Island Hopping at Cabilao Island
Cabilao Island offers some of the best snorkeling in the region. The absence of a bridge helps preserve the reefs. There are transportation services, but everything is walking distance.
Surrounded by coastal rock formations, Cabilao Island also has white sand beaches. The quality is the same as Alona Beach, Panglao or other beaches in Bohol.
Cabilao Island Lake is the only natural lake in Cabilao. It is also a bird sanctuary, if you want to go bird watching. You can see more birds around this saltwater lake than almost anywhere else in Bohol Region.
Cabilao island is 54 kilometers (29 nautical miles) from Scotty's Headquarters in Shangri-la Mactan. The boat ride is less than one hour 30 minutes heading 212° on the compass. Cabilao island is also only 30 kilometers (16.5 nautical miles) from our dive center at the Bellevue Hotel on Panglao Island. Its snorkeling sites are less than 45 minutes from Panglao, Bohol heading 6° on the compass.
Snorkeling at Cabilao Island
Bring your underwater camera, because high visibility is an understatement. Underwater visibility is 25 meters (85 feet) in less-than-ideal conditions. Water depth is shore to 18 meters (60 feet).
Housereef and Lighthouse are two popular spots. The different depths, at the Lighthouse, from the shore down to 30 meters (100 feet) are a must for snorkeling. High visibility at South Point, Fallen Tree, Gorgonian Wall, and Cambaces spots is up to 30 meters (100 feet).
If you are looking for the best snorkeling in Central Visayas, come to Cabilao Island!
Your Cabilao Island Excursion
Cabilao Island has limited infrastructure. This gives a feeling of visiting the Philippines a century ago. The reefs are well preserved, and you can see these aquatic animals:
- barracuda
- blacktip reef shark
- coral reef fish
- crab
- damselfish (demoiselle)
- devil fish (giant devil ray)
- dolphin
- dragonfish
- frogfish
- fusilier
- ghost pipefish
- hammerhead shark
- hard coral (stony coral)
- jackfish (jack, northern pike)
- leaf fish
- nudibranch (sea slug, Spanish dancer)
- parrot fish
- pipefish
- porcelain crab
- pygmy seahorse
- scorpionfish (scorpion fish, rockfish, stonefish)
- sea horse (seahorse)
- sea snake
- soft coral
- spiny lobsters (langustas, langouste, rock lobsters)
- stargazer
- stonefish
- turtle
- whitetip reef shark
When you get hungry, there is a French-Filipino restaurant that we strongly recommend at the Cabilao Sanctuary Beach and Dive Resort for the excellent delicatessen and lunch they serve.
Cabilao Island Tour Rates
Cabilao Island schedule and prices from Mactan, Cebu
- Schedule: The detail might not be applicable, please contact us.
- Duration: 6-8 hours
- Price per person: Price might not be applicable, please contact us.
Optional Boat Rental (for personal schedules)
- Maximum of 12 people
- Our yacht The Rainbow Runner: 89 600 PHP
- Convert the price to your currency
Cabilao Island schedule and prices from Panglao, Bohol
- Schedule: morning
- Duration: The detail might not be applicable, please contact us.
- Price per person: Price might not be applicable, please contact us.