Diving in Bohol

Diving is available for both resort guests and visitors staying elsewhere.

Explore our diving area

Map showing NOVA Beach Resort on Panglao Island, with Balicasag Island and Pamilacan Island nearby

Discover three distinct sides of diving in Bohol, from the small wonders around Panglao to the coral reefs and fish schools of Balicasag and Pamilacan.

Underwater Inspiration

These general underwater photographs are not attributed to a particular island or dive site. Marine-life encounters are not guaranteed.

General underwater scene 1
General underwater scene 2
A dense school of silver fish with a larger fish swimming alongside
General underwater scene 4

Three areas to explore

Panglao

Take a closer look at the smaller marine life around Panglao, with a focus on macro encounters. Depending on wind direction and conditions, it may be possible to choose dive sites on the sheltered side of the island.

Explore Panglao Diving →

Balicasag

Beautiful coral reefs and schools of fish make Balicasag a memorable island excursion.

Advance planning: We recommend booking Balicasag excursions at least two months in advance, or three months in advance during peak periods. All participating divers must submit a copy of their diving certification card (C-card) in advance.

Explore Balicasag Diving →

Pamilacan

Explore beautiful coral reefs and schools of large fish, often with fewer divers around. No advance application is required for Pamilacan excursions.

Explore Pamilacan Diving →

Diving through the year

Bohol enjoys warm conditions throughout the year. From January to March, sea temperatures are around 27°C as a guide. A 3 mm wetsuit is usually suitable, while a 5 mm wetsuit is a good choice during cooler periods, depending on your comfort in the water.

Dive sites and excursions may be changed or cancelled depending on weather and sea conditions.

Stay & Dive Packages

Enjoy a stay with Panglao diving. Prices below are per person. Island excursions are optional and are not included in the basic packages.

2-Day and 3-Day Diving Package comparison
Package2-Day Diving Package3-Day Diving Package
Price per person₱17,000₱24,000
Accommodation2 or 3 nights3 or 4 nights
Diving days2 days3 days
Panglao dives2 per day / 4 total2 per day / 6 total

2-Day Diving Package

Price per person
₱17,000
Accommodation
2 or 3 nights
Diving days
2 days
Panglao dives
2 dives per day / 4 total

3-Day Diving Package

Price per person
₱24,000
Accommodation
3 or 4 nights
Diving days
3 days
Panglao dives
2 dives per day / 6 total

2-Day Diving Package (4 Dives)

This package includes two days of boat diving (4 dives in total) and either 2 or 3 nights of accommodation.

Guests who begin diving on their arrival day normally stay for 2 nights, while those who begin diving the following day normally stay for 3 nights. The package price is the same in either case.

3-Day Diving Package (6 Dives)

This package includes three days of boat diving (6 dives in total) and either 3 or 4 nights of accommodation.

Guests who begin diving on their arrival day normally stay for 3 nights, while those who begin diving the following day normally stay for 4 nights. The package price is the same in either case.

There is no discount for the shorter stay and no accommodation supplement for the longer stay within the included night options.

What is included

Accommodation, meals during your stay, Panglao airport transfers, taxes, environmental fees and the package Panglao dives are included.

Not included

Equipment rental and separately arranged optional services are not included. Transfers to Alona Beach and other destinations are optional services at an additional charge.

Room & Occupancy. The 2-Day Diving Package and 3-Day Diving Package are based on a Superior Twin Garden View (DX) room. The per-person package price is the same for single or double occupancy, with no single-occupancy supplement. Room upgrades are subject to availability. Any additional upgrade charge will be quoted individually.

Arrival-day diving: Diving on the arrival day is subject to arrival time, boat schedules, and safety conditions. Please discuss your preferred schedule with us when making your reservation. When possible, two package Panglao dives may be scheduled on your arrival day at no additional charge. This changes the diving date; it does not add dives to the package total.

No diving is scheduled on your departure day, to allow for safety before flying.

Optional Balicasag or Pamilacan Excursions

₱4,500 per person for two or more participants. Solo participation is quoted individually. When an excursion can operate, it replaces two package Panglao dives with two island dives.

This excursion supplement includes the fuel surcharge.

The additional excursion charge applies only if the excursion takes place. Excursions are not guaranteed and depend on weather, sea conditions, permits, participant numbers and the boat operating schedule.

Additional dives, including a third dive at Pamilacan, require separate discussion and incur an additional charge.

For Balicasag, we recommend booking at least two months in advance, or three months in advance during peak periods. Each diver must submit a copy of their C-card in advance. Early booking does not guarantee a permit or participation.

This excursion supplement applies to stay & dive packages only. It is separate from the Diving Only Rates below.

Diving without a stay

Diving-only arrangements are also available. You can join our diving activities without booking an accommodation package.

Diving Only Rates

These rates are for diving-only arrangements, separate from the accommodation and diving packages above.

Diving-only rates include taxes and environmental fees. Transfers, meals and equipment rental are not included.

Panglao and Balicasag trips normally include two dives, while Pamilacan trips include three dives. Additional dives may be arranged on request; availability, conditions and rates will be confirmed individually.

Diving-only services and rates
Diving / EquipmentRate
Panglao South Boat Dives (2 dives)₱3,500 per person
Panglao North Boat Dives (2 dives)₱5,000 per person
Panglao Additional Dive (1 dive)₱2,000 per person
Balicasag Island Dive (2 dives)₱8,000 per person (for two or more guests)
Pamilacan Island Dive (3 dives)₱10,000 per person (for two or more guests)
Full Rental EquipmentUp to ₱1,500 per person, per day

The Balicasag and Pamilacan diving-only rates include the fuel surcharge.

Important Information

Balicasag Island: Advance permit arrangements are required. We recommend booking at least two months in advance, or three months in advance during peak periods. All arrangements are subject to permit availability and operating conditions.

No cancellation charge applies if a Balicasag diving trip is cancelled due to weather or permit-related reasons.

Pamilacan Island: Trip availability depends on existing reservations and the boat schedule. Solo divers are welcome to inquire.

Panglao North Side — Diving Only

Two boat dives: ₱5,000 per person

This is a standalone two-boat-dive rate. It includes taxes and environmental fees. Transfers, meals and equipment rental are not included.

Plan Your Stay or Dive

Planning diving only or a stay with diving? Send us your preferred dates, diving area and number of divers. We will check availability and arrangements, then reply with the available options and final price.

Submitting a request does not confirm your booking.

For bookings that include accommodation, NOVA will first provide a quotation covering accommodation and diving. You will then book the specified room and dates through Booking.com. After checking the Booking.com notification against your accommodation and diving arrangements, NOVA will send you a booking confirmation. The Booking.com accommodation amount counts toward the total quotation; the remaining balance for diving and other services is settled at the resort.

Send a Reservation Request