Sardine Run Dive: Exploring Underwater Wonders in Moalboal

Moalboal, situated in the Philippines, is a diving haven renowned for its vibrant marine life and captivating underwater landscapes. One of the most extraordinary phenomena that lure divers from around the world is the Sardine Run, a mesmerizing display of nature’s abundance beneath the waves. Between December and April, massive schools of sardines gather along the shores of Moalboal, creating an underwater spectacle that is nothing short of breathtaking. Diving into this mass of silver-hued fish is like immersing yourself in a living vortex, as the sardines move with synchronized grace, forming shimmering clouds that dance in harmony.

Quick Trip Overview

• Location: Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines
• Closest Airport:  Cebu International Airport

Diving at Panagsama Quick Information

• Wet Suit: 3mm
• Water Temperature: 28-30 Celsius
• Current: There may be a mild current
• Max Depth: 42m – the sardines are near the surface though so most divers will not dive further than 15-20m.

About the Sardine Run

Diving the Sardine Run in Moalboal is a bucket-list experience for underwater enthusiasts. Beyond the sheer awe of witnessing this massive congregation of fish, the dive showcases the intricate ecological balance of the marine environment. It’s an opportunity to be immersed in nature’s grandeur and witness a spectacle that epitomizes the beauty of the underwater world.

Some generic tips about diving the Sardine run:

1. Timing: The Sardine Run is most prominent during the dry season, from December to April, when the sardines are drawn closer to the shore.
2. Visibility: While visibility is generally good, it’s advisable to check current conditions. Early morning dives often provide optimal lighting for photography.
3. Dive Operators: Local dive operators in Moalboal are well-versed in the Sardine Run locations. Choose a reputable operator with experienced guides to enhance your diving experience.

For the dive itself, there are two forms of entry: from the beach or from a moored boat.

The beach entry requires a bit of waddling through the water, before reaching deep enough water to submerge and go over the cliff edge – as the depth goes from 2-5m to a sudden reef wall that goes down to 30-40m.

The sardines are located just off of the reef wall, the moving ball of Sardines swim about in the current. From the distance, the sardines look like a cloud in the distance, and then as you swim closer you will see the individual sardines moving about.

When to Dive to see the Sardine Run

The best time to dive at Moalboal and to enjoy the Sardine Run is to visit between the months of December to April. This is known to be Cebu’s dry months which means the weather will be participating and enjoyable.

Ultimately, you are able to dive here at any time of the year however the other months are known as the rainy or typhoon season which can lead to dives being cancelled due to adverse weather.

Best Time to Dive Panagsama

This location is popular for certified divers, discover scuba, free divers, and snorkelers.

If you have the option of picking the dive time, try to have the dive operation take you in the morning. This is for two main reasons: there are fewer people present and the visibility is better.

Ultimately, by afternoon time there are a lot of snorkelers, free divers, and divers visiting the sardine balls. This means there is more boat traffic and more people swimming in from the beach which means more debris entering the water.

You will find later in the day that there will just be more “stuff” in the water. Therefore, head out early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the backscatter that comes with the large groups!

Recommended Certifications for Panagsama

Since most dive at Panagsama, or the Sardine Run, to see the Sardines, that means you will not require much training other than open water.

The sardines stay in shallow water from 1m to 10m (if even). Therefore, even new divers can enjoy seeing the large balls of sardines. Due to the simplicity and ease of access to the sardine run this explains where you will see so many discover scuba divers there. You will be able to tell the discover scuba divers as there is normally a divemaster holding onto the tank of a diver and guiding them around that way.

What to Spot at the Sardine Run

Here is what you can expect to see at the Sardine Run at Panagsama beach.

• Sardines – this is a given I imagine by now, but you will see the schools of sardines along a major portion of the reef wall.
• Whale sharks – an additional special treat at Panagsama beach is the chance to see whale sharks. Due to the dive spot being in the vicinity of Oslob, there is the chance to see whale sharks while visiting the sardine balls. Supposedly, a whale shark is spotted at least once a week at the dive spot. However, this is not a promise like the sardines are. Just keep your eye out for a larger shadow moving around the sardines! I was lucky to witness one during my dive and almost missed it as I just thought it was farther off sardine ball.
• Frogfish – If you want to explore the reef wall more, then you can spot some common giant frogfish hidden among the rocks.
• Anemonefish – there are three types of anemonefish that can be spotted at Moalboal – to include the famous “Nemo” so another great critter to look out for.

The Sardine Run in Moalboal is a captivating underwater experience that not only features the mesmerizing display of massive sardine schools but also offers a diverse array of marine life. While the star of the show is undoubtedly the sardines, divers have the opportunity to encounter various other fascinating creatures during their exploration of this underwater wonderland. Some of the notable wildlife that can be spotted during the Sardine Run in Moalboal includes:

1. Thresher Sharks: Known for their distinctive long tails, thresher sharks are a highlight for divers exploring the depths around Moalboal.
2. Turtles: Green sea turtles are a common sight, gracefully navigating through the water alongside the swirling sardine schools.
3. Jackfish and Barracuda: Schools of jackfish and barracuda often accompany the sardines, creating an impressive spectacle of marine life.
4. Frogfish and Seahorses: The vibrant coral reefs around Moalboal are home to unique and colorful critters such as frogfish and seahorses.
5. Moray Eels: These elusive creatures can be found nestled in the crevices of the coral formations, adding an element of surprise to the dive.
6. Nudibranchs: The diverse nudibranch species in Moalboal showcase a kaleidoscope of colors, offering macro photographers a treat.
7. Dolphin Sightings: Beyond the underwater realm, lucky divers may even witness playful dolphin pods on the surface during boat rides to the dive sites.

It’s important to note that the Sardine Run creates a dynamic and ever-changing environment, attracting a variety of marine species seeking to capitalize on the abundance of prey. Divers can anticipate an immersive encounter with not only the captivating sardine schools but also a rich tapestry of marine life that contributes to the allure of Moalboal’s underwater ecosystem.

Photo Spots at the Sardine Run

Recommended lens for Sardine Run: Landscape or Fish Eye Lens

There are numerous photos of the Sardine Run floating around on social media, here is what a majority of the photos involve:

• Swimming into the Sardine Ball – the sardine ball is comprised of thousands of fish. When you move towards the sardines they will begin swimming away. This creates a great shot of the fish dividing as you swim closer – this also gives the perspective of the sardines in comparison to the diver.
• Predators chasing the Sardines – if you are fortunate you may see predators (Jack Fish, Sharks) chasing the sardine which gives a great natural interaction photo shot. There were some jackfish there while I visited, however, were very shy of divers.
• Close and far – if you are not interested in having divers in your photos, then the best way to photograph the sardine run is to find a stream of sardines that have separated from the group. This will give a close perspective of what the sardine ball is while showing the mass of the fish in the background.

Dive Shops at Panagsama

Panagsama Beach is littered with dive shops. So, you are not limited to options of who to dive with. Due to the proximity of the beach, most will be able to walk down to the beach and simply do a beach entry.

I would just try to find one that caters to your expectations and abilities. A lot of dive shops there are catering to those who want to do discover SCUBA.