Panglao Island, located just southwest of Bohol, Philippines, is a diver’s paradise renowned for its stunning coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life. Connected to Bohol by two bridges, Panglao is easily accessible and offers some of the best diving experiences in the region. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, the dive sites around Panglao Island provide a variety of underwater adventures that are sure to impress. Let’s dive into what makes scuba diving Panglao Island a top destination that you shouldn’t miss.
Panglao Island is famous for its biodiversity and vibrant coral reefs that are home to a wide array of marine species. The island’s dive sites are known for their excellent visibility, calm waters, and a mix of shallow reefs and deep walls, making them suitable for divers of all levels. Panglao offers a chance to see a rich variety of marine life, including barracudas, sea turtles, colorful reef fish, and even the occasional whale shark or manta ray.
One of the highlights of diving in Panglao is its proximity to other world-class dive spots like Balicasag and Pamilacan Islands, which are just a short boat ride away. This makes Panglao not only a great diving destination in itself but also a perfect base for exploring the broader underwater wonders of Bohol.
Here’s a look at some of the must-visit dive sites around Panglao Island, each offering unique experiences and breathtaking underwater landscapes.
Arco Point, also known as the ‘Hole in the Wall,’ is one of Panglao’s most famous dive sites. This site features a unique rock formation with a large swim-through that resembles a natural archway, hence the name. The dive begins at a shallow depth, making it accessible for beginner divers, and gradually slopes down to deeper waters.
As you navigate through the swim-through, you’ll encounter vibrant coral gardens teeming with marine life, including nudibranchs, lionfish, and occasionally, reef sharks. The site is known for its excellent visibility, often exceeding 20 meters, allowing divers to fully appreciate the colorful coral formations and diverse fish species.
Doljo Point is a deep wall dive located at the northwest tip of Panglao Island. The site is characterized by a steep drop-off that plunges to over 40 meters, making it a favorite among advanced divers. Doljo Point is famous for its healthy coral walls covered in gorgonian fans, sponges, and black corals.
The site attracts a variety of pelagic species, including barracudas, trevallies, and schools of snappers. It’s also a great spot for encountering larger marine life such as turtles and eagle rays. With its strong currents, Doljo Point offers a thrilling drift dive experience that’s sure to get your adrenaline pumping.
Napaling, located along the northern coast of Panglao, is known for its stunning coral gardens and rich biodiversity. This dive site is a gentle slope that drops down to about 20 meters, making it ideal for divers of all skill levels. Napaling is particularly famous for its vibrant hard and soft corals, which provide a habitat for a variety of reef fish, crustaceans, and macro life.
One of the highlights of diving at Napaling is the chance to see frogfish, scorpionfish, and the occasional octopus hiding among the corals. The site’s shallow depth and calm waters also make it a great spot for underwater photographers looking to capture close-up shots of the reef’s intricate details.
Pungtud Wall, also known as Puntod Wall, is a spectacular dive site featuring a vertical coral wall that drops from 5 meters down to over 30 meters. The wall is covered in colorful soft corals, sea fans, and anemones, providing a vibrant backdrop for schools of reef fish, parrotfish, and butterflyfish.
Pungtud Wall is an excellent site for spotting nudibranchs and other small critters. The site’s clear waters and gentle currents also make it suitable for divers of all levels, offering a relaxing yet visually stunning dive experience.
Although not technically part of Panglao Island, Balicasag is a short boat ride away and is considered one of the top diving spots accessible from Panglao. The island is surrounded by several dive sites, including Black Forest and Cathedral, both renowned for their incredible marine life and underwater topography.
Balicasag’s dive sites feature steep walls, coral gardens, and large schools of jacks, barracudas, and trevallies. The site is also known for frequent sightings of sea turtles and the occasional reef shark. Balicasag’s rich biodiversity and crystal-clear waters make it a must-visit for anyone diving in Panglao.
Diving on Panglao Island offers an unforgettable experience with its rich marine life, diverse dive sites, and stunning underwater landscapes. Whether you’re exploring the swim-throughs of Arco Point, drifting along the walls of Doljo Point, Panglao has something for every diver. With its easy access, excellent visibility, and a variety of dive sites to choose from, Panglao Island is truly a must-visit destination for scuba enthusiasts.
So, pack your dive gear, book your dive trip with Sierra Madre Divers, and get ready to explore the underwater wonders of Panglao Island. Whether you’re diving for the first time or you’re a seasoned diver looking for new adventures, Panglao promises a dive experience that you’ll never forget.
