Fotos

For a large version click on the photo.

Pamilacan Island is a small island which is part of the municipality of Baclayon on the south coast of Bohol. It has three sitios, one at the southern coast, one situated inland and the other facing the town of Baclayon.

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.

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.

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.

Aside from the beautiful white sand beaches, magnificent dive sites, dolphin and whale watching, and bountiful marine life, the island also boast of a 200-year-old Spanish fort. The fort is situated at the northeast side of the island. In the past, it served as a watch station for intruders such as pirates and other enemies of the Spanish colony.

Though whales and many of the dolphins are most active at night and during early morning, the best time to watch them is at dawn when you can clearly see them and appreciate their antics. Trips usually begin in March until the onset of the rainy season in June or July though tours depend much on weather and sea conditions. One can see though resident dolphins and whales the whole year round.

Quite a surprise this is actually the first photo of Pamilacan Island. It was taken on the north western part of the island.

Source: www.bohol-philippines.com/pamilacan-island.html