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13 Best Things To Do On Panglao Island, Bohol: Ultimate Guide

13 Best Things To Do On Panglao Island, Bohol: Ultimate Guide

Panglao Island is the most popular tourist spot in Bohol. It is the tourist hub for all activities and there are hundreds of resorts, hotels, and restaurants in this area. Having said that, it still remains a beautiful beach getaway with lots of exploring to do.

In this blog post, I have picked my top things to do in Panglao Island. Whether you want the sunset spot, the cliff jumps or swimming with turtles this list of the best things to do in Panglao Island has you covered.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN PANGLAO ISLAND

Alexis Cliff Dive Resort/Molave  Cove

The first spot on the list is going to be the easiest to get to and probably the safest jump. Overall it is probably the best and most popular cliff jump in Bohol. It’s in Panglao which is a great star as 99% of tourists are staying in Panglao.

There is a diving board set up at Alexis Cliff Dive Resort. There is an entry fee of about $1 but you get to enjoy quite a few attractions for the price of one entry fee.

Firstly, you have the sardine balls waiting right here at the reef just like in Moalboal. Secondly, you can enjoy the use of the huts, benches, and stairs down to the ocean for a swim. Finally, you have the diving board for cliff jumping. I would say it is about 5-6 meters high and while you need to jump out a few meters for the deep water it seemed pretty safe all day. 

View full blog post: BEST CLIFF JUMPING SPOTS IN BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

Venture out on a Bohol countryside tour to Chocolate Hills

Chocolate Hills is an amazing landscape and any adventure on Bohol is fun. I had just seen a few photos online where the brown of the hills was very distinct and as you can see it wasn’t quite like that in reality when I visited. It’s a long drive from Alona Beach, so if you are staying there, make sure you plan a few other spots along the way like Twin Falls in Dimi Ao or the Tarsier sanctuary to make the journey worth it.

One of the best ways to visit Chocolate Hills is with a Bohol Countryside Tour. This tour is great because you get to do a lot just in one day for under $30! In just one day your countryside tour will take you to the following places.

  • Visit the historical Blood Compact Shrine, and learn about the story behind its name
  • Marvel at the Neoclassical architecture of the Baclayon Church, which was completed in 1727
  • See the world-famous Chocolate Hills with its 1,268 cone-shaped hills that turn brown in the summer
  • Stroll through the beautiful Bilar Manmade Forest, a mahogany forest stretching in 2 kilometers long
  • Enjoy a delicious local buffet lunch on a floating restaurant that cruises through the Loboc River
  • Meet the tarsiers at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, which was built to protect the world’s smallest primates

To book your countryside tour, (I think it is the best value tour you will find on Bohol!) you can Click Here to book online.

 Read the full blog post: CHOCOLATE HILLS – WAS THE JOURNEY WORTH IT?

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Panglao Beach

My favorite beach on Panglao Island is Panglao Beach. This stretch of beach is great for relaxing or doing a little bit of exploring. There is a very fancy resort called Mithi Resort, which eve has its own private, mini island. On this beach, you will find tranquility amongst the many palm trees that line the shore. 

Sunset at Panglao Beach

My favorite beach for sunset is Panglao Beach as you can get some epic reflections with the right conditions. It’s pretty chill here with no bars or shops, just the beach, calm water, and palm trees on the beach. It is a recipe for a relaxed sunset session with your friends.

Join a Beach Cleanup

My friend runs Plastic Free Bohol and several times a month they do a beach clean-up and are actively working with local businesses and politicians to work on policy and change. When I was on Bohol the Adventure Bag Crew teamed up with Plastic Free Bohol at Libaong Beach for a group cleanup where we collected over 200kg of trash. Head to Plastic Free Bohol Instagram for latest updates on the next cleanup.

Hinagdanan Caves

Hinagdanan Cave is on the route to most of the waterfalls and Chocolate Hills. Often full of tourists we got lucky to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the cave to ourselves. A crystal clear pool of water reflects beautifully the stalactites hanging from the roof above. This was definitely a Bohol adventure we hadn’t planned on at all.

The entrance is super touristy and I have visited my fair share of underwhelming caves in Asia, but this one was a gem. As you can see it is more than just dodging bat poop and a smelly cave. You have this magnificent swimming pool inside, which was honestly as clear as can be. Super cool experience and in the end one of the most memorable things to do on Bohol.

