Wall · Reef · Drop-off · Drift · Coral-garden
Pamilacan Sanctuary
Visayas
Advanced Open Water Certification RequiredBest Season: Nov – May
Difficulty
Intermediate
Difficulty level
Depth
16 ft – 115 ft
Depth range
Visibility
33 ft – 98 ft
Typical visibility
Current
Moderate
Good buoyancy control advised
Temperature
77°F – 86°F
Water temperature
About This Dive Site
The protected heart of Pamilacan's reef, a fringing coral garden that tips over a steep drop-off near the island's old Spanish watchtower. The wall begins around 5 metres and falls past 30 into the blue, draped in hard and soft corals, sponges and gorgonians, with cracks and short swim-throughs to explore. Green and hawksbill turtles are among Bohol's most reliable sightings here, often resting on ledges or grazing the shallows, while schools of jacks, barracuda and mackerel sweep the edge. Moored boats are mandatory, anchoring is banned, and divers must stay outside the core sanctuary buoys. Best dived on calmer dry-season days.
Certification Required: Advanced Open Water
Current Conditions
Typical current strength at this dive site
Moderate
Noticeable current requiring some effort to swim against. Good buoyancy control recommended.
Strength Scale
None
Mild
Moderate
Strong
Best Time to Visit
Monthly conditions and seasonal highlights — tap a month
JunGood
Shoulder season with generally good conditions. Some variability in weather and visibility. Notable sightings: Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Ornate Ghost Pipefish.
BestGoodLess FavorablePeak
Marine Life
7 species recorded at this site
Common
Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Common
Bigeye Trevally
Caranx sexfasciatus
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Common
Hawksbill Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Occasional
Ornate Ghost Pipefish
Solenostomus paradoxus
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Occasional
Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus commerson
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Occasional
Great Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Common
Gorgonian Sea Fan
Annella mollis
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Hazards & Safety
Be aware of these potential hazards at this dive site
Current
MediumOpen-ocean exposure; current can run moderate on the wall — coordinate entry with the guide and keep bangka in sight
Depth
MediumDrop-off falls past 35 m; the clear Pamilacan water makes depth deceptive — check your computer on every descent
Boat traffic
MediumDay-trip bangkas from Alona converge on Pamilacan; mooring is mandatory, anchoring banned — ascend with SMB inside mooring buoys
Certification Required
A minimum of Advanced Open Water certification is required to dive this site.
360° Underwater View
Immersive panoramic view of this dive site
360° panorama coming soon
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Depth Profile
Vertical range at this site
Minimum Depth
16 ft
Shallowest point
Average Depth
59 ft
Typical dive depth
Maximum Depth
115 ft
Deepest point
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