Balicasag Island
A tiny marine sanctuary island off Panglao, Bohol, with steep coral walls, clear water and green sea turtles. Snorkel or dive on a half-day boat trip from Alona Beach.
Balicasag is a small, round island about 6-7 km southwest of Panglao Island, in Panglao, Bohol. It is only a few hundred metres across, with a ring of white sand, a few palms and a fishing community. What makes it special is the water around it. The reef has been a marine sanctuary since the 1980s, and it is one of the best places in the Visayas to swim with wild sea turtles and to dive along steep coral walls.
Why go to Balicasag
- Sea turtles. Green and hawksbill turtles feed on the seagrass and reef just off the island, and sightings are common (never guaranteed).
- Clear water and healthy coral, right beside the beach in the shallows and along deeper walls.
- Snorkelling for everyone. You do not need to dive to enjoy it, and many trips work well for beginners with life vests.
- A short, easy half-day boat trip from Alona Beach, often combined with dolphin watching and Virgin Island.
Things to do on Balicasag
Snorkelling with turtles
Most visitors come on a snorkelling trip. Your boat anchors just off the island, usually near the turtle area, and you slip into the water with a life vest and a mask. Turtles are wild animals. Never touch, chase, ride or feed them, and keep a respectful distance. If a turtle comes up to breathe, give it room.
Diving the sanctuary
Divers love Balicasag for its drop-offs, black coral, schools of fish and turtles. Named sites around the island include Cathedral, Black Forest and Diver's Heaven. Dive shops along Alona Beach run trips here, and you should dive with a guide inside the sanctuary. Check the shop's safety record, ask what the price includes, and book ahead in the busy months. Our guide to diving in Cebu has general tips for choosing a dive shop.
The beach and village
Between swims you can walk on the island's sandy beach and past the small village chapel. People live and fish here, so dress modestly away from the sand, keep voices down and ask before taking photos of residents.
Fees and sanctuary rules
- There is an environmental or sanctuary fee to enter the protected area. Recent travel sources (2025-2026) report about ₱250 per person, but amounts change, so ask your boat operator and check on arrival.
- The number of daily visitors and divers is limited to protect the reef, so book through an accredited operator or dive shop a day or two ahead, especially in the dry season.
- Do not stand on or touch coral, and do not collect shells or anything else from the water or the beach.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen or wear a rash guard. Take all rubbish back with you.
- Follow your guide and boatman. They know the zones and the rules.
Where is Balicasag Island?
Panglao, Bohol
Directions open in Google Maps, starting from where you are. Its travel times are estimates, and ferries and island boats may not be included.
Getting there from Cebu
- Go to the Cebu City piers and take a fast ferry to Tagbilaran, Bohol. The crossing takes about 2 hours, with several departures a day. Our Cebu to Bohol ferry guide covers the operators and tickets.
- From Tagbilaran port, take a taxi, hotel transfer or tricycle to Panglao. Alona Beach is roughly 30-45 minutes by road (estimate, 2025-2026).
- Arrange your boat trip in Alona, either through your hotel, a dive shop or an accredited island-hopping operator. Boats usually leave in the morning.
- The boat ride from the Panglao coast to Balicasag takes about 30-45 minutes depending on the sea and the departure point.
- Pay the sanctuary fee, listen to the safety briefing, then enjoy the water. Plan to be back on Panglao by late morning or early afternoon.
Take the ferry the day before, or an early morning departure, so you do not rush. Prices for island trips vary by group size and what is included, so get two or three quotes and ask exactly what you are paying for (boat, fees, gear, guide).
Getting around
Balicasag is tiny, so you will walk. On Panglao, tricycles and taxis are the usual way to reach the beach where your boat leaves. Agree on the fare first, or ask your hotel for a fair price.
Where to stay and eat
Most visitors stay on Panglao, not on Balicasag itself. Alona Beach is the easiest base, with dive shops, restaurants and rooms for most budgets. Quieter beaches such as Dumaluan are good for a calmer stay. Our Panglao guide has more on beaches, dolphin watching and where to eat. Bring water and snacks for the boat, as there are few shops on the island.
When to go
The calmest seas and best visibility are usually in the dry season, from about December to May. From about June to November there is more rain and wind, and boat trips can be cancelled on rough days or in typhoon weather. Mornings are best, when the water is calmer and fewer boats are out. Christmas, Holy Week and summer holidays are busy, so book early.
Tips for a good trip
- Wear a life vest if you are not a confident swimmer. Currents can be stronger than they look.
- Bring cash for fees, tips and small purchases, as card machines are rare out here.
- Pack a rash guard, a hat, water and a dry bag for your phone.
- Watch the turtles from a distance and never chase them. This is their home.
- Choose operators that keep boats at a distance from wildlife and do not feed fish.
- Check the weather and the sea state before you book, and keep a spare day in your plan.
Planning more days on Bohol? Read our Panglao guide and see the Hinagdanan Cave guide. Back in Cebu, snorkelling in Cebu and Apo Island offer more turtle encounters.
Photo gallery
Tap a photo to see it full size. Gallery photos come from Wikimedia Commons; each photographer's credit shows when you open the photo.
Watch before you go
Photo: "Balicasag Island, Panglao, Bohol 1" by Ric V Obedencio, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated October 28, 2026
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From Tourist Booklet: https://touristbooklet.com/destinations/balicasag-island/. Last updated 28 October 2026. Prices and times change, so check before you go.
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