Snorkeling tour in Balicasag

If one of the main reasons you are thinking about a trip to the Philippines is because you love the sea, seriously consider doing the snorkeling tour in Balicasag. This small island, located about 30–40 minutes from Panglao (Bohol), is surrounded by one of the best reefs in the archipelago, home to dozens of sea turtles and many other species.

Stick with us and discover how to do the Balicasag snorkeling tour and enjoy it 100%.

Table of Contents

What is Balicasag? Why is it so recommended to do the snorkeling tour in Balicasag?

Balicasag is one of the islands close to Panglao and Bohol. Its name means crab backwards: bali (crab) and casag (turned around), so you can already imagine its shape. An almost perfect circle just 600 meters in diameter, which you can walk around in barely 45 minutes.

It is not an uninhabited island. About 100 families live here, mainly dedicated to tourism and fishing.

Although the island itself is beautiful (it has lush vegetation and white sand), what you have come here for is to enjoy the marine sanctuary that surrounds it. Remember that the archipelago is located in the Coral Triangle, that is, the place with the greatest marine biodiversity in the world, and Balicasag is one of the best places to snorkel in the Philippines and, of course, one of the best places to snorkel in Bohol and Panglao.

So, if you like marine life, don’t hesitate—do the snorkeling tour in Balicasag and you will find gorgeous coral walls and tons of life, including a large population of green and hawksbill turtles. If you have never swum with a turtle before, you will be able to experience this exciting moment just a few minutes from Bohol. Believe us, it’s worth it.

⚠️ That said, since at Travel Around the Philippines we like to be 100% honest with you, we also have to warn you that Balicasag is no secret. Tourism is here to stay and it won’t be unusual to find dozens of boats like yours, with dozens or hundreds of people who have come for the same thing as you. And although we don’t like mass tourism either, in our opinion doing the Balicasag tour is still worth it, and there are little tricks to enjoy the turtles more calmly.

In any case, if what you read doesn’t quite convince you, remember that you also have many chances to swim with turtles in Apo Island (from Siquijor) and Moalboal. It’s also possible to enjoy them in Mantigue (Camiguin) and in Coron, among many other places, although it’s somewhat less likely.

Where is Balicasag? How to get there?

Balicasag is located 12 kilometers from Alona Beach, so to get there you first need to know how to get to Panglao. If you have landed in Cebu, you can get there easily by reading How to get from Cebu airport to Panglao.

Once in Panglao, you will need to head to Alona Beach, since from this Bohol beach the bangkas (traditional Filipino boats) depart to Balicasag. Many of the hotels on this island are located around it, so you can walk; or, if you are a little farther away, take a tricycle, which shouldn’t cost you more than 50 pesos per ride.

Once at Alona, you will board the boat and enjoy the scenery as they take you to enjoy this snorkeling excursion in Balicasag.

Scuba diving or snorkeling in Balicasag?

If you are wondering whether it is better to scuba dive or snorkel in Balicasag, without the slightest doubt, if you are a certified diver, that is, if you have at least the Open Water Diver certification, we recommend opting for tank diving.

Truly, besides seeing a huge number of turtles, Balicasag has incredible reefs that you will only fully enjoy by diving. In addition to lots of “weird critters” like our beloved frogfish, in Balicasag you can see large schools and gorgeous coral walls. It’s the perfect complement to diving in Panglao.

You can read everything in Diving in Balicasag

However, only certified divers can scuba dive in Balicasag. Try dives are not allowed. Therefore, if you have time, we recommend taking the diving course in Bohol and topping it off with a couple of dives in Balicasag.

On the other hand, diving on this island is managed by the municipality of Panglao, which, with the increase in tourism, implemented a reservation system in 2015. Dive centers need to secure one of the 150 daily permits (2 dives per person) for divers and therefore pay a fee. For that reason, it is essential that you book well in advance. We advise doing it 1 or 2 months ahead, preferably more if you plan to come during periods like Christmas, Chinese New Year or local holidays.

