Sacol Island is a popular, yet quiet scuba diving destination in the southern Philippines. It lies a few kilometers from the coast of Zamboanga City and is thus easy enough to get to.
The island is one of the largest that comes within the separate realm of Zamboanga City and is home to various indigenous peoples and animals. Sacol Island is wholly undeveloped at the moment, with little in the way of infrastructure, facilities and hotels. This adds to the appeal of the place, along with its white sand beaches and its clear waters.
Also in the region is Great Santa Cruz Island]] off the coast of Zamboanga City. It too is a quiet diving destination and is fairly easy to get to from the city. Great Santa Cruz Island is primarily famed for its pink sand. Zamboanga City, the City of Flowers, has a few attractions worth checking out, including the Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach and the 17th century Fort Pilar.
Getting There & Away
Zamboanga City in the south of Zamboanga Peninsular is the gateway to Sacol Island and has an international airport just outside town. Flights come in from throughout the Philippines; flight time from Manila is around 90 minutes. Boats leave from the main pier in Zamboanga City for Sacol Island, which lies to the east of the city.