The Panglao: Balicasag Island Tour promises an exhilarating adventure for nature enthusiasts. Offering a chance to witness dolphins in their natural habitat and explore the vibrant marine life around Balicasag Island, the tour provides a unique opportunity to take in the wonders of the region. However, with mixed reviews regarding the experience, it’s crucial for potential participants to weigh the pros and cons before embarking on this captivating journey.
Key Points
- The 5-hour Panglao:Balicasag Island Tour offers opportunities to observe dolphins, turtles, and marine life around Balicasag Island.
- The tour includes 1 hour of dolphin watching, 2 hours of marine life viewing, and 1 hour of swimming/snorkeling.
- The tour is priced at Kč 835 per person and is limited to 10 participants.
- The tour includes transportation, snorkeling equipment, entrance fees, guide, and meals.
- Customer reviews indicate mixed assessments, with common complaints about overcrowded boats and lack of organization.
Tour Overview
The Panglao: Balicasag Island Tour is a 5-hour excursion that takes participants on a journey to explore the marine wonders of Panglao’s clear waters.
Priced from Kč 835 per person, the tour is limited to 10 participants and departs from McDonald’s Panglao at 6:00 AM.
During the tour, guests can expect to witness 1 hour of dolphin watching, 2 hours of marine life viewing at Balicasag Island, and 1 hour of swimming and snorkeling.
The tour includes a pump boat with an operator, snorkeling equipment, entrance and environmental fees, a guide, and meals.
Want to see more dolphins? We've reviewed these other marine encounters in Panglao
Itinerary Highlights
The tour begins with 1 hour of dolphin watching in Panglao’s clear waters.
The tour begins with 1 hour of dolphin watching in Panglao’s clear waters.
Next, visitors spend 2 hours exploring the marine life around Balicasag Island, a renowned diving and snorkeling destination. Guests have 1 hour to swim and snorkel, observing the vibrant coral reefs and diverse underwater creatures.
The tour finishes at the popular Alona Beach.
While the main sites may vary, the itinerary focuses on the highlights of dolphin watching, marine life viewing, and snorkeling.
Guests are advised to bring appropriate attire and equipment to make the most of this island adventure.
Inclusions
The tour includes a pump boat with an operator, snorkeling equipment and fees, entrance and environmental fees, a guide and life vest, and the opportunity to observe dolphins and turtles as well as enjoy snorkeling and fish feeding.
Meals and fins are also provided, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.
The inclusions cover the essential elements of the tour, allowing participants to fully enjoy the natural wonders of Balicasag Island without having to worry about additional costs.
This comprehensive package provides excellent value for money, making it an attractive option for those seeking a memorable island adventure.
Important Information
Although free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, guests should come prepared with a change of clothes, towel, camera, comfortable clothes, and beachwear. Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited on this tour. Based on 17 reviews, the overall rating is 2.6/5, with the guide receiving 2.7/5, transportation 3.3/5, and value for money 2.5/5. Common complaints include overcrowded boats, lack of organization, and difficulty in spotting dolphins and turtles.
| What to Bring | Not Allowed |
| — | — |
| Change of clothes | Alcohol |
| Towel | Drugs |
| Camera | |
| Comfortable clothes | |
| Beachwear | |
More Great Tours NearbyCustomer Feedback Summary
Reviewers provide a mixed assessment of the tour, with an overall rating of 2.6 out of 5 based on 17 reviews.
Customers give the tour guide a 2.7 out of 5 rating, citing a lack of organization and difficulty in spotting dolphins and turtles.
Customers report a lack of organization and difficulty spotting wildlife, giving the tour guide a low 2.7 out of 5 rating.
The transportation, with an average 3.3 out of 5 rating, also receives criticism for overcrowded boats.
Notably, the value for money, with a 2.5 out of 5 rating, is a common complaint among customers.
Guide Rating
Customers rate the tour guide a mere 2.7 out of 5, citing a lack of organization and difficulty in spotting promised wildlife. Many complain the guide failed to provide clear instructions, resulting in disorderly boarding and uneven distribution of participants across boats.
There are also reports of the guide struggling to locate dolphins and turtles, leaving customers disappointed. While the guide’s knowledge of the local area is praised, their ability to manage the tour and deliver on expectations falls short.
Improving communication and coordination skills could enhance the overall customer experience on this Balicasag Island excursion.
Transportation Rating
The transportation on this tour receives a relatively stronger rating of 3.3 out of 5 from customers. This suggests the boats used for the tour are reasonably reliable and comfortable, though there is still room for improvement. The tour’s transportation can be better understood through the following table:
| Criteria | Rating (out of 5) |
| — | — |
| Boat condition | 3.5 |
| Boat size | 3.2 |
| Boat driver skills | 3.8 |
| Overall transportation experience | 3.3 |
While the boats seem to get customers to the destinations safely, some complaints indicate overcrowding and organizational issues around the transportation. The transportation aspect of the tour appears to be a relative strength compared to other elements.
Value for Money Rating
Although customers have given the Panglao: Balicasag Island Tour a value for money rating of only 2.5 out of 5, several factors may contribute to this relatively low score.
The tour’s high price, at Kč 835 per person, may not align with customer expectations, especially considering common complaints about overcrowded boats and lack of organization.
The high price of Kč 835 per person may not meet customer expectations, given complaints about overcrowded boats and lack of organization.
Plus, the difficulty in consistently spotting dolphins and turtles could diminish the perceived value of the experience.
However, the tour’s inclusions, such as snorkeling equipment, entrance fees, and meals, may offer some value to customers despite the mixed reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Additional Fees or Charges During the Tour?
According to the tour overview, the inclusions cover entrance and environmental fees, snorkeling equipment, meals, and fins. There are no additional fees or charges mentioned during the tour.
What Is the Cancellation Policy if I Need to Reschedule?
The tour has a free cancellation policy – customers can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. This provides flexibility to reschedule the tour if needed.
Are There Any Discounts or Special Offers Available for This Tour?
The tour does not appear to offer any discounts or special offers based on the information provided. However, travelers can receive a full refund if they cancel up to 24 hours in advance.
Can I Request a Private or Customized Tour Experience?
Yes, customers can request a private or customized tour experience, though this may come at an additional cost. The tour operator typically offers more personalized options for smaller groups or individuals with specific interests or requirements.
Is There a Minimum Age Requirement to Participate in This Tour?
There is no minimum age requirement specified for this tour. Children are welcome to participate, though parental supervision is recommended to ensure their safety and enjoyment throughout the activities.
The Sum Up
The Panglao: Balicasag Island Tour offers a chance to witness the marine wonders of the region. While concerns about overcrowding and organization have been raised, the tour’s itinerary highlights like dolphin watching and snorkeling around Balicasag Island make it a potentially memorable experience for marine enthusiasts. The overall ratings suggest it’s a tour worth considering, though visitors should be prepared for potential logistical challenges.
You can check availability for your dates here:More Quad Bikes in Panglao
More Snorkeling Tours in Panglao
More Tour Reviews in Panglao
- Panglao: Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners
- Bohol Chocolate Hills Tour With Loboc River Lunch Buffet
- Bohol: Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers and Loboc River Adventure
- Snorkeling With Turtles, Sardines, Secret Cave and ATV
- Bohol: ATV Jungle & Beach Adventure
- Bohol: Panglao Island Hopping & Dolphin Watching Tour