If you’d like to dive with our trusted center, the one we go with every time we pass through Bohol, leave us a comment and we’ll share all the information with you.

If you are not certified or simply don’t feel like it, don’t worry—you can fulfill your dream of swimming with turtles by doing a snorkeling excursion in Balicasag. It’s an activity suitable for all kinds of people and you don’t need any special conditions. In fact, if you are not a great swimmer, that’s fine. You can put on one of the boat’s life jackets, the mask, and focus on breathing through the tube while you enjoy the marine life.

Is it necessary to do a private tour to Balicasag?

For the Coron and El Nido island hopping we always recommend doing it privately, that is, hiring your own boat. This is the way to enjoy the day to the fullest, since you go at your own pace and, most importantly, avoid the crowds.

In this case it’s not necessary to do a private tour to Balicasag. That said, what we do recommend is avoiding agency tours in which you go with 10–15 people (we have counted up to 20) and have to do everything like sheep.

So you may ask: how do I do it? Our recommendation is to organize it in one of the following ways:

Joining a dive club’s excursion: this is the way we advise. First, because the boats are much more comfortable and the crew is much more professional. Second, because it is much more respectful. Here you don’t go where everyone is congregated and fish are not fed, which destroys the ecosystem. Third, because you go at your own pace and spend more time snorkeling in Balicasag, skipping the dolphin watching (more like a chase) and Virgin Island (now closed), which, in our opinion, are not worth it. Fourth, because there is usually a stop at a Panglao snorkeling point where large sardine schools are commonly seen.
Hiring a private boat: you can do this online via this link or by negotiating right on Alona Beach. It will cost you very similar to doing it through an agency and you have much more freedom with schedules and choosing what you want to visit and what not. That said, keep in mind that the service will not be great and they may try to pull a fast one with the snorkeling areas.

If you don’t want to rack your brain organizing the Balicasag snorkeling tour, we can give you the contact of our trusted dive school. They will take care of everything. Not only that, they go with a couple of dive masters who usually jump into the water with you to point out the most interesting fish.

How much does the Balicasag snorkeling tour cost?

The price of the snorkeling excursion in Balicasag depends on how you do it. So:

If you do it with a dive club: it’s around 2,000 pesos per person, including all fees, snorkel gear, water, tea/coffee and snacks. Note that these do not do dolphin watching, at least not on purpose, although many times they are seen on the way.
If you do it on a typical agency tour: prices are around 1,500 pesos per person including everything. Make sure what it includes: fees? equipment? Don’t get any surprises.
If you do it on a private tour, that is, renting a boat: prices are around 3,000 pesos per boat for up to 5 or 6 people. Afterwards they will ask you for 250 pesos for each place where you snorkel—normally 2 are visited. Also the fees and mask rental.

What the Balicasag snorkeling tour is like

Depending on how you choose to do it, the Balicasag snorkeling excursion unfolds in one way or another. However, the usual one—the one done through an agency or by private boat—gives you a choice of 2 time slots: starting at 6:00 or at 9:00. In other words, you can choose whether to do the dolphin watching or not. The duration is usually about 5 or 6 hours, so it’s common to return to Alona Beach after midday.

If you do it with a dive center, which is how we like it best, the departure time is around 8:00. Depending on whether 2 or 3 dives are done, you will be back around 13:00 or 14:00.

Now we’ll tell you how the Balicasag snorkeling tour usually unfolds step by step.

Dolphin watching

The so-called Panglao island hopping starts very early on Alona Beach. Many excursions include hotel pick-up or, directly, meet on the beach to board the bangka that will take you to Balicasag and other spots.

The dawn departure has a reason: dolphin watching. They like to get up early and appear in large groups and, with luck, usually follow the bow of the boats. Even so, remember, it’s nature—nothing is guaranteed. Also, if the sea is a bit choppy, it’s harder to see them.

