Black Forest

Balicasag Island, Bohol, Philippines

Named for the stands of black coral that flourish below recreational depth, Black Forest is a Balicasag dive prized for biodiversity and beauty, often run as a drift. The reef forms a steep slope dressed in a wide variety of corals where damselfish, anthias, chromis, wrasses, scorpionfish and turtles go about their business. Out in the blue, schools of jacks, blue-dash fusiliers and barracuda pass by, along with titan triggerfish and Napoleon wrasse. Boat entry; part of the permit-limited Balicasag MPA.