Situated about 6 kilometers west-southwest of Panglao Island in Bohol is Balicasag Island. This 35-hectare round island is quite popular among scuba divers since it is ringed with glorious coral reefs. The island is inhabited, and located at the western end is the Balicasag Island Dive Resort, the only resort on the island.

Photo by Allan Chatto (CC)

The portion of the coral reefs southwest of the island has been designated as a marine sanctuary. Based on this photo of the marine sanctuary banner, no fishing, mooring, diving, snorkeling, and swimming is allowed. In short, humans are off-limits in that area. But there’s plenty of other coral walls left to see. Based on this map there are the following diving spots: Cathedral, Royal Garden, Turtle Point (has turtles), Diver’s Haven, and Black Forest (with unique black corals).

Aside from the coral reefs and the resort (which has a restaurant), the only remaining attraction of the island is this funky-shaped lighthouse: a broad cylindrical base with a narrow spire holding the lantern atop.

To get to Balicasag Island, you just need to rent a boat which takes off from Alona Beach on Panglao Island, which itself is easily accessible from Bohol’s airport.

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