TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Country > Philippines > Bohol > Panglao
Date > 2017 > Jun
Activity > Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving Balicasag Island with SeaQuest Dive Center June 15, 2017

Scuba Diving Balicasag Island with SeaQuest Dive Center

Dive Shop: SeaQuest Dive Center
Website: seaquestdivecenter.com
Email: info@seaquestdivecenter.com
Phone: (63) 38 502.9069
Mobile: (63) (0)999.380.2420 (Smart) / (63) (0)927.309.6383 (Globe)
Location Google Map: Alona Beach, Panglao (municipality), 6340 Bohol (province), Philippines

SeaQuest Dive CenterSeaQuest Dive Center
SeaQuest is the sister company of Oasis Resort, where I stay. It's got its own boat which is the biggest in all of Panglao. It's long and wide, I could practically hold a yoga class there. "Big", "spacious" and "luxurious" seem to be trademark of these companies. It was also clean, organized and well-maintained. SeaQuest also offer PADI dive courses and yes, Freedive courses! They were the first few ones to establish a dive shop in Alona 27 years ago when there was nothing yet on the island! Their long experience is evident in the professionalism to everything they do. 2 thumbs up to SeaQuest and Oasis!

Balicasag Island
Since my Dumaguete days in 2008, I was already hearing about the great dives in Balicasag Island - the pencil-shaped coral reef sticking out from the ocean floor at over 100m deep (in some areas) and onto the island top. I even heard about a marine biologist back in the 70s who was towed by a slow pumpboat around the island with his mask/snorkel. He said it was raining fish, and that every 50m, he would see a Volkswagen - a moniker for a giant Grouper as big as a Volkswagen Beetle. Just a few years ago, I actually met this guy - and the story is true! We're talking nearly 50 years ago. Now, of course, as excited as I am to finally make this dive, I had to manage my expectation.

Scuba Diving Balicasag Island with SeaQuest Dive Center
Black Forest Dive - photo by Leilei Show

Cathedral Dive
Dive Master: Jerson
Depth: 18m
Visibility: 25m
Duration: 53mins
Dive No.: 38

Cathedral Dive is a vertical wall that plunges down 60m. I couldn't see the bottom as we hovered on the 18m depth. The feel and visual spectacle was something similar to the Catherdral Dive of Apo Island - both are simply wonderful. Plant life and marine life are thriving with all their vivid colors. From the small ones like the nudibranch to the big groupers, and every size in between, you see them all.

Black Forest Dive
Dive Master: Jerson
Depth: 15m
Visibility: 20m
Duration: 55mins
Dive No.: 39

Black Forest was a lot of fun with its strong current. It was a drift dive where you still have to do a lot of steering to coast along the drop-off area. Although the drop-off descends down to a dark-blue abyss, we only hovered where the drop-off began, roughly 15m. The coral reef was intense and colorful...very healthy and animated. There were thousands of little fishes of different species just clustered along the reef system - you had to wade through them! The big stuff I saw were a Green Turtle, Titan Triggerfish and Marbled Grouper. The Titans were not hostile this time around. This dive is a winner!

Ending Thoughts
Finally, I could check-off Balicasag off my "must-do" list. And yes, it lived up to its reputation! My wish for this island? Do whatever it takes to ensure the re-emergence of the Volkswagen! Just think what that will do for tourism! Big thanks to my dive master, Jerson, the boat crew and to SeaQuest for the memorable experience!

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider

** all photos by Leilei Show



Leave a comment?


