Beach known for sardine run among Southeast Asia’s best

MANILA, Philippines — Panagsama Beach in Moalboal, Cebu, popular for its sardine run, was named one of “the best beaches in Southeast Asia” by Condé Nast Traveler magazine.

While it “may not be the best beach to travel to if you are looking for a silky sand beach,” Panagsama Beach boasts of “what lies nearby in the sea that earns it a place as one of the best beaches in Southeast Asia,” an article published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website said.

Many sardines gather near the beach, proof of its “colorful and abundant marine life” that is found 230 feet deep into the sea, it added.

“Sardines can be found here all year round, although the peak season is from November to April,” it noted.

The article also said, “The schools can include millions of fish that move together as one in a fascinating display.”

Condé Nast Traveler’s “best beaches in Southeast Asia” list also included Tonsai Beach in Krabi, Thailand; Coral Bay in Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia; Bawah Reserve in Bawah Island, Indonesia; Cat Co 3 in Càt Bá Island, Vietnam; Saracen Beach in Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia and Buffalo Beach in Koh Payam, Thailand.

The Department of Tourism thanked Condé Nast Traveler for the acclaim, saying it is praise for the beach’s natural beauty as well as its extraordinary underwater treasures.

The agency also invited travelers to visit Moalboal that “sets the Philippines apart as a must-visit destination for beach and underwater enthusiasts.”