Depth: 3–25 m · Current: Occasional current

In front of Balicasag Dive Resort, Sanctuary offers a generally calm setting. A steep drop-off begins at around 5 m, with small openings lit from above. When sunlight streams through, the view from below can be especially beautiful. Groupers shelter in the wall’s crevices and overhangs, while gobies can be found in sandy pockets.

Depth: 3–30 m · Current: Little to no current

The drop-off continues from Sanctuary, with extensive stands of finger-like Porites corals. Schools of damselfish gather above them, creating one of the island’s memorable reef scenes. Overhangs and natural windows in the rock add interest to the wall, making this a rewarding site for a slow exploration of the underwater landscape.

Depth: 5–25 m · Current: Sometimes strong

On the eastern side of the island, Royal Garden offers opportunities to observe a variety of marine life. Depending on the current, schools of bigeye trevally may gather on this side. Seagrass grows across the sand beneath the buoy, where green turtles may be seen feeding. Further across the sand, flying gurnards and saddleback anemonefish nests may be found. Look along the reef edge for ribbon eels peering out of their shelters.

Depth: 5–25 m · Current: Sometimes strong

The site takes its name from the black corals growing like a forest on sandy ground toward the latter part of the dive. Depending on the current, there may be opportunities to encounter schools of bigeye trevally and barracuda. Schooling bannerfish, fusiliers and snappers add to the wide reef scenes, with damselfish and anthias gathering along the reef.

Depth: 5–25 m · Current: Occasional current

On the southern side of Balicasag, Rudy Rock may be reached on a drift from Black Forest when the current runs strongly in this direction. The site is named after a coral-covered rock that shelters diagonal-banded sweetlips. The terrain becomes more like a drop-off later in the dive, offering both sloping reef and wall scenery.