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Dive Spots | Dive Spots surrounding Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines |
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Choose from the many dive locations below! You will want to spend extra days here for sure!  [BALICASAG FISH SANTUARY] [DIVER'S HEAVEN] [ROYAL GARDEN & CATHEDRAL] [RUDY'S ROCK] [SNAKE ISLAND] [PUNTOD & DOLJO POINTS] [MOMO] [ARCO] [CRYSTAL SANCTUARY] [KALIPAYAN] [SHERWOOD BAY HOUSEREEF] [CABILAO ISLAND] BALICASAG BLACK FOREST  Attraction :
Wide variety of corals on the upper sections, but as the name suggests the deeper you go, the more amazing black corals (called Antipathes) you can find around the 30 – 40 meter depth. Enjoy the experience of finding so many different species of fish and marine life. Enjoy too, the sensation of a strong current from time to time according to the season. Composition : Steep Sloped Reef from 8 – 40 meters depth. Divers often find Eels, Turtles, Frogfish, Pipefish as well as schools of Snapper and Bannerfish. Scorpionfish, Emperor, Barracuda, Moorish Idol, Flutemouth, Tuna, Batfish and Trevellies. Some of the more unusual creatures to be spotted include Pygmy Sea Horses, Parrotfish, Lionfish, Triggerfish, Unicornfish, Trumpet fish, Wrasse, and Mantis Shrimps.
Snorkeling : Attractions too deep for snorkellers but still nice to swim in this area
Diving Condition : Excellent for Open Water Divers and upper levels Get Instant Confirmation Online. Reserve Now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ True to it’s name with a heavenly picturersque array of enormous corals, like the Brown Daisy, and amazing big Bucket Sponges, where the fish play hide and seek. You can see the famous Gold Band Fusilier, Midnight Snapper, big mouth Mackerel, Crown Fish – the famous “NIMO” and be sure to look out for the Balicasag “trade mark Turtles”. Composition : A combination of the deep sharp reef and the shallow white sandy slopes - find yourself in the deep 1 minute and in the shallow the next. Area to area, a wide variation between 8-40 meters depth Snorkeling : Good for snorkeling a little closer to the beach area Get Instant Confirmation Online. Reserve Now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drop off wall type areas between 3-40 meters depth are covered with colorful and prominent sea fans and large areas of yellow bucket sponges. There is seasonal change in the current which may be strong at times.
Diving Condition : Excellent for Open Water Divers and upper levels except when the current is strong, then recommended for experienced divers. This current is seasonal and your professional guides will be able to advise you. Get Instant Confirmation Online. Reserve Now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Both steep and sloping walls in this reef, plenty to explore in this unusual formation of caves and crevices as well as the marine life. Depth is between 5-40 meters. Snorkeling : Excellent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Attraction :
Compared to an under water island with a sandy bottom referred to as a “shoal” dive location. Depth of around 8-30 meters with a relatively strong current through all seasons. Snorkeling : Not advisable (attractions too deep) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PUNTOD & DOLJO POINTS
Composition : 30 minutes from Sherwood Bay Resort, located at the west side of Panglao. A dive spot where the top of the reef is fairly shallow with areas of walls and slopes to explore and sandy beds in between. Depth between 3-40meters . This dive spot is always protected (being on the west side of Panglao Island) in the “Habagatat” wind. (Rainy season wind - monsoon) Snorkeling : Excellent (don’t forget your underwater camera!) Diving Condition : Excellent for all levels and experienced divers. Perfect for photography enthusiasts. A challenge to experienced divers with the extra depth and seasonal current.
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Attraction :
Composition : 20 minutes from Sherwood Bay Resort, located at the west side of Panglao. Likewise, the west side of Panglao is protected from “Habagatat” (monsoon) and a suitable location for diving any time in the year. Depth 5 – 40 meters. There is a combination of steep reef and sloped sections.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Attraction : Beautiful drop off reef from 6 meters to about 30 meters. At the lower portion of the reef the “cave” can be observed and though it is possible to dive through, though environmentally it is not advisable, as inexperienced divers may cause damage to the walls, but there is still plenty to enjoy from the entrance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CRYSTAL SANCTUARY Composition : Only 400 meters from Alona Beach, beginning at a depth of 3 meters to 30 meters and a combination of drops offs and slopes. A stunning array of Fan Corals, hard & soft corals and Sponges. Snorkeing : Good for snorkeling a little closer to the beach. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Attraction :
Composition : Depth averaging between 3 – 30 meters. Combination of drop off reef and wall slopes with sandy areas. It is these sandy areas which provide the photographer with the wide scope for macro photography especially at the shallower areas. Diving Condition : Relaxing dive site for Open Water Divers and higher Get Instant Confirmation Online. Reserve Now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SHERWOOD BAY HOUSEREEF
Depth averaging between 3 – 40 meters. Both drop off areas and narrow slopes make this quite a unique under water structure. Located 400 meters directly in front of Sherwood Bay Resort. Snorkeling : Good
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CABILAO ISLAND ( offers several excellent dive spots )
There are so many dive spots around Cabilao Island to choose from that we usually go by the weather and current conditions, whether to dive east or west of the island. The PADI professionals will decide where you will find the dives to suit your interests and experience. The great advantage is that the locations are close by each other so we can do multiple dives on the same day and see so many interesting features. There are abundant species of both small and large tropical fish, Barracudas, Butterfly Fish, Tuna etc… and of course the beloved Turtles, too! Composition : The wall is a vast combination of steep reefs and slopes and goes down to more than 50 meters. There is a wide array of sea-fans, hard & soft corals and sandy slopes. Snorkeling : Excellent Diving Conditions : Excellent for all levels of divers, underwater photographers and macro divers and really, something for every one.
