You can’t fool us, one of the goals of your trip to the Philippines is to discover those postcard-perfect beaches you saw on the internet a while ago, right? If you’re planning to make a stop on the island of the Chocolate Hills, you’re in luck because you’re going to find excellent beaches in Bohol and Panglao.
Although it’s true that the reasons to visit this island aren’t only about the beaches (since you won’t find here what, in our opinion, are the best beaches in the Philippines), there are gorgeous stretches of white sand dotted with palm trees and bathed by turquoise waters that you’ll love. So you can go straight to the point, after several visits and some hard (note the irony) exploration, we want to tell you which are the best beaches in Panglao and Bohol.
What Bohol and Panglao’s beaches are like
By now, having visited hundreds of beaches in the Philippines and in other countries famous for their beach beauty (Maldives, Thailand, Cuba, Mexico…), we’ve earned the honorable title of worldwide “beach” tasters. With all that, we can tell you that, while they aren’t the best in the world, Bohol has excellent beaches that make it a very complete island.
Along with visiting waterfalls in Bohol, the famous Chocolate Hills, the tarsiers, rice fields, and dives or snorkeling in Balicasag, Panglao, Napaling, or Pamilacan, you’ll also enjoy relaxing moments on these pretty beaches.
The thing is that not even the best beaches in Panglao and Bohol are very convenient for swimming. Because they’re quite shallow, when the tide is low you have to walk a long way until it covers you enough for a dip. That means the water at the shoreline is often quite warm and the swim isn’t entirely refreshing. Still, on the bright side, if you like sitting in the sea with little swell and chatting with your travel partner, Bohol’s beaches are perfect for that. Likewise, if you’re traveling with children, you’ll all enjoy it a lot since the danger is greatly reduced.
It’s a good idea, for this reason, to check the tide chart. We usually wait for high tide, but remember, tides change with the lunar cycle.
Note that if you walk or swim toward the horizon at these beaches, in most cases you’ll see the depth increase dramatically. In many cases, this is where a reef starts that usually drops to more than 40 meters. That’s why it’s worth bringing your mask and snorkel. Snorkeling in Panglao and Anda is often incredible.
On the other hand, most beaches in Panglao and Bohol have palm trees and vegetation that provide us with shade. Besides making them prettier, that makes them comfortable, since you don’t have to figure out how not to get scorched. Believe us, that’s very important in the Philippines, as the sun hits harder being closer to the equator.
Unfortunately, the beaches that aren’t very touristy and don’t have a resort looking after them often have trash. It’s a shame, but this is an issue across the Philippines and, in general, all of Southeast Asia (and the world). In most cases, the dirt on the beaches comes directly from the sea and, therefore, during periods of high tides it ends up dumped on the sand. If you want to help, there’s a platform called Plastic Free Bohol that organizes almost weekly beach cleanups you can join. If you don’t happen to catch one, spending even 5 minutes picking up what you see around you is a gesture that helps keep Bohol’s beaches nicer and (most importantly) raises awareness among those who see you.
Remember we’re talking about nature: beaches aren’t always in the same condition. In a matter of days or hours there may be more waves or more seaweed, the water may be clearer or rougher… Plus, each person’s perception and experience also come into play here. We’ve selected what we think are the best beaches in Panglao and Bohol and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Traveler to traveler: try to avoid visiting the beaches of Panglao and Bohol on weekends, since, as you can imagine, they tend to fill up with Boholanos and Filipinos who want to enjoy them too.
Map of the best beaches in Bohol and Panglao and nearby accommodation
Best beaches in Panglao
The best beaches in Panglao are concentrated in the south of this small island connected to Bohol by a couple of bridges. Even so, you’ll also find interesting places in the north.
To visit them, the best thing is to rent a motorbike at your hotel or around Alona Beach. This is the cheapest and most reliable place in the area; they usually charge 350 pesos per day. If you don’t ride a motorbike, don’t worry—you can reach anywhere by tricycle (you’ll have to negotiate) or habal-habal (motorbikes with driver; the stand is near the Twin Tides hotel).
Below you’ll find the best beaches in Panglao, ordered from most to least beautiful:
1. Dumaluan Beach, the most beautiful beach in Panglao
This is, without a doubt, the best beach in Panglao. So if you had little time and could only choose one, we’d suggest going straight to this one.
It’s a huge, clean strip of white sand lapped by crystal-clear waters. The prettiest part of the beach is the one in front of the luxurious resorts Oceanica Resort Panglao and Bohol Beach Club. They keep it so well-groomed and full of slender palm trees that you’ll surely feel like laying your towel there, but be warned: at the latter they’ll try to shoo you away almost instantly. Although, for obvious reasons, you can’t use the hotel’s facilities, you should know that Philippine beaches are public, so you can sit peacefully on the strip of sand without sunbeds.
