Pamilacan Island

Pamilacan Island is a small coral island in the Bohol Sea, part of Barangay Pamilacan in the municipality of Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines, about 12 kilometers south of Bohol mainland. Known for its white sand beaches, clear waters, and surrounding marine sanctuary, it is notable as a former whaling community that now centers on dolphin and whale watching, snorkeling, and diving, with a historic Spanish-era fort at its center.

Visitors can expect a small, low-lying coral island with white sand beaches, clear turquoise water, and a quiet fishing village. The interior features a historic Spanish fort and scattered houses, while the coastline offers swimming and snorkeling areas. Most visits are organized as boat day tours from Baclayon or Panglao for dolphin and whale watching in surrounding waters, snorkeling over coral reefs in the marine sanctuary, and walking around the village and beach areas.

Pamilacan was historically a whaling community where locals hunted Bryde's whales, sperm whales and manta rays. A Spanish-era coral stone fort was built in the early 1800s on the island's highest point as a watchtower against pirates. Whaling and hunting of dolphins was banned in 1998, after which the community shifted to whale and dolphin watching ecotourism with support from conservation programs.

The island's culture is centered on a traditional fishing community of about 1,400 residents in Barangay Pamilacan. Former whalers now work as dolphin and whale watching guides and marine sanctuary wardens, reflecting a community-based shift from hunting to marine conservation and sustainable tourism.