Explore Balicasag
Balicasag is a small island off the coast of Panglao Island, which is in the Bohol Sea. Located in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, Balicasag offers some excellent off-the-beaten-track diving.
It is home to a surrounding reef with walls of 50 meters/164 feet+. This is also a marine sanctuary, which means that the array of life and the health of the corals are second to none. As it is only 600 meters/1,969 feet long, there is also only one dive resort on the whole island, meaning you will probably be the only dive boat in sight.
Dive Activity
Diving in Balicasag
Balicasag diving is mostly suitable for all levels of divers due to the natural reef plateau between 6 meters/20 feet and 18 meters/59 feet that surrounds the island. There are lots of different dive sites surrounding it, which include walls, caverns, overhangs, and coral gardens.
There is only one dive resort located on the island itself, which provides several options for accommodation. Most people who dive here do so from dive centers based on the larger island of Panglao. Most will provide dive courses too, but do check before you book. There are not many liveaboards operating in the area due to the close proximity of all the dive sites to the islands, but some pass through the region if this is the type of holiday you desire.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Balicasag
Because of its status as a marine protected area, the marine biodiversity in Balicasag is excellent. The reefs are colourful and healthy and boast all manners of different creatures. Large schools of mackerel, barracuda and jacks are common sights, above the reefs and in the blue. Larger fish like reef sharks and napoleon wrasse are common visitors to all dive sites.
One of the most famous draws of the island is the number of turtles. They are visible on most dive sites but Turtle Point site especially is a home a large number of both big and small turtles. You might also be lucky enough to spot dolphins in the water, though they are a common enough sight from the boat.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
2.5k Sightings
J
310
F
287
M
271
A
217
M
166
J
138
J
160
A
227
S
131
O
165
N
239
D
220
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
790 Sightings
J
96
F
130
M
98
A
66
M
31
J
27
J
47
A
60
S
37
O
64
N
58
D
76
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
694 Sightings
J
69
F
79
M
80
A
50
M
64
J
20
J
44
A
51
S
48
O
67
N
72
D
50
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
340 Sightings
J
47
F
48
M
52
A
20
M
7
J
0
J
22
A
48
S
17
O
14
N
24
D
41
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
1.7k Sightings
J
193
F
178
M
193
A
153
M
113
J
95
J
122
A
130
S
79
O
118
N
171
D
125
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
1.1k Sightings
J
120
F
132
M
122
A
96
M
62
J
65
J
80
A
89
S
55
O
74
N
103
D
64
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 40
iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish
738 Sightings
J
65
F
89
M
71
A
60
M
39
J
50
J
47
A
71
S
41
O
58
N
76
D
71
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
625 Sightings
J
86
F
78
M
77
A
36
M
43
J
33
J
49
A
42
S
29
O
46
N
57
D
49
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
606 Sightings
J
83
F
67
M
50
A
54
M
42
J
21
J
27
A
54
S
34
O
51
N
70
D
53
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 8
Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish
575 Sightings
J
57
F
62
M
59
A
55
M
49
J
37
J
32
A
46
S
26
O
53
N
71
D
28
The best Months to dive in Balicasag
Diving in Balicasag is available all year round. The best time for diving is from February through to May - this is also the dry season. Keep in mind that it is also the busiest and most expensive time. The rainy season (June - December) features more short downpours, but the temperatures remain high in the high 20s.
