Magic Oceans, Anda, Bohol, Philippines Oct 10-17th 2027

Return to Magic Oceans!

Magic Oceans is one of our favorite places to go in the Philippines, and the ONLY place we go on the island of Bohol. Sister resort to Magic Islands in Cebu, the staff here are now long time friends, and always look forward to going back.

It does not hurt that the accommodations are really nice, all stand alone little villas around a central pool area, each with a little Lanai and an extra bed in the room (that usually gets to be open luggage storage).

The diving itself is really easy and very good. Most dive sites are no more that a 10 minute boat ride from the private pier on standard (but larger) Philippine style banca boats. This is where we saw our first flamboyant cuttlefish and hairy frogfish. Lots of small critters on the reef, and the fish life is dense and colorful. The occasional whale shark swims by as well, which is a real treat.

Bring Your Halloween costume!

One year we went we had an amazing Halloween party, the staff really got into it (their first one). I’m sure by now they are experts and will out do us, but for this trip, bring your Halloween costume. Even though it is early, we are going to have a party! Thriller anyone?

The Diving

Unlimited Diving up to 5 dives a day, including a night dive.  All from the private pier at the resort onto local banco style dive boats.

Accomodation

All the accommodations are basically the same – Superior Deluxe. All high end stand alone bungalows around the pool.

Link to see resort layout and pictures

Getting There

There are a few options to get to the resort. Let’s break it down.

First, if you are on the Anilao trip at Buceo Anilao, they you will transfer back to Manila and fly to TAG (local airport) from there Magic Oceans takes over for the approximately 2.5 hour ride to Anda area and the resort.

Second, if you are starting your trip at Magic Oceans, there are a couple of options, but reasonable and mostly depend on price and convenience of international flights.

Option 1. Fly to Manila (MNL) and onto Tagbilaran (TAG). Resort picks you up at airport.

Option 2. Fly to Cebu (CEB) and onto TAG

Option 3. This is the one we used last time to break up the travel. Fly to CEB then take the 1st class ferry to TAG (about 3 hours). For this one we took a transfer to the Waterfront Airport Hotel, spent the night, and took the ferry the next day. You could do ferry same day if you get in earlier enough to catch the last one at 5:25pm.

If you are going to take the ferry, let Magic Oceans organize it for you. Just let me know that is your plan and I’ll pass it one. They have a network of people that will “handle” you. Not expensive and WAY less stress. Less than $100 pp as I recall.

Note on Option 3. There are two (2) Waterfront Hotels. One is at the airport (that is one you want) and one is in the town. The latter is a mistake as you spend a lot of time driving when you really just want to get to your room and sleep!

Getting out is the reverse, with all the options. If you add the 5 night trip to Magic Islands, all the transfers to that resort are handled (ferry and private van), and you don’t have to do any thinking. Also no flying, so no surface interval to stress over.

Connecting this trip to others

• Oct 4-10th Buceo Anilao in Anilao
• Oct 10-17th this trip
• Oct 17th to 22nd Magic Islands in Cebu

This trip can be booked stand alone and it would be awesome, but you can do all three (or 2 of them) if you like.

Here is the trip to book just this trip: