Pamilacan Island

Small Bohol Sea coral island with protected dolphin waters and a village history tied to manta-ray hunting.

Pamilacan is a small coral island in the Bohol Sea, home to about 250 families and surrounded by some of the richest waters in the Visayas. The island's name comes from "pilak," a large hooked implement the islanders once used to catch manta rays and whale sharks. Those days are over — marine mammals are now fully protected by Philippine law — but the jaws and bones of past catches still decorate some village homes.

The waters around Pamilacan are a breeding ground for dolphins, whale sharks, and Bryde's whales. Dolphin-watching trips leave from the island early in the morning, and sightings are common. The island itself has a 200-year-old Spanish watchtower on its northeast side, a small chapel with an old Santa Cruz at the altar, and white sand beaches rimming a rocky interior where you can spot fossilised seashells in the limestone.

The marine sanctuary off the coast offers good snorkelling over healthy coral, and the slow pace of village life makes this a worthwhile day trip from Panglao.

Guide

Getting There

Pamilacan Island is reached by banca (outrigger boat) from Baclayon on the southern coast of Bohol, about 12 kilometres to the north. The crossing takes 30–45 minutes depending on conditions. Boats are available for hire at the Baclayon pier, or trips can be arranged through the Pamilacan Island Dolphin and Whale Watching Organisation, which is the recommended option for dolphin-watching trips.

From Tagbilaran (Bohol's main city), Baclayon is about 6 kilometres by tricycle or jeepney — a 15-minute ride. Most visitors come on day trips from Panglao Island or Tagbilaran; it is possible to stay overnight on the island with local families but accommodation is extremely basic and should be arranged in advance.

Guide

Things to Do

Pamilacan's two main draws are the marine life and the island's own quiet character. Dolphin-watching trips leave in the early morning, when spinner and bottlenose dolphins are reliably seen in the surrounding waters. Whale sharks and Bryde's whales are possible but less predictable. The marine sanctuary off the island offers decent snorkelling, and the island itself — small enough to walk around in an hour — has a colonial-era watchtower and a village life that has changed little in a generation.