Oasis Resort Bohol, Alona and Panglao Island

An Alona beach dive resort or centre typically offers dive trips to nearby sites in three main areas. The protected marine sanctuary at Balicasag Island takes the top spot with its incredible reefs and fantastic wall dives, home to plenty of turtles, schools of trevally and giant barracuda. Divers can explore the aptly-named Diver’s Heaven - one of the Philippines’ most most beautiful dive sites - as well as the impressive black coral structures at Black Forest. Beyond Balicasag, the southern Panglao coastline has nice corals in the shallows and the potential for critters on the sandy slopes. These sites make for great afternoon dives with plenty of reef fish and even rare species such as seahorse, sea moths, blue-ringed octopus and flamboyant cuttlefish.

Slightly further afield are Pamilacan Island and the Cervera Shoal with its sea snake sanctuary. Cervera Shoal translates to Spaghetti Shoal - an extremely accurate description when you see the dozens of sea snakes slithering over the reef and rubble in search of food or a place to rest. Although extremely poisonous, they show little interest or regard for divers and are harmless. Pamilacan Island itself offers interesting drift dives across a flattened shelf of rubble with many coral bommies and outcrops. The island’s name is derived from the word ‘pilak’, a hook that was previously used by islanders to capture manta rays, so it is no surprise that these ocean giants, along with whale sharks, are occasionally spotted. However, the variability of sighting makes any sort of guarantee impossible. However, with the likelihood of spotting dolphins and even whales from the boat, the trip out to Pamilacan is well worth the time.