Hotels in Panglao

Panglao: Coral Reefs and White Sand Off Bohol's Southern Coast

Panglao is an island municipality connected to Bohol by two short causeways, roughly 3 km south of Tagbilaran City. The island covers 44 sq km and holds two barangays — Dauis and Panglao proper. Its main draw is Alona Beach, a 1.2 km strip of powdered white sand on the southwestern tip that serves as the hub for dive operators, guesthouses, and open-air restaurants. The reef wall off Balicasag Island, a 30-minute banca ride away, drops to 40 m and hosts thresher sharks and large schools of jacks — a benchmark dive site in the Visayas.

Where to Stay in Panglao

Accommodation clusters along Alona Beach and the quieter Danao Beach to the north. Budget guesthouses sit steps from the water; mid-range resorts occupy the inland roads parallel to the shore. Anda, on Bohol's eastern coast, draws travelers seeking fewer crowds, but Panglao holds the majority of the island's dive infrastructure.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Tagbilaran Airport (TAG) receives flights from Manila (1 hr 20 min) and Cebu (25 min); tricycles and vans reach Alona Beach in 30–40 min.
• Dive season: March to June offers the calmest seas and 20–30 m visibility.
• Currency: Peso; ATMs are available in Dauis but limited on Alona Beach — withdraw in Tagbilaran.
• Helmet laws: Motorcycle rentals require helmets; checkpoints operate on the causeways.