Scuba Diving in Panglao, Bohol: My Open Water Experience
Scuba diving is one of those things I’ve always wanted to try, but never had the guts to actually do. You know that feeling? Like something is constantly pulling at you, whispering “This could be amazing…” but at the same time your brain yells, “Or you could die.” 😅
After who-knows-how-many delayed plans, I finally had the chance to be enrolled in an Open Water Diver Certification class with Scuba Kings Academy Panglao. I figured, if I was going to face my fear, I might as well do it somewhere beautiful. If you’re curious or planning your own underwater adventure, check out their Panglao Open Water course here.
Deciding to Get an Open Water Certification
First, what even is an Open Water Diver Certification?
Basically, it’s your scuba diving license. It allows you to dive independently (with a buddy) to a depth of 18 meters. It’s the first level of certification in the scuba world and is recognized globally, so once you get it, you can dive pretty much anywhere (super exciting!).
I got mine through Scuba Kings Academy Panglao. They’re a fun and diverse team of instructors and dive masters from all over the world. They are super experienced, passionate, and genuinely love what they do. You’ll feel it the moment you meet them. They also have a center in Malapascua, which you might want to check out if you want to dive with the Thresher sharks (which I know I want to!).
Course Details:
- Price: ₱18,500
- Inclusion:
- Confined Water class (aka pool session)
- 4 Open-Water dives
- Full set of equipment provided
- Internationally recognized license
- Environmental fees covered
- Transportation during the course included
- The course usually lasts 3 days
Here’s the full link: SKA Diving Open Water Course
Why Bohol?
Bohol is such an underrated gem. It’s peaceful, laid-back, and incredibly rich in marine life. The coral reefs are stunning, and you’ll be surprised by how alive the underwater world is here. From clownfish to turtles, and sea snakes to vibrant coral walls, Bohol is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with the ocean all over again. Believe me, that’s what it did to me after not diving for over a year!
I’ve been to the island a couple of times, but never had the chance to do a fun dive here. I see a lot of my freediving friends love this place and I think this is my turn to experience what Bohol’s ocean has to offer.
And I know for now, Bohol will be a special place since this is where I had my first scuba diving experience. Bohol, you have my heart.
How to get to Bohol?
We booked our tickets with OceanJet and took a 2-hour ferry ride from Pier 1, Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol.
How to get around Bohol?
I highly recommend booking a Grab going to your accommodation, it’s just easier and sometimes even cheaper (if you do not have a talent for haggling). I personally think this is the best way if you do not know the ropes in Bohol. Other option, you can book a shared van or rent a car or motorbike if you’d rather explore the island on your own.
The First Scuba Diving Experience
Day 1 – Controlled Environment Dive
We arrived at our accommodation, Abraham Bohol – Resort, a chill spot perfect for winding down after dives. They have a restaurant and pools, and they offer tours around Bohol too, which I think is pretty convenient, especially if you want to explore the island.
We checked in and had a quick lunch, and then it was time to dive in—literally.
We met our instructor, Dan, who walked us through the scuba gear and the whole system: how to assemble it, what each part does, and how to check everything. It felt like learning a whole new language, but I loved how he explained it. He asked us first if we knew how to drive, and then explained everything like we were learning to drive a vehicle, which made it so much easier to understand.
Then we moved to the pool to do our confined water dive. It is basically a safe, controlled environment to learn the skills before heading into the ocean.
We learned all the basic scuba skills: finding the regulator, mask clearing, sharing air, equipment removal, fin pivot, calf release, breathing from an overflowing regulator, swimming ascent, proper underwater communication, and a lot more.
I honestly enjoyed the class. In case I haven’t mentioned it yet, I was with my husband during this entire experience. We felt very safe, especially since we had two diving instructors (Dan and Mark) on our first day. Since it was our very first time, having that extra guidance was super reassuring.
It was a lot to take in, but by the end of the day, I felt a little less like I was going to die. Progress!
Day 2 – First Open Water Dives
Our instructor for the day was Myreen, and we started with a quick review session before heading out to the sea for real.
We did two dives, and everything we practiced in the pool, we had to do underwater. Let me tell you, doing a mask clearing at 6 meters deep hits differently. Oh, and I have to say, entering the water backward for the first time was surprisingly fun!
I realized that my freediving experience really helped. I wasn’t afraid of the deep, I already knew how to equalize, and being calm underwater felt kind of natural. All I had to focus on were the technical parts of scuba diving. And honestly, the fewer things to worry about, the better.
Also, Myreen told us we were fast learners, and I swear, that gave me an instant +10 confidence boost. 😂
The water was super clear that day, and I genuinely enjoyed the dives. We reached a depth of 10 meters and with a dive time of 55 minutes, which felt like such a win.
One thing I noticed as a first-time scuba diver was how dry my throat felt. It caught me off guard at first, but eventually, I got used to it. Still, I loved being able to stay underwater longer. In freediving, you only get to enjoy the ocean one breath-hold at a time. With scuba, you can linger and really take it all in. And that was a whole new kind of fun.
Day 3 – Final Dives & Certification
This was it. The last two dives of the course.
Before diving, we had a short lesson about nitrogen narcosis, dive planning, and what happens when you go deeper underwater. After the briefing, we put on our suits and headed out to the water.
We practiced a few more skills like hovering, removing and reattaching the BCD, and quick-release weight belt drills. It still felt like a lot to take in, but way less overwhelming compared to Day 1.
During our descent, we saw a sea snake swimming up to the surface. Not gonna lie, it looked kind of majestic… until the one we saw at the end of our dive started looking straight at us. I panicked a little and finned away like my life depended on it. 😂
But then came the magic. We saw a small turtle just chilling under the water. And honestly, that moment felt like the ocean was giving us a little high-five. It was such a beautiful way to end our final dive.
After every dive, my husband kept saying the same thing “That was too quick,” even though we were underwater for 45 minutes on each dive I know for sure he enjoyed it just as much as I did.
I started this journey with fear. A lot of it. But after three days, four dives, and a ton of lessons, I walked away not just with a certification…but with a new kind of courage.
This diving experience truly reconnected me with the ocean, in a deeper, more intentional way.
If you’ve been thinking about scuba diving but feel too afraid, I get it. I was right there too. But maybe fear is just the first step. Maybe it’s a sign that what’s on the other side is worth it.
And in my case? It absolutely was.
Note: Big thanks to Scuba Kings Academy for this incredible experience. Please know that all thoughts and opinions shared here are entirely my own, based on my personal experience.
