Short answer
Moalboal to New Maya port is the long west-coast run up the length of Cebu: roughly 210 km and about 6-7 hours by private car, north through Barili country onto the coastal highway through Toledo, Balamban, Tuburan and Tabuelan, then across the top through Bogo and Daanbantayan to the port.
It is the direct move for divers finishing at the sardine run and heading for the thresher sharks, and the whole point of doing it privately is that it does not backtrack. There is no service along the coast, so the practical public route goes down into Cebu City, across the city between two bus terminals, and back up again.
The page covers the road leg, ending at the pier gate. The onward outrigger to Malapascua is about 30-40 minutes, runs through the day and stops in the late afternoon - which on a six-hour drive means an early start, so tell us the boat you want and we set the pickup from it.
Step by step: Moalboal to Maya Port (Daanbantayan)
- 1Early pickup at your Moalboal hotel
A six-to-seven-hour drive has to finish before the last boat, so this one starts early. Door-to-door from Panagsama, White Beach or wherever you are staying.
- 2North up the west coast
Out through Barili, then the coastal highway through Toledo, Balamban, Tuburan and Tabuelan - the same road the Hagnaya traffic uses, run in the other direction.
- 3Across the top of the island
Through Bogo and Medellin into Daanbantayan at Cebu’s northern tip.
- 4Arrive at New Maya port
Dropped at the port gate with your gear, in time for a daytime crossing if you are going on to Malapascua.
Ways to travel, compared
- Private transfer to Maya Port (what we arrange)~6-7 hrs
One continuous drive up the west coast with no city backtrack, door-to-gate, with dive gear handled and the timing built around your boat. Fixed, all-in price - request a quote.
- Public transport, backtracking via Cebu City~9+ hrs
No direct service along the coast. The practical route is a bus from Moalboal to the Cebu South Bus Terminal, across the city to the North Bus Terminal, then a Ceres bus up to Maya. Long, with transfers and waits, and very awkward with dive gear.
- Maya to Malapascua outrigger~30-40 min
The crossing at the end, if the island is your destination. Runs through the day and stops in the late afternoon - the reason this drive starts early. Paid at the port, separate from our quote.
Add stops on the way to Maya Port (Daanbantayan)
It is a ~210 km drive, and you do not have to do it in one go. The car is yours for the journey and the driver waits wherever you stop, so a waterfall, an old church or a long lunch can sit in the middle of the run rather than costing you a separate day. List the stops you want in the quote request and we price the day, not the hop.
- The car waits at every stop
- Luggage stays in the vehicle
- Fuel, tolls and parking included
- Entrance fees paid locally, as you go
We'll pre-fill Moalboal → Maya Port (Daanbantayan). Put the stops you want in the notes box and we'll come back with one all-in price.
Moalboal to Maya Port (Daanbantayan): FAQs
How long does it take to get from Moalboal to Maya Port?
About 6-7 hours by private car for the roughly 210 km up the west coast, depending on traffic through the towns along the way. There is no shortcut across the island’s interior on this stretch.
Can I go from Moalboal to Malapascua without going through Cebu City?
Yes. This route runs straight up the west coast to New Maya port, and the outrigger crosses from there. Public transport has to backtrack through the city and swap bus terminals; a private car does not.
What time do we need to leave Moalboal?
Early. The boats from Maya stop in the late afternoon and the drive is 6-7 hours, so a morning start is what keeps a same-day crossing comfortable. Tell us the boat you are aiming for and we work the pickup back from it.
Is this the same route in reverse coming back?
Yes - the same corridor, and we run it in both directions. If you are coming off the Malapascua boat and heading south to the sardine run, the Maya Port to Moalboal page sets out that direction.
Can you do the return trip, Maya Port (Daanbantayan) back to Moalboal?
Yes - the same private car and driver, Maya Port (Daanbantayan) back to Moalboal over the same ~210 km. Ask for both legs in one quote request and we price the round trip together.
Maya Port (Daanbantayan) → Moalboal
We run this route in both directions, with the same car and driver. Ask for both legs in one request and we'll price the round trip together.
We'll pre-fill Maya Port (Daanbantayan) → Moalboal on the form. Just add your dates and details.
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