Nelson'sDive Center · Moalboal Book a dive
Panagsama Beach · Since 1979

Moalboal's original dive shop. Diving here since 1979.

Sardine run, Pescador Island and the reef right off our beach, with the friendly, easy-going local crew divers keep coming back for.

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Green sea turtle gliding over the sand
4.4 ★★★★★107 Google reviews
4.4 ★ · 107 Google reviews
Diving Moalboal since 1979
PADI courses, beginner to Divemaster
Open daily 8:00–18:00
Why Nelson's

Local. Experienced. Fairly priced.

01

Born here, not imported.

Our guides grew up on these waters. They know where the sardines are today, not where they were in the brochure.

02

Honest prices, no surprises.

Every dive includes your guide, weights and the Moalboal marine fee. What you see is what you pay.

03

Small crew, big family.

Divers from all over the world come back to us. They come for the dives and they stay for the crew.

The dives

Three reasons people fly to Moalboal

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A swirling sardine ball seen from below
Shore · All levels

The Sardine Run

Millions of sardines moving as one, a few fin kicks from shore. You won't see anything like it anywhere else.

Diver next to a yellow frogfish on a coral wall
Boat · Daily morning trip

Pescador Island

Moalboal's signature site: walls, coral gardens and big fish. Our morning boat heads out daily.

Diver swimming with a green sea turtle
Beach entry · Easy

The House Reef

No boat, no waiting. Gear up, walk in, dive. Ideal for a first dive, a refresher or a relaxed afternoon.

Prices

Simple prices. Everything included.

Guide, weights and the Moalboal marine fee are included in every dive.

Part of every dive fee supports local fishermen, mooring buoys and marine sanctuaries.
Own gearRental gear
Boat dive ₱1,500 ₱2,000
Beach dive ₱1,400 ₱1,500

Pay in Philippine pesos. Prices may change. Confirm when you book.

PADI courses

Learn to dive where it's worth learning.

PADI courses for every level, from your first breath underwater to going pro.

No experience needed

Discover Scuba Diving

Try diving with an instructor by your side.

₱2,000
4 days

Open Water Diver

Your first certification. Dive anywhere in the world.

₱17,000
3 days

Advanced Open Water

Go deeper and try new kinds of diving.

₱17,000
1 day

Emergency First Response

First aid and CPR skills, in and out of the water.

₱7,000
4 days

Rescue Diver

Learn to look after yourself and your buddy.

₱17,000
3 weeks

Divemaster

Go pro and train with a Moalboal crew.

₱40,000
Ask about a course
Crew

The people you'll dive with

Reviewers keep using the same words for us: friendly and easy-going. That's the crew.

Micmic, divemaster

Micmic

Divemaster

Jimmy, divemaster

Jimmy

Divemaster

Nelson's boat captain at the helm

Captain & boat crew

On deck

They make sure the day runs smoothly before you even hit the water.

Nelson's Scuba Diving School shopfront with the crew and divers
Our story

From six tanks to a Moalboal institution

In 1979, a local fisherman named Nelson Abenido looked at the water and saw more than fish. He started a dive shop with three sets of second-hand gear and six tanks. He went on to become a PADI Instructor and one of the people who put Moalboal on the diving map.

When Typhoon Odette hit in 2021, we rebuilt and kept diving.

Nelson passed away in March 2025. His crew carries on what he started: genuine Filipino hospitality, in and out of the water.

In loving memory of Nelson Abenido.

Reviews

Don't take our word for it

4.4 ★★★★★107 reviews on Google
Read all reviews on Google
They were thorough, comprehensive and very professional. We felt safe in their hands!
Open Water studentCertified with Nelson's · via TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Good guide, good equipment, good price.
Fun divervia ScubaBoard
★★★★★
One of the oldest, most accommodating and reasonable shop in Moalboal.
Divervia TripAdvisor

Booked in under a minute

  1. 1

    Pick your dive or course.

    Choose a date and how many divers.

  2. 2

    Get instant confirmation.

    Your booking is confirmed by email right away.

  3. 3

    Show up and dive.

    Come to the shop on Panagsama Road. We'll handle the rest.

Good to know

I've never dived. Can I still come?

Yes. Discover Scuba Diving is made for exactly that.

Do I need my own gear?

No. Rental is available. If you bring your own, you pay less.

Is the marine fee extra?

No. It's already included in every price.

How do I pay?

In Philippine pesos at the shop.

When does the boat go out?

Daily. Pescador Island usually runs in the morning, other sites in the afternoon depending on demand. Ask us for the day's plan.

Book

Ready to get wet?

Choose your dive, pick a date, done. We'll confirm by email.

Prefer to talk first? WhatsApp +63 995 223 9771
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