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BalIcasag Island is one of the larger islands just off Panglao Island and approximately 50 minutes from Sherwood Bay Resort by motor banka. It has a wide variety of marine life and different scopes for all levels of divers and snorkellers. .png)
Enjoy this spectacular destination for its shallow water “table corals” and lose yourself in time among the widely recognized tropical colorful fish. They are well a custom to entertaining the divers & snorkellers.
2 separate locations but fairly close by each other and similar in their appearance. As you would imagine from their names, and particularly in sunshiny weather, the reflections among the corals reminds us of stained glass windows and colorful gardens, the most elegant home to Midnight Snappers, Pyramid Butterfly Fish, one-spot Snappers, Golden Srgeant Fish, Crown Fish and big mouth Mackerels.
Discover caves and crevices along the reef, some of which you can actually get inside. There are many varieties of corals both hard and soft together with fascinating, colorful large & small water fans. You can often see a large school of Jack fish, big eye Trevallies whirling around you and Midnight snappers along with Sweetlips. 
Whow! Adventure for the brave ones! A glimpse of the under world. Sea Urchins around the upper areas, Lion Fish, Moray Eels, Nudi Branches and Starry Moray Eels at the lower areas. And not forgetting the amazing colorful striped sea snakes hence, the name of this dive spot!
An amazing combination of beautifully colored hard & waving soft corals. There are small caves and crevices to explore so better bring along a diving light to take a closer look. Immense variety of marine life including raggy Scorpion Fish, Anthias, Puffer Fish, Nudi Branches, Ribbon Eels and one - striped Fusilier. If you are lucky, you may see dolphins and whales on the way from Sherwood Bay Resort from the boat. Then diving in February & March will increase your chances of seeing Manta Rays or Hammerhead Sharks. If there is a stronger current, you might see a school of Barracudas or a Whale Shark if you are really really lucky!! The “house reef” area is excellent for those interested in macro diving & photography. You might see Crabs, Shrimps, Gobies and a Pajama Cardinal Fish, other kinds of Cardinal Fish, Clown Frog Fish and Ghost Pipefish. There is something for every diver from beginners to advanced! 
Exciting dive locations close to each other and possible to dive on the same day. Both have a variety of different species and excellent for macro diving. Easy to find Leaf Fish, Pajama Cardinal Fish, Brown Barred Goby, Harlequin Filefish, Nudi branches and many kinds of Juvenile Wrasse. The Red Spot Cardinal Fish can also be seen in these areas only.
A unique cave type hole where, in the first entrance of around 8 meters you can enjoy searching for the Raggy Scorpion Fish hiding there. Further in - around 10 meters you can find White-Eyed Moray Eel, Black Finned Snake Eels, Groupers, Wrasse, Butterfly Fish and Cuttlefish. Further along the reef, you can find Frog Fish. At the end of the dive at BBC, you will find two small Jeepneys, these two wrecks have been there for quite some time and you can expect small Barragudas, Purple Queen Anthias fish, Moorish idol, Regal angelfish and Nudi branches. One Jeepney is at 10 meter, and the other one at 8meter.
This is the sanctuary of Alona Beach, a protected area of beautiful hard and soft corals. Of course with a wide variety of marine life including Big Eye Trevally, Big Mouth Mackerel, Coral Pipe Fish, Nudibranches, Surgeon Fish, Gobbies, Snappers, Damsels, School of Jacks, Bat Fish and sometimes Barracudas, Mantis Shrimp and Frog Fish. This place is recommended for Macro dives.
Another area excellent for Macro dives and the enthusiastic photographers. See the varied blue and table corals, the Sea Fans and the Brown Daisy Corals. A wide variety of smaller species of fish - black and yellow Harlequin Ghost Pipe Fish, Dragon Fish, Garden Eels, Snake Eels, Long-Horned Cowfish, Dot Head Rock Cod, Blue Spotted Ray, small Barracudas at sandy slope area. At a lower depth approximately 22 – 27 meters, you will find Panda Clown Fish, and you will find their eggs near their anemones if you look carefully. Be careful! They can be protective of their eggs! Also look for Shrimps and Crabs which share the area. During the accent, you will be fascinated with the Flounders, Scorpion Fish, Harlequin, Ghost Pipefish, Nudibranches, Crab-Eyed Goby etc.. Watch out for Titan Trigger Fish in May and June!!
Try walking around at certain points close to the reef at low tide! Quite a novel experience as there is a sandy bar where we can see Star Fish, Shell Fish and Crabs even before entering the water! Once in the sea, look for Nudibranches, Leaf Fish, small Barracudas, Moorish Idols, Regal Angelfish & Clown Fish. Good location for macro diving and photography!
One of the most spectacular dive locations in the Philippines - Cabilao Island is about 1 hour boat ride from Sherwood Bay Resort. Divers will find awesome walls, stunning coral gardens & prolific fish life in the numerous spots! Experienced divers know Cabilao Island for “muck” diving where you can discover unusual & juvenile creatures like tiny transparent Shrimps, Neon Nudibranchs & Huge Basket Sponges adorned with hundreds of colorful crinoids. This island used to be known for the Hummerhead Sharks but it is still possible to see them when the water temperature is lower around December and January.
