The trip to and from Balicasag Island

It's been about two months since our trip to Bohol and I haven't posted about it for a while (despite the promise to do so). Here are more photos, this time about the trip to and from Balicasag Island. I think this was my fourth counting back to the first in February 1996.

Panglao Port's pier

Outrigger moored near the mangroves surrounding the port

Outrigger boats at the port of Panglao - most if not all of these boats are for tourism purposes, bringing visitors around the island's attractions including Balicasag Island

There's an extension to the pier to maximize the number of boats

The floating structure that extends from the pier is built like a pontoon bridge. Its buoyancy can support many people but should not be overcrowded considering its load limit.

One of our boatmen spotting for our departure for Balicasag, which can be seen in the horizon. One of this guy's tasks is to check if there are lines or debris that can get entangled with our boat's propeller.

A beached boat at the Balicasag Island Dive Resort

The resort seemed deserted but for a few people who likely might be the caretakers of the still closed resort.

Beach front seats with no one to use them

Approaching and leaving the island takes the boat across from the Balicasag Island Dive Resort, which was the only formal accommodations on the island. It was practically deserted except for some staff who probably stay there to keep things in order.

The Balicasag Island Dive Resort was not yet operational (i.e., haven't reopened yet) when we visited the island. The first, second and third times I was there, there was no dive resort at the island.

A buoy marks shallow parts of the waters between Panglao and Balicasag

The port and the old watchtower. You can also see the roof of St. Augustine Church.

Approaching Panglao Port, our spotter positions himself at the bow of the boat. The boy is the son of one of our boatmen and tagged along for the trip.

The old watchtower is just across from St. Augustine Church

Mangroves surround the Panglao Port

Approaching Panglao Port

Other outriggers have been idle that afternoon, with most tourists apparently not going island hopping due to the weather. We practically had the island to ourselves that afternoon and the light rains did not deter us from snorkeling and just having a great time with our daughter (she was a natural according to our swimming guide there).

Another boatman, who was in-charge of running/driving has turned of the engine and joins in maneuvering the boat into docking position at the pier.

Final docking procedures at the Panglao pier

As mentioned previously, we practically had the island to ourselves (of course, with the exception of the residents and the marine detachment stationed there). The usual tours were scheduled in the morning when the tides are usually low and sandbars emerge from the waters. We traveled in the afternoon and in gloomy weather. Still, we were able to spot and gave short chase to dolphins en route to Balicasag. That was after we floated for a few minutes as our engine stopped. The propeller got caught in a line our spotter failed to see. And we like to think the dolphins appeared as they detected our predicament.

More on our Bohol trip soon!

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