This low, flat island is situated four kilometers southwest of Duljo Point off Panglao Reef. Surrounded by a sandy shell coraline beach, the island is fringed by a narrow reef shelf 9 to 49.5 meters wide. The tops of the submarine cliffs are covered with hard coral while lower levels are covered with sponges and gorgonians. A thriving fish community is found around the cliff face area. Jacks, barracudas and mackerels also abound.

What you can do in Balicasag

Snorkelling – probably the best place on earth to snorkel. You can snorkel here on your own anytime you want. You can rent snorkels at the dive shop for PHP500 (includes snorkel, fins, lifejacket) and have a blast the whole time. In case you are too scared to snorkel on your own, you can go for the guided snorkeling. It is worth taking the guide for the more distant area of the island. There are also aggressive trigger fish in the deeper areas and an experienced diver can help guide you.

Scuba Diving – from beginners to experienced, any diver will love to explore Balicasag. For beginners, you can hire a dive buddy for a small fee of PHP3,500 per hour. Take note that this is a one-to-one dive buddy so he’s exclusive to you. However, an hour isn’t too much and for sure, you’ll want more.

Sun Bathing – though parts of the island is inhabited, the resort complex is pretty much a barren area. For most of the day, it’s all yours because most of the guests here are either snorkelling or 50meters under water swimming with Nemo and his friends.

Accommodation – The resort boasts of its 10 native-inspired aircon duplex cottages(with 2 room/cottage, average size of its room is 19.64 sq.m). Each room has a private toilet/bath and individual veranda where guests may enjoy the breathtaking view of sun, sea and surf. There are two air-conditioned dormitories than can accommodate 8 pax/room.

Good Food – experience personalised service in the resort’s open-air restaurant called Pandan Bar. You can have your food cooked the way you wanted. The restaurant serves local and international cuisine. Pandan Bar can accommodate 150 persons.

Contact Information

Balicasag Island Dive Resort
Address: Balicasag Island, Panglao, Bohol
Phone: (+6338) 501-0674
Fax: (+6338) 502-6001

Manila Office
Rm. 520, 5/F, DOT Building, T.M. Kalaw Avenue cor Taft Avenue, Manila City, Metro Manila
Phone: (+632) 524-8977, (+632) 524-7141 local 413, (+632) 524-2513, (+632) 524-22495

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It’s an Easy Dive Site suitable for PADI Openwater Divers or Higher and considered very good for snorkelinig. It has a depth of 3m to 40m with most interesting site at 8-12m. Visibility is between 12m to 20 meters. It’s not as clear as in dive sites in Balicasag as this site was a little bit affected by dynamite fishing.

Nevertheless, this dive site is rated by Belleview Rock Resort as 5 out 5. That’s their highest rating.

Dive Direction
Start the dive with the wall on the left shoulder, going south-west

Description
One can take the jeepney or car to get to the dive site, in case of rough waters on BelleviewRock Resort. Wall dive with cathedral Virgin corals. Great for shallow-water photography. Be careful with your entry, it can be shallow. When you go by car and plan a land-dive walk carefully down the cliff with full equipment it can be slippery. Your entry and exit points are the same. Good chance to see young Barracudas and Banner fish (Heniochus Diphreutes).

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It’s an Easy Dive Site suitable for PADI Openwater Divers or Higher. It has a depth of 8m to 40m with most interesting site at 15m. Visibility is between 15m to 30 meters and this site is not affected by dynamite fishing.

This dive site has a rating of 5 out 5 by the Belleview Rock Resort. More information from their site.

Dive Direction
Start the dive with shallow part right shoulder, going south.

Description
Many coral heads in the shallow part and a forest of Black coral (antipathes) at 35-45m. Normally the dive starts against the current, stay low over the sandy bottom and after 20min the current will change, so you can drift dive the second part. This is the best dive site in the Bohol Triangle.

Marine Life
An aquarium with all kind of Anthias, Rockcods Groupers (serraidae family), Scorpion fishes (scorpaenidae family), Squirrel fishes (holocentridae family), Parrotfish (scaridae family), Wrasse (labridae family), Damsel fishes (pomacentridae family), Anemone fishes (amphiprioninae subfamily). The trigger fishes are aggressive in the months of May, June and July.

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