Balicasag Island
Balicasag Island can be reached in half an hour by boat from Alona Beach. This place is considered one of the most attractive dive sites.
directions of the Bisai Islands. Especially popular is the so-called. Black Coral Forest, where already at a depth of 30 meters you can see thickets of black corals, usually living at a depth of at least 50 meters. Turtle Point is a favorite resting place for sea turtles, hiding near sheer walls and cathedral-like arches of caves. Cathedral Wall or “cathedral wall”, this, by the way, is another site popular with divers. It is highly recommended to take a good flashlight there in order to better see what is hidden in the numerous crevices.
Pamikalan Island
The boat trip to Pamikalan Island starts at Alona Beach and takes about an hour. This small island is surrounded by a picturesque underwater area – a favorite resting place for manta rays. In addition to the impressive view of tubular and fan-shaped corals and tunicates, sea sponges and brightly colored anemones, you have the chance to see something bigger, such as a whale shark or a giant sea devil.
Panglao Island
Coral gardens, sheer walls and drop-offs of Panglao are characterized by vibrant marine life. Alona Beach is the starting point for trips to the nearby inner reef, which is great for night diving and underwater orienteering, among other things.
Entry
Flights from Manila arrive at Tagbilaran International Airport. The flight takes about an hour. At the moment, it is planned to build an airport on the island of Panglao, which could serve as an alternative to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. 12 ship lines from Manila and other regions of the country arrive at the port of Tagbilan. Transport links between neighboring Cebu and Bohol are excellent. High-speed ferries depart daily and deliver passengers to the desired island in an hour and a half. From Cebu City there is a connection with the cities of Tagbilaran and Tubigon. From Aragao (Cebu Island), outrigger canoes also depart for the islands of Kabilao and Katagbakon.
Climate
Bohol boasts a favorable climate all year round, with no pronounced dry or rainy seasons. Most precipitation can be expected from June to October. It is also worth considering geographically determined climatic features: the coast is often warmer and drier than in the interior of the island, where the air is more humid and cool. The average annual temperature is 26 degrees.
Accommodation
Bohol offers accommodation options for all tastes. Most of the hotels and resorts are located in the city of Tagbilaran and on the island of Panglao.
Movement within the province
In the province of Bohol itself, it is most convenient and safest to travel by colorful and motley jeepneys, as well as by public transport, minibuses, or taxis.
tricycles, tricycles with a sidecar. Powered outrigger canoes are well suited for quickly jumping from one small island to another and are rented from many resorts or tour operators.
Festivals
Spectacular holidays are the same hallmark of Bohol as the Chocolate Hills. One of the most famous festivals, Sandugo,
held in the city of Tagbilaran. Celebrations in honor of the conclusion of peace between the Spanish colonialists and the natives, sealed with the ritual drinking of a drink containing the blood of both parties, last the whole of March. “Sandugo” is translated from the Visayan language as “one blood”.
Dolphin and whale watching
Which of us has not dreamed at least once with our own eyes to see how a powerful tail fin of a sperm whale rises from the ocean water or how a flock of dolphins seems to be performing at water gymnastics competitions? There are many places in the Philippines where you can see all this in the wild. The waters around Pamilacan Island near Bohol are very popular with cetaceans, which include dolphins. This tiny island once served as a watchpost from which the Spaniards watched for pirates and other enemies threatening from the sea. The population of the island lived by hunting whales, sharks and manta rays, which is also indicated by the name of the island: Pamilacan in the local dialect means “harpoon”.
Full immersion
For those who want to not just watch the marine life, but go after them, Bohol is also the right destination. This region is considered one of the main dive destinations in Asia. Extra-class underwater panoramas with pristine coral gardens and colorful marine life await divers in the coastal waters of Balicasag, Panglao Town, Kabilao in Loon and other places. The local underwater landscape is rich in sheer walls, mysterious crevices and faults.
