Balicasag
Balicasag is a small island off the coast of Panglao Island, which is in the Bohol Sea. Located in t
Explore Panglao
Panglao, nestled in the Bohol Sea within the central Visayas region of the Philippines, promises an exceptional diving experience enriched by its remarkable marine biodiversity. This vibrant island is renowned for its healthy, thriving coral reefs, which serve as a bustling hub for a myriad of marine species. Indeed, the underwater biodiversity here surpasses that of Japan and the Mediterranean combined, offering divers a chance to explore a colorful underwater world teeming with life.
Diving in Panglao caters to a variety of preferences with options ranging from exhilarating wall dives to intriguing muck and wreck dives. Each dive unveils a new facet of Panglao’s underwater treasures, ensuring that both novice and experienced divers find something captivating. The island's popularity as a dive destination is further enhanced by the abundance of dive centers, making it an ideal spot for those looking to undertake dive courses. With such diverse and spectacular offerings, Panglao stands out as a must-visit destination for diving enthusiasts seeking unforgettable adventures beneath the waves.
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Diving in Panglao
Panglao offers lots of different dives, most of which are suitable for beginners. The oceans are warm, calm and clear and many dive sites are shallow enough to cater to open water divers. There are wreck dives and deeper walls for the more adventurous divers and muck dives for those hunting for macro.
There are many dive centers to choose from on Panglao, all of which do dive courses. There are also a few dive resorts which offer dive and stay packages. Though there are no dedicated liveaboards operating in Panglao, there are a few which pass through this area.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Panglao
The healthy reefs of Panglao play host to many varieties of hard and soft corals which provide homes for lots of marine animals. Looking deep into the reef you might find frogfish, seahorses and even a super rare blue ring octopus. In the blue, you can see school of mackerel, fusiliers and barracuda as well as bigger fish like tuna, trevally and reef sharks. In the deeper waters in spring time, you might even be lucky enough to spot hammerheads, dolphins, pilot whales, whale sharks and manta rays!
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
4.3k Sightings
J
479
F
442
M
416
A
405
M
254
J
291
J
328
A
405
S
246
O
310
N
390
D
346
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
2k Sightings
J
224
F
281
M
282
A
174
M
152
J
88
J
138
A
105
S
72
O
168
N
149
D
175
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
938 Sightings
J
108
F
98
M
128
A
63
M
102
J
25
J
58
A
56
S
52
O
74
N
92
D
82
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
728 Sightings
J
74
F
107
M
114
A
54
M
90
J
15
J
40
A
53
S
17
O
29
N
72
D
63
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
4.6k Sightings
J
516
F
511
M
531
A
473
M
335
J
301
J
368
A
337
S
225
O
296
N
391
D
340
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
2k Sightings
J
218
F
247
M
246
A
198
M
177
J
125
J
142
A
128
S
86
O
148
N
183
D
125
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
1.9k Sightings
J
233
F
213
M
222
A
184
M
168
J
132
J
164
A
85
S
98
O
141
N
131
D
143
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
1.8k Sightings
J
177
F
228
M
208
A
144
M
149
J
104
J
157
A
94
S
79
O
144
N
163
D
118
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
1.5k Sightings
J
198
F
199
M
126
A
171
M
142
J
72
J
79
A
74
S
82
O
90
N
144
D
110
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
1.4k Sightings
J
157
F
149
M
158
A
134
M
173
J
94
J
87
A
70
S
60
O
105
N
118
D
88
The best Months to dive in Panglao
Panglao can be dived all year round due to its constant warm air and water temperatures. Despite this, the best conditions for diving are found from February to May when the rainfall is lowest and the seas are calmest.
