Balicasag is an island 30 minutes by boat from Panglao where you can enjoy one of the most amazing dives in the Philippines. With a population around 300 people, Balicasag (native language means “upside-down crab”) is the perfect place for beginners or experienced divers to have one of the better dives in your life.
Explore Balicasag ·
Explore Balicasag ·
Explore Balicasag ·
Explore Balicasag ·
Interest:
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Most interesting at 15 meters
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Not interesting below 40 meters
Dive Direction:
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Start the dive with the slope on your right shoulder, heading south
Description:
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Many coral heads in the shallow part
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A forest of black coral (Antipathes) between 35 and 45 meters
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Usually, the dive starts against the current; stay low over the sandy bottom
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After about 20 minutes, the current changes, allowing you to drift dive the second part
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Considered the best dive site in the Bohol Triangle
Marine Life:
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Rich diversity including Anthias, Rockcods and Groupers (Serranidae), Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), Squirrelfish (Holocentridae), Parrotfish (Scaridae), Wrasse (Labridae), Damselfish (Pomacentridae), and Anemonefish (Amphiprioninae)
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Triggerfish can be aggressive during May, June, and July
Interest: Most interesting at 15m. Not interesting below 40m.
Dive direction: Start the dive with the slope on the right shoulder, going south
Description: Many coral heads in the shallow part and a forest of black coral (antipathes) at 35 to 45m. Normally the dive starts against the current, stay low over the sandy bottom and after 20 mininutes, the current will change and so you can drive dive the second part. This is the best dive side in the Bohol Triangle.
Marine life: An Aquarium with all kind of Anthias, Rockcods Groupers (serranidae), Scorpion Fish (Scorpaenidae), Squirrel Fish (Holocentridae), Parrot Fish (Scaridae), Wrassel (Labridae), Damsel Fish (Pomacentridae), Anemone Fish (Amphiprioninae). The Trigger Fish are aggressive in the months of May, June and July.District: Balicasag IslandDistance: 11,5k from Alona BeachTravel time + -: 31m.Baring: 251GPS Coordinates: N.09.30.828′ E.123.40.838′ Entry point = N.09.30.780′ E.123.40.932′ / Exit point = N.09.30.910′ E.123.40.782’Composition: Wall diveSnorkeling: Good for snorkelingExperience: Easy dive site for Open Water Divers or higherVisibility + -: 12 to 30mDeep: 3 to 35mCurrent: 0 – 2Interest: Most interesting at 15m. not interesting below 30m.Dive direction: Start the dive with the wall on the left shoulder going in the direction of exit point from Black Forest, or wall on your right should going in the direction to the resort Rico’s WallDescription: Deep drop off wall in the southwest side of Balicasag Island. The land orientation is the big rock marked with the stick in front of the beach in shallow water. Marine life: Soft and hard corals, small caverns and crevices. Often school of “Jacks”, the Big Eye Trevally (Caranx Sexfasciatus) swimming in circles like a tornado, Midnight Snappers (Macolor Macularis) are swimming among Sweet Lips (Haemulidae)
Interest: Most interesting at 10m, not interesting below 30m
Dive Direction: Start with the wall on the left shoulder heading south (toward Rudy’s Rock), or on the right shoulder heading north (toward Cathedral)
Description: Drop-off wall in front of the resort on the west side of the island. Features include numerous small caverns, ledges, and reef overhangs. The site naturally connects with either Cathedral or Rudy’s Rock depending on direction.
Marine Life:
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Large schools of Vlaming’s Unicornfish (Naso vlamingii)
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Silver Jacks / Big Eye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) forming tornado-like formations
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Midnight Snappers (Macolor macularis)
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Various large Sweetlips (Haemulidae)
Interest: Most interesting at 20m, not interesting below 30m
Dive Direction: Start with the wall on the left shoulder, heading south-west
Description: Vertical wall with large overhangs, ledges, and gaps. On bright days, the light reflections inside the Cathedral area are spectacular.
Marine Life:
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Yellow bucket sponges and large colorful sea fans
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Barracudas, Anglerfish
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In the shallows: Snubnose Drummer (Kyphosus cinerascens)
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In the blue water: Big Mouth Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta)
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Along the wall: Golden Surgeonfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus), Midnight Snappers (Macolor macularis), Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis), and One-spot Snapper (Lutjanus monostigma)
Interest: More interesting at 15m, not interesting below 25m
Dive Direction:
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Start with the steep slope on the left shoulder, heading northwest toward Cathedral
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Alternatively, with the slope on the right shoulder, head south toward Black Forest
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Choose direction based on the current
Description:
Steep slope with a top at 10m on the northeast side of Balicasag Island. On clear days, you can see Panglao Island to the north. The slope becomes steeper as you head north.
Marine Life:
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Dense schools of Goldband Fusilier (Caesio caerulaurea) and Big Mouth Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta)
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Midnight Snapper (Macolor macularis)
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Redtooth Triggerfish (Odonus niger)
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Sea turtles (Caretta caretta)
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On the reef edge (10–15m): Brown Daisy Coral (Tubastrea micrantha) and large Barrel Sponges (Xestospongia testudinaria)
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