Bohol – Balicasag & Panglao (Visayas) – Philippines Dive Region

About Bohol – Balicasag & Panglao (Visayas)

Bohol is one of the Philippines' most complete diving destinations, offering the legendary Balicasag Island Marine Sanctuary with its turtle-filled reefs, dramatic walls, and schooling fish alongside the diverse dive sites of Panglao Island and the whale shark encounters of Pamilacan Island. Balicasag Island is the crown jewel with Black Forest delivering a sloping reef that is turtle heaven with schooling jacks, Divers' Heaven featuring walls draped in large sea fans with barracuda and napoleon wrasse, and Cathedral Wall providing deep gorgonian-covered walls with reef sharks. The Balicasag Marine Sanctuary protects shallow coral gardens with extraordinary clownfish populations. Pamilacan Island offers seasonal whale shark and manta ray cleaning stations from February to May with dolphin pods frequently encountered. Panglao Island provides accessible diving including Napaling Point with its sardine school and giant trevally hunting, plus the macro muck site of Doljo Point with frogfish and seahorses. Beyond diving, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, tarsier sanctuaries, and Loboc River make it one of the Philippines' most popular tourist destinations with excellent infrastructure for extended stays.

Highlights

• ✓Balicasag Island Black Forest is a sloping reef that is turtle heaven with schooling jacks and excellent visibility
• ✓Divers' Heaven on Balicasag features walls with large sea fans, barracuda, and napoleon wrasse in pristine conditions
• ✓Pamilacan Island offers whale shark and manta ray encounters from February to May with dolphin pods frequently sighted
• ✓Balicasag Marine Sanctuary protects shallow coral gardens with extraordinary clownfish populations and pristine hard coral
• ✓Napaling Point on Panglao features schools of sardines with giant trevally hunting and mandarinfish appearing at dusk

Getting There

Accessible via flight from Manila to Tagbilaran Airport (TAG) in 60 minutes, or fast ferry from Cebu (2 hours). Bangka boats provide access to Balicasag Island and Pamilacan Island from Panglao.