Marine Sanctuary - Bohol
The Marine Sanctuary in Bohol isn’t about big pelagics or dramatic walls. This is a place for slowing down, for getting low, and for truly appreciating the small stuff. We love it because it delivers consistent, incredible macro life without needing to descend to crushing depths. Think delicate bridled gobies peeking from their holes, the impossible colours of a crested sabretooth blenny, or the strange, almost alien gelatinous cardinalfish hovering in a coral head. We’ve spent entire dives in an area the size of a living room, spotting bloodspot pipefish, tiny black angelfish, and the striking redcoats tucked amongst the reef. The visibility is usually pretty good, and the currents are generally mild, making it perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to take their time. Our favourite approach is to dive it late morning when the light is good but the dive boats haven't quite packed the surface yet. It’s an easy-going dive that consistently rewards patient eyes.
- Location
- Bohol, Philippines, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 9.074175, 123.271750
Marine Protected Area: Apo Island Protected Landscape & Seascape
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 Entry Point
- Black Forest Exit Point
- Bonifacio Reef (reef)
- Caceres North - 16m
- Caceres South - 17m
- Cambakis Point
- Cars dive (wreck)
- Cars Dive (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Marine Sanctuary
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 Marine Sanctuary
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