Bohol & Siquijor diving, Philippines

[Roel123]

Hi,
I'm looking at making a trip to dive at both Bohol & Siqujor Islands. Has anyone dived there before and can give me advice on what dive spots to choose and which dive shops are good? My friends who have traveled there before recommended Valm Divers in Bohol, and this scuba diving centre in Siqujor.

I really want to scuba dive at Balicasag Island, or would it be better to add on a trip to Apo Island instead? Thanks in advance.

 

[Luko]

I really want to scuba dive at Balicasag Island, or would it be better to add on a trip to Apo Island instead? Thanks in advance.

This is below what you'd miss skipping Balicasag, IMO best coral reef/fish school diving in the Visayas and far better than Apo island.

Trip Report - Sogod Bay and Panglao first weeks of May 2023

First part Sogod Bay. People ain't kidding when they say it's a long way to Sogod Bay, at least from Europe. That was first a long but comfortable trip to Singapore on AF, upgraded to Business class, overnight in S'pore hawkers dinner and dim sum breakfast, the SIN-Manila flight with Scoot...

scubaboard.com

As for dive operators on Alona, I'm using Philippines Fun divers who could guarantee me dives on Balicasag, I guess Valm who's active on this board would also be able to do that.

 

[Nedster]

Hi, for Balicasag Island it's recommended to book as far as possible in advance. The demand for tickets is huge, and all dive shops are having trouble securing slots. There are many other good options around Panglao, but almost everyone wants to go to Balicasag Island.

 

[Blackcrusader]

I'm diving in Bohol again for ten days in June. Diving this time with Big Blue divers and they operate out of a nice resort.

All the operators get allocated tickets to Balicasag I will probably do 4 island trips there this vacation. Looking forward to some night dives. Also no dive time limits so my 75 - 90 minute dive times will be normal. There are many good dive sites around Bohol.

Really nice place and very cheap around US$385 for 10 nights. My return air ticket from Taipei to Manila then to Panglao Bohol and return also around US$390. I am flying Philippines Airlines who by the way has a 30KG checked in luggage allowance. Sweet.

https://boholcasaninoresort.com/

 

[Blackcrusader]

Just to say I had a nice dive trip 11 - 21 June 2024 and the resort although didn't have a mini fridge did have TV and good aircon and nice rooms.

I did 30 dives over ten days with Big Blue Divers. Each dive was 62 - 65 minutes long. I was fine with that. 7 of the ten days were island trips and to Doljo which also requires use of their large boat and lunch is a BBQ on the boat and it's pretty good food.
Surprised but on a couple of days we had nice strong currents for some fun drift dives. Staff were great and I had the same guide mostly by myself for my dives. I only did three dives deeper than 25m.

Cost for my 30 dives was 43K peso which at 58.5 to the US$ the average cost was US$24.50 per dive. Happy with that. Happy with my 30kg luggage allowance on Philippines Airlines. Nice thing is the dive shop is at the same resort I stayed so also good. Some other divers stayed there as well.