Doljo Point Dive

Overview

Doljo Point is a wall dive on the western (Doljo) side of Panglao Island. The dive begins with the wall on the left shoulder, heading west. Depth management is a priority here — it is easy to descend too deep early in the dive. Entry and exit by boat can be difficult when the Amihan (northeast) wind is blowing.

The reef connects into the wider Danajon Bank system — one of only a handful of double barrier reefs in the world — which helps explain the density of both hard and soft coral on the wall. In the water, divers encounter giant sea fans, bucket sponges, elephant ear coral, and green leather corals. Angelfish are common, with occasional mackerel, squid, and juvenile barracuda. Whitetip or hammerhead sharks turn up with reasonable regularity in deeper water during February and March.

Location

Doljo Point sits on the western coast of Panglao Island, municipality of Panglao, Bohol. The site faces away from the main tourist area of Alona Beach. The surrounding reef is part of the broader Panglao marine ecosystem.

Getting There

By boat: The route from Panglao’s populated eastern side requires going all the way around the shallow east tip of the island. Outrigger bancas cannot take a shortcut except at maximum high tide, making the boat trip relatively long.

Overland: It is also possible to reach Doljo Point by jeepney or car and enter directly from land. Land entry and exit are straightforward, though care is required at the reef top.

Practical Info

• Difficulty: PADI Open Water certification minimum; experience with walls recommended
• Dive type: Wall dive
• Key hazard: Depth creep — easy to go deeper than planned in the early descent
• Best months for sharks: February and March
• Entry type: Boat or shore
• Amihan season (November–April): Boat entry/exit can be rough on this exposed western side

What to Expect

The wall’s species mix echoes what divers find at Alona-side sites, but Doljo Point sees markedly less boat traffic — a function of the long detour required to reach it by sea. That relative quiet is part of what keeps the site productive, and it’s worth tracking your gauge closely given how easy the early depth creep is on this wall.

Notes

The site reference mentions the Danajon Bank (Double Barrier Reef) in connection with Doljo Point’s broader reef context. [TO ENRICH: exact depth range, visibility data, current conditions, dive centre operators running trips to this site.]