Black Forest

Bohol Island, Balicasag, Visayas, Philippinesreef40 m maxintermediate

Conditions & tides

Black ForestBalicasag

Good · 5/5

conditions visualisation

Good5/5

Calm and diveable right now — best window today 8 AM–6 PM.

Wind12 kn NE

Current~0 kn E · model

Swell

0.4 m · 3s · E

Water

30 °C

Max depth

40 m

Conditions through the day

7 AM7 PM

Calmest current near slack — 15:15 & 05:00 local

Sunrise 05:37 · Sunset 17:21 local

Show details

Tide · local

Outlook — select a day for full conditions

On-face swell 0.3 m — the component of the swell aimed at this site’s exposed face. Current is a regional model value (Copernicus, ~9 km grid) — a guide to the area, not a precise reef measurement. Imagery © Esri · not depth or visibility.

Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model

Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.

Dived here today? How were conditions vs. what we showed?

About this site

Black Forest is a reef slope dive site off Balicasag Island in the Philippines, reached by a 25–30-minute boat ride from Alona Beach, approximately 6 km away. The site takes its name from the dense growth of black corals that cover much of the slope, and it is listed among the technical dive sites of Balicasag Island.

The slope runs steeply from around 25 m down to 35–40 m, with the black coral growth dominating the terrain throughout that depth range. The abundance of black corals and large fish makes this one of the more demanding sites on Balicasag in terms of depth and buoyancy control requirements.

Marine life at Black Forest includes large pelagics and a substantial school of jacks at depth, along with barracudas, trevallies, and jackfish. Hawksbill and green turtles are present on the reef and in the shallower sections, and colorful anthias and wrasses are found across the slope. The shallower portions provide good photographic opportunities during ascent and deco stops.

Read the full guide

The site is a boat dive and is classified as advanced or intermediate, requiring solid buoyancy control and comfort at depth. Visibility is generally excellent. Entry is from a boat, and deco stops can be completed on the reef itself. Balicasag Island limits access to 150 certified divers per day, with a maximum of two dives per diver per day.

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