A small tropical island in Bohol province with white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Local limestone caves house rare birds, while beach bars line the shore at Alona Beach.
On Panglao, a small island connected to Bohol in the Philippines, you can swim at Alona Beach's mile-long white shoreline, dive with sea turtles at Napaling Reef, or explore the crystal-clear pools inside Hinagdanan Cave. Take morning boat trips to spot spinner dolphins, snorkel around coral gardens at Balicasag Island, or watch local fishermen bring in their daily catch at sunset. From here, you can also visit Bohol's cone-shaped Chocolate Hills and see tiny tarsiers in their natural forest habitat.
Getting to Panglao
Bohol-Panglao International Airport connects the island with direct flights from Manila, Davao, and Seoul. The airport opened in 2018 and runs almost hourly daytime flights to Manila through Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia. You can reach Alona Beach from the airport in 40 minutes by taxi or air-conditioned bus, which runs on a regular schedule. Two bridges link Panglao to the main island of Bohol, making it accessible by road from Tagbilaran City.
Beaches Around the Island
Alona Beach extends for a mile with white sand and coconut palms. At Dumaluan Beach, you'll find fewer people and gentler waves, with a thick grove of palm trees providing shade along the beach. The southern coast includes secluded spots like Doljo and Momo beaches, where local families often gather for weekend swimming.
Water Activities and Marine Life
Dive sites around Panglao range from 5 to 56 meters deep. At Napaling Reef, you can snorkel right from the beach and see parrotfish, angelfish, and occasional sea turtles. Boat trips to Balicasag Island take you to spots where you might see barracudas and schools of jacks. Join early morning dolphin watching tours to see spinner dolphins, or try kitesurfing near Doljo Beach when afternoon winds pick up.
Hinagdanan Cave
Inside Hinagdanan Cave, a 100-meter limestone chamber, sunlight streams through small holes in the ceiling, illuminating a freshwater pool below. The cave maintains a temperature of 23°C (73°F) year-round. Local guides lead you down concrete steps to see the rock formations and explain how rainwater created the cave system over thousands of years.
Day Trips from Panglao
You can reach the Chocolate Hills in central Bohol within two hours by car. These 1,200 symmetrical hills turn brown during dry season, resembling chocolate drops across the landscape. Visit the Philippine Tarsier Foundation Sanctuary in Corella to see these small primates in their forest habitat. The route also passes by the Cadapdapan Rice Terraces and 16th-century stone churches built during Spanish colonial times.
Local Food Scene
Roadside stands sell mangoes, dragonfruit, and mangosteen picked from nearby farms. At the coastal markets, you can watch fishermen bring in tuna, mackerel, and squid each morning. Restaurants along Alona Beach cook Filipino dishes like kinilaw (local ceviche) and grilled seafood. Several cafes near the beach serve fresh fruit smoothies and breakfast bowls.
Best Time to Visit
December to May brings dry weather, with temperatures around 30°C (87°F). October marks the end of the rainy season, though brief afternoon showers occur throughout the year. Plan water activities for early morning when the sea is typically calm and visibility is best for diving and snorkeling.