In fact, Dumaluan Beach is 3 kilometers long. Although its name changes as you move east (White Beach and Libaong Beach), it’s the same beach and not divided in any way. That said, the most beautiful part is the one further west—the area we refer to as Dumaluan Beach.
Unlike Alona, which we’ll discuss next, in Dumaluan you won’t find many restaurants or bars. Even so, you don’t need much, since there’s the DBR Grill, which we mention in Where to eat in Bohol, with some typical Filipino dishes and grilled meats and fish. You’ll also find cold drinks and smoothies to quench your thirst after so much beach.
Don’t forget to bring your snorkeling mask! Although you’ll have to walk and swim a good stretch, in the area in front of Bohol Beach Club you’ll find pretty reefs. There are loads of starfish and clownfish. Please remember starfish die if you touch them or take them out of the water.
How to get to Dumaluan Beach: although it’s a free beach, direct access to Dumaluan can only be made through resorts, so they’re allowed to charge you a fee. If you don’t want to pay, you can leave your motorbike at any access to White Beach or Libaong Beach (free) and walk to Dumaluan, which will take about 15–20 minutes. If you don’t want to walk, the cheapest option is to park at Dumaluan Semi Public Resort (DBR) and pay 20 pesos for the motorbike and 100 pesos per person. This gives you access to the beach as well as bathrooms, showers, and changing rooms. If you come by tricycle or habal-habal, tell them to drop you at DBR and you only pay the entrance fee.
Another idea is to go to Oceanica Resort and buy a day pass. The cheapest is 500 pesos per person, but it’s consumable and they have a happy hour from 7:00 to 19:00. The other costs 888 pesos per person (not consumable), but you can use from 6:00 to 22:00 the pools, gym, tennis court, kayak and paddle board (30 minutes), as well as the first-row loungers or poufs.
Places to stay in Dumaluan Beach: Oceanica Resort and Bohol Beach Club.
2. Alona Beach, Panglao’s most famous beach
It would be odd if you didn’t set foot on Alona Beach at some point during your trip to Bohol, since it’s the island’s most famous beach and also one of the best-known in the Philippines. Popular for a few decades now, unfortunately we’ve noticed its deterioration over the years. Here you’ll find lots of hotels, bars, and restaurants, as well as agencies for water sports (jet skis, water-skiing, parasailing…) and diving. It even has a 7‑ELEVEN now.
Most diving and snorkeling trips to Balicasag, Pamilacan, and other dive sites around Panglao depart from Alona. For us, it’s undoubtedly one of the best places to take your diving course in the Philippines.
Because of all that, it’s one of the most touristy beaches in Panglao and in the whole country. It’s normal for people to try to sell you tours and different souvenirs. Even so, with a bit of patience, it doesn’t get too annoying.
Alona Beach is about 800 meters long, so it won’t even take 10 minutes to walk from end to end. Although it’s also shallow and affected by the tides, you can take a dip almost any time of day.
Since hotels and restaurants were built very close to the shoreline and the sand has noticeably receded as the sea advances, in many parts there’s hardly any space left to lay your towel. That’s why our recommendation is to not judge it too quickly and walk to its ends.
If you go to the east, you can enjoy the widest area, the one in front of the Henann Resort. If you head west, in front of the Blue Ocean Bohol Beachfront Resort, you’ll also find a quieter stretch. Right here you’ll see a rocky area with stairs. If you keep going, you’ll reach Kaipayan Beach Bay, a small beach almost no one knows and one we also recommend visiting.
By the way, when the sun goes down, Alona’s restaurants usually bring out their grills. On weekends it’s common to have live music and, although there are bars, parties on Alona Beach aren’t anything wild. It’s a beach where it’s nice to have a beer until 1:00 or 2:00, but you won’t find a Benidorm here.
Places to stay in Alona Beach: La Sirenita Resort (read about our stay here) and Henann Resort Alona Beach.
3. Libaong White Beach
As we mentioned, in reality, Dumaluan Beach stretches a little over 3 kilometers. White Beach is the middle section, while Libaong is the eastern end and, after Dumaluan, it’s our favorite.
Here you’ll also find palm trees, white sand, and clear water. If you visit Monday to Thursday, it’s rare to see many people. On weekends, however, there are a couple of bars where Filipinos spend the whole day eating, drinking, and enjoying the beach with their families. Take it as a chance to get to know some local traditions.
As in this whole area of Panglao, if you like snorkeling, take advantage because the reef is beautiful. In fact, some of the island’s best dive sites are located right here.
