A beginner diver? Don't want diving to be your only activity abroad? Want to bring the whole family? Panglao Island in the Philippines is just right for you!
Diving around Balicasag Island in the Panglao area of the Philippines has long been on the world's must-dive list. The underwater ecosystem is rich, the surface conditions are relatively calm, the temperature is pleasant both above and below the water, and costs are quite reasonable. Land-based tourism activities are also well developed (see related articles: 【Philippines · Panglao Island】How to Spend a Day? A Leisurely Island-Hopping Ride Around Panglao and 【Philippines · Bohol】18 Hours to Conquer Bohol! The Ultimate Guide to Must-See Sights on Bohol feat. 海島瘋), making it an ideal destination for the whole family to enjoy a dive trip together.
Panglao Island is best known for its wall diving, which has attracted multiple freediving competitions and training camps. Dive sites surround the entire island, with most concentrated on the southwest side. Our visit was in December, and due to monsoon influence, we focused our diving mainly around Balicasag Island and Pamilacan Island.
A World-Class Dive Site Suitable for Beginners — Balicasag Island
Balicasag Island is a world-class dive site that is relatively accessible to visit
"Balicasag is a coral island surrounded by rare black coral reefs, designated as a marine protected area (MPA) by the United Nations. It is also home to a world-famous great drop-off, plunging vertically from 20 ft straight down to an unfathomable depth of 3,000 ft." — 海島瘋
Balicasag, easily spotted on any map thanks to its perfectly round shape, is a designated marine protected area (MPA). Boat dives require payment of a conservation fee and an anchoring fee, and only 150 dive permits are issued per day — with a limit of two scuba tanks per permit per day — so there's no need to worry about overcrowding.
If you're planning to dive here, we recommend confirming your dive itinerary with your dive shop at least two weeks in advance. Visiting in winter carries a reasonable chance of a heavy rain warning that could cancel diving for the day, so keep in close contact with your dive shop for updates.
Balicasag is famous for its rich marine life and wall diving. The terrain extends briefly from the surface along the outer edge of the island before dropping vertically at a 90-degree angle down to a platform at 80–100 metres, then continues into the abyss below. It is precisely this topography that allows nutrient-rich upwellings and plankton from the deep to reach the surface, creating the island's exceptionally diverse underwater ecosystem.
The dense coral coverage and vibrant marine life along the wall are natural wonders you simply cannot miss here
At Balicasag you can spot giant gorgonians / sea fans exceeding 2 metres, spectacular symphonies of barracuda and jack schools weaving in and out, and even in the sandy shallows, flatfish and garden eels are regular visitors!
Enormous sea fans are found all along the wall — keep an eye on your neutral buoyancy and depth while admiring them
What a spectacular sight — I couldn't believe my eyes!
Dive sites:
- Black Forest: Water temp: 28.2°C ∣ Average depth: 14.1 m ∣ Dive time: 47 minutes
- Diver's Heaven: Water temp: 28.4°C ∣ Average depth: 15.2 m ∣ Dive time: 42 minutes
- Rudy's Rock: Water temp: 28.2°C ∣ Average depth: 14.6 m ∣ Dive time: 53 minutes
- Cathedral Wall: Water temp: 28.2°C ∣ Average depth: 14.2 m ∣ Dive time: 55 minutes
A Dive Site Right in Front of a Five-Star Resort — BBC (Bohol Beach Club)
On this trip we joined the dive programme arranged by 海島瘋. We boarded from the BBC (Bohol Beach Club) beach, with about a 40-minute boat ride to Balicasag. Don't forget to snap an Instagram-worthy photo on BBC's stunning beach when you board and disembark!
BBC's 100-metre stretch of pristine white sand beach is perfect for visitors of all ages
"BBC is one of Bohol's largest resorts, and its most defining feature is its private white sand beach stretching over 100 metres, fronted by crystal-clear, glass-like water. The beach is lined with tropical palms and coconut trees — a perfect place to stroll at dusk, watching the blue sea while the sky blazes red with the setting sun." — 海島瘋
If you arrange your dive trip through 海島瘋, you'll pass by BBC's beautiful beach every time you board and disembark. In addition to getting those perfect photos, BBC's restaurant is also a great option to rest and refuel after each day's diving.
When you come ashore for a midday break, you can make use of BBC's facilities and restaurant
Near the BBC resort, the dive sites include an underwater plane wreck and a cave dive — both beginner-friendly entry-level sites. The topography is somewhat similar to Xiaoliuqiu in Taiwan: the terrain gently slopes from the surface into the water, then drops vertically at 90 degrees from around 7–8 metres down to about 20 metres. Don't forget to check the walls of the drop-off for macro life hiding in the crevices, such as pipefish and frogfish!
Bohol Beach Club — Underwater Plane Wreck
The cave dive entry begins at around 10 metres and leads directly into the cavern, with the exit at approximately 15 metres depth. The passage is quite spacious, so there's no need to worry about getting stuck. Beginners should pay particular attention to their dive computer depth readings and ear equalization.
Bohol Beach Club — Cave Dive
Inside the caves along the wall, you can search for all kinds of macro marine life
After the dives, pick a shallow sandy spot for a group photo!
Dive sites:
- Bohol Beach Club — Underwater Plane Wreck: Water temp: 28.3°C ∣ Average depth: 11.6 m ∣ Dive time: 51 minutes
- Bohol Beach Club — Cave Dive: Water temp: 28.3°C ∣ Average depth: 12.2 m ∣ Dive time: 52 minutes
Pamilacan Island
Spotting sea turtles while diving in the Philippines is surprisingly easy — in addition to the Green Sea Turtles more commonly seen in Taiwan, you may also encounter Loggerhead Turtles here
The name Pamilacan is said by some to mean "resting place of the manta ray," and by others to derive from the word pamilac, meaning harpoon — giving you a sense of how many whales, dolphins, and stingrays once roamed these waters. Our dive guide mentioned that if you visit Pamilacan Island in the right season, you might even have a chance of encountering a Whale Shark underwater.
Visiting Pamilacan Island in December during the low season means visibility can be on the poorer side, and the year-round strong currents are something divers need to pay close attention to. However, because the topography and current direction are predictable, as long as you listen carefully to the dive briefing and follow your dive guide's instructions, it's actually a great place for beginners to experience drift diving.
The underwater topography differs slightly from Balicasag — here, a 45-degree slope extends from the surface all the way to the bottom. Coral coverage along the slope is somewhat sparse, but there are good chances of encountering schools of barracuda, jacks, and other pelagic species.
Dive sites:
- Pamilacan Island North Point: Water temp: 28.1°C ∣ Average depth: 14.9 m ∣ Dive time: 49 minutes
- Pamilacan Island West Point: Water temp: 28.3°C ∣ Average depth: 15.4 m ∣ Dive time: 50 minutes
Beginners, don't forget to use the dive log feature in your dive computer app to record every detail of your dives!
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