Next story:

Next Scuba Diving:

Scuba Diving Tongo Point with SeaQuest Dive Center Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving Tongo Point with SeaQuest Dive Center

(Jul 10, 2017) Tongo Point is one of the more popular dive spots in Moalboal. With depths going down 55m, we stayed at 18m traversing the wall for a 45min dive. With Rudy, a 20-year dive master veteran of Seaquest, he knew where to point us for interesting finds...more »»

Bohol Google Map

Google Map Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions in Bohol tourist attractions
  • Danao Adventure Park in Bohol Danao Adventure Park - zip lining, cable car ride, caving, river rides/trekking, off-road buggy ride, root climbing, rappelling and ultra-glide rides
  • Alona Beach in Bohol Alona Beach - hub for tourists with hotels, resorts, restos, bars and dive shops
  • Chocolate Hills in Bohol Chocolate Hills - hills side-by-side shaped like giant Kisses chocolate
  • Tarsier in Bohol Tarsier - pocket-sized marsupia looking like a monkey
  • Balicasag Island in Bohol Balicasag Island - one of the best dive spots in the Philippines
  • Loboc River in Bohol Loboc River - river cruise on a boat
  • Anda Beach in Bohol Anda Beach - fine white sand beach with resorts, restos and cottages, 3 hours by bus from Tagbilaran
  • Cabagnow Cave Pool in Anda, Bohol Cabagnow Cave Pool - brackish water pool about 5ft deep inside a limestone opening on the ground, 8 feet deep, P50
  • Lamanok Island in Anda, Bohol Lamanok Island - walk on a 100m bamboo bridge on stilts to a resto area to take a boat tour to caves and nearly attractions, P300
  • Combento Cave Pool in Bohol Combento Cave Pool - cave pool with underwater cave system, P20
  • Can-umantad Falls in Candijay, Bohol Can-umantad Falls - long narrow drop until it hits a bulbous mound spreading it into a a curtain-like water canopy and down into a splash pool
  • Canawa Cold Spring in Candijay, Bohol Canawa Cold Spring - deep refreshing cold spring with developed pool area
  • Firefly Tour in Candijay, Bohol Firefly Tour - evening boat ride into the river to watch fireflies
hotels in Bohol hotel
  • Fox & The Firefly Cottages Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
    Baranggay Valladolid, Loboc, Bohol
  • Bohol Tropics Resort Bohol Tropics Resort - seafront location, manicured surroundings, swimming pool, resto/bar
    0133 Graham Avenue, Brgy. Cogon, Tagbilaran, Bohol 6300
  • Oasis Resort - Alona Beach location, dive center, resto / bar
    Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol
yoga in Bohol yoga
  • Jing Yoga - health & well being through yoga
    Jing Yoga The Courtyard - Airport Road fronting the church
    Jing Yoga Bohol Meditation and Yoga Center - 2nd Floor Lim Magtajas Bldg. CPG Avenue
Bohol Travel Info/Tips

Bohol FYI / Tips

  • the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located within the Alona Beach area
  • the tourist attractions in Bohol are far apart and spread-out. It would be difficult to visit them all using public mass transit. Better hire a van (P3500/day) if in a big group, or rent a motorcycle (P400/day + gas)
  • Bohol relies on its tourism for revenue. As expected, everything they can capitalize on from tourism is extensively used and developed

Tagbilaran Port to Panglao

You can charter any tricycle from the port all the way to Panglao (~P300), but if you want to do it on the cheap,
  1. don't take the tricycles lined-up inside the port. Walk past the port gate and immediately outside, you'll see many tricycles. Take one to the bus terminal in Dao (~P15)
  2. in Dao, take the jeep that plies the Panglao route (~P20)

Tagbilaran (Bohol) to Cebu City by boat

** schedules and rates keep changing, call for latest schedule
  1. Weesam Express - departs 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 4:00 PM
    one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
    round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
    round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
  2. Ocean Jet - departs 6-7:05-8:20-9:20-11:40AM, 1-2-3:30-4:20-5:30-6:30PM, 2 hours, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
    Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
    +63(32)255 7560 / +63 (32) 255 0115 / 0917 638 0000
  3. SuperCat (2GO) - departs 5:50-11AM, 3:45-5:25-8:15PM, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
    P 500.00
    +63 32 233 7000

