Bohol's Best Beaches
Discover Bohol’s best beaches—white sand, clear waters, and peaceful vibes. Perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and unwinding in paradise.
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Discover Bohol
Bohol is a beautiful island in the heart of the Philippines’ Visayas, located just a short ferry ride from Cebu. It is a must-visit destination, combining stunning beaches, rich marine life, fascinating landscapes and a relaxed island atmosphere. Panglao Island is famous for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and excellent diving and snorkelling sites, while the main island offers a completely different experience. Inland, Bohol is wonderfully green, with rolling countryside, traditional villages, coconut palms, rice paddies and winding rivers. The island is also home to the iconic Chocolate Hills and the tiny Philippine tarsier, making Bohol one of the most diverse and memorable destinations in the Philippines
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TRANSPORT & MOBILITY
How to Get There
By Air
Flying is the fastest way in, via Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG) on Panglao Island, just 20-30 minutes from Tagbilaran and Alona Beach. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific run daily direct flights from Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark, and El Nido.
By Sea
Ferries are a popular option from nearby islands, with Tagbilaran City as the main seaport (Tubigon also handles traffic). Daily fast ferries from OceanJet, SuperCat, and Lite Ferries connect Bohol to Cebu and Siquijor (about 2 hours), while Super Shuttle Ferry runs from Jagna to Camiguin (about 4 hours).
Getting Around
Tricycles are the go-to for short trips around Tagbilaran and Panglao, while buses, jeepneys, and multicabs from Tagbilaran's terminal cover longer routes like Anda and Jagna. Renting a motorbike offers the most freedom to explore at your own pace.
Top Attractions in Bohol
Alona Beach
Located in Panglao Island, this is a popular spot for scuba-diving and snorkeling, with crystal clear waters and an abundance of marine life to discover.
Chocolate Hills
With over 1,000 hills covered in grass that turns brown (like chocolate) during the dry season, this is one of the most iconic and breathtaking sights in the Philippines.
Balicasag Marine Sanctuary
Balicasag Marine Sanctuary is a 400-meter coral area off Panglao, popular for snorkeling and diving. Visitors can enjoy vibrant corals, sea life, and swim with sea turtles.
Best Time to Visit Bohol
Bohol and Panglao Island are year-round destinations, thanks to their warm tropical climate and inviting waters, which remain comfortable for swimming, snorkelling and other water activities throughout the year. While the islands can be visited in any season, weather conditions vary during the year, so the best time to visit depends on your preferences and what you would like to experience.The weather in Bohol is generally warm and tropical all year round, with temperatures typically ranging from 25–32°C (77–90°F). The drier months usually bring more sunshine and calmer conditions, making them particularly appealing for beach days, island hopping and outdoor sightseeing. The wetter months can bring occasional rain showers and more humid conditions, but they can also offer greener landscapes, fewer tourists and a quieter atmosphere.
Dry Season (Dec - May)
December-February brings generally better weather, though showers are still possible. March-April is typically the driest stretch, with March recording the lowest average rainfall, while May stays relatively dry but turns hotter and more humid with occasional showers.
Wet Season (June - Nov)
Rain can fall year-round in Bohol, but chances peak from June to October. Notably, though November is often seen as the start of the drier season, official climate data shows it's actually Bohol's wettest month on average.
Peak Season
Peak season hits around Christmas, New Year, and Easter, when tourist numbers surge. Booking hotels well in advance is highly advisable.
Top Activities
The Bohol Countryside Tour is a must-do experience when visiting Bohol. The tour takes you to some of the most famous landmarks and attractions in the area, including Chocolate Hills, Tariser Sanctuary, Bilar Manmade Forest, Loboc River and Butterfly Sanctuary. It’s a perfect way to immerse yourself in Bohol’s rich culture and natural beauty.
Experience the best of Panglao Island with our island hopping tour! Watch dolphins play in the waters around Pamilacan Island, explore the colorful Balicasag Reef, and relax on the pristine sands of Virgin Island
Discover the beauty of Panglao Island with a tour that includes Hinagdanan Cave, a stunning limestone cave with a natural pool, and the Bohol Bee Farm, famous for organic products and local crafts. This Panglao day tour combines nature, culture, and eco-friendly experiences perfect for all travelers.
4-Day Bohol Itinerary
Four days is the minimum to see Bohol’s highlights, from the Chocolate Hills and countryside tour to island hopping and dolphin watching off Panglao.
If you’d also like to explore other parts of the island, such as Anda’s quiet beaches and hidden lagoons, we suggest at least 6 to 7 days in total. Want a longer itinerary?
Request a tailor-made trip and we will build it around what interests you most.
