Balicasag – Black Forest
A drift along the north tip of Balicasag, named for black coral on the deeper slope. Jack schools and barracuda gather in the current, and turtles feed on the shallow reef top. Slack tide matters and a surface pick-up boat is needed.
Facts
- Region: Dauin, Apo Island & Bohol – Philippines
- Area: Balicasag Island
- Depth: 8–40 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: strong
- Type: drift, wall, slope, marine sanctuary
- Coordinates: 9.5218, 123.684 (approximate)
- Highlights: black coral, jacks, barracuda, batfish, whitetip reef shark, turtle
- Permit: Balicasag is a protected marine sanctuary. An environmental user fee of about PHP 250 per diver per day applies (Alona Divers lists a PHP 250/day marine park fee for Balicasag); it is usually collected by the dive operator, sometimes in cash on the island. Strict daily diver limits are reported, so book through a Panglao operator in advance, especially December–April.
- Issuer / contact: Alona Divers (fee passed on as the marine park fee; no separate sanctuary office contact found)
- Phone: +63 928 153 8261
- Email: Joseph10Jayme@yahoo.com
- Website: https://www.alonadivers.com
- Unverified: Depth sources disagree (8–40 m vs 18–45 m); position approximate at the north tip.
- Tips: Titan triggerfish guard nests here in May–July: keep clear. Best at slack water; bring an SMB.