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PAMILACAN ISLAND DIVE SITES The small island of Pamilacan lies in front of the town of Baclayon, Bohol, almost a straight line from the town wharf. Reputedly named after the harpoon, “pamilac”. The island is home to a small and closely knit fishing community. Today, 235 families live in the island. The people used to hunt dolphins, whales, Whale Sharks and Manta Rays but these animals are now fully protected by law in the Philippines. The Bohol Sea is said to be a breeding ground of these mysterious but beautiful creatures. The island in previous times, served as a watch station against the intrusion of pirates and enemies of the Spanish colony as evidenced by the 200 year-old Spanish Fort on the northeast side of the island. It takes about 45 minutes to get to Pamilacan via pump boat from Baclayon.
Pamilacan Point Location: Baclayon, Bohol Distance: 20 km from Alona Beach, 50 min. by motor boat Composition: Slope dive Experience Level: For advanced divers or higher Depth: 8 – 35 m. Snorkeling: Not advisable, it’s too deep. Description: Along the slope you can find many coral heads and soft corals, and the special ones are the coral strings. School of Napoleon Wrasse or double headed Maori Wrasse, barracudas and bat fish are some of the marine species visible in the area. Manta Rays are seen occasionally. Start the dive with the slope on the right shoulder, going south to west. Great drift dive, good for two dives. The entry point of the first dive is in front of the small rocky island and the second dive is before your exit point from the first dive. Pamilacan is recovering from intense illegal fishing before, but presently you will observe some improvements.
Snake Island Location: Pamilacan Islan, Baclayon, Bohol Distance: 10 km. from Alona Beach, 30 min. by motor boat Composition: Shoal dive (Under Water Island) Experience Level: Advanced divers or higher Depth: 9 – 30 m. Snorkeling: Not for Snorkeling Description: You will see many Black-White Banded sea snakes, moray eels, starry moray eels, lion fish, nudibranches. The top area is abound with sea urchins. The dive site is most interesting at 10-15 m. It is good to dive only when the conditions are moderate. But still, strong current will always occur. Be aware of your NDL, average depth is deeper than normal. It’s an underwater shoal with the top at 8 m., that means you have to make a safety stop in free water. Make use of a marker buoy to drift at 5 m., 3 min. for your safety stop. Back to Diving Homepage Bohol Dive Map Go to: Balicasag Dive Sites Panglao Dive Sites
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