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black forest turtle sightings
Dive Spot Guide•
Black Forest
Coral-rich slope dive off Balicasag Island.
Boat dive on a Balicasag slope with black coral at depth, drift-style current, and a marine-sanctuary booking cap.
About Black Forest
Black Forest is a coral-rich slope off Balicasag Island, with a shallow reef top that drops into black-coral sections deeper on the site. The site is known for dense fish life, drift-style current, and a sanctuary-controlled dive plan that rewards good buoyancy and a guide who knows the current. Plan it for calm weather windows and a slow, controlled drop along the slope so the black-coral zone and the fish action stay comfortable to read.
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Research Estimate At Black Forest
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 25m
AccessModerate entry effort
CoralPristine, vibrant coral
Aquatic LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentStrong current
Where Is Black Forest?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Black Forest Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
5m - 40m
Depth Note
The slope starts around 5 m and descends to about 40 m, with black coral and black crinoids deeper on the reef.
Best Season
December to May for the calmest conditions, though Balicasag is diveable year-round.
Typical Conditions
Clear tropical water, drift-style current, and a coral slope that gets richer with depth.
Safety & Access At Black Forest
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Strong current
Safety Notes
Stay with the guide on the current-prone slope and keep an eye on depth if you follow the reef deeper.
Access Restrictions
Certified divers only on many Balicasag programs, with marine-sanctuary reservations and daily caps.
Legal Notes
Respect marine sanctuary rules, the daily diver limit, and any guide or booking requirements on Balicasag.
Local Intel For Black Forest
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A sloping reef with coral heads from the shallow top down to deeper black-coral sections; the lower slope rewards controlled buoyancy and a guide-led drift.
Freediving
Not a freedive target; the black-coral zone and current make scuba the practical choice.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is better around Balicasag's shallows; Black Forest itself is primarily a scuba slope.
Wildlife at Black Forest
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Black Forest
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Black Forest
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility25m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
