The Balicasag Marine Sanctuary is found on the western side of Balicasag, where the highlight is a 200-meter drop-off. The huge majestic wall is teeming with an abundance of colourful marine life, together with resident tiny critters – all waiting for divers, snorkellers and marine photographers to enjoy.

It truly is a great place to experience, with visibility that stretches 20 to 40 meters depending on the season. It usually is an easy dive to begin with, and this is where the huge school of jacks are usually spotted.

On the north-east side of Balicasag is the Black Forest; the most popular dive site. It gets its name from having an abundance of amazing black corals. It features a steep slope that runs off 40 meters deep, and has more than its fair share of marine life – from corals, gorgonians, groupers, barracudas, napoleons, tuna, wrasses, snappers, batfish, triggerfish (including the giant), surgeonfish, moorish idols, garden eels, angelfish, emperor, trumpet fish, to puffers, and more.

As the name suggests, Turtle Point, has the highest number of friendly, resident sea turtles that you can go diving with. It is found at the south-west side of Balicasag, which is also known as “Rico’s Wall.”  It has a coral garden on a plateau from 7 to 12 meters deep followed by a 35 meter drop off.

As a tip, never rush towards any turtle.  Always make that slow approach to show that you mean no harm and remember never to touch them – and the same applies to all marine life, including the corals. Such creatures rely on bio-films, a protective slime, to keep out of infection. Human contact simply compromises these bio-films, making them vulnerable to harmful bacteria.

The place also features small caves as deep as 60 to 75 meters, which are only suitable for experienced, technical divers.   Dives usually traverse from Rico’s Wall to Rudy’s Rock (south wall) with a profile of 5 meters to 40 meters deep.  Other than the school of jacks, and the sea turtles you may meet, there are nudibranchs, shrimps, and crabs to see.

On Balicasag’s northern coast is the Cathedral Wall. It is described as such because the walls have a significant number of cracks that make it a magnificent sight when you witness the sun’s rays penetrating through them.

It is recommended that you bring an underwater torch on this dive to see some surprises among these wall cracks.  Expect to see snappers, surgeonfish, butterfly fish, mackerels, angelfish, and barracudas.

Diver’s Haven, or sometimes referred to as Diver’s Heaven, is found at the southeastern side of Balicasag. In this area you can expect to find big-eyed mackerels, snappers, red tooth triggerfish, brown daisy corals, and huge barrel sponges from 7 meters all the way down to 40 meters.

The Royal Garden, found at the north-east side of Balicasag, is known for its shallow dive within an average of 18 meters.  This is where you get to witness its wide array of displayed corals in varying vibrant colors, arranged as if it were a garden… thus, its name.

Remember, always dive safely, and preferably never alone.