Royal Garden

Royal Garden (Panglao)

Nestled on Balicasag Island's north-east shoulder, Royal Garden is a truly enchanting dive site that consistently delights divers of all levels. We will find a vibrant coral plateau that gently slopes before dropping off into deeper blue, offering a diverse underwater landscape.

Dive Experience

As Open Water certified divers, you are perfectly equipped to explore the wonders of Royal Garden. We will descend onto a shallow coral plateau, typically ranging from a minimum depth of 8 m to a maximum depth of 35 m, with an average depth around 18-21 m. The water temperature here is wonderfully warm, generally between 26°C and 30°C, making for comfortable dives year-round.

The dive site is renowned for its healthy and colourful hard and soft corals, which create a breathtaking backdrop for abundant marine life. Divers will find themselves immersed in a thriving coral garden, teeming with clouds of reef fish. The conditions are generally mild, with light currents, making it an ideal spot for relaxed exploration.

Marine Life

Royal Garden lives up to its name, offering a spectacular display of marine biodiversity. We can almost guarantee encounters with the site's most beloved residents: the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). These graceful creatures are often seen grazing on the seagrass patches or gliding effortlessly through the water.

Beyond the turtles, divers will be captivated by the sheer variety of fish life. Look out for schools of iridescent Sea Goldie (Pseudanthias squamipinnis), Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) forming impressive "jackfish tornadoes," and the striking Oriental Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus vittatus). Other common sightings include Trumpetfish (Aulostomus chinensis), barracuda, tuna, triggerfish, parrotfish, soldierfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, grouper, and lionfish. For those with a keen eye, the reef also offers excellent opportunities for macro photography, with frogfish, nudibranchs, sea slugs, coral crabs, and cleaner shrimp often spotted among the corals.

Conditions and Hazards

While Royal Garden is considered a beginner-friendly dive site, we always recommend maintaining good buoyancy control, especially when exploring the gentle slope towards the drop-off. Although currents are generally mild, they can occasionally pick up, so it's wise to check with your instructor or guide. We also advise being mindful of boat traffic, particularly when ascending. Access to Balicasag Island, a protected marine sanctuary, is regulated and often requires booking with an accredited operator, so planning ahead is essential.

Royal Garden is truly a jewel of Balicasag, offering a serene and incredibly rich diving experience that will leave us wanting to return again and again.