel dive trip after completing my Advanced Open Water certification, and the difference was night and day. For the first time, I wasn’t just focused on skills or survival—I was truly enjoying the dive. Every descent felt smoother, and instead of stressing over buoyancy or equipment, I was actually taking in the underwater world. It was overwhelming in the best way possible.

Getting Comfortable in the Water

One of the biggest revelations for me was how much easier diving felt in warm water. My Advanced Open Water course had been in much colder conditions, where I needed multiple layers of wetsuits just to stay warm. That made me so buoyant that I struggled to sink—even after loading up with weights.

Moalboal was the opposite. Here, I could comfortably wear just a 3mm wetsuit with two weights and feel completely at ease. For the first time, I experienced effortless buoyancy control—being able to sink, rise, and hover just by adjusting my breath. It was like unlocking a new level of diving, and it made me appreciate how much the right conditions can change everything.

Whale Sharks & Other Encounters

Of course, one of the biggest highlights was finally seeing a whale shark. Even though it wasn’t technically part of our Moalboal dives, making the extra trip to Oslob just to swim with these massive creatures was worth it. But beyond that, every dive was special in its own way—watching schools of fish shift in unison, spotting hidden critters in the reef, and just drifting effortlessly along the ocean walls.

The Struggle of Holding It In… Literally

One of the funniest moments from our dives wasn’t even about marine life—it was about wetsuit etiquette. A few of us were pretty firm believers in not peeing in our wetsuits, which made for some serious bladder control challenges. During certain dives, we’d start moving less and less, arms tight to our bodies, trying not to think about the fact that we really needed to go.

Once we surfaced, the first thing we’d joke about wasn’t the dive itself, but who was suffering the most from holding it in. It became an ongoing joke throughout the trip, with a silent understanding that as soon as we hit land, the race to the nearest restroom was on.

The Moment That Changed Everything

Out of all the dives, there was one moment that’s burned into my memory. I was the last one off the boat, taking a second to make sure everything was in place. I signaled to the crew that I was okay, then turned and descended.

The transition was effortless—from the surface to the sandy seabed, then into the deep blue. As I dropped lower, the seafloor gave way to an open wall of endless ocean. It was this vast, open blue space—so massive that for a second, I just hovered there, taking it in.

It was pure calm. A moment of complete stillness where I fully grasped how small we are in this world—and how incredible this vast ocean really is. That was when it hit me:

"This. This is why I love diving."

The Trip That Started It All

Looking back, this trip wasn’t just about diving—it was a turning point. It set the tone for every future dive trip—from the way I pack, to how I plan, to what I expect from the experience. It also gave me a blueprint for organizing future trips, especially since I knew I’d be inviting friends along for the ride. As someone who loves planning events, this was the perfect first step into making dive travel a regular thing.

Of course, there are always things I’d do differently. Long transits were a bit dull, and I wish I had packed more snacks and entertainment for those in-between moments. Sitting through long flights and van rides with nothing to munch on definitely made the journey feel longer than it needed to be. Lesson learned.

Would I recommend Moalboal? Absolutely—especially for beginner divers. It’s not the most breathtaking dive spot in the world, but it’s an amazing place to get comfortable in the water, build confidence, and truly enjoy the experience. If you’re looking for an accessible, laid-back destination to kick off your dive adventures, Moalboal is a solid choice.

And if this trip did anything, it cemented my love for diving. After Moalboal, there was no turning back—I just wanted to keep going, keep diving, and never stop.

Because at the end of the day, I know one thing for sure:

This is only the beginning.