Things to do, Places to go in Bohol

  1. Chocolate Hills - this is a clustering of more than 1200 hills within a 50km2 area. They range in height from 30-50 meters. What's unusual is their near-perfect conical shape resembling an individual chocolate chip. No one knows how they were formed. Entrance is P50/pax.
  2. Tarsier Conservation Area - located Upper Bonbon, Loboc. The tarsiers are no longer being played at by tourists as circus props, but instead, visitors now view them in cordoned-off areas in their natural 6ha habitat. As they are territorial and nocturnal, they are predictable on where they can be viewed. P50/pax.
  3. Alona Beach (Panglao) - Alona Beach is the tourist hub of Bohol. It has 1.5 kms of white sand beach lined-up by bars, hotels and restos. Alona is also the jump-off point for Balicasag Island, a world class dive destination.
  4. Danao Adventure Park - located in Barangay Magtangtang, 72 kms (2 hours ride) from Tagbilaran. Adventure activities include river trekking, tyrolean traverse, rappelling, bouldering, rock climbing and ziplining.
Bohol blogs
Bohol

Bohol

Anda
  • Exploring Combento Cave Pool Jun 29, 2017
  • Visiting Cabagnow Cave Pool Of Anda Jun 28, 2017
  • Exploring Anda, Bohol Jun 25-30, 2017

  • Candijay
  • Roadtrip from Candijay to Ubay Jul 1, 2017
  • Firefly Tour In Candijay, Bohol Jun 30, 2017
  • Freediving Canawa Cold Spring Of Candijay, Bohol Jun 30, 2017
  • Splashing At Can-Umantad Falls, Candijay, Bohol Jun 30, 2017

  • Carlos P. Garcia Island
  • Exploring Carlos P. Garcia (CPG) Island by Bike Dec 1, 2017

  • Corella
  • Cycling to View the Tarsier in Corella Oct 26, 2017

  • Dauis
  • Cliff Dive at Molave Cove Feb 11, 2018
  • Freediving at Molave Point, Dauis Nov 6, 2017
  • The Return to Hinagdanan Cave Nov 5, 2017
  • Exploring Hinagdanan Cave Oct 24, 2017

  • Loay
  • The Ride to Morning Hill Oct 22, 2017
  • The Ride to the Old Spanish Tower Oct 21, 2017

  • Loboc
  • Goodbye Loboc, Goodbye Philippines Mar 15, 2018
  • The CubbyHole: Envisioning a Utopian Shangrila Mar 10, 2018
  • Fat Shredder with the Russian Twist Mar 2, 2018
  • No-Dismount Climb to Cruz Daku Mar 1, 2018
  • Jeffrey's Cardio Program Feb 26, 2018
  • SUP Yoga with Lalah de Dios at Fox and the Firefly Feb 25, 2018
  • Bike Ride with Juan Huerte: Loboc, Sikatuna, Corella and Baclayon Feb 25, 2018
  • CT Scan Result Feb 23, 2018
  • The Silent Killer has Arrived Feb 19-22, 2018
  • 24+ Days at Lyn's Backpackers Inn Jan 23 - Feb 16, 2018
  • All Day Fun with the Loboc Crew Feb 11, 2018
  • 20-Minute Rope Skipping w/ Pranayama and Meditation Feb 9, 2018
  • Calisthenics with Jeffrey Feb 7, 2018
  • Abs-Core Workout with Jeffrey Feb 5, 2018
  • High Intensity Cardio Workout Feb 2, 2018
  • Ride to the Landslide with Jeffrey Jan 31, 2018
  • Farm Tour with Mr. Raymond Cal Jan 29, 2018
  • Cacao Drum Roasting Jan 27, 2018
  • Making Sikwate: from cacao fruit to a hot dark chocolate drink Jan 25, 2018
  • 5 Weeks at the Fox and Firefly Cottages Dec 13, 2017 - Jan 23, 2018
  • In-House Yoga Teacher at the Fox and Firefly Cottages Jan 22-Mar 14, 2018
  • Mountain Bike Rides from Tagbilaran to Loboc Jan 18, 2018
  • Firefly Tour on a Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Dec 19, 2017
  • Playing Mountain Bike Tour Optimizer Dec 18, 2017
  • Back to Loboc Dec 13-17, 2017
  • 37 Days in Loboc - Thank You and Goodbye Oct 8-Nov 14, 2017
  • Exploring Busay Falls, Loktob Spring And Jimili-An Spring Nov 11, 2017
  • Stand-Up Paddle Yoga with Joan Christine Nov 3, 2017
  • SUP (Stand Up Paddle) Bohol Oct 29, 2017
  • Exploring Guimba and Sog-ong Caves of Loboc Oct 22, 2017
  • Ziplining and Cable Car Ride at Eco-Tourism Adventure Park Oct 22, 2017
  • Savouring Villagio Pizza Oct 19, 2017
  • Wet and Wild Bonbon-Alegria Downhill Ride Oct 18, 2017
  • River Cruise on Loboc River Oct 17, 2017
  • Back Road Ride To Loay Oct 17, 2017
  • Leisurely Ride to Loktob Spring Oct 14, 2017
  • Sweet Ride to Busay Falls Oct 13, 2017
  • Bike Climb to the Virgen de Guadalupe Oct 12, 2017
  • The Ride to Cruz Daku (Big Cross) Oct 11, 2017
  • Exploring Loboc, Bohol Oct 8, 2017