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Balicasag Island

Balicasag Island is a small island with amazing water clarity and coral gardens for snorkeling. There were plenty of turtles swimming amongst the coral and swarms of colorful fish.

One of the turtles we swam with was enormous. Use my friend Jorden as a scale. Even having lived in Hawaii for two years I never saw a turtle quite that big. A huge wall drops off about fifty meters from the shore, which was a fun spot to do some free-diving exploration.

The Day trip begins with dolphin watching near Bohol and then heads to Balicasag for snorkeling before finishing at Virgin Island, which is a sandbar.  If you want to book this tour online in advance you can check the rates and availability of the top-rated tour by Clicking Here.

Read the full blog post: VIRGIN ISLAND BOHOL & BALICASAG ISLAND DAYTRIP

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Virgin Island

When I arrived at Virgin Island I trudged through the sludgy sand trying not to lose my flip-flops and was greeted by many vendors selling pearls, fresh seafood jewelry.

I was more interested in the barren sand-flats and the boats that were seemingly waiting for the tide to rescue them from the midday drought. We also found a couple of stranded starfish/sea stars, which made for a great subject but we did feel a little bad leaving them there to potentially dry out. Not sure if you are meant to touch sea-stars or not but I usually try and avoid touching animals.

The Day trip begins with dolphin watching near Bohol and then heads to Balicasag for snorkeling before finishing at Virgin Island, which is a sandbar.  If you want to book this tour online in advance you can check the rates and availability of the top-rated tour by Clicking Here.

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Explore the Island  Roads on a moped

While it is not a destination as such, exploring the island at your own will lead you to many unexpected spots on Bohol. It will depend on your route but here are a few examples.

After hours of driving and getting lost, we ended up at a market in the middle of who knows where. Fish heads seemed to be the delicacy, which I didn’t dare to try but we found the best friend banana ever. When we asked the lady serving us how much we owed her for this mouthgasm she told us it would be the equivalent to 20 US cents. I almost choked on the last bit of sweetness left in my mouth and ordered another four.

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Near Dimiao we stopped by the side of the road to watch the tour riverboats float by on the Loboc River and noticed a rope swing hanging from a tree. I convinced Jorden that the river water probably wasn’t that dirty and being the adventurous soul he is it didn’t take more encouragement than that. He took one for the team and waited for a riverboat to pass by.

In one of the funniest moments of our trip, he began to swing. About thirty people from the tour boat had now leaned over the side rail of the boat to see why a topless, white guy was climbing a tree. Jorden swung and at the perfect moment, the wooden handle on the rope swing snapped and he face planted in the water to the amusement of the entire boat. I just sat on the banks so glad I was dry and it was him and not me.

These are a few snippets of many, many crazy little situations we got ourselves into while journeying around Bohol and I am sure you will have your own stories to tell when you get off the beaten path.

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Alona Beach/Panglao for Sunset

While there are many spots on Bohol to catch the sunset, we headed north of Alona Beach for about ten minutes looking for a good location. On the way, we found a soccer game going on and I told Jorden that sunset wasn’t as important as a soccer game and we played barefoot with people from all over the world.

At half-time, the sky was starting to look too good to miss out on so we jumped on the moped and went to the nearest shore. It worked out perfectly as we stumbled upon an old pier, home to a handful of wooden fishing boats. A local fisherman laid in his boat, listening to Bob Marley as the sky turned orange and faded into purple. It was our last night on Bohol and this was the perfect end to an amazing Bohol Adventure.

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WHERE TO STAY IN PANGLAO

Area: Alona Beach

A tropical paradise in Southwestern tip of Bohol, Alona Beach has garnered numerous praises for its white sand beauty, crystal clear waters, and numerous tourist-friendly activities. It houses many hotels and restaurants with wide choices.

Alona Beach is where the real action of adventure takes place making it an ideal hub for those who are in the mood for parties. This is where most tourists to Bohol stay and it is central to everything. Personally, the accommodations in the area are ideal for travelers who are looking for a blend of diverse cultures. Below are some of my highly recommended places to stay.

Henann Resort Alona Beach (Luxury): Located by the beach of Alona, Henann guests have the edge to see the panoramic view of the sea, which is the prime location. If you are not in the mood for the beach exploration, then its pools and other amenities will keep you entertained. It’s pretty much the premier resort in Bohol and if you can afford it it is one of THE BEST places to stay in Bohol. This Bohol beachfront resort is just simply amazing and really delivers the island luxury many tourists are seeking. 

