Black Forest Entry Point - Bohol
Black Forest Entry Point. Even the name sounds a bit dramatic, doesn't it? And honestly, it lives up to it. We consider this one of Bohol's really special sites, a place that rewards a slow, deliberate dive. What makes it special? The sheer volume of black corals, which give the site its name, but also the way the light filters through them. It creates this moody, almost ethereal feel, especially on a sunny day when the rays pierce through the deeper sections. You’re not here for big pelagics, though we have seen a passing turtle or two. This is a macro and critter hunter's dream. Our favourite part has to be finning slowly along the wall, eyes peeled for the little guys. We’ve spotted countless pygmy gobies, like the Moorea and Forktail, tucked into tiny crevices. The nudibranchs here are fantastic, particularly the vibrant bicolor nudibranch. Look out for the Sunburst Butterflyfish darting between the coral branches, they’re always a treat. It’s generally a pretty relaxed dive, suitable for most experience levels, but strong currents can pick up, so it's always worth checking with your dive centre on the day. We'd suggest going in the morning; the light is just better.
- Location
- Bohol, Philippines, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 9.514833, 123.688934
Marine Protected Area: Dauis, Tagbilaran Bohol
Best Time to Dive in Bohol
The warmest water temperatures in Bohol occur in May, averaging 30.2°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.6°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.9°C
- February: 27.6°C
- March: 28.3°C
- April: 29.3°C
- May: 30.2°C
- June: 30.2°C
- July: 29.8°C
- August: 29.6°C
- September: 29.7°C
- October: 29.6°C
- November: 29.3°C
- December: 28.8°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Bohol
- Acro Point
- Alcoy sanctuary (reef)
- Andres Reef (reef)
- Aquarium - 19m
- BALABAGON - 24m
- Baluarte
- Black Forest
- Black Forest Exit Point
- Bonifacio Reef (reef)
- Caceres North - 16m
- Caceres South - 17m
- Cambakis Point
- Cars dive (wreck)
- Cars Dive (wreck)
- Cathedral tower (pinnacle)
Nearest Dive Centres to Black Forest Entry Point
Marine Life in Bohol
Home to 148 recorded species including 140 reef fish, 4 seagrass & algae, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 sharks & rays, 1 sea cucumbers.
Notable Species
- Scarlet wrasse (Pseudocheilinus evanidus) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) - Reef Fish
- Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
- Banded Toby (Canthigaster valentini) - Reef Fish
- Angel abu polos (Centropyge vrolikii) - Reef Fish
- Comettailed wrasse (Oxycheilinus bimaculatus) - Reef Fish
- Six-line wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) - Reef Fish
- Blackspine Unicornfish (Naso minor) - Reef Fish
- Two-spot Bristletooth (Ctenochaetus binotatus) - Reef Fish
- Blue-scaled wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) - Reef Fish
- Barred Unicornfish (Naso thynnoides) - Reef Fish
- Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma hardwicke) - Reef Fish
- Sleek Unicornfish (Naso hexacanthus) - Reef Fish
- Blenny (Istiblennius dussumieri) - Reef Fish
- Bloodspot pipefish (Corythoichthys haematopterus) - Reef Fish
- Clark's anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) - Reef Fish
- Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) - Reef Fish
- Blue-ribbon wrasse (Stethojulis trilineata) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Black Forest Entry Point
Based on average water temperature of 29.2°C, currents 5 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories