Pamilacan marine life: Located between Bohol and Mindanao, the Bohol Sea is one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet, swept by the Mindanao current which brings cooler water from the deepths along an ocean trench.

The Bohol Sea is a cetacean (whale and dolphin) hot spot, home to 19 species including megapods of spinner dolphins, sperm whales, pilot whales, Bryde's whales and even the curiously named melon-headed whales. Former whalers and local fishers had long reported its presence, but it was only in 2010 that a blue whale was officially photographed in the Bohol Sea. Since then there have been several sightings.

The Island

Pamilacan island life:

In the local dialect, Pamilacan means “resting place of the mantas” though some local folks say that the name of the island was derived from the word “pamilac” or harpoon, a common fishing implement used to capture whale sharks, manta rays and dolphins.

It is only a 1-hour pump or outrigger boat ride from the town of Baclayon. It has three sitios, one at the southern coast, one situated inland and the other facing the town of Baclayon.

Blessed with white sand beaches, the island is also a tourist destination because of magnificent dive sites nearby which gives the diver a breathtaking view of giant gorgonians, tunicates, sponges, anemones as well as other unique marine life. A very small coral island called “Dakit-Dakit” can also be visited.

Home to more or less 200 families, this fishing community is closely knit. Their main livelihood is fishing, and in the past has gone after whales, manta rays and dolphins. Their houses are often decorated with large whale jaws and bones and these ‘relics’ adds to the interesting facet of the island.