One of the best reefs in the Philippines is located less than 1 kilometer from our shop’s front door on Panglao Island. At one of the many dive sites here, you can see colorful hard and soft corals descending along a dramatic wall. Witness breathtaking reefscapes, vibrantly-colored schooling animals like butterflyfish, angelfish, damselfish, camouflaged critters like blue-ring octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, razorfish, gosht pipefish over a dozen species of nudibranch, turtles, sea snakes and more.
Bohol Dive Sites & Dive Map Information
Dive Sites in Balicasag
Balicasag Island is one of the most sought-after diving destinations in the Philippines, known for its pristine coral reefs and abundant marine life. Located about 30 minutes by boat from Alona Beach on Panglao Island, Balicasag offers several exceptional dive sites suitable for various skill levels. Each dive site is home to diverse marine species, making it a top choice for divers visiting Bohol.
Pamilacan Island Dive Sites
Pamilacan Island is another incredible diving destination in the Philippines, renowned for its rich marine biodiversity and vibrant coral gardens. Located about 45 minutes by boat from Alona Beach on Panglao Island, Pamilacan offers a range of dive sites that cater to divers of all experience levels. With its crystal-clear waters and thriving marine ecosystem, Pamilacan is a must-visit spot for divers exploring the Bohol region.
Dive Site Map Of Bohol
Diving in Bohol: A Marine Paradise
Bohol is an exceptional diving destination, known for its vibrant reefs, thriving marine life, and a variety of dive experiences that cater to both beginners and advanced divers. The waters around Panglao Island, Balicasag Island, and Pamilacan Island offer stunning coral gardens, steep walls, and exciting underwater encounters. Whether you’re looking to explore rich marine ecosystems, encounter large schools of fish, or search for elusive macro life, Bohol has something to offer every diver.
General Diving Information
The dive sites around Panglao Island are all about reefs and reef life. You’ll find a healthy combination of both soft and hard corals, with marine life thriving in these waters. Divers frequently encounter sea turtles, sea snakes, schools of sardines, jackfish, and barracudas. Macro enthusiasts will delight in sightings of ghost pipefish, frogfish, and nudibranchs. While rarer, some lucky divers may even spot larger marine life such as whale sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and manta rays.
Local Dive Sites Around Panglao Island
The dive sites along Panglao Island (1-12 on the map) offer a mix of slopes and walls, typically covered with hard corals and plenty of fish life. These sites are just a short 1-5 minute speedboat ride from Alona Beach. The top of the wall generally starts at 4-6 meters, with sandy patches ideal for courses. The bottom of the wall slopes down to around 20-25 meters, eventually reaching depths of 30+ meters. Here’s a closer look at some of the key sites:
No. 1 – Arco Point
Depth: 5-11 meters
Skill Level: Intermediate
Marine Life: Known for a small swim-through from 5m down to 11m, Arco Point offers a steep wall with a variety of marine life, including reef fish, macro critters, and the occasional turtle.
Notes: Typically the third dive for Pamilacan trips, Arco Point is the furthest local dive site to the east.
No. 2 – BBC (Bohol Beach Club)
Depth: 7 meters (airplane wreck), gentle slope
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Marine Life: Gentle slopes with hard corals and a small airplane wreck at around 7 meters. It’s an exciting site for underwater exploration and macro life.
Notes: Located in front of Bohol Beach Club, this site is a bit further away, often paired with Arco Point for a two-dive trip.
No. 5-10 (Alona Reef and Surroundings)
Depth: 4-25 meters, sloping down to 30+ meters in some areas
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Marine Life: These sites offer a mix of healthy coral walls and slopes with schools of fish, turtles, and occasional sightings of larger predators.
Notes: Easily accessible from Alona Beach, these sites are great for quick dives, with beautiful hard coral formations and thriving fish life.
No. 8 – Bohol Divers Wreck
Depth: 33-37 meters
Skill Level: Advanced
Marine Life: A small wreck lies at 37 meters, with yellow snapper, batfish, and frogfish frequently seen.
Notes: This is a deep dive, perfect for experienced divers looking for wreck exploration.
No. 11 – PPB
Depth: 10-15 meters
Skill Level: Beginner
Marine Life: Sandy slopes with coral patches, perfect for training dives and beginner exploration.
Notes: Often used for IDC (Instructor Development Course) training due to its calm conditions.
No. 12 – Danao Wall
Depth: 10-30 meters
Skill Level: Intermediate
Marine Life: Featuring steep walls with a variety of marine life including turtles, frogfish, and octopus.
Notes: The furthest west dive site, typically used as the third dive for Balicasag trips.
Dive Sites Around Balicasag Island
Balicasag Island is a marine sanctuary located about a 30-40 minute boat ride from Alona Beach. The island is known for its beautiful coral reefs and rich marine life, including schools of jackfish, barracudas, and sea turtles. The local government restricts entry to 150 certified divers per day, and each diver can only do a maximum of two dives per day. Here are the top dive sites around Balicasag Island:
1. Black Forest
Depth: 25-40 meters
Skill Level: Advanced
Marine Life: Known for its black corals, this site offers encounters with large schools of fish, including barracuda, trevally, and jackfish.
2. Rudy’s Rock
Depth: 5-30 meters
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Marine Life: Featuring vibrant coral gardens and schools of fish, Rudy’s Rock is a favorite among divers looking for a variety of marine life.
3. Marine Sanctuary
Depth: 5-25 meters
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Marine Life: A well-protected area known for its healthy reef systems and a variety of fish species, including turtles and reef sharks.
Dive Sites Around Pamilacan Island
Pamilacan Island is another popular dive destination, located about 1-1.25 hours by boat from Alona Beach. The island is more weather-dependent, and dive trips are often planned around favorable conditions. The key dive sites here include:
1. Dakit Dakit
Depth: 10-25 meters
Skill Level: Intermediate
Marine Life: A sandy slope covered with soft and black corals, Dakit Dakit is great for drift diving. You can sometimes spot schools of jacks and barracudas here.
2. Spanish Tower
Depth: 10-30 meters
Skill Level: Intermediate
Marine Life: Featuring walls and slopes, this site is great for spotting turtles, frogfish, and octopuses.
Doljo, Momo, and Napaling Dive Sites
Located on the north side of Panglao Island, Doljo, Momo, and Napaling are typically visited on full-day trips with three dives or on shorter trips to Napaling by van.
Doljo Point
Depth: 5-40 meters
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Marine Life: Known for steep walls with large sea fans and elephant ear corals, Doljo is an exciting dive for advanced divers.
Momo Beach
Depth: 5-25 meters
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Marine Life: A more gently sloping site with a variety of coral and fish life, perfect for beginners or divers looking for a relaxed dive.
Napaling
Depth: 5-30 meters
Skill Level: Intermediate
Marine Life: A steep wall known for its large schools of sardines in the shallow areas, along with abundant coral life.
Diving around Panglao, Balicasag, and Pamilacan offers some of the best underwater experiences in the Philippines. From steep walls to vibrant coral gardens and even exciting wreck dives, Bohol is a true diver’s paradise. With easy access from Alona Beach and expert dive guides from Sierra Madre Divers, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the full spectrum of marine life that these islands have to offer. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced diver, Bohol’s dive sites are sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.