The Island You will Surely Fall in Love With in the Philippines
We have dove in many places in the Philippines with unique, pristine, colorful, and diverse sites. However, there is one that stands out for it never fails to instill memorable moments to its visitors.
Located off the southwestern end of Panglao Island in Bohol, it abounds with a stunning display of marine diversity and undisturbed nature and declared a marine sanctuary for its competent ecosystem.
Its underwater life captures exuberant divers from different countries, left speechless and astound. The large school of jackfish with feeding mackerels, lazy giant frogfish, friendly turtles, reef walls and caverns teeming with life, sum up a very memorable diving day.
Balicasag Island
Balicasag Island is a known tourist destination for local and foreign visitors because of its picturesque qualities. The small 25-hectare, flat island is surrounded by white sand beaches with clear waters that tourists love. Aside from that, the underwater life of the island never fails to amaze anyone. Turtles can be seen even in the shallowest areas of the beach. Snorkelers were also elated because of the colorful display of coral gardens and fish. All these makes it the perfect destination for holiday getaway.
But wait, it does not end there. What makes you fall in love with this island is its humble life in the depths of its waters.
Offering 5 dive spots are enough to thrill one’s desire.
1. Marine Sanctuary
Depth: 3-30 meters
Current: Sometimes with mild current
Description:
400 meter wide marine protected area where motor boats are prohibited because of the shallow reef top and turtle population. It is a hub for snorkelers with paddle boats or kayaks. Located in the southwestern part of the island, in front of the sole resort, it offers a wall dive with many small caverns, ledges and overhangs. On sunny days, the wall fascinates divers with the reflection of light through fissures and holes. Sometimes you can spot tornado of schooling big-eye trevally along the wall.
Marine Life:
Turtle, frogfish, jackfish, bluefin trevally, midnight snapper, surgeonfish, lionfish, nudibranch, needlefish, triggerfish.
2. Rudy’s Rock
Depth:
8-30 meters
Description:
The dive starts at the wall with small caverns and crevices where snappers, fusiliers and sweetlips regularly in sight. The dive site is conducive for macro sightings as it shelters frogfish and nudibranchs of different kinds. Some caverns in this area contains huge fan corals perfect for scenic underwater photography. Occasionally, passing by, could be hunting tunas and barracudas. Ascending on top reef, very colorful coral garden welcomes you.
Marine Life:
Jackfish, turtle, surgeonfish, snapper, moorish idol, trumpetfish, sweetlips, bluefin trevally, needlefish, barracuda, rainbow runner, batfish.
3. Royal Garden
Depth:
10-30 meters
Description:
Located on the northeastern side of the island, Royal Garden is named, as it conveys impressive seagrass growth, nourishing royalties, the Turtles. You can see giant turtles grazing on the sea grass, unbothered by anyone. As the area gently slopes down, patches of bommies adorned with different soft corals, anemones, and feather stars are visible looking like ornaments fit for a queen’s liking. There is usually a mild current on this dive site, which makes it suitable for slow pace diving, to admire the scenery it offers. At the edge of the slope, a school of yellow snappers and two-spot banded snappers are also visible as well as, giant frogfish perfectly camouflaging on the green-cup corals or sponges.
Marine Life:
Green sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, ribbon eel, titan triggerfish, moray eel, nudibranch, frogfish, blue fin trevally, angelfish, ghost pipefish, dragonfish, stonefish, pufferfish, porcupinefish, snappers, and sea moth
4. Black Forest
Depth:
10-30 meters
Description:
This is one of the famous dive sites on the Island. It gets its name from the black corals, Antipathes, found at a depth of 35 -45 meters. Though only specialty deep divers can see the black forest, the most interesting part of this dive site can be seen at the recreational depths from 10-25 meters. In the shallow sandy area, it is teeming with macro life while sea turtles lazily rest or cruise by. Sea snakes, garden eels and giant frogfish are also very actively hunting fulfilling you with excitement as you witness their rituals on how to catch their prey. At some point where the current is felt, the area is even more lively as big-eye trevallies come close to the reef to get cleaned by the cleaner wrasse, a sign for dive guides that the huge school is just somewhere nearby. Giant barracudas can also be spotted eyeing their next meal. This dive site has never been boring, many say they can do all-day diving in the same spot.
Marine life:
Turtle, parrotfish, fusiliers, damselfish, anemonefish, cleaner wrasse, garden eels, barracuda, grouper, triggerfish, frogfish, big-eye trevally, blue fin trevally, sea snakes.
5. Diver’s Heaven
Depth:
8-30 meters
Description:
Continuing the Black Forest dive site to the south, you will reach Diver’s Heaven. The giant school of big-eye trevally can be found here along with the massive school of feeding mackerels. A frenzy of fish and turtles is what you can witness here. Watch out in the blue for huge tunas might join the craze.
Marine Life:
Bluefin trevally, barracuda, angelfish, anemonefish, frogfish, nudibranch, leaf scorpionfish, moray eel, parrotfish, big-mouth mackerel, tuna.