location.beaches.districts_subtitle
Most famous beach in Panglao with white sand, dive shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Main tourist hub with bars and live music. Slightly crowded but best infrastructure.
Long stretch of white sand beach, quieter than Alona. Popular with families and couples seeking relaxation. Several mid-range to upscale resorts. Great for long walks at sunset.
Marine sanctuary 30 minutes by boat from Panglao. World-class diving with wall dives, sea turtles, barracuda schools, and jackfish tornados. Snorkeling also excellent. Entry fee applies.
Secluded beach on the north side of Panglao. Very quiet with local atmosphere. Popular for kitesurfing and windsurfing when conditions are right. Few tourists, authentic experience.
Limestone cave with underground lagoon perfect for swimming. Natural skylights illuminate the crystal-clear water. Quick visit but stunning photos. Entry fee 50 PHP. Bring waterproof camera.
Historic Spanish-era church built in 1894, also known as San Agustin Parish Church. Beautiful coral stone architecture with tall bell tower. Active parish with regular masses.
Organic farm and resort famous for its honey products and farm-to-table restaurant. Try organic ice cream, fresh salads, and local dishes. Beautiful cliffside dining with sea views.
Island 45 minutes from Panglao famous for dolphin and whale watching. Best season March to June for spinner dolphins and occasional whale sharks. Former whaling village now focused on ecotourism.
Quiet beach near the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport. Less developed with budget-friendly accommodations. Good for travelers seeking peace away from tourist areas. Local seafood restaurants.
Hidden gem with powder-white sand and calm turquoise waters. Less crowded alternative to Alona with boutique resorts. Perfect for swimming and relaxation. Beautiful sunrise views.
faq.subtitle Panglao
Panglao is a small island connected to Bohol by two bridges. It is the main beach and diving destination, while Bohol mainland has attractions like Chocolate Hills and tarsiers. Most tourists stay in Panglao and do day trips to Bohol.
Alona Beach is most popular with restaurants and nightlife. Dumaluan Beach is longer and quieter, great for families. Momo Beach is a hidden gem with fewer tourists. For diving access, Alona has the most dive shops.
The new Bohol-Panglao International Airport is actually ON Panglao island! Tricycle to Alona Beach takes 15-20 minutes (150-250 PHP). Many hotels offer free airport transfers. Van hire available for about 500 PHP.
Panglao is one of the best diving destinations in the Philippines. Balicasag Island offers wall diving with turtles and jackfish. Pamilacan has dolphins and whale sharks. House reefs at many resorts. PADI courses from 15000 PHP.
Best time is December to May during dry season. March to May offers the best diving visibility. June to November is rainy season with occasional typhoons, but prices are lower. Dolphin watching is best March to June.
Useful tips for visiting Panglao
Stay on Panglao for beaches and diving, but definitely do a day trip to Bohol for Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, and Loboc River cruise.
Book Balicasag Island diving or snorkeling early - it is the most popular site and boats fill up quickly, especially in peak season.
Rent a scooter (350-500 PHP/day) to explore the island at your own pace. Roads are good but drive carefully on gravel sections near beaches.
Visit Bohol Bee Farm for organic lunch with a view - their ice cream and fresh salads are famous. Book ahead for weekends.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen - regular sunscreen damages coral reefs. Available at dive shops if you forget.
ATMs are available at Alona Beach and near the airport. Bring enough cash as they can run out on weekends. Many places accept cards but cash is still king.
For sunrise, head to the east side beaches. For sunset, the Bohol Bee Farm cliff area or restaurants on Doljo Beach offer spectacular views.
Average temperature by month
Tourist area with low crime rate
Very safe beach island connected to Bohol by bridges. Main concerns: strong currents at some beaches, sea urchins in shallow water, jellyfish during rainy season. Use reef-safe sunscreen. Book diving with certified operators only.