Where to Go in Bohol Panglao: Tourist Spots You Should Visit

If you’ve been to our blog before and read some of our articles, you know how highly I speak of Panglao island. This is the first Island we visited in Bohol, and we think it’s perfect. It has everything, and most of the things we would do in Bohol are within reach. So I always recommend for new visitors to always come to this Island first. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a little bit of both, Bohol Panglao has got you covered. So, to answer your question first:

Where to go in Bohol Panglao

• Alona Beach. This is the most popular and most commercialized beach here in Panglao. As such, it has all of the things you need to enjoy your beach vacation. One of the best places to be if you love beach and crowd.
• The Chocolate Hills. Nature’s wonder. Thousands of hills that turn chocolate in color during the summer. This could be the number 1 reason why you should visit Bohol.
• The Tarsier Sanctuary. This is along the way coming from the chocolate hills. Another popular tourist spots, if you’ve never seen a primate not larger than 3inches, you have to see the tarsiers.
• Hinagdanan Cave. With beautiful rock formations and a pool inside. If you like swimming inside caves, this place is for you.The water here is really clear.

Top Beaches in Bohol Panglao

As someone who has explored the beautiful island of Bohol, I can tell you that the beaches of Panglao are some of the best beaches in the Philippines. Here are my favorite beaches in Panglao

Alona Beach

Alona Beach is the most famous beach in Panglao, my wife even insisted this to be the first place we visit. I have to admit, the place did not disappoint. It gave me a flashback of the old Boracay. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and hotels along the beach, so most everything you need are within reach. It can get a little crowded in the afternoon and during the peak season, but it’s still a fine beach to watch the sunset.

Doljo Beach

If you’re looking for a quieter beach, Doljo Beach is the perfect spot. This secluded beach is surrounded by palm trees and offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the more popular beaches. The water is calm, making it a great spot for swimming and snorkeling. There are a few resorts and restaurants nearby, but for the most part, this beach is a hidden gem.

Momo Beach

This is a quieter beach than the first one. You’ll get a great view of the ocean here. The water is really clear and the beach is not so crowded so I feel this is perfect for swimming. There are a few restaurants and resorts nearby if you need to take a break.

Dumaluan Beach

Not taking away anything from Alona Beach, but in my humble opinion, Dumaluan beach looks more gorgeous. This long stretch of beach actually run through 2 resorts, the South Palms and Bohol Beach Club. The beach and ocean view here are perfect. My favorite time is in the morning when there’s a clear blue sky and the water turns turquoise green.

What to Visit in Panglao Bohol

One thing I love about Panglao is that it has a lot of tourist spots spread along a very small area. We can go to 5 or more spots in a day and we’re not even rushing.

Virgin Island

Virgin Island is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bohol. Apparently it was called “virgin” because there’s no structure there. The beach also has white sand and clear water like most beaches in the island. What separates this island from the others is that the sandbar sinks to about 1 to 2 feet of water during high tide. So if you want to see the whole beach, make sure you go there during low tide.

Balicasag Island

When you go dolphin watching you will be making a stop here. And then it’s your choice if you want to continue on to Virgin Island. This is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. And if you’re hungry, there are some restaurants here serving food all day long.

Tip: If you’re continuing to Virgin Island, make sure to buy water here if you didn’t bring any. If you get thirsty you can’t buy anything in Virgin Island.

Hinagdanan Cave

Alright, this is not the first cave with a pool that I visited. But I don’t know why I like this one best. Maybe because of the very visible stalactites and stalagmites? If you’re a cave person, you can’t skip this one.

Panglao Watchtower

Our tour guides alway say that Panglao Watchtower is a historic landmark. It was built in the 19th century and served as a lookout point for pirates and other invaders. The tower does offer a great view of the area, and it offers great spots for taking pictures too.

Things to Do in Bohol Panglao

If you’re up for a day tour, Bohol Panglao is the perfect destination for you! There are so many fun things to do in Panglao that you’ll never run out of options:

Island Hopping Tour

What better way to explore the island of Panglao than by taking an island hopping tour? I think this is the one of the best ways to go around the island. You can visit nearby islands such as Balicasag Island, Pamilacan Island, and Virgin Island. You can go snorkeling, scuba diving, and even dolphin watching.

