Balicasag and virgin island

Going to Balicasag and Virgin island requires taking a tour. From Panglao, you can choose between leaving at 6am (includes dolphine watching), or 9am. Balicasag is a small island located in the middle of the sea, approximately 11km away from Alona Beach. You can go snorkel or dive there, you will see massive turtles and many fish swimming around you. Virgin Island is most known for its long sand bar that shows during low tide.

Price: 1000 PHP (17 euros) per person including Dolphin watching, Balicasag and Virgin Island

A typical day visiting Balicasag and Virgin Island (6AM-12pm):

You will need to meet the group at 6am at McDonalds in Alona. Once everyone is there, you’ll walk to Alona beach to find your boat.

For about 40 minutes you will sail towards the Dolphin area. Once arrived you will stay 15 min, we were lucky to see them 3 times !

Then you will sail towards Balicasag Island. Once you arrive you get to see the crystal clear waters, they are astonishing! Before snorkeling starts you can pre-order diner for when you finish snorkeling (I highly recommend you do so as you will be starving). You will then get ready for an hour of snorkeling, swimming with massive turtles and schools of fish of all colors. This was my first time snorkeling feeling so peaceful with myself and the surroundings.

Once you get out you get to eat the food you’ve previously ordered (or not). After that, off you go to Virgin Island.

I have to say that Virgin Island was a bit of a disappointment after beautiful Balicasag. When we arrived there it was high tide so we did not get to see the white sand bar and the place was crowded with tourist wanting their picture in front of the Virgin Island sign. We stayed there for 20 minutes then went back to Alona Beach.

What to take: Sunscreen, earplugs (for the noisy boat engin), hat, sunglasses, water, snorkeling gear (if you don’t have any they will lend you some), camera, go pro, a bit of food if you get hungry in between.