The Blue Pearl of the Ocean Balicasag

From the capital of the Philippines, Manila, we boarded a domestic flight with Cebu Pacific, and after about 1 hour and 30 minutes, the plane landed at Bohol–Panglao International Airport (TAG) on Panglao Island in the province of Bohol. My journey began on Panglao Island, a large island famous for its beautiful beaches such as Alona and Dumaluan. From here, just a short boat ride of about 45 minutes will take you to Balicasag, a diving paradise that you will never forget.

Aerial view of Balicasag Island

Balicasag Island – Paradise in the middle of the ocean

From the first moment we arrived, we were captivated by the wild and peaceful beauty of this place. The clear blue sea water, reflecting the sunlight, created a beautiful sparkling scene seen from above. The long stretch of fine white sand, interspersed with rows of coconut trees and cool green bushes, created a beautiful natural picture.

Unique diving experiences

Scuba diving is the most prominent activity in Balicasag. Around Balicasag island, there are many famous diving spots such as Black Forest, Cathedral Wall, Turtle Point and Marine Sanctuary. If Black Forest is one of the unique diving spots, where there are many black soft corals like an underwater forest, then Cathedral Wall is a vertical coral wall, likened to an underwater wall with small crevices and caves. This is a hiding place for many different species of fish and marine life. I have encountered small blacktip sharks gently gliding through the coral reefs, eels hiding in the crevices of rocks, watching tens of thousands of small sardines moving together, forming countless schools of sardines densely in the blue sea. What a majestic and surreal natural picture under the water.

Balicasag Island has a rich and diverse ecosystem.

Coral ecosystem and marine life

Balicasag Marine Reserve is famous for its colorful coral reefs that stretch out, creating many vibrant coral forests with high biodiversity. The coral ecosystem in Balicasag is home to many species of tropical fish, from small schools of colorful reef fish, schools of sardines, schools of big-eyed trevally, to larger species such as rays, dolphins, sharks and sea turtles.

One of the highlights of my trip was seeing the sea turtles at Turtle Point. The sea turtles here are quite friendly and not afraid of humans. We had the opportunity to swim with these turtles, feeling their gentleness and serenity as they glide through the ocean. It was a truly wonderful and emotional experience.

Marine Sanctuary, Balicasag’s marine reserve, is home to many rare corals and marine life. Marine environmental protection measures are strictly implemented to maintain biodiversity here. We were able to admire giant coral reefs, schools of large and small fish swimming around, and even strange marine life that we had never seen before.

Peaceful island life

In addition to diving, life on Balicasag Island also brings a pleasant feeling to visitors. The people here live mainly on fishing and tourism . They are very friendly and hospitable, willing to share stories about their life and culture. I had the opportunity to enjoy fresh seafood dishes, prepared on the spot. Dishes such as grilled fish, shrimp and crab are very fresh and full of the flavor of the sea. In the evening, when the sun begins to set, the sunset on the island is truly breathtakingly beautiful. The last sunlight of the day reflects on the sea, creating a romantic and peaceful scene. Sitting on the sand, listening to the sound of the waves and enjoying the sunset, I feel completely relaxed and peaceful.

Balicasag Island is suitable for water sports, diving

End of journey

The trip to Balicasag left me with many beautiful memories and deep impressions. This is a place that anyone who loves diving and exploring nature should visit at least once in their life. The diversity and richness of the marine ecosystem, along with the wild and peaceful beauty of the island, created an unforgettable experience. Balicasag is not only a tourist destination, but also a journey to discover and enjoy the beauty of nature, a place where every moment becomes memorable and meaningful. If you are looking for a space to escape from the hustle and bustle of life and want to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, come to Balicasag.

Source: https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/vien-ngoc-xanh-giua-dai-duong-balicasag/