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Pescador Island from the air with dive boats moored around it
Moalboal & Pescador Island

Diving Pescador Island, Moalboal

Pescador Island is a small limestone island about 4 km off Panagsama Beach, Moalboal, 10-15 minutes by banca. It has been a marine park and fish sanctuary since 1990. Its reef top is shallow, then walls fall to 40 m and beyond on every side, and one side hides the Cathedral, an open-topped cave with exits around 18 m. Whitetip reef sharks, frogfish, turtles and schooling fish are the regulars.

Quote a transfer to Moalboal Last checked: Oct 2026
Depth
3-65 m
Level
Intermediate
Access
Boat
Area
Moalboal
  • The Cathedral, an open-topped cavern on the northwest side starting around 18 m
  • Whitetip reef sharks on early-morning dives
  • Commerson's, warty and painted frogfish
  • Barracuda, tuna, snappers and green and hawksbill turtles
  • Black corals, sea fans and sponges

The dives around the island

Dive centres split Pescador into a few entries: the south side (with the Cathedral) about 10-35 m, the east side 5 m down to about 65 m, and the north 7-30 m. The Cathedral’s cavern runs from about 18 m to 40 m and opens to the surface light.

The dives around the island
Boat ride10-15 minutes from Panagsama
LevelOpen Water and up; Advanced for the deeper east side
CurrentUsually mild, up to about 3 knots, often south to north; drift dives possible
VisibilityOften 25-40 m in the dry months

What lives here

Early dives are the time for whitetip reef sharks. Frogfish (Commerson’s, warty and painted), green and hawksbill turtles, barracuda, tuna and snappers are regulars, over sea fans, sponges and black coral.

Snorkellers along the limestone edge of Pescador Island
Snorkellers at the island edge
A diver heading out to a bangka at Moalboal
Out by banca from Panagsama
FAQ

Pescador Island: questions

Can you snorkel at Pescador Island?

Yes. Island-hopping boats take snorkellers to the reef top around the island, which is covered by the 2021 Moalboal ordinance and its environmental fee.

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