Seasonal· Bohol Sea· Philippines
Whale and Dolphin Season in the Bohol Sea
9° 21.0′ N · 123° 45.0′ E · approximate
The deep Bohol Sea between Bohol, Siquijor and Negros is one of the country's richest cetacean grounds. Spinner, bottlenose, Risso's and spotted dolphins and short-finned pilot, melon-headed and pygmy killer whales are seen off Pamilacan, rorquals including blue whales have returned, and whale sharks pass through in the dry months.
Practical
Position approx: a point in the Bohol Sea between Panglao and Siquijor, checked as open water. Timing (philippinedives.com, 2026): dolphins year-round; whale sharks Dec-Mar (Bohol Sea) and Dec-Feb (near Balicasag); manta rays at Pamilacan Apr-Jun, none of it guaranteed. Dolphins are sometimes seen on the Balicasag crossing Mar-Jun. Wikipedia notes rorquals including blue whales returning to the Bohol Sea. Tours leave Baclayon and Alona around dawn. Under sail, keep a lookout at dawn and slow down near pods; do not chase or split groups. The Tanon Strait off Bais (11 marine-mammal species) is the other big cetacean area nearby.
Best for
Timing a passage for whale and dolphin encounters
Season
Dolphins year-round; whale sharks Dec-Mar; mantas Apr-Jun
Nearby
- Monsoon Winds (Amihan and Habagat)5.1 NM away
- Tulapos Marine Sanctuary7.5 NM away
- Salagdoong Beach9.2 NM away
- Black Forest (Balicasag)10.5 NM away
- Maria Bay Anchorage (Siquijor)10.7 NM away
- Balicasag Island Marine Sanctuary10.8 NM away
- Maria Public Market (Siquijor)10.8 NM away
- Balicasag Fish Sanctuary (Diver's Heaven)10.9 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).