There are also a few hotels on Libaong Beach, but they’re much simpler than those in Dumaluan and therefore cheaper. So if you want to sleep right by the beach without spending much, this is the spot.
Places to stay in Libaong Beach: Amarela Resort and Aramara Resort.
4. Talisay Beach
This was our big discovery while searching for good beaches in Panglao! Although it has its own name, the truth is this is a little piece of the eastern part of Doljo Beach.
Much more “intimate” than its big sister, but more photogenic and full of palm trees, it’s highly recommended if you want a peaceful time. You won’t find absolutely anyone here, no one will come to sell you anything and, although it’s not very deep either, you can swim in absolute calm.
Bring water and some food because you won’t see any place to buy things here, nor nearby hotels.
Places to stay in Talisay Beach: Lindstrom’s Inn.
5. Momo Beach, a Panglao beach with great snorkeling
We continue along northern Panglao to recommend this pretty beach of about 500 meters in length. Although it’s a little neglected—with some trash and quite a few boats—we think it’s a perfect place to relax and enjoy some snorkeling. The reef is colorful and you can sometimes spot a turtle or two.
Since it’s not a very deep beach either, it’s much better if you go at high tide.
Places to stay near Momo Beach: Mario Dive Resort and Panglao Moravian Apartments.
6. Doljo Beach
While it’s hard for us to say it’s one of the best beaches in Panglao, it’s true that Doljo, with its 1,600 meters of white sand, deserves a visit. The problem is that, outside the resort areas, the beach is often quite neglected and has a lot of plastic.
From experience, the best access to this beach is through the gigantic The Bellevue Resort. Don’t worry—you can park in the lot and they won’t charge you or make you consume anything. Also, if you don’t sit on the sunbeds, you can peacefully enjoy the sand and sea because, remember, beaches in the Philippines are public.
Heads up: if you fancy a beer, be careful because the bar prices are among the most expensive we’ve seen in the Philippines—180 pesos for a San Miguel!
Even though you won’t see the sun setting into the sea, the sunsets from Doljo Beach are very pretty, as the sky often turns different shades of pink.
Places to stay in Doljo Beach: The Bellevue Resort and Homaja Beach Resort.
7. Bikini Beach
This beach of about 500 meters in length is the favorite of locals living in the area, so it’s not unusual to see them enjoying the crystal-clear water, especially late in the afternoon. It’s a slightly odd beach because a retaining wall has been built that makes it a bit narrower, but even so you have white sand and some rock formations that make it picturesque.
Be very careful when entering the sea, as there are some rocks along the shore.
Places to stay near Bikini Beach: The Mayana Resort.
8. Danao Beach, the best beach in Panglao for sunset
The westernmost beach in southern Panglao, although not among the island’s prettiest in our opinion, deserves to be on this list for one reason: it’s the best place to watch the sunset.
Although it’s often quite full of boats and not very clean, sunsets from here—together with those seen from North Zen Villas—are incredible. The sun sets near Balicasag Island and, if it’s not too cloudy, the colors are stunning.
The bar at Linaw Beach Resort has reasonably priced drinks—ideal to cool off and enjoy the moment.
Places to stay in Danao Beach: Pahiluna Guesthouse and Linaw Beach Resort.
9. San Pedro Beach or Panglao Beach
This is a small beach in the north of the island hardly ever visited by tourists. At just about 200 meters long, it’s advisable to visit when the tide is high because otherwise you’ll find the sand looks like mud.
Places to stay in San Pedro Beach: Mithi Resort and Spa and Natura Vista.
Best beaches in Bohol (Anda)
The best beaches in Bohol are, without a doubt, found in the Anda area. Although around Jagna (where boats to Camiguin depart) there’s a more or less interesting beach like Can-uba Beach, which is practically white pebbles, we don’t think it’s worth stopping in that part of the island unless you’re passing through. If you want an even more relaxed beach retreat than Panglao, in Anda you’ll find many beautiful beaches like the ones we tell you about below.
1. Quinale Beach
Known as the little Boracay, Quinale Beach is the main beach in the town of Anda and, in our opinion, one of the best beaches in Bohol.
This huge (3 kilometers) stretch of white sand is usually very quiet from Monday to Thursday (unless it’s a holiday) and is perfect for relaxing while simply watching the sea. The little government-owned bar there, the Quinale Beach Bar, also has photogenic free-use huts. Therefore, you won’t have to rely on any hotel to find shade.
If you stay overnight in Anda—which we highly recommend—don’t hesitate to go at night. You can dine with your feet in the sand, as both Old Castle and Quinale Beach Bar open.
Places to stay in Quinale Beach: