SKA - Scuba Kings Academy

Situated in Danao, Panglao, Scuba Kings Academy (SKA) provides a professional base for divers looking to explore the Bohol Sea. The centre is located within a partner hotel complex, offering a quieter alternative to the busy Alona Beach area while remaining only a five-minute drive away.

As an SDI 5 Star Instructor Trainer facility, the academy is a hub for professional development. Whether you are visiting for a few fun dives or enrolling in a multi-week professional programme, the focus remains on modern teaching methods and high safety standards.

The team at SKA is multicultural and highly experienced, with the direction led by an Israeli team. With over 13 years of diving instruction experience, the staff is well-versed in managing both recreational and professional training.

Communication is straightforward for international divers, as the team speaks English, Filipino, Hebrew, Spanish, French, German, Bisaya, and Tagalog. This multilingual approach ensures that technical instructions and safety briefings are clearly understood by all students.

SKA offers a comprehensive curriculum through SDI, ranging from the initial Discover Scuba Diving programme to full Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. They also provide specialised training such as Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Underwater Navigation courses.

For those on a professional path, the academy is a premier destination, offering Divemaster training, Instructor Development Courses (IDC), and specialised programmes like Buoyancy and Marine Environment. Nitrox courses are also available to help divers optimise their profiles.

The centre provides full equipment hire for those not travelling with their own kit, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, fins, and masks. For those planning night dives or underwater photography, additional items such as torches and cameras are available.

Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to extend their bottom times. For trips to Balicasag or Pamilacan, dive computers can be hired separately.

The reefs around Panglao are exceptionally healthy, characterised by a rich variety of hard corals and soft corals. You will regularly encounter reef fish, such as butterflyfish, surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), and various species of wrasse (Labridae) patrolling the reef flats and walls.

Large pelagics and iconic species are a highlight of the region. Depending on the season, you may see whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) or larger pelagics drawn in by increased plankton during the rainy season. Turtles, including green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), are frequently seen throughout the area.

For macro enthusiasts, the sites offer incredible diversity. Look closely for colourful nudibranchs, ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae), and pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti). You can also find various species of shrimp (Caridea), moray eels (Muraenidae), and octopus hiding within the coral structures.

Diving conditions in the area vary by season. The dry season, from November to May, generally offers calmer surface conditions, while the rainy season can bring more plankton, which may attract larger pelagics.

Water movement can be significant at certain sites; for example, Dakit Dakit in Pamilacan is known for strong currents. During the Habagat season, surface conditions can become more agitated, and the centre monitors weather via PAGASA and Windy to ensure safe dive operations.