Panay is the most western island of the Visaya group in the center of the Philippines. Its name is coming from its rich United States naval history with many ships that were named USS Panay. The island has the four provinces Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo and is bordered to the east by the Guimaras Strait, separating it from the island Guimaras and Negros. Although rain falls year-around, it is generally dryer in the months between November and April.

Panay is a hilly island with a huge mountain range separating the west (Pandan to Patnongon) from the east (Iloilo to Roxas City). The plains stretching for tens of kilometers are mainly used as farmland for crops and fruits such as corn, sugarcane, banana and rice. It is an island with lakes, many rivers and hundreds of kilometers of shoreline with mangroves and coral reefs. Since fishing is one of the main sources of income, the government has successful taken action against dynamite and cyanide fishing.

The province of Aklan is probably the most touristic one. There are several waterfalls (Tigis Falls), historic shrines and the island Borocay is world renowned for its scuba diving. Roxas City, Tapaz and Pilar are several towns in Capiz and Antique known for its many caves. Iloilo in the south offers many religious churches and historic sites such as Balantang Memorial Cemetery and the Japanese Fortification.

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Panay and in particularly Borocay have become one of Philippines most popular diving destination.

Take a look at some of the other dive destinations.