Nestled in the Cebu Strait under Loon municipality, Cabilao Island (approx. 7.66 km²) is cherished for its pristine coral reefs, tranquil beaches, and rich biodiversity. Home to vibrant marine life and historic landmarks like Punta Baluarte’s restored Spanish-era lighthouse and eco‑museum, the island also offers excellent birdwatching—strict hunting protections have resulted in a rich avian population.
You can book yourselves a scuba and other adventure there with some local tours below, or we can book you a luxurious scuba diving cruise through many such beautiful sites in the Visayas, Philippines.
How to Get There
- From Cebu City: Take a ferry to Tagbilaran or Tubigon.
- Then ride a van or taxi to Sandigan (Mocpoc) Pier.
- Board a banca boat to the resort—approximately 4 hours from Cebu or 2 hours from Tagbilaran Bluewater Dive Travel.
- Some resorts, including Cabilao Sanctuary, offer shuttle + boat transfers—advance booking required.
Activities to Do
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
- Known as one of Bohol’s top macro-diving destinations. Dive sites teem with pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, frogfish, ghostpipe fish, and even hammerhead or white-tip sharks occasionally.
- The underwater scenery includes rocky walls, coral drop-offs, and abundant hard corals. Visibility and serene conditions make it ideal for photography. Padi link.
On-Land Discovery
- Visit Lake Danao—a secluded natural lake offering serene ambiance.
- Explore Punta Baluarte—with its Spanish-era lighthouse ruins and eco‑museum Wikipedia.
- Support local artisans and enjoy kayaking, biking, paddleboarding, or relaxing with a massage at Cabilao Sanctuary.
Where to Stay & Dive
Cabilao Sanctuary Beach & Dive Resort
- Rates: Superior rooms start around US $120/night, Queen rooms around $177/night based on KAYAK listings.
- Planet of Hotels reports prices from $63/night (likely base rate in USD).
- Trip report suggests $100–125/night, emphasizing quality, small-scale ambiance, and excellent service ScubaBoard.
- Offers a restaurant (70+ local and international dishes), a pool, spa, cycling, walking, and dive facilities. Meals average PHP 350 (breakfast), PHP 400 (lunch), PHP 600 (dinner) per person.
- Diving: Try‑Dive session (for non-certified)—PHP 8,000 (includes training & sea dive), extra dives PHP 4,500; Scuba Skill Update—PHP 3,500. FAQ: Cabilao Sanctuary.
Pura Vida Cabilao (Sea Explorers)
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Part of the Sea Explorers network: dive courses, full gear, and diving day trips—including island-hopping to Balicasag & Pangangan Sea Explorers Philippines.
Package Deal Example
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A diving-oriented package at Pura Vida, via DiveAdventures, starts at ~US $206 per person (twin share)—includes room and diving itineraries (early Nov 2025–Sept 2026 travel window) diveadventures.com.au.
Cabilao Dive Packages — Prices & Links
Key notes (apply across operators)
- Sanctuary / local fees (Cabilao): ₱100 one-time island entrance + ₱150 per diver per day (subject to change). These are usually not included in package prices. diveadventures.com.au
- Nitrox & 15L tanks: Often extra; see line items below. sea-explorers.com
Sea Explorers – Pura Vida Cabilao (CBC)
What it is: Big, established operator on Cabilao with on-site dive center at Pura Vida. Public rate card is transparent and updated for 2025.
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Per-dive package (valid to Sep 2026)
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1 dive: ₱2,450 per dive
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~10 dives: ~₱2,250 per dive
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20+ dives: ₱2,050 per dive
(Rates are per person, include guide/boat/tanks/weights; special day trips extra.)
Rate card: sea-explorers.com (open the “Diving Pricelist” image)
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Extras (from rate card)
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Nitrox (EAN32): ₱200 per tank (or ₱1,500 for 10 tanks)
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15L tank: ₱120 with air / ₱250 with nitrox (per tank)
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Full equipment rental: ₱800 per dive or ₱1,100 per day
Source: see same rate card image. sea-explorers.com
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Resort / operator pages:
Pura Vida Cabilao (resort): sea-explorers.com
Cabilao Sanctuary Beach & Dive Resort
What it is: Beachfront resort with in-house dive center; publishes itemized dive pricing.
- Local (house-reef/boat) dive: ₱2,000 per dive (incl. 12L tank, weights, boat, local guide)
- Equipment rental (regular set): ₱900 per day
- Add-ons per dive: Night dive ₱500 (incl. torch), Dive computer ₱300, 15L tank ₱200, Nitrox 32% ₱300
- For non-certified: Try-Dive ₱8,000 (training + sea dive); extra dives after Try-Dive ₱4,500 (equipment included)
- Open Water Course: ₱24,000 (2–3 days, equipment included)
Price list & FAQ:
Cabilao Sanctuary - Hotel listing (for room price context):
Booking page: (rates vary by date) Booking.com
Sea Explorers — 7-Night Package (room + dives)
Packaged option via Dive Adventures (agent)
- What you get: 7 nights (Deluxe Cliff Ocean View at Pura Vida) + 10 boat dives, daily breakfast, round-trip Panglao airport transfers.
- From: AUD $1,650 per person (twin share)
- Excludes: Dive gear & nitrox, Cabilao entrance ₱100 and sanctuary ₱150 per dive fees, flights, etc.
- Validity: Travel Nov 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026 (price correct 11 Aug 2025; subject to change).
Details & booking: diveadventures.com.au
Cabilao Divers (independent center)
(Third-party listing; confirm directly as web listings can lag.)
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Per-dive tiers (listing):
Local dive ₱1,550; 6–11 dives: ₱1,472 per dive; 12+ dives: ₱1,395 per dive
Night dive ₱1,850; Nitrox ₱160 per dive; Equipment ₱650 per day
Listing page: http://divescover.com/dive-center/cabilao-divers/17650 divescover.com
Quick Compare (at-a-glance)
| Operator / Package | What’s included | Headline price | Useful link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Explorers (CBC) per-dive bundles | Boat + guide + tanks + weights (gear, nitrox extra) | ₱2,450 (1 dive) → ₱2,050 (20+ dives) per dive | http://www.sea-explorers.com/diving-rates-packages/ sea-explorers.com |
| Cabilao Sanctuary ala carte | Local dive + 12L tank + weights + boat + local guide | ₱2,000 per dive | http://cabilao-sanctuary.com/diving |
| Cabilao Sanctuary Try-Dive | Training + 1 sea dive (non-certified) | ₱8,000 (extra dives ₱4,500) | http://cabilao-sanctuary.com/faq |
| Pura Vida Cabilao 7-night package | 7 nights room + 10 boat dives + breakfast + airport transfers | AUD $1,650 pp (twin) | http://diveadventures.com.au/packages/philippines-bohol-pura-vida-cabilao/ |
| Cabilao Divers (listing) | Local dives; night dive; nitrox & gear add-ons | From ₱1,550 per dive | http://divescover.com/dive-center/cabilao-divers/17650 |
Remember to add: Cabilao entrance ₱100 (one-time) + sanctuary ₱150/day to all options where not included.
Final Takeaways and Booking
Cabilao Island is a hidden gem offering top-tier macro diving, serene lodging, and cultural charm—all in a laid-back setting. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a curious traveler, this island promises a balanced escape of underwater discovery and island tranquility.
If you’d like to dive here as part of our luxury scuba diving live-aboard cruises, feel free to send us a note and we’ll try to accommodate you the best we can.
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