Black Forest (Balicasag)

Balicasag's west-side slope and the deepest of the island's four main sites. The black-coral forest sits below recreational depth for most divers, so the dive is usually run along the upper slope with the big schools as the draw.

Depth

5–45m

Current

Moderate

Diver level

Advanced open water

Entry

Boat

Unique features

Coral heads in the shallows dropping to a stand of black coral (Antipathes) at roughly 35–45m
Schooling bigeye trevally and chevron barracuda over the drop-off
Current and depth combine — buoyancy control matters here more than on Balicasag's other sites

Sources & last checked

Checked August 2026

This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.

Dive Sites of Balicasag Island — Sierra Madre Divers
Balicasag Island Divers Guide — Live Life The Philippines

Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.