By Grant Thomas
All images © Grant Thomas
Bohol, located in the heart of the Philippines’ Visayas region, has quickly become one of the country’s top destinations for scuba diving and underwater photography. While the island is perhaps best known for its Chocolate Hills and iconic tarsiers, beneath the waves lies an entirely different world—one filled with vibrant reefs, fascinating macro critters, and wide-angle encounters that rival some of the best dive destinations in Asia. For underwater photographers, Bohol offers the rare combination of biodiversity, clear waters, and accessible dive sites—all within a short boat ride from shore.
Sunset over Alona Beach, Panglao Island – the hub for diving in Bohol.
The Diving Experience
Most diving in Bohol is centered around Panglao Island, a hub that connects to mainland Bohol by bridge and is home to many of the island’s dive resorts. From here, boats can reach an impressive variety of dive sites within minutes, making it an incredibly convenient base for underwater explorers.
Scuba diver gliding over vibrant coral formations in Panglao.
One of the crown jewels of the region is Balicasag Island, a protected marine sanctuary. Divers here descend along dramatic drop-offs adorned with hard and soft corals, where swirling schools of jacks and barracuda move as one. Green and hawksbill turtles glide by in seemingly endless numbers, often completely unfazed by divers and cameras. For those shooting wide-angle, Balicasag offers iconic reefscapes of soft and hard coral and huge schools of jack fish and barracuda, as well as giant whale sharks.
Closer to Panglao itself, sites like Doljo Point and Arco Point provide an entirely different photographic experience. These wall dives and coral outcroppings are havens for smaller marine life. Frogfish, ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish, and nudibranchs in dazzling color variations are frequent finds.
A flamboyant cuttlefish displaying its vivid colors in Panglao.
Every so often, however, divers get a surprise far larger than a frogfish. Whale sharks often appear in Bohol, gliding past reefs or out in the blue. These encounters are unpredictable but unforgettable. For photographers lucky enough to have the right lens on, the sudden appearance of the world’s largest fish adds an exhilarating element to Bohol’s already diverse offerings.
Bohol stands out because it caters to both ends of the photography spectrum—making it ideal for divers who want to practice versatility or for groups with mixed photographic interests.
Silhouette of a whale shark cruising through the blue, Bohol.
Wide-Angle Opportunities
- Schooling jacks at Balicasag Island, often forming tornado-like shapes in the blue.
- Hawksbill and green turtles resting on coral shelves or rising gracefully to the surface.
- Sweeping coral gardens, lit by shafts of sunlight on clear days.
- The thrilling possibility of capturing a whale shark silhouette, an image that instantly elevates any portfolio.
Scuba diver with a massive school of jacks at Balicasag Island.
Macro Wonders
- Seahorses - challenging photographers to perfect their focus.
- Colorful nudibranchs, a specialty of the region, offering endless variations of patterns and hues.
- Tiny crustaceans such as boxer crabs and squat lobsters tucked away in coral crevices.
- Masters of disguise—frogfish perfectly camouflaged against sponges and coral heads.
A vivid Nembrotha nudibranch crawling across the reef, Bohol.
It’s not uncommon for photographers to switch between wide-angle and macro setups across different dives, or even in the same day. The sheer range of subjects in Bohol makes it one of the few places where this balance feels seamless and natural.
Macro highlight: a scorpion fish revealed in dramatic backlighting.
Conditions and Logistics
Diving in Bohol is possible year-round. Divers enjoy warm tropical waters averaging 26–29°C (79–84°F), with visibility ranging from 10 to 25 meters depending on the site and season. These conditions make it easy to spend long days in the water without fatigue.
Bohol is accessible via the international Airport (TAG), which is just a short drive from the main diving hub of Alona Beach, or via ferry from Cebu City.
A diver explores beside a striking red soft coral colony.
During my time in Bohol, I was diving with Bohol Divers Club, a professional and well-established dive center conveniently located on Alona Beach. Their experienced guides and excellent facilities made exploring the reefs seamless and enjoyable. I stayed at Palms Cove Resort, a small boutique resort located just 100 meters from the dive center, which provided the perfect combination of comfort, relaxation, and easy access to the dive shop- an ideal base for both diving and photography.
A banded sea krait hunts near the reef, Panglao.
Beyond Diving
While the diving alone is reason enough to visit, Bohol also shines topside. The island offers a range of cultural and natural attractions that make it easy to balance time in the water with exploration on land.
The famous Chocolate Hills, a geological formation of more than a thousand grassy mounds, are a must-see. Wildlife enthusiasts can visit the Philippine tarsier sanctuaries, where the world’s smallest primates peer out from their forest perches with oversized eyes. For a slower pace, a sunset cruise along the Loboc River provides a relaxing way to enjoy Bohol’s lush scenery.
This blend of underwater adventure and topside beauty makes Bohol ideal for divers traveling with family or companions who may not dive but still want to experience the island’s unique offerings.
A giant frogfish perfectly camouflaged against a sponge, House Reef.
Conclusion
For underwater photographers seeking variety, accessibility, and vibrant marine life, Bohol is hard to beat. Few destinations offer such a seamless mix of wide-angle drama and delicate macro detail, all within easy reach of shore. Add in the chance to encounter a whale shark, and it’s easy to see why Bohol is quickly climbing the ranks of must-visit dive destinations in Asia.
Whether your goal is to expand your photography portfolio, master new techniques, or simply revel in the beauty of the underwater world, Bohol deserves a spot at the very top of your dive travel list.
Bohol Photography Workshop 2026 with Grant Thomas
For those who want to experience Bohol’s underwater world while improving their skills behind the lens, Grant will be hosting an Underwater Photography Workshop in June 2026. Based on Panglao Island, the workshop combines daily dives at sites like Balicasag and Doljo with hands-on coaching in both wide-angle and macro photography. Guests will learn strobe techniques, composition, and post-processing tips in a small-group setting, with plenty of time for image reviews and personal guidance. Full details can be found on my website: Grant Thomas Photography Workshops.
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Grant Thomas left Scotland with a degree in Engineering and a desire to travel. His travels developed into a passion for photography, a PADI SCUBA Instructor certification, and an underwater housing. Since then he's established himself as an award-winning underwater photographer including a distinction as British Underwater Photographer of the Year in 2018. He now works as a freelance photographer and expedition guide, leading tours and workshops to encounter and photograph animals like humpback whales and orcas. Read more...
