Join Tour: Balicasag Island Hopping With Dolphin Watching

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Tour Information

Key Details

  • Mobile Voucher Accepted
  • Hotel pickup Available
  • Duration: 9 Hrs
  • Language:
    English
  • Departure Time :
    6am to 9am All flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.
  • Return Details :
    All flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.
  • Cancellation Policy :
    This activity is non-refundable Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Overview

Come and explore Balicasag and Panglao Island, a world-class diving sites and full with beautiful coral reefs during your holiday in Bohol. Visitors come to this beautiful islands for diving, snorkeling, island hopping or just relaxing at a beach-side restaurant with a cold drink. Round-trip hotel transportation is included.

Go dolphin watching at Balicasag Island, home to more than 11 species of dolphins
Discover Bohol's most beautiful islands and white sand beaches - Balicasag and Virgin Island as you embark on this memorable island hopping tour
Snorkel in the pristine waters of Balicasag Island Marine Sanctuary, and swim with numerous fishes and corals
Get up close with the marine species of Bohol while fish feeding at Balicasag Reef
Cruise to the tropical paradise, Virgin Island, a beautiful sand bar exposed during low tide

Know More about this tour


This is a join tour so another group will be with you. Hop on the boat and depart to BalicasagIsland at 9:30am. Explore the island on foot and experience firsthand the warmth of its residents and the beauty of this tropical paradise. Stroll along the stunning white sandy beaches, take a refreshing dip in the warm crystal clear waters. You can go snorkeling from the beach with your friends or family and lunch is not included in the package but you can order food anytime. Balicasag Island, crystal clear waters and snow white beach surrounded the island, its a great spot for snorkeling and diving. Please note there is an additional environmental cost if you wish to snorkel in this area. Explore the underwater world and see colourful and beautiful corals. This place is thriving with live, fishes in all colors and turtles. Get the opportunity to swim with the sea turtles for a wonderful experience.
Virgin Island (which also goes by the names Isola di Francesco, Puntod, Pungtud, and Pontod) lies 15-20 minutes by boat from our tour centers in Panglao, Bohol. The "virgin" name is the most common, and it came to be because the islet is unpopulated and often devoid of tourists.It is best to visit this island at low tide. During high tide, all but the treetops submerge. This tropical islet is kept very clean. In fact, during your sightseeing tour you should find that the main islet, the sandbar, and the surrounding waters are all free from trash and pollution.Not all the people you see at Virgin Island will necessarily be real. If you see people standing in shallow water in the distance and they don't seem to have moved for a while, it is possible that you are looking at statues.Sometimes someone will create scenes with statues that add even more photo opportunities for your visit.
So much is known about the island of Bohol, but less is heard about Isola de Francesco. Isola de Francesco is located around 10 minutes away from Panglao island. Owned and developed by businessman Ramon Rodriguez, Isola de Francesco is a perfect place for those who want to reflect and meditate in harmony with nature. The gentle hum of the waves and the chirping of the birds in the island provides a relaxing comfort to those who seek peace of mind and wisdom amidst the troubles of mundane life.Upon arriving in Isola de Francesco, you will be greeted by the welcoming arms of the gigantic statue of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina the mystic saint who bore the same wounds as Jesus on his feet, hands, and sides, also known as stigmata. This saint canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002 is the patron of the island to whose feast day is celebrated every September 23. Hence, a monthly mass is also held every 23rd of the month in the island.

Itinerary:


This is a join tour so another group will be with you. Hop on the boat and depart to Balicasag Island at 9:30am. Explore the island on foot and experience firsthand the warmth of its residents and the beauty of this tropical paradise. Stroll along the stunning white sandy beaches, take a refreshing dip in the warm crystal clear waters. You can go snorkeling from the beach with your friends or family and lunch is not included in the package but you can order food anytime. Balicasag Island, crystal clear waters and snow white beach surrounded the island, it’s a great spot for snorkeling and diving. Please note there is an additional environmental cost if you wish to snorkel in this area. Explore the underwater world and see colourful and beautiful corals. This place is thriving with live, fishes in all colors and turtles. Get the opportunity to swim with the sea turtles for a wonderful experience.
Virgin Island (which also goes by the names Isola di Francesco, Puntod, Pungtud, and Pontod) lies 15-20 minutes by boat from our tour centers in Panglao, Bohol. The "virgin" name is the most common, and it came to be because the islet is unpopulated and often devoid of tourists. It is best to visit this island at low tide. During high tide, all but the treetops submerge. This tropical islet is kept very clean. In fact, during your sightseeing tour you should find that the main islet, the sandbar, and the surrounding waters are all free from trash and pollution. Not all the people you see at Virgin Island will necessarily be real. If you see people standing in shallow water in the distance and they don't seem to have moved for a while, it is possible that you are looking at statues. Sometimes someone will create scenes with statues that add even more photo opportunities for your visit.
So much is known about the island of Bohol, but less is heard about Isola de Francesco. Isola de Francesco is located around 10 minutes away from Panglao island. Owned and developed by businessman Ramon Rodriguez, Isola de Francesco is a perfect place for those who want to reflect and meditate in harmony with nature. The gentle hum of the waves and the chirping of the birds in the island provides a relaxing comfort to those who seek peace of mind and wisdom amidst the troubles of mundane life. Upon arriving in Isola de Francesco, you will be greeted by the welcoming arms of the gigantic statue of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina – the mystic saint who bore the same wounds as Jesus on his feet, hands, and sides, also known as stigmata. This saint canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002 is the patron of the island to whose feast day is celebrated every September 23. Hence, a monthly mass is also held every 23rd of the month in the island.

Inclusions

  • Hotel/port pickup and drop-off boat ( it depends on the Location)
  • Bottled water
  • Lunch (optional- selected packages only
  • Boatman/Local Guide

Exclusions

  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Face masks required for travellers in public areas

Face masks required for guides in public areas

Face masks provided for travellers

Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff

Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas

Gear/equipment sanitised between use

Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised

Guides required to regularly wash hands

Regular temperature checks for staff

Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival

Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers

COVID-19 vaccination required for guides

Traveler Reviews

  • 19-Jun-2023

    Firstly, we only went to Virgin Island and completely skipped Balicasag. I met my “guide” (who was not really a guide - just someone who offered to carry my things, and paid for my snacks, lunch, and water; he did not explain anything about what we were seeing), and he took me to Alona Beach, from where we took a motorboat to watch dolphins. The boat was incredibly loud and we kept following the dolphins on it, but I can imagine noises that loud being stressful for them. Then they dropped us off to take pictures at the “Virgin Island” sign in a shallow point in the sea (total waste of 20 minutes). Then we went to the actual Virgin Island and waited at a table for about 30 minutes until we could snorkel. There was NOTHING to do there except buy snacks and souvenirs (it was 9:45 am, so too early for lunch). When we finally snorkelled, the boatman just kept pointing out “look - turtle” at the bottom, and nobody even said what species of turtle we were seeing. Same with the corals and fish (tiny fish you see in aquariums anywhere in the world, cool in the wild, I suppose, but nothing life-changing). Nobody explained anything - it was like they were just baby-sitting us. We then went back to Virgin Island and then they took us back to Alona Beach with zero explanation for skipping Balicasag. My “guide” then said he already has a tricycle ready to get me home when we were on the shore. I reminded him that lunch was included in my tour, so he gave me some money (enough for a cheap meal) to get some lunch. Overall, very disappointing. For this, I may as well have booked the tour that people are walking around and selling at Alona Beach, as at least it would have been considerably cheaper.