landmark
Alona Beach
The island's main tourist hub offers deep dive drop-offs. Arrive before 8:00 AM to avoid boat traffic.
Ask ParleyPhilippines
Panglao
Diving reef drop-offs and white sand off Bohol's coast.
introduction
Overview
Panglao connects to main-island Bohol by two short bridges. Most visitors land directly at Bohol-Panglao International Airport in the center of the island. The south coast holds the dense resort strips, while the north stays rural and quiet. You move around best on a rented scooter or by hailing local tricycles.
Airport transit shortcuts
Bohol-Panglao International Airport sits right on the island. Airport tricycles charge fixed rates, but walking to the main road saves half the fare.
Balicasag Marine Sanctuary
Balicasag Island sits six kilometers southwest of Panglao. Its protected reef wall limits daily diver entries to preserve turtle habitats.
Environmental entry pass
Island hopping tours require an environmental user fee paid at the departure point. Keep your physical ticket receipt for multi-day boat trips.
Panglao
No machine-readable author provided. Magalhães assumed (based on copyright claims). · Public domain
Tawala & Alona Beach — Dense resort strip with diving hubs, nightlife, and packed beachfront dining.
Patrickroque01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Danao Beach — Quiet coastal strip west of Alona with laid-back dive resorts and rocky shores.
Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0
Dauis — Northern heritage district near the mainland bridges with local markets and historic stone structures.
P199 · CC BY-SA 3.0highlights
Highlights
landmark
Dumaluan Beach
A long stretch of soft white sand with shallow water. Pay the small resort access fee at the gate.
Ask Parley
landmark
Hinagdanan Cave
A naturally lit limestone cavern holding a deep freshwater lagoon. Wear footwear with good tread on wet stairs.
Ask Parleyattractions
On the map
areas
Where life happens
Tawala & Alona Beach
Dense resort strip with diving hubs, nightlife, and packed beachfront dining.
NightlifeDive shopsRestaurants
Trade-offHigh crowd density, persistent street vendors, and narrow traffic bottlenecks.
NearbyDirect access to boat tours leaving for Balicasag.
Ask ParleyDanao Beach
Quiet coastal strip west of Alona with laid-back dive resorts and rocky shores.
DivingQuiet staysSunset views
Trade-offNarrower sandy areas with rocky entry into the water.
NearbyTen minutes by tricycle to main Alona restaurants.
Ask ParleyDauis
Northern heritage district near the mainland bridges with local markets and historic stone structures.
HistoryLocal lifeMainland access
Trade-offFar from the main tourist beaches and primary dive departure points.
NearbyDirect bridge connection to Tagbilaran City.
Ask ParleyDumaluan & Libaong
Wide white sand beaches backed by higher-end resorts and calm shallow waters.
Wide beachesResortsSwimming
Trade-offFewer independent dining options outside of resort properties.
NearbyFifteen minutes east of the international airport.
Ask Parleyfood
Fresh seafood, kinilaw, and cliffside dining
Panglao cuisine relies heavily on daily catches from surrounding seas. Seafood stands line Alona Beach every evening, displaying fresh grouper, snapper, and squid priced by weight. Raw fish marinated in coconut vinegar and local calamansi—known as kinilaw—is a staple across coastal eateries. Bohol Bee Farm in Dao serves organic meals built around local honey and homemade cassava ice cream.
- Barter for weight
When buying beachfront seafood at night, confirm the exact price per 100 grams before cooking starts.
- Bohol Bee Farm dining
Visit the restaurant in Dao before sunset to secure cliffside seating without a reservation.
- Off-beach dining hours
Local eateries along the main Tawala road close earlier than beachfront establishments, usually around 9:00 PM.
history
A short history
Spanish Jesuits established their first settlement on Panglao in 1697, during the 17th century, building watchtowers to defend against coastal raids. Dauis Church became an early religious center on the island's northern shore. For centuries, fishing and agriculture dominated local trade. The opening of international air routes transformed the island into Bohol's primary tourism center.
- 1851
Watchtower construction
Coral-stone watchtowers are built along the coast to guard local fishermen against sea raiders.
