Cervera Shoal (Snake Island) Dive Site

Overview

Cervera Shoal, also known as Snake Island Dive Site, is an underwater shoal off Barangay Libaong, Panglao Island, Bohol. The site takes its common name from the Black and White-Banded Sea Snakes (Laticauda colubrina) frequently encountered there.

The site is rated 2/5 for difficulty and is recommended for PADI Advanced Open Water divers and above. Visibility ranges from 15 to 25 meters; depth from 9 to 30 meters; current at 1 to 3. The most interesting diving is between 10 and 15 meters. Below 20 meters the site becomes less varied.

The GPS coordinates are N09°29.371 E123°50.756 — bearing 130° from Alona Beach, 270° from Pamilacan Island. There are no surface landmarks; this is a GPS target dive. The site is not suitable for snorkeling.

Location

Approximately 10.5 km from Belleview Rock Resort on Panglao Island, roughly 30 minutes by pump boat or outrigger. The shoal sits in open water between Panglao and Pamilacan islands, with no visible surface feature.

Getting There

From Alona Beach on Panglao Island, arrange a pump boat via a dive operator. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes. Because the shoal has no surface landmark, dive operators use GPS to locate the site. Cervera Shoal is often paired as a second dive with Pamilacan Island on the same day trip.

Bearing references: 130° from Alona Beach / 270° from Pamilacan Island.

Practical Info

• Gateway: Panglao
• Island: Panglao Island
• Dive type: Shoal
• Difficulty: PADI Advanced Open Water and above (rated 2/5)
• GPS: N09°29.371 E123°50.756
• Visibility: 15–25 m
• Depth: 9–30 m (most interesting 10–15 m)
• Current: 1–3
• Snorkeling: No
• Dynamite fishing: Area affected but slowly recovering
• Safety stop: Required in open water; marker buoy recommended for 5 m / 3 min stop

What to Expect

This is typically a strong drift dive. Divers should monitor their no-decompression limit (NDL) closely — average depth runs deeper than a typical reef dive. The shoal top sits at 8 meters, meaning the mandatory safety stop at 5 meters occurs in open water. A marker buoy is essential for drifting safely at safety-stop depth.

Marine life observed: Black and White-Banded Sea Snakes (Laticauda colubrina) in quantity — the defining feature of the site; Moray eels including White-eyed Moray (Siderea thyrsoidea) and Starry Moray (Echidna nebulosa); nudibranchs; small reef fish; corals; bucket sponges. The shoal top has dense sea urchin coverage — buoyancy control is important.

Notes

• The Danajon Bank (Double Barrier Reef) is the broader reef system in this part of Bohol.
• Dynamite fishing has impacted the site but recovery is ongoing.
• Laticauda colubrina (banded sea krait) is venomous but docile; bites are extremely rare and typically occur only if the snake is handled.
• No landmarks visible at the surface — book only with operators who have GPS-equipped boats.