Panglao Island Hopping Day Tour: Balicasag Island Hopping and Dolphin Watching Budget Half-Day Tour | Bohol
- Gaze in wonder at pods of bottlenose and spinner dolphins
- Visit Balicasag Island, Bohol's top diving destination
- relax at picturesque Virgin Island Sandbar
- hassle-free tour package includes lunch and hotel transfers (within coverage)
- hotel transfer coverage - panglao municipality only. dauis, tagbilaran, baclayon and beyond not included. message us to confirm
Package Options
Water Activities
| Water activity type | Snorkeling |
| Tour Type | Private tour, Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Hotel transfer |
Product Info
－What You Can Expect－
Experience not only Bohol dolphin watching but also a Balicasag Island snorkeling tour and Virgin Island beach tour on this half-day trip! Hop on board a boat that will take you along Bohol's scenic coast. Meet dozens of playful bottlenose and spinner dolphins and spot sperm whales if you're lucky enough to visit from February to July.
Visit Balicasag Island, Bohol’s top diving destination and a marine sanctuary. Find colorful corals and fishes of different species as soon as you submerge into its clear waters. Get the chance to see the rare black coral reef, an UN-listed Marine Protected Area.
experience the pure white sand in picturesque Virgin Island Sandbar, which has shallow sea, perfect for relaxation
Take advantage of this dolphin-watching tour in Bohol at great rates with KKday today!
【Shared Tour】
- Activity duration: 5~6 hours
- Meeting time: 06:00 am ~ 06:30 am
- Meeting point: Complimentary hotel pick-up within Panglao municipality. (Please note: pick-up service is not available for Dauis and Tagbilaran.)
- Luggage Policy : No luggage allowed
Shared Tour Itinerary:
*Note: The sample itinerary are estimated times and may change on the actual day of the tour, based on the traffic situation and your hotel location
- 6:30AM - Meet at Hotel
(Boatman will buy the Paddleboat Tickets (government provides tour) and register with coastguard) - 7:00AM - Cruise to Balicasag island - dolphin watching area.
(Dolphins are wild and boatman will try to locate their feeding ground which varies day by day. This is not 100% guarantee dolphin sighting) - 8:00AM ~ 10:00AM - Travel to Balicasag Island and have paddleboat activity (provided by local islanders)
(Tip - there are swim fins, underwater cameras for rent on-the-spot. request the local paddleboat guide to go to less crowded area, if possible. inform the guide of your swimming skill level - nonswimmer, beginner, expert, freediver) - 30mins for snorkeling in reef (with local islander guide)
- 30mins for turtle sanctuary (with local islander guide)
- Cruise to Virgin Island -- experience pure white sand in shallow waters, perfect for relaxation. (Virgin Island is on very shallow sea, and needs high tide so that boat can navigate. This stop may be done first before Balicasag Island, depending on tides)
*Lunch included: a simple fresh meal cooked while you swim (rice, grilled pork, grilled chicken, grilled shrimp), served around 11AM on the boat
Important Info
Reminders
Dolphin sighting visibility is dependent on weather conditions. Refunds will not be granted in the event there are no dolphins spotted during the tour
If you suffer from motion sickness, please take proper precautions in advance (i.e. medication). Earplugs are also recommended as the boat’s engine noise can be loud
The actual itinerary is dependent on weather/transportation conditions
A surcharge of PHP1000 per group will be collected during the holiday season to be paid on site (December 23 - 30)
FAQ
Balicasag Island is renowned for its vibrant marine sanctuary, making it a top destination for snorkeling and diving. Visitors can encounter diverse coral gardens, various tropical fish species, and sea turtles in its pristine waters, making it a natural highlight of any island hopping tour.
To reach Balicasag Island for an island hopping tour, you typically depart from Panglao Island, Bohol. Boats, usually traditional outrigger boats (bancas), are the primary mode of transportation. Tours often include round-trip boat transfers from popular departure points in Panglao, such as Alona Beach.
While Balicasag Island does have limited accommodation options, it is primarily visited as a day trip destination as part of island hopping tours. Most visitors return to Panglao or other parts of Bohol after their activities. Any potential overnight stays require advance booking due to the scarcity of options.
Snorkeling around Balicasag Island offers a chance to see an abundance of diverse marine life. Common sightings include colorful coral reefs, numerous tropical fish such as clownfish and angelfish, sea snakes, and especially green sea turtles. The island's marine sanctuary is rich in biodiversity.
Virgin Island, also known as Puntod Island, is famous for its picturesque, crescent-shaped sandbar that emerges and submerges with the tides. It offers a unique opportunity to walk on pure white sand surrounded by clear turquoise waters, making it an ideal spot for photography and tranquil relaxation.
From various points in Panglao, you can reach island hopping departure areas like Alona Beach by tricycle, motorbike, or pre-arranged private car transfers. Many island hopping tours, especially private options, include a convenient transfer service directly from your accommodation in Panglao to the designated boat departure point.
Dolphin watching tours typically commence early in the morning, as this is when dolphins are most active. Visitors often have the opportunity to spot pods of bottlenose and spinner dolphins playing and swimming in their natural habitat. It's an exciting wildlife encounter, but sightings are dependent on natural marine conditions.
Yes, to preserve the natural beauty of Balicasag and Virgin Islands, visitors should practice responsible tourism. This includes refraining from touching or stepping on corals, avoiding littering, and not disturbing marine life. Using reef-safe sunscreen is also recommended to protect the delicate marine ecosystem.
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