In our opinion, this activity is not very responsible, since there are always a lot of boats (it’s not unusual to see more than 20 at once) chasing after dolphins. Although they are neither fed nor touched, we believe it is an unjustified harassment.

Snorkeling on Balicasag Island

Whether you left at dawn or later, the next stop is Balicasag, the goal of this tour. It will be hard not to be impressed by the color of the water that surrounds it: turquoise and transparent; it’s not difficult to glimpse the shape of the corals from the boat itself, nor is it rare to see a turtle or two come up to breathe.

Most bangkas stop on the beach and give you about 3 hours of free time. In this time you can take a walk around the island, eat something and, most importantly, go snorkeling.

At this point it won’t be unusual for lots of people to come up to you to try to rent you snorkel gear, food, or take you in their small rowing boat (4 to 6 people) to the snorkeling spots. This last part varies somewhat depending on the excursion you bought, but the usual thing is that, if you have come in a group, you are required to do it this way.

In Balicasag they have it set up so that one spot is Turtle Point (to see turtles) and the other is Coral Garden (to see corals), charging you 250 pesos per person at each one as fees. We don’t know whether this is a municipal ordinance or if it’s legal, but the point is that, in this way, everyone concentrates in the same place, making the experience a shame if there are a lot of people.

Our advice is that, if you feel comfortable swimming on your own and don’t need a guide, try to do everything independently. The turtles are not always in the same place nor all together. Walk to other sides of the island, put on your mask and enjoy the experience. Many travelers have told us that they have even walked to the other side of the island and have been able to swim with them. Just always keep safety in mind: watch the current and the waves, which will also make your snorkeling in Balicasag more uncomfortable.

Please remember that turtles are wild and delicate animals, as they suffer stress and can contract diseases due to our bacteria and chemicals. Do not chase them, keep at least 3 meters away from them and, of course, do not touch them. Don’t worry if they are very deep (sometimes it’s common to see them around 6 meters down), it’s common for them to come up to breathe quite often, so you will be able to admire them from closer up.

Do not touch or step on the corals either. Unfortunately, it is a very common practice among some Asian visitors, so, if you can, kindly indicate to them that in this way they are damaging them.

If you have come with a dive school, the situation is much more relaxed. Usually, since it is a large boat (equipped with bathrooms, a dry area, etc.), you don’t “touch land”; instead, the boat moves to different diving and snorkeling points and you jump in to discover on your own right there.

It’s normal for tank divers to take about 50 minutes to come out, and you can, during that time, be in the water or get back on the boat to sunbathe a little and warm up. Afterwards, you move to another snorkeling point and repeat the operation.

Visit to Virgin Island or Isola di Francesco

If you have booked a tour or a private boat to Balicasag, the itinerary ends at Virgin Island. This is a fairly large sandbar, but, in our opinion, not at all comparable to White Island (Camiguin) or Kalanggaman…

We encourage you to walk a little and move away from where everyone tends to gather; you will enjoy it much more.

The stop at Virgin Island, also known as Isola di Francesco, usually lasts an hour. Afterwards, you will head back to Alona Beach, taking about 20–30 minutes.

Book your private tour to Balicasag with KLOOK

NOTE: For quite some time now, Virgin Island has been closed due to coral vandalism by some tourists.

Where to stay for the Balicasag excursion

Since the excursions to Balicasag depart from Alona Beach, the most convenient thing is to stay around this beach. Here are some suggestions:

Backpacker hostel: Bohol Coco Farm
Something cheap but good: UNK’s House Homestay
Good value for money: Alona42 Resort
If you want some luxury: Oceanica Resort Panglao

You have more recommendations in Where to stay in Panglao.

In addition, on Balicasag Island itself there is a small resort with cabins: Balicasag Island Dive Resort. Don’t expect much luxury; the important thing here is the location, which will allow you to enjoy the seabed without the pressure of schedules and, of course, in absolute solitude.

