T

his small limestone isle is a
relaxed place with five nice
villages, a nice range of beachfront
hotels and good dive operations. It
is so chill here that there are no
cars. The only motorized transport is
in the form of a few tricycles and a
couple of motorcycles, which also
serve as so-called ‘habal-habal’.
Most of the distances on Cabilao
island are quite short and can be

easily walked. People are friendly

and the island has a charm that

endears repeat divers. The lack of

roads also means that everything on

the island has to be brought in by

banca including building materials,

wood, food (except fish caught

locally), and, during periods of

drought, fresh water for drinking

and bathing.

The triangular shaped 2.8 sq.

miles (7.2 sq. km.) island sits at the

west side of Bohol, facing Cebu

Island. Cabilao has about 5200

friendly inhabitants who survive on

fishing, tourism, some small

agriculture and weaving of bags.

The island is the home to Bohol’s

only natural lake, Lake Lanao, near

the barangay Pantudlan, which also

serves as a small bird-sanctuary for

passing migrant birds.

Divers love this place as it has a

Cabilao

Cabilao beach

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Cabilao
Island