Virgin Island (Isola di Francesco) is a popular sandbar off the coast of Panglao, Bohol. It’s known for its powdery white sand, shallow turquoise waters, and crystal-clear sea, which only fully appears during low tide. (Contributed photo)
Virgin Island, also known as Puntod Island, reopened Monday under a new “One-Entry, One-Exit System” designed to control tourist traffic, manage waste and prevent environmental damage to the popular destination off Panglao, Bohol.
Under the system implemented by the Protected Area Management Office, all tourist boats must dock at Puntod Island as the designated entry and exit point.
Visitors must complete registration, pay entrance fees and attend a mandatory environmental briefing before engaging in activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving.
The office has imposed capacity limits to prevent overcrowding.
Sandbar visits are restricted to 250 visitors every two hours, while snorkeling and diving are limited to a maximum two-hour interaction time.
A “3-minute rule” applies to group photos to accommodate other visitors, and commercial photography requires advance arrangements.
The island operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Officials will enforce a “Pack In, Pack Out” policy with pre-entry inspections of all waste, including plastics and non-reef-safe sunscreen, on arriving boats.
Before departure, tourists undergo final inspections to ensure they have removed all trash from the island.
All activities must be led by accredited Department of Tourism guides and supervised by the Protected Area Management Office.
Vendors Banned Under New Rules
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced Thursday that vendors are permanently banned from the Virgin island to protect the environment and prevent problems with trash and price gouging that occurred previously.
As part of waste management and pollution control measures, littering in the sea is strictly prohibited.
Boat operators must provide onboard waste bins and ensure proper disposal upon reaching shore.
Tourists are encouraged to use reef-safe, mineral-based sunscreens and avoid products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate chemicals.
Boat operators are responsible for waste carried by their passengers and are asked to use natural cleaning products such as vinegar or lemon juice for equipment maintenance.
Burning trash and seaweed is banned, and proper disposal methods must be followed to protect the island’s ecosystem.
No Feeding Policy for Whale Shark Watching
In a related news, Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado said a no-feeding policy is a precondition for reopening whale shark watching activities in Bohol.
The provincial government maintains its ban on whale feeding as part of the attraction, despite mounting calls to reopen the activity that has provided livelihoods for some residents.
Foreign tourists have shown interest in watching whales near shore.
The activity previously operated in the towns of Albur, Lila and Dauis.
Aumentado said officials are willing to reopen the attraction if investors make a clear commitment against whale feeding.
An ordinance banning marine animal feeding provided the legal basis for closing the activity.