Day 1: Arrival in Panglao Island
Upon arrival at the airport, take a private transfer to your hotel in Panglao Island. You can spend the day settling in and exploring the nearby beaches, such as Alona Beach, or simply relax and enjoy the tropical scenery.
Day 2: Bohol Countryside Tour and Chocolate Hills
Start your day early with a Bohol Countryside Tour that will take you to the famous Chocolate Hills, one of the most popular attractions in the region. You’ll also visit the man-made forest, the tarsier sanctuary, the Loboc River, and other interesting landmarks.
Day 3: Balicasag Island and Dolphin Watching
Take a boat tour around Panglao Island to discover its hidden gems and see the dolphins in their natural habitat. You can visit Balicasag Island, Virgin Island, and other nearby islands, where you can swim, snorkel, and dive in crystal-clear waters.
Day 4: Departure from Panglao Island
Enjoy your last day in Panglao Island by relaxing on the beach or exploring other nearby attractions, such as the Hinagdanan Cave or the Bohol Bee Farm. Depending on your flight schedule, you can arrange for a transfer to the airport or take a ferry to another destination in the Philippines.
BOHOL Tour Packages
Plan Your Trip With Us
Bohol Day Tours & Short Trips
Bohol Countryside & Chocolate Hills Day Tour
Discover the scenic beauty, rich heritage, and natural wonders of Bohol on this full-day countryside tour. From the...
Bohol Day Tours & Short Trips
Balicasag Island & Dolphin Watching Tour
Experience the natural wonders of Panglao Island on a private boat tour! Witness playful dolphins in their natural...
Bohol Day Tours & Short Trips, Private Tours in the Philippines
Bohol Panglao Island Escape | 4 Days
Escape to Panglao Island, a stunning jewel in Bohol, for an unforgettable 4-day adventure. Known for its pristine...
Where to Stay
If you are planning to explore Bohol, Panglao Island is an excellent base. Connected to the main island by bridges, Panglao offers beautiful beaches, a wide range of accommodation and easy access to the island’s main attractions.
For a lively atmosphere, Alona Beach is the most popular choice, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, bars and activities within easy reach.
If you prefer somewhere quieter, Dumaluan Beach offers a more peaceful setting, with soft white sand, clear waters and a relaxed atmosphere.
For a stay surrounded by lush greenery and nature, consider the area around Loboc River, where riverside resorts provide a tranquil escape from the busier coastal areas.
Alternatively, if you want to get away from the main tourist areas, head to Anda on Bohol’s eastern coast. Its beautiful beaches, peaceful surroundings and laid-back atmosphere make it ideal for a relaxing island getaway.
5-star: South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao
South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao is set among swaying coconut palms along a beautiful stretch of white-sand beach, surrounded by lush tropical scenery and turquoise waters. Its elegant rooms and beachfront villas offer privacy, comfort and stunning views. With its peaceful setting, refined service and exceptional facilities, South Palms is one of the best choices in Bohol for a truly luxurious island escape.
5-star: Henann Resort Alona Beach
A large beachfront resort located directly on Alona Beach, in the heart of Panglao’s lively tourist area. It offers comfortable accommodation, modern facilities and a wide range of amenities, making it a convenient choice for travellers seeking everything in one place.
5-star: Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa
Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa is an intimate 16-room boutique resort set on a 3-hectare beachfront property in Anda, with a beautiful 300-metre private white-sand beach and views towards Camiguin Island. Surrounded by nature, it is an excellent choice for travellers looking to discover the quieter side of Bohol, away from the busy tourist areas. The pristine beach in front of the resort offers a peaceful and unspoilt setting for a relaxing island escape.
4-star: Amorita Resort
Amorita Resort Bohol is a boutique luxury resort perched on a cliff above Alona Beach, offering breathtaking views of the Bohol Sea and surrounding tropical greenery. The resort features beautifully designed rooms and suites with modern comforts, while selected accommodations include private plunge pools.
With its peaceful setting, elegant atmosphere and excellent location close to Alona Beach, Amorita is an ideal choice for travellers seeking a luxurious escape without being far from Panglao’s restaurants, bars and activities.
3-star: Bohol Beach Club
Bohol Beach Club is a 3-star beachfront resort located directly on beautiful Dumaluan Beach, enjoying one of the best beachfront locations in Panglao Island. The resort features traditional Filipino-inspired interiors and a relaxed atmosphere. It is an excellent choice if location and direct beach access are your priorities. Accommodation includes comfortable Deluxe Rooms and charming Beach View Cottages, offering a peaceful setting away from the busier areas of Panglao.
Restaurant & Dining
Bohol offers a relaxed and varied dining scene, with the majority of restaurants concentrated around Alona Beach in Panglao. Here, you’ll find everything from casual beachfront eateries to stylish restaurants and international cuisine.
