Panglao Island

flickr | francis tan

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.

Activities in Panglao Island

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!