Tip: You can usually ask your hotel’s staff for a tour package and they’ll send you their contact person. I feel it’s safer because they monitor their guests whereabout via the contact person.

Bohol Countryside Tour

If you still have time then you should definitely try the Bohol Country Side tour package. You’ll be visiting some of the best tourist spots in Bohol that are usually in the itinerary of all tourists. This includes the Chocolate Hills, Tarsier, Loboc River cruise, Lemur and Butterfly conservatory, Baclayon church and other places I can’t remember now.

Day Trip to Chocolate Hills

This is a must see. It’s the top tourist attraction on the island after all. If there’s a take away from your Bohol trip, this should be it. I recommend coming here early in the morning though so the sun’s heat is not yet that intense.

Resorts and Accommodations

Like I said in my blog about Bohol travel, if it’s your first time to visit, get an accommodation near Alona beach. There are plenty of options to choose from, whether you’re looking for a luxury resort or a budget-friendly stay.

Beach Resorts Near Alona Beach

Here are my favorite resorts near alona, they’re all beautiful and top notch resorts. And the best thing I like about them is their convenience. They’re just so near everything. They’re even just 15 minutes away from Panglao International Airport.

• Amorita Resort: This luxury resort is located on a cliff overlooking Alona Beach, offering stunning views of the ocean. I like the infinity pool here best because of the view it offers.
• Henann Resort Alona Beach: Okay, this resort is huge with hundreds of rooms spread out over a 6.5-hectare property, Henann Resort Alona Beach is one of the biggest beach resorts in Panglao Island. It offers direct access to the beach, as well as a beach pool bar and various of dining options.
• Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort: This one is an eco-friendly resort located on a private beach, I like that this place is so quiet. This is a great choice if you’re main purpose for having a vacation is to relax and unwind. They have everything you need in the resort already so you just need to lie down, relax, and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Culinary Experiences

Like most islands and beach destinations, Panglao has a lot of seafood dishes of course. But I will highlight next are restaurants that were very memorable.

Bohol Bee Farm

I think this is one of the most popular culinary destinations in Bohol. This organic farm and restaurant offer a unique dining experience, most of the ingredients in their menu come from their own farm.

Their signature dish is the “Ube Ice Cream,” which is made with purple yam. I saw most people buying it so I bought it too. It’s really good. They also serve delicious salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.

In addition to their restaurant, the Bohol Bee Farm also has other organic products like honey and spreads to name a few. The farm also has a bee museum, where you can learn about the importance of bees and their role in agriculture.

And just in case you didn’t get to try their ice cream during your visit, don’t worry, you can find their ice cream all over the island. I know they have a stall just along the entrance of Alona beach.

Nearby Islands

Just in case you’re looking for more adventure beyond Panglao Island, there are several nearby islands that you can explore:

Siquijor Island

Siquijor Island is a small island located south of Bohol. It is its beaches and clear waters. One of the most popular attractions on the island is the Cambugahay Falls, which is a three-tiered waterfall that is perfect for swimming and relaxing. You can also visit the Siquijor Church, which is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also go cliff jumping at Salagdoong Beach.

Bantayan Island

This one is located north of Bohol and also has great beaches. One of the most popular beaches on the island is the Sugar Beach, which is a long stretch of white sand that is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. If I remember correctly they also have island hopping tour which explores nearby islands including the Virgin Island and Hilantagaan Island.

Pamilacan Island

Pamilacan Island is a small island located off the coast of Bohol. It’s a popular destination for dolphin and whale watching. You can also go snorkeling or diving to explore the coral reefs and see the different species of fish and other marine creatures. I hope you get lucky and spot a sea turtle or a manta ray.

Conclusion

If you’re pressed for time or just doing a quick visit to Bohol and want to know what places to visit, read this article here. Lastly, the above suggestions are based on our experience during our trip to Panglao island. Ultimately, you will be the one to decide on where to go to in Bohol Panglao.