Tawala Marine Sanctuary (TMS)
Just minutes away from the dive center, this site is a shallow dive (max. depth 25m/82ft) on a coral garden with many vertical cuts. Anemones and multicolored corals are teeming with life, and there are many species of tropical fishes, scorpion-fishes, frog-fishes and nudibranchs. Sea snakes and snake eels can be found in sandy patches. This makes TMS an excellent place for a night dive and for snorkeling.

Black Forest (Balicasag Island)
A steep sandy slope that reaches a depth of over 40m/130ft. Starting in deeper waters, you will find forests of black corals, and can find large groupers, Napoleon Wrasse, barracudas, tunas, snappers, and bat-fishes. Going up, the black corals will end at about 30m/98ft, and in the shallower waters you will see a large variety of fishes, and plenty of sea stars, sea cucumbers, and colorful crinoids.

Pungtud Wall
This wall dive starts at 2m/6ft and slopes down to about 20m/65ft. Currents can be strong, but you will only go there when conditions are calm. There are good soft, leathery and stony corals with lots of small fishes, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, angelfishes, putter-fishes, butterfly-fishes. Recently, hammerheads have been spotted on various occasions at depths of 30-40m/98-130ft. This site is also excellent for snorkeling.

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• rental equipment: Cressi wetsuits and BCDs, Scubapro regulators
• 10 and 12 liter aluminum tanks, international cylinder valves (DIN adaptors can be borrowed but it is appreciated if you bring your own), tanks, weights and weight belts are provided
• night dives possible every night, torches can be rented
• Nitrox available

• logbook - dive certification card
• medical clearance for scuba diving from a physician, issued within the last 12 months
• evidence of repatriation insurance

Recommended diving equipment and documents: 3 or 5mm wetsuits and torch, dive computer, safety sausage, a magnifying glass, insurance covering dive-related injuries (DAN or equivalent)

The closest hyperbaric chamber is located in Cebu, all dives are within no-decompression limits.

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From Manila airport, either fly directly to Bohol/Tagbilaran airport (recommended), or to Cebu where you need to reach the ferry terminal to get onboard a fast craft  to get to Tagbilaran’s pier. It takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and costs about 500 PHP (7.5 EUR/11 USD) to reach Tagbilaran by fast ferry, leaving from Cebu. For detailed schedule information and exact rates, please visit www.supercat.com.ph or www.oceanjet.net.

Whether you arrive at Tagbilaran airport or ferry terminal, our local partner will be waiting for you. From there, it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach your resort.

Although we recommend you carefully compare airfares, Cebu Pacific's airfares are usually competitive. The information provided below is non exhaustive and for information purpose only. For more details, please visit www.cebupacificair.com

From Shanghai: overnight flights from Shanghai to Manila

From Beijing: Cebu Pacific does not operate from Beijing. One of our partners can sometimes get competitive airfares from other airlines, such as Philippines Airlines. Please contact us.

From Guangzhou: overnight flights from Guangzhou to Manila

From Hong Kong: direct overnight flights from Hong Kong to Manila and Cebu

From Macau: direct overnight flights from Macau to Manila

From Singapore: direct overnight flights from Singapore to Manila and Cebu

From Osaka (Kansai): evening flights from Osaka to Manila

From Kuala Lumpur: overnight flights from Kuala Lumpur to Manila

From Taipei: overnight flights from Taipei to Manila

From Saigon: overnight flights from Saigon to Manila

From Jakarta: overnight flights from Jakarta to Manila

From Seoul/Incheon: direct overnight flights from Seoul Incheon both to Manila and Cebu

From Busan: late night direct flights from Busan to Cebu

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The Philippines has a long history combining Asian, European, and American influences. Before the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, and the Spanish colonization which began in 1565 with the first permanent settlement of Spaniards on the island of Cebu, the Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese, the Indians, and the Japanese. During the Spanish period, numerous towns were founded, infrastructures built, new crops and livestocks introduced, and trade flourished. Spanish missionaries converted most of the population to Christianity and founded schools, universities and hospitals across the islands. In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos succeeded in winning their independence. However, the Treaty of Paris, at the end of the Spanish-American War, transferred control of the Philippines to the United States, making the country the first and only colony of the United States. The treaty was not recognized by the Philippine Government, which proclaimed a declaration of war against the United States. Following the Philippine-American War, officially won by the United States in 1902, the United States brought widespread education to the islands. Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia. They then waged a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. The Philippines regained its independence in 1946. Filipinos are a freedom-loving people, having waged two peaceful, bloodless revolutions in 1972 and 1986 against what were perceived as corrupt regimes. The country is now a vibrant democracy, as evidenced by 12 English national newspapers, 7 national television stations, hundreds of cable TV stations, and approximately 2,000 radio stations.

The Filipino is of Malay stock with a sprinkling of Chinese, American, Spanish, and Arab blood. From a long history of Western colonial rules, interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders, evolved a people of a unique blend and the Filipino character is a mix of all these influences put together. The bayanihan or spirit of kindship and camaraderie that Filipinos are famous for is said to be taken from Malay forefathers. The close family relations are said to have been inherited from the Chinese. The piousness comes from the Spaniards. Filipinos are probably one of the few, if not the only, English-proficient Oriental people today.

The Filipinos are divided geographically and culturally into regions, and each regional group is recognizable by distinct traits and dialects. Tribal communities can be found scattered across the archipelago, where more than 111 dialects are spoken. The Spaniards converted the overwhelming majority of Filipinos to Christianity. The Muslim community represents approximately 15% of the population and can be found primarily in Mindanao. The rest of the population is made up mostly of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhists.

Filipinos are out for fun where-ever possible. Throughout the islands, there are fiestas celebrated everyday and foreign guests are always welcome to their homes. Hospitality, a common denominator in the Filipino character, makes them legendary in Southeast Asia. Perhaps due to their long association with Spain, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin than Asian.

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