Panglao Island is a wondrous island found in the north Bohol sea that is situated in the Central Visayas area. Basking in the radiant sun is one of the things this island is best known for. In the nighttime, the island transforms into a party place central where Filipinos and foreigners alike mingle.
Though its name “panglao” means “sadness” or “low spirits” in Filipino, it is anything but a sad island. However, it did get its name for this reason. According to history, Panglao Island was the destination of Spaniards who encountered an unfavorable experience in Cebu. Upon arriving at the island in 1803, they found it to be lonesome. Thus, it was named Panglao after “mapanglao” which means a “lonesome area”.
Being one of the oldest towns of Bohol, Panglao Island continues to shine in its own light as a tourist favorite. This is due to its white sand, calming blue waters, and world-renowned diving spots. It also has a serene ambiance to boot!
Nowadays, the previously sleepy island does not even have to try to pull in visitors. It has a charm of its own, making some people even stay for good. Its local government continues to develop and preserve the island’s beauty by allowing nothing to harm its natural resources.
Since the island is considered as one of the paradises in Bohol, you have a lot of activities in Panglao Island to enjoy. There are a lot of beaches that you can explore that would fulfill the island dream experience you desire.
Photo: Panglao Island Alona beach sidewalk
This leads us to the most enjoyable activity on the island: beach hopping. You can explore several beaches such as Alona Beach, Kalipayan Beach Bay, Dumaluan Beach, Bikini Beach, Doljo Beach, Momo Beach, Panglao Beach, and Bagobo Beach.
Photo: Low tide in Dumaluan Beach, Panglao Island Bohol
You can also enjoy island hopping and backpacking on the islands of Balicasag and Isola de Francisco. You can go further by checking out Pamilacan Island where you can view dolphins or even whales!
If you’re into more water-deep activities in Panglao Island, you can try snorkeling, diving, or scuba diving in Panglao. Usually, Alona Beach is a good place to start. There are a lot of diving spots in Panglao that you can choose from. Most diving activities are also free!
Overall, there are a lot of activities in Panglao Island to choose from. Just prepare your budget, your essentials (water, sunblock, swimsuits, and sunglasses), and have the time of your life!
The best time to travel to Panglao, Bohol is from December until April.
Planning to visit Panglao Island in the next coming days? Checkout the weather in Panglao Island.
If you’re planning a trip to Panglao Island, it’s best to know how to get to Bohol first. But worry not, as getting to the island offers you a lot of modes of transportation. Lucky for you, the Bohol international airport is also situated here.
Bohol-Panglao International Airport is located in Panglao Island, so it’s easy to get there by plane. You can quickly book a flight at any local airline that will take you to Panglao Island.
From Manila or Cebu City to Bohol, you can opt to take a ferry to and fro. All you have to do is leave the cities early (at around 6 AM) and book in advance to avoid the queue. This kind of travel takes up to 2 hours and may cost you approximately 500 pesos.
You can also choose to take your car on the waters using the Fastcat ferry that goes from Cebu City to Tubigon. From Tubigon, you can easily go to the famous Chocolate Hills.
When in Tagbilaran, you can ride a tricycle going to Panglao Island. It may cost you around Php 200-300 pesos, though, so come prepared. You can ask the tricycle driver to take you directly to your hotel or lodging. This is a fun way to get there if you don’t carry around much luggage.
While expensive at about Php 500-600 pesos, using a taxi or minivan to get to Panglao Island from Tagbilaran is an efficient way to get there. It takes you directly to your accommodations on the island. To cut down on costs, you might want to try this with a group, though. Best check if your hotel also offers a shuttle service.
From Tagbilaran ferry pier, you can ride a tricycle to take you to Dao bus terminal for a meager Php 20. From here, you can take a Southern Star Bus going to Panglao Airport and/or Alona Beach for only Php 50. This trip lasts for only an hour or even less. It’s a comfortable way to get to the island.
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