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of Henann Resort Alona Beach.

Donatela Resort (Luxury): If tranquility and serene ambiance is your top priority then Donatella Resort is what you are looking for. Tucked away in a botanic garden inspired ambiance, this place is just a haven to recharge your battery after a long island-hopping trip. The property includes some garden villas with its private pool so you will have all the time in the world to yourself. If you are traveling with family, the kids would really enjoy the activities this resort offers.

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of Donatella Resort.

Venezia Suites (Value): The Venezia Suits present the best value on Bohol. If you are looking for luxury but only want to spend mid-range often you need to get lucky. Venezia will hook you up with a beautiful suite that comes with a pool and living space. It’s a damn good deal and located right near all the action of Panglao so you are in a good spot.

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of Venezia Suites.

HM & B Backpackers Inn: As a backpacker generally you check price, location and cleanliness. HM & B ticks all those boxes as one of the cheapest hostels near Alona Beach but also maintains good reviews, cleanliness and is pretty cheap compared to everything else near Alona Beach.

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of HM & B Backpackers Inn

Island World Panglao (Budget): Want to stay in a property with so much to offer yet charge you less? Island World Panglao would be delighted to have you as a guest. The property includes a beautiful pool and the rooms are equipped with a balcony and a good garden view.

This property is only a few blocks away from attractions such as Danao and Alona Beach so you will not miss the beach fun. If you are tired of all the energy draining activities, you can have a massage with relaxing music of cicadas. This is a great choice for where to stay on Bohol if you want to budget but still, want the basics done really well. 

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of Island World Panglao.

Area: Northwest Side of Panglao

It might be distinctly low-key and quiet compared to the opposite side of the island, but with its inviting white sand beaches, Doljo Beach is surely a must see place in Bohol. The thick forest of coconut palms gives a tropical paradise look. Interestingly, anyone who visits this area will surely be amazed because this place would allow you to be in touch with the local community.  

North Zen Villa (Value): A quiet place with an amazing view of the beach is what North Zen Villa offers. The pool and other facilities are stunning and absolutely lovely for vacationers. This property has a backyard forest with a bridge that you can walk on to go to the sea, so you would really enjoy admiring the beauty laid before your eyes.

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of North Zen Villa.

Mario Dive Resort (Budget): Although this property is not so close to the beach, the quiet location and the seclusion it gives from the merriment at the beaches make this place a haven. This property is equipped with all practical amenities that will make you feel at home. The hotel also has a shared lounge area and a bar where guests can relax after a long day.

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of Mario Dive Resort.

Panglao Moravian Apartments (Family Pick): Conveniently located at the center of the famous white sand beaches of Panglao (Alona, Danao, Momo, and Doljo), Panglao Moravian Apartments will be an ideal place to stay. Like any other resorts, this property also provides an outdoor swimming pool, a garden and an air-conditioned accommodation with a patio and free internet access. The price is reasonable and will be a perfect place for those who want to linger on the island for a while.

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of Panglao Moravian Apartments.

ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH MY BOHOL SERIES

I’ve been to Bohol twice and both times I explored extensively on my motorbike to the popular tourist spots and to locations many people have never heard of. I document it all in my BOHOL TRAVEL GUIDE: 27 Awesome Things To Do

Are you a waterfall chaser? I’ve put together a list of My Favorite Waterfalls and Cave Pools on Bohol with detailed directions and photos.

Maybe you are an adrenaline junkie like me and want to find out the Best Cliff Jumping spots on Bohol.

The popular tourist area where most people stay is Panglao Island. I’ve put together a blog post guide about the Best Things to do on Panglao Island

If you aren’t quite sure whether you want to stay on Panglao Island or venture north to Anda, I’ve written a blog post about the Best Places to Stay on Bohol, which helps you decide what region is best for you depending on your preferences.

One of the best activities on Bohol is the island-hopping to Balicasag and Virgin Island. I’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know about the adventure here: Virgin Island and Balicasag Island Hopping Tour Review

SLS Dubai

Friday 14th of June 2019

Wow! these places are amazing..... I would also take the chance of jumping into the sea, I liked Panglao Island. Thanks a lot for sharing an interesting post... good job!!!!