Tips for doing the Balicasag snorkeling excursion

Now that you know what it consists of and how to do the snorkeling excursion in Balicasag, here are some tips we would have liked to know ourselves:

The best time to enjoy Balicasag is from December to May, when the sea is usually calmer. This is the dry season; however, you can go to the island at any time of year.
It is an excursion suitable for all audiences. If you are traveling to the Philippines with children, with some basic care, you will all be able to enjoy it. In addition, all boats have life jackets. Children under 3 usually do not pay.
Be a responsible tourist: do not touch or chase turtles. Remember that they are wild animals—keep a safety distance of at least 3 meters. Do not touch or step on any other marine animal either, such as starfish or corals. Please, if you see people doing this, politely explain why they are affecting them. Also, don’t stick the GoPro in their face—not everything goes for a photo or a video.
Do not allow fish to be fed with bread or other types of food either. Feeding causes great damage to the ecosystem.
We’ve already mentioned it, but we recommend doing it with a dive school. We believe it is the most respectful and comfortable way to do it. Even so, if you do it on a tour (whether private or not), we recommend finding a way to be in a less frequented spot—you will enjoy it much more.
Remember to take a good travel insurance that covers this type of activity. In Panglao there aren’t very good hospitals and, if needed, you will have to be transferred urgently to Tagbilaran or Cebu. Take a look at the one we use: Travel insurance for the Philippines.

What to bring to the Balicasag excursion

If you are wondering what to bring to Balicasag, we suggest the following:

A good dry bag like this one, to protect you from possible splashes on the boat. Do not take it into the water; you risk everything getting wet.
Water and some snacks: if you can, bring a stainless steel bottle and reduce plastic.
Sun protection: keep in mind that sunscreens, unless they are biodegradable (like this one), harm turtles, fish and corals, so, if you can, avoid them as much as possible and use UV-protection shirts.
Snorkel gear: for convenience, hygiene and savings, we suggest bringing your own snorkel set like this one. It’s more comfortable if you have fins, but we know it’s a bit heavy to travel with them. If you want them, you can rent them on the island for 150 pesos.
Water shoes: although not essential, if you have them, it’s better to bring water shoes to walk on Virgin Island; you’ll be more comfortable.
Towel: we like quick-dry towels like these.
Camera: we always carry the GoPro. If you have one of the newer ones, remember that they are only submersible to a certain depth. For snorkeling it’s fine, but you will need a dive housing if you are going to scuba dive.
Money: not only to pay for the tour and fees, but in case you are going to buy some food or drink on Balicasag.

Alternative to the Balicasag excursion: Pamilacan

As we told you, Balicasag does not go unnoticed by any traveler visiting Bohol, so it will not be unusual for you to be one among many snorkelers on the reef and start to feel overwhelmed.

If you like the underwater world, a very interesting and much less visited alternative is nearby Pamilacan. Although the turtle population is much smaller than in Balicasag (so it is very likely you won’t see any), the reef that surrounds it is just as spectacular, an island of white sand, beautiful vegetation and the remains of a fort from the Spanish colonial period.

The snorkeling tours to Pamilacan usually include dolphin watching and several hours on the island, where you can stroll along its white-sand beach and make good use of your mask and snorkel.

Keep in mind that Pamilacan is quite a bit farther than Balicasag, so it will take you about 90 minutes to get there from Alona Beach. The schedule is usually from 5:30 to 14:00. Being farther away, it’s also more expensive to get there.

Book your Pamilacan tour here

You can also get to Pamilacan with a Panglao dive school (as we did the first time) or do it on your own. In the latter case, the journey is much more tedious. First you’ll have to go to Baclayon (about 40 minutes by car or motorbike from Alona) and then negotiate the price of a boat. The usual fee is 1,500 pesos per leg. There is a public boat 1 or 2 times a day, but it’s difficult or impossible to find it. You can read much more about it in our Pamilacan Guide.

If you feel like it, you can stay in one of the 2 accommodations there are where to sleep in Pamilacan: