A Travel Guide to Panglao & Bohol, Philippines

In the winter of 2022, while living in Hong Kong, I spent a week on Panglao and Bohol with some friends. We wanted a low-key island experience, and this trip turned out to be one of the most memorable weeks of my life.Panglao is a small island connected to Bohol by a bridge. It’s cozy, peaceful, and has a special charm, but most of the big activities are on the larger island of Bohol. Together, the two islands offer a perfect mix of beaches, nature, and adventure.

We stayed in a small cottage resort run by a local family, and I can’t recommend it enough—the hospitality was amazing, and it made the whole stay feel extra special.

Panglao Highlights

Alona Beach

The most famous beach in Panglao is Alona Beach. It’s lively, beautiful, and has plenty of beachfront restaurants. One evening we tried fish tacos at a beachside place, and they were surprisingly tasty. Don’t forget a pair of flip flops (buy them on Amazon, unisex here and women's here)—you’ll live in them while moving from the beach to restaurants. Here are some pictures from Alona Beach during day and night

Hinagdanan Cave

Located right in Panglao, this limestone cave has a crystal-clear pool inside where you can swim. It’s a unique little adventure that doesn’t take much time but is definitely worth a stop.

Kayaking

Rent a kayak from one of the beaches and spend an afternoon paddling on the turquoise waters. It’s a relaxing way to enjoy the coastline.

Things to Do in Bohol

Chocolate Hills

Bohol’s most famous natural wonder: more than 1,200 cone-shaped hills spread across the landscape. In the dry season they turn brown—hence the name Chocolate Hills. It’s one of those sights you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Bohol Tarsier Sanctuary

The tarsier is one of the world’s smallest primates, with huge eyes and tiny hands. At the sanctuary, you can see them up close in their natural environment. They’re endangered, so this sanctuary plays an important role in protecting them.

Island Hopping: Virgin Island & Balicasag

Before heading out to the islands, we also went on a dolphin-watching trip. We were lucky enough to spot a large family of dolphins swimming and jumping in and out of the water—it honestly felt like a scene straight out of Disney. Absolutely surreal and beautiful, and one of those moments you’ll never forget.

Island hopping is a must. Balicasag Island was my favorite—it looks like a Windows wallpaper brought to life. The snorkeling there was unforgettable: we swam with giant turtles and saw a massive school of fish. The drop-off around the island, where the shallow turquoise waters suddenly turn deep blue, is breathtaking.

If you love snorkeling, I highly recommend bringing your own snorkel mask (buy one here on Amazon). It saves you rental fees at every stop, it’s more hygienic, and the full-face masks let you breathe through both your nose and mouth comfortably. Even better, consider a unisex snorkeling suit (buy here on Amazon). These will protect you from the sun and also from those invisible jellyfish stings I mention later—you’ll enjoy the water worry-free.

Virgin Island is another stop, with long white sandbars that stretch out into the ocean. Perfect for photos and chilling.

If you look closely you can see a lot of dolphins, the right picture is Balicasag Island

Swimming With Whale Sharks

The absolute highlight of the trip. We swam with five whale sharks, and it’s an experience I’ll never forget. They are called the gentle giants of the ocean—whale sharks can grow up to 12 meters long, but they only eat plankton and small fish.

Even knowing they’re harmless, I couldn’t stop my heart from racing when they came close. The guides offered GoPro photo and video packages, which we chose, but you could also just bring a waterproof phone pouch (buy one here on Amazon).

most insane experience ever

Panga Falls

Rent a scooter and head inland to Panga Falls. The waterfall itself is beautiful, but the real adventure is climbing up the rock wall with a rope and jumping down into the pool. At first we were worried it might not be deep enough since the water was murky, but one of the workers told us the depth under the falls is an incredible 33 meters!

Pro tip: when riding scooters around Bohol, definitely wear sunglasses (buy them here on Amazon). Many of the roads are dusty, and sunglasses will protect your eyes while riding.

Molave Cliff Diving

Another scooter adventure: Molave Cliff Diving. This spot has different platforms where you can jump into the sea, plus great snorkeling. I love snorkeling and took every chance I could get. With your own snorkel mask(buy one here on Amazon) and a unisex snorkeling suit (buy here on Amazon), you won’t need to rent gear and you’ll avoid those small jellyfish stings—they’re harmless, but annoying.

Man-Made Forest

Another beautiful stop in Bohol is the Man-Made Forest, a 2-kilometer stretch of towering mahogany trees planted decades ago. Walking or driving through it feels almost surreal—the trees line up perfectly on both sides of the road, creating a tunnel of green.

We also heard from locals that every time a student graduates from high school, they plant one tree to help keep the forest alive and thriving. It’s a simple but powerful tradition that makes the place feel even more special.

Food Recommendations

• Beach Restaurants at Alona Beach – Great for fresh seafood and casual dinners.

• Italian Restaurant in Panglao called Vanilla Sky Restaurant – Surprisingly authentic and delicious (definitely worth a stop if you’re craving pizza or pasta).

Final Thoughts

My week in Panglao and Bohol was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. The mix of stunning beaches, adventurous activities, and unique wildlife encounters made it unforgettable.

If you’re planning to visit the Philippines and want something less crowded than Boracay or Cebu but still packed with experiences, Panglao and Bohol are perfect choices.

Bring your adventurous spirit, rent a scooter, and dive into everything the islands have to offer—you won’t regret it.