Not a Diver? No Problem! Fun for the Whole Family in and on the Water in Bohol
It’s a classic family vacation planning session. The certified divers in the family are excitedly looking up reef maps and pictures of sea turtles, while the others are picturing themselves being left behind, relegated to spending their days by the hotel pool. It’s the age-old dilemma: how do you plan an incredible dive trip that is also a fantastic holiday for every single member of the family?
What if we told you that you don’t have to choose? What if your family’s best memories could be made together—on the same boat, experiencing the same incredible marine paradise, each in your own way?
Here at Sierra Madre Divers, we believe a trip to Bohol should be an adventure for the entire family. We specialize in creating inclusive experiences where divers and non-divers alike can share in the magic of our beautiful ocean. So, if you have a mixed group of certified divers, curious beginners, young kids, and sun-worshippers, rest assured: you’ve come to the right place.
For the Certified Divers: Your World-Class Adventure Awaits
First, let’s reassure the avid divers in your group: you will not be sacrificing your dream dives. The underwater world of Bohol is your oyster. We will take you to the breathtaking, coral-draped walls of Balicasag Island to swim with turtles and schools of jackfish. We can explore the vibrant reefs of Pamilacan or hunt for rare critters on the slopes around Panglao. Your world-class dive adventure is guaranteed. The best part? You can have all of it, knowing the rest of your family is having just as much fun.
For the “Scuba-Curious” (Ages 10+): A Taste of a New World
Is your partner, teenager, or friend curious about diving but not ready to commit to a full course? The PADI Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) program is the perfect solution. In just a few hours, they can go from curious to captivated. The experience includes a simple safety briefing, a few easy skills in the calm, shallow water right off the beach, and then a real, supervised dive on a beautiful reef with a PADI Professional. It’s an incredible, confidence-boosting adventure that often happens at the same sites where certified divers are exploring, making for great shared stories back on the boat.
For the Young Explorers (Ages 8-9): The PADI Bubblemaker Mission
For younger kids who are comfortable in the water, the PADI Bubblemaker program is their ticket to adventure. This is more than just playing in the pool; it’s their very own “scuba mission.” Conducted in water shallow enough to stand up in, a PADI Instructor will help them put on kid-sized scuba gear and take their first exciting bubbles underwater. It’s an incredibly safe, fun-filled experience focused on games and activities that builds water confidence and lets them feel like part of the family’s diving hobby. The pride on their faces when they tell you about their underwater adventure is unforgettable.
For the Surface-Dwellers: The Joy of Snorkeling Above a Vibrant World
This is the secret to keeping the whole family together on the water. Many of Bohol’s premier dive sites are also world-class snorkeling destinations! The reef tops around Panglao and Balicasag are shallow, healthy, and teeming with life, all easily visible from the surface in our crystal-clear water.
While snorkeling is not our main focus, on some of our dive sites snorkelers can join the divers on the same boat, enjoying the beautiful ride out to the islands. While the divers descend, snorkelers can float above, looking down on the exact same vibrant coral gardens. It’s common for snorkelers to spot sea turtles, colourful parrotfish, anemones full of clownfish, and countless other reef dwellers. This shared experience is fantastic—everyone gets back on the boat buzzing with excitement about what they saw, creating a unified adventure instead of a separate one. Please contact us to see if we can accommodate you for snorkeling on your trip.
For Everyone: The Simple Bliss of a Bohol Beach Day
Let’s be honest, sometimes the best part of a tropical vacation is simply relaxing and doing nothing at all. While some family members are out on a dive adventure, others can enjoy the pure bliss of a Bohol beach day.
Our home base on Alona Beach is a perfect stretch of white sand. Here, you can build epic sandcastles with the kids, relax with a good book under the shade of a palm tree, or cool off in the gentle, turquoise water. The beachfront is lined with charming spots to grab a fresh fruit shake or a delicious local lunch. For a bit more activity, paddleboards and kayaks are readily available. It’s a perfect home base where those who want a day of pure relaxation can have it in a stunning tropical setting.
An Adventure for the Whole Family Album
A vacation in Bohol doesn’t require a divided schedule. It’s a place where families can grow closer, sharing new experiences and creating a diverse collection of memories. Imagine the dinner conversation at the end of the day: one person describing a deep dive on a wall, another talking about the turtle they followed while snorkeling, and the youngest excitedly explaining what it felt like to blow bubbles like a real scuba diver.
Stop trying to plan separate vacations in one location. Contact us at Sierra Madre Divers today, and let our team help you customize a family adventure where everyone makes memories together, both in and on the beautiful waters of Bohol.
