Balicasag Island: Dive Sites - Black Forest, Wide Jaw Mackeral, Sea Anemones and the ever present Green Turtles
Videos taken: 2024 - 2025
Location Balicasag Island & Danao Beach: Large bangka boats make up most of the Panglao fleet. Divers can expect close encounters with swirling schools of jackfish and the vibrant reef life that surrounds Balicasag’s protected marine sanctuary.
Images taken: 2024 | 2025
Diver's Guide to Balicasag Island, Bohol
Balicasag Island ranks among the best dive locations in the Philippines, offering a rare balance of accessibility, biodiversity, and conservation. While it may not match the remote prestige of Tubbataha or the vastness of Apo Reef, it delivers world-class diving just a 40-minute bangka ride from Panglao.
Designated a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 1985, the entire reef system surrounding Balicasag has benefited from nearly four decades of active protection. A dedicated sanctuary zone on the island’s western side helped coral cover rebound by more than 100% within the first ten years. Fish density also increased significantly, creating a spillover effect that enriched nearby reef zones and local fishing grounds outside the MPA.
Over time, the island has evolved from a small, fishing-dependent village into a model of sustainable marine stewardship. Today, local residents support tourism as boat crews and dive guides, while also working alongside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local government to maintain the park and safeguard its marine ecosystem. Balicasag now stands as one of the Philippines’ most successful examples of community-based reef protection projects.
The island has four principal dive sites: Cathedral in the north, followed by Diver’s Heaven, Black Forest, and Ruby’s Rock to the south. Each site offers a variety of reef conditions, including sandy seagrass meadows, coral shelves, and dramatic walls with varying depths and overhangs. Marine life is rich across all locations, with a great mix of macro species and larger highlights such as schooling jackfish and blackfin barracuda, particularly around Black Forest and Diver’s Heaven.
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Visayas: Focus on Diving
If you want to see what diving in the Visayas is really like, I post weekly dive videos on my dedicated Facebook page. You can also explore our growing collection of guides and articles that cover regional dive sites and offer insights into underwater videography.
Real dive footage every week from sites across the central Visayas.
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Dive Map - Balicasag Island
The map highlights the main transport routes into Panglao, key accommodation areas, and the dive sites around Balicasag Island.
Balicasag Island: Dive Site Map - Click the map pins for location snippets
Map Source: John Hawkins | Leaflet | 2025
Balicasag Island: Divers Heaven Dive Site – Great mix of marine life and coral gardens with big fish sighting in the blue.
Video taken: July 2025
Diving Highlights & Final Thoughts – Balicasag Island
I dive Balicasag year round and in all conditions, it a place that suits most level of divers, most of the reef is above 18m and it does not get deep quick, like sites such as South Point at Cabilao Island, current conditions can vary from light to challenging, and visabilty throughout the year is very good. Marine life is fanstatic, from the Green Turtles on the seagrass meadows, to the coral gardens and if you can get in and around a school of jackfish or blackfin barracuda that's something very special.
When planning to dive here, keep in mind that Balicasag is a very busy dive site. There’s a daily permit limit of 150 divers, with a maximum of two dives per person. That often means 10 to 15 dive bangkas moored at any one time. Add to that the day-trip boats arriving from Panglao for snorkeling tours, and it can feel crowded — it’s one of the few downsides of diving here.
Should this worry you? In my opinion, no. Balicasag is a top dive destination — just a busy one. Over time, I’ve learned to relax and enjoy the day. Whether it means slightly shorter dive times based on group experience, or simply being mindful around other dive groups, it’s all part of the experience. Go with the flow and you’ll still get great dives here.
Best Time to Dive: When to Go and Why
You can dive here year round, however there is a distict low season when visitor numbers tend to drop between early July and late September. This coincides with the transition from the Amihan to the Habagat monsoon season. The southwest Habagat brings hot, humid conditions, heavier rainfall, and is responsible for most typhoon activity in the Philippines.
While the central Philippines are relatively sheltered from the direct effects of the southwest monsoon and Pacific typhoons, there is still local impact and if you are time contrained it is period of the year with rougher sea conditions and fewer divers, which may affect dive schedules and site access.
Conditions generally become more settled from October through June, with the peak diving season running from December to May. That doesn’t guarantee dry weather or calm winds, but it does bring longer periods of stable conditions. The downside is that it gets busy — so if you're visiting during this window, it’s worth planning ahead. Booking your dives in advance can save you time and avoid unnecessary stress. I personally schedule local dives ahead of time during high season to avoid missing out.
Reaching Balicasag Island: Routes & Options
Bohol Region Diving Hub – Panglao
Unless you're a local diver, your starting point for diving at Balicasag Island will likely be Panglao. Panglao serves as the diving hub for the region and is home to most of the dive operations covering the reefs of the Bohol Marine Triangle.
Panglao is one of the most accessible dive locations in the Philippines. For international travelers, the most convenient route is to fly into Manila and then take a domestic flight directly to Bohol–Panglao International Airport. If you're arriving in Cebu, you’ll need to catch the OceanJet ferry to Tagbilaran, followed by a short tuk-tuk or van ride to Panglao.
While Bohol–Panglao International Airport doesn’t handle major long-haul routes, it does receive direct international flights from South Korea, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong—making it a viable entry point for regional travelers looking to dive the Central Visayas.
Where to Stay: Panglao
The Panglao area really does offers a wide range of accommodation options, from dedicated dive resorts with in-house gear and guides to more traditional hotels and guesthouses. Whether you're traveling on a budget or looking for comfort, there are choices to match every price point.
When choosing accommodation in Panglao, consider how close it is to your dive operator. If you're planning to dive daily or take a course, staying far from the shop can quickly become inconvenient. With a bit of planning, you can book a place nearby or stay at a dedicated dive resort to make things easier.
Alona Beach: A lively stretch with beachfront hotels, easy access to dive shops, and vibrant nightlife.
Images taken: 2024 - 2025
Recommendations & Advice
Alona Beach is the go-to destination for most visitors to Panglao. It offers a good mix of hotels, dive shops, and a lively nightlife scene.
If you're planning to dive from here or take a dive course, it's worth doing a bit of research before booking. There are plenty of operators, but not all offer the same standards—some focus more on the regional market, while others are geared toward international divers.
Walk along the beach, visit the shops, and don’t hesitate to ask the right questions before committing.
Donao Beach: Is the main mooring point for the Panglao bangka fleet and one of the main pick-up point for divers heading out to the reefs
Images taken: 2024 - 2025
Danao Beach is located about 2 km south of Alona. While it doesn’t have the same beachfront charm, it’s home to a growing number of well-regarded resorts and dive operators.
My first choice for diving in this area is Haka Dive Center. They offer resort accommodation, PADI training, and are well-supported by tenders, two large bangkas, and a team of first-class instructors and dive guides.
Explore More of the Philippines
The Philippines is a fascinating place to explore, stay long-term, or even retire — and you may already be considering it as a future option. Get closer to the real detail through our guides on Living in the Philippines and Filipino Society.
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