For a more local experience, head to the fresh seafood market, choose your own fish, prawns or shellfish, and have them cooked to order on the grill. Beyond Alona, Bohol also offers several distinctive restaurants in scenic settings, from cliffside dining overlooking the sea to floating restaurants along the Loboc River.
If you want something really distinctive, scenic and memorable in Bohol, rather than simply another good restaurant in Panglao, you can look at these:
Bohol Bee Farm
Skip the resort dining rooms for this one. The restaurant sits on a working organic farm perched on a limestone cliff outside Dauis, so you eat facing open sea with vegetable gardens at your back rather than a manicured hotel lawn. Everything on the menu, down to the bread, comes from what's grown on-site, and the ice cream flights (think malunggay, avocado, spiced ginger) are reason enough to order dessert first. Come here if you want your meal to feel like part of the island, not an add-on to your resort stay.
Loboc River Floating Restaurant
This isn't fine dining, and you shouldn't expect it to be. It's a slow buffet cruise down a jungle-lined river, with live music drifting past bamboo rafts and kids leaping off the banks. Set your expectations accordingly: the food is simple Filipino fare, but the two hours on the water are what you'll remember and photograph. Treat it as a half-day experience rather than a dinner plan, especially if it's your first time on the island.
Tarsier Paprika
Tucked inside a botanical park on a Panglao clifftop, this is the more grown-up alternative to Bohol's beachfront crowd. The setting is quieter and more intimate than a resort terrace, with sweeping views over the Bohol Sea and a menu that leans European with Asian touches; order the smoked kingfish carpaccio. Choose this if you want a scenic dinner without the noise of a big hotel restaurant.
Kapre Restobar
If you're chasing something genuinely different, this is it: a restobar built directly around a centuries-old balete tree, leaning fully into the Filipino myth of the tree-dwelling Kapre. The food is a loud, playful fusion of Filipino base dishes crossed with Spanish, Korean and Japanese influences, whole roasted meats, and cocktails served from an attached jeepney food truck. Go in expecting atmosphere and photos rather than refined dining, an experience-driven night out, not a quiet dinner.
Marea Al Fresco, The Bellevue
The safest upscale choice if you want polish without surprises. Right on the sand at The Bellevue's Doljo Beach property, it serves Filipino and international seafood in an open-air setting, with an air-conditioned indoor option if the heat gets to be too much. It won't be the most memorable meal of your trip, but it's dependable, and a good fit if you're already staying at a higher-end resort and don't want to venture far.
Souvenirs & Pasalubong
Bringing a gift home is a beloved Filipino tradition, known as pasalubong. Bohol is known for its local specialties, from calamay and peanut kisses to woven crafts and handmade souvenirs inspired by the island’s famous tarsiers.
Asin Tibuok
Traditional whole sea salt from Bohol, naturally produced and ideal for travellers seeking an authentic local souvenir.
Calamay
A chewy local sweet made with glutinous rice, coconut milk and brown sugar, traditionally packed in small coconut shells.
Peanut Kisses
Bohol’s famous peanut treats, shaped like the Chocolate Hills and made with ground peanuts, sugar and egg whites.
Woven Crafts
Handmade baskets and native crafts, best bought at Antequera’s Sunday market for authentic products and better prices.
Bohol Bee Farm Products
Organic honey, spreads, teas and handmade soaps produced by the popular farm on Panglao Island.
Tarsier-Themed Souvenirs
Cute plush toys, magnets and T-shirts featuring Bohol’s iconic tarsiers, making easy and recognisable souvenirs.
Bohol Useful Information
Payment Options:
Cash is essential for local shops, tricycles, and small restaurants — carry enough pesos, especially in rural areas. ATMs are available in Tagbilaran, Panglao, and tourist zones, but withdraw in advance as machines can run empty. Credit/debit cards (mostly Visa and MasterCard) work at hotels and some restaurants and tour agencies.
Accessing Internet:
Wi-Fi is widely available at hotels, cafes, and restaurants in Tagbilaran and Panglao, though connections can be slow or unstable in rural and mountain areas.
Swimming & Safety Tips:
Bohol's warm waters are great for swimming and snorkeling year-round, but always follow local guides and check conditions before entering the water. Stay near your group when snorkeling, watch for currents around reefs. Avoid touching coral or marine life, wear reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes, supervise children closely, and stay hydrated and sun-protected throughout the day.
Diving:
Bohol is a premier diving destination, with coral gardens and deep, steep walls concentrated near the southwestern mainland. Panglao, Balicasag, Pamilacan, and Anda all offer excellent year-round diving close to shore, with Panglao serving as the most popular home base.
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