Things to do in Panglao, Bohol: beaches, snorkeling and diving in the Philippines

The best time to visit Panglao is during the dry season, from December to May, when the days are sunny and the sea is perfect for snorkeling and diving. For more on the weather and when to travel to Bohol in general, see our full guide 👉 Best time to visit Bohol.

You can get there by plane, or by ferry from Cebu and other nearby islands. We came from Oslob on a direct ferry. If you'd like to know how that crossing went, we tell the story in this post 👉 How to get to Bohol from Oslob.

Panglao is a small island connected to the south of Bohol by two bridges. Because it's so easy to get to, we highly recommend combining both islands on your trip. For more on what to do in the rest of Bohol, here's our full guide 👉 Guide to visiting Bohol.

1. Dive or snorkel at Balicasag

Balicasag is a Marine Reserve known for its incredible biodiversity. You'll find coral gardens, tropical fish of every color and lots of sea turtles 🐢.

The area is protected and has daily limits on diving, so we recommend booking 2 or 3 days in advance. We did two dives here as part of our Advanced Open Water course with Piratas Dive Center, and it was spectacular. Our instructor was Pili, an absolute star from Spain. A 10/10 experience!

If you'd rather snorkel, there are also tours that take you to explore the corals of Balicasag. We recommend this one 👉 Private snorkeling tour in Balicasag.

2. Snorkeling or diving tour to Pamilacan

Pamilacan is another incredible spot for seeing corals, turtles and spectacular marine life. The best way is to take a tour that leaves early from Panglao, either for snorkeling or diving.

👉 Here's a well-rated tour: Snorkeling in Pamilacan with a local guide.

3. Diving the Panglao House Reef

If you're looking for an easy dive with lots of marine life, the Panglao House Reef is ideal. You get in right from the shore, and you can see corals, turtles and tropical fish.

We did a night dive and it was magical. We even think we saw a blue-ringed octopus! 🐙

4. Explore Panglao's beaches

• Alona Beach: The most famous and crowded one. It's not the prettiest, but it's ideal for eating well by the sea and having everything close by.
• Dumaluan Beach (also known as White Beach): White sand, crystal-clear water and a lot more peace and quiet. If you buy something at Oceanica Resort, you get in for free.
• Danao Beach: Perfect for watching the sunset. A relaxed atmosphere and fewer tourists.

5. Visit Hinagdanan Cave

It's an underground cave with stalactites and a natural pool of turquoise water. The sunlight coming in through the roof creates a magical effect ✨.

• Entrance fee: ₱50 (photos only) or ₱125 (if you want to swim).
• ⚠️ Tip: Go early, and on a weekday, to avoid the crowds.

6. Snorkeling at Napaling

If you didn't make it to Moalboal in Cebu, Napaling is an excellent alternative for seeing schools of sardines.

• Entrance fee: ₱300 (includes the mandatory guide and fees).
• Tip: before paying, ask at the entrance whether there are sardines that day, since they aren't always there.

👉 Here's a tour: Snorkeling at Napaling with schools of sardines

7. Discover the scenery of inland Bohol

You can use Panglao as a base to explore the best of Bohol. Here's our guide, with details on:

• The famous Chocolate Hills
• The Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella
• The rice fields in Pilar and Cadapdapan
• The Loboc River by kayak or SUP
• The views from Alicia Panoramic Viewpoint

The best area to stay in Panglao depends on your travel style. The most popular (and also the most touristy) is Alona Beach, with tons of hotels, restaurants and bars.

We stayed in this area and, to be honest, it wasn't our favorite: too much organized tourism, a lot of bustle and little peace and quiet. But it's true that almost all the tours leave from Alona, and it's where you'll most easily find everything.

🧘♀️ If you'd prefer something quieter…

• Dumaluan Beach (White Beach): one of the prettiest beaches on the island, perfect for walking at low tide. There are quiet places to stay with good value for money.
  👉 See places to stay at Dumaluan Beach
• Dauis: in the north of Panglao, closer to the bridge to Bohol. Ideal if you want to combine the beach with visits to places like the Chocolate Hills or the Loboc River.
  👉 See options in Dauis
• Doljo and Momo Beach: much quieter, perfect if you're looking for peace, incredible sunsets and a more relaxed experience.
  👉 Hotels in Doljo and Momo Beach

🏨 A few recommended options

• Pyramid Beach Resort – Steps from Alona Beach, with nice rooms and a beachfront restaurant.
• Blue Planet Panglao – Modern, quiet and with excellent service.
• Glorias Panglao Inn 1 – A budget option with good ratings

💡 Tip: If you're going diving, you can look for a place to stay near the dive center where you're taking your course or doing your dives. We, for example, were a few blocks from Piratas Dive Center, which was very convenient.

The ideal number of days in Panglao depends a lot on your travel style and how much you want to explore.

If you're short on time, in a single day you can do the essentials: a diving or snorkeling tour to Balicasag, a walk along Alona Beach and a sunset on one of the beaches.

But if you'd like to enjoy it at a more relaxed pace, our recommendation is:

• 🐢 2 days in Panglao: one for diving or snorkeling (Balicasag or Pamilacan) and another for relaxing on the beach, visiting caves or snorkeling at Napaling.
• 🌿 +1 or 2 extra days to explore Bohol: from Panglao you can visit the Chocolate Hills, the Loboc River or the tarsier sanctuary in Corella. You can also spend a night in the center of the island to avoid long trips in a single day.

🧳 We spent 3 nights in Panglao, which gave us time for our diving course, and then moved to Carmen (Chocolate Hills area) for one night to keep exploring Bohol without having to go all the way back to Panglao.