  • Panglao
  • Coastal Cleanup with Plastic Free Bohol Sept 16, 2017
  • Exploring Panglao Jun 12-18, 2017
  • Yoga With Jing And Rai At Oasis Resort Jun 18, 2017
  • Freediving With Ben Meerhaeghe At SeaQuest Dive Center Jun 16, 2017
  • Scuba Diving Balicasag Island With SeaQuest Dive Center Jun 15, 2017
  • Bohol Revisited Jun 12, 2017
  • Exploring Bohol with Metz Nov 28-30, 2015

  • San Miguel
  • Visiting Bayongan Lake Nov 22, 2017

  • Sevilla
  • Killer MTB Ride from Sevilla Oct 30, 2017

  • Sikatuna
  • Solo Ride To The Sikatuna Tree Park Nov 2, 2017

  • Tagbilaran
  • 30 days in Tagbilaran, Thank You! Oct 8, 2017
  • Breakfast Talk with Tagbilaran's Finest Oct 8, 2017
  • Exploring the Cafe Scene of Tagbilaran Oct 7, 2017
  • Yoga for 60+ Students at the University of Bohol Oct 4, 2017
  • Chocolate Overload At Dalareich Chocolate House Oct 2, 2017
  • Talk on Philosophy and Spirituality to 12-Graders at the University of Bohol Sep 27, 2017
  • Celebrating the International Day of Peace Sep 23, 2017
  • Judging a Student Debate at the University of Bohol Sept 15, 2017
  • Fitness Workout with Chie at Bohol Tropics Resort Sept 13, 2017
  • Modified Ashtanga Primary Series by Jing Yoga Sept 12, 2017
  • Tagbilaran Revisited Sep 7-12, 2017
  • Hello Tagbilaran! Jun 19-25, 2017

  • Ubay Ubay

    2017

  • Goodbye and Thank You, Ubay Nov 14-Dec 13, 2017
  • Visiting the Ubay Stock Farm Dec 8, 2017
  • Exploring Cambugsay Healing Hills with Lars Jensen Nov 22, 2017
  • Visiting Ubay Green Park Nov 18, 2017
  • The Ride to Sinandigan Boardwalk and the Yamashita Treasure Hunt Nov 18, 2017
  • Ubay Life Nov 17, 2017
  • In Search of the Next Destination Nov 14, 2017
  • 2 Days in Ubay Jul 1-3, 2017
  • Roadtrip from Candijay to Ubay Jul 1, 2017
  • Currency Converter
    Currency Converter

    »» back to Traveling
    »» back to Homepage

    ARCHIVE: 2024 | JAN | FEB | MAR

    1970 | 1973 | 1975 | 1976 | 1979 | 1981 | 1996 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ALL BLOGS