- 1980s
Diving trade begins
Foreign divers discover the steep reef walls around Balicasag Island, triggering small resort builds.
- 2018
International airport opens
Bohol-Panglao International Airport opens in Tawala, replacing the old main-island airfield in Tagbilaran.
where to stay
Where to stay
Choose your stay based on access to nightlife versus quiet beach space. Alona Beach puts you within walking distance of dive shops and bars. Dumaluan Beach offers clean, wide sands and self-contained resorts far from evening crowds. Danao provides a quiet middle ground, while Dauis suits travelers who want direct access to Bohol's mainland.
- Divers & social travelersTawala & Alona Beach — Direct access to boat launches, dive operators, and late-night bars.
- Relaxed diversDanao Beach — Quiet resort grounds with immediate offshore reef access.
- Culture seekersDauis — Heritage stone sites and fast bridge transit to main-island Bohol.
Live rates, matched to the areas above.
South Palms Resort and Spa Panglao - MGallery Collection
Ask Parley
Henann Resort Alona Beach
Ask Parley
Henann Tawala Resort
Ask Parley
BE Grand Resort, Bohol
Ask Parley
Alona's Coral Garden Resort
Ask Parleytransport
Getting around
Panglao is compact and easy to navigate. Most travelers rent scooters for daily road trips across the island. Motorized tricycles cover short distances between resorts and beaches, though rates require negotiation. Ceres buses connect the island's main road directly to Tagbilaran City across the northern bridge.
From Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG)
- Tricycle15 min₱200–300
Fixed rates apply at airport exit stand. Walk to main road for lower street rates.
- Bus25 min₱50–70
Air-conditioned Southern Star buses run from TAG airport to Tagbilaran Dao Terminal.
- Private transfer15 min₱500–800
Hotel vans meet arriving flights outside the arrivals hall with advance booking.
- Taxi15 min₱400–600
Metere-less taxis operate on flat agreed rates across the island.
Scooters rent for ₱350–500 per day near Tawala. Check tire tread and brakes before accepting.
Agree on the total fare with the driver before stepping into a tricycle cabin.
Public buses between Alona and Tagbilaran pass roughly every 30 to 45 minutes along the main road.
Main fuel stations cluster around Tawala and Panglao Town. Rural roadside stands sell bottled gas at a markup.
cost
What things cost
Prices on Panglao run higher than on mainland Bohol, especially along Alona Beach. Cash is essential for tricycles, island hopping fees, and beachside food stalls. ATMs operate in Tawala and Panglao Town, but machine outages happen occasionally.
- Balicasag boat charter: ₱1,800–2,500
Private outrigger boat charter for a half-day trip, excluding sanctuary fees.
- Marine sanctuary fee: ₱300
Environmental and snorkeling fee per person collected at Balicasag entry point.
- Scooter daily rental: ₱350–500
24-hour rate for an automatic 125cc scooter without fuel included.
- Beachfront dinner dish: ₱300–600
Grilled fish or seafood platter at an Alona Beach restaurant.
seasonality
When to go
NOV – FEB
Cooler breezes and dry weather. Moderate tourist numbers around holidays; diving conditions are generally calm.
Crowds
Sea
MAR – MAY
Peak dry season with warm, flat seas. Visibility for diving is highest; beach crowds peak in Tawala.
Crowds
Sea
JUN – AUG
Southwest monsoon brings sporadic rain showers. Seas on the south coast can be rougher for boat launches.
Crowds
Sea
SEP – OCT
Rainfall increases across Bohol. Lower room rates available, but occasional tropical storms cause boat cancellations.
Crowds
Sea
practicalities
Good to know
- Carry cash small change
Tricycle drivers and small food stalls rarely have change for ₱1,000 bills.
- Protect reef ecosystems
Marine sanctuaries enforce strict rules against touching sea turtles or stepping on coral structures.
- Low tide boat schedules
Virgin Island sandbar trips depend strictly on tide levels. Check local tide charts before booking.
- Sea urchin footwear
Wear water shoes when walking into shallow beach areas around Danao and public beach points.
- SIM card purchases
Buy local SIM cards directly at Bohol-Panglao Airport for mobile data coverage on island roads.