Diving with turtles in Balicasag Island, Philippines

I was long weekend with my girl friend in Panglao Island here in Philippines. Two days before the trip my friend Jari from Finland told me he comes to visit short trip in Philippines. Jari came with us also to Panglao and I did two dives with him in Balicasag Island. 

Dive #: 245
Date: 8.3.2014
Place: Philippines, Balicasag Island, Black Forest
Depth: 20,1m Average: 13,4m
Dive time: 55min
Visibility: 30m
Sea temperature: +28C

Equipment
Bottle: 12L/220bar (air)  Wetsuit: 3mm wetsuit  Weight: 5Kg
Camera: Canon PowerShot G15 + Ikelite´s housing  Computer: Suunto Stingray

Dive Center: Baywatch Diving

Price: 2200PHP/35,40€/2 dives

We booked the dives from Baywatch Diving in Alona Beach. There was only 3 divers in our group: Jari, me and our German guide Timo.

Boat trip from Alona Beach in Panglao Island to Balicasag takes about 45min. When we came to Balicasag area we saw already two turtles in the water. Sea in Balicasag looks great.

Then it was time to jump to the water.

Very soon we saw first turtle.

This guy was big one.

Then to swim.

Big and curious trumpet fish.

Big group of small striped cat fishes. 

Small moray eel in the hole.

Nemos are always cute. 

Nemo with turtle.

Turtle on the reef.

Garden eels.

First dive almost done. Jari and me in the safety stop.

Dive #: 246
Date: 8.3.2014
Place: Philippines, Balicasag Island, Fish Sanctuary

Depth: 21,6m Average: 13,4m
Dive time: 56min
Visibility: 20m
Sea temperature: +28C

Second dive spot was Fish Sanctuary, which was in practice wall.

There was lots of different size of fan corals on the wall.

Moray eel swimming.

Timo and Jari on the wall.

Same guys.

Turtle just leaving from the wall. 

Soon there came also another turtle.

It was great diving day. Balicasag itself is beautiful place and if you like turtle, you will love it. So do I! 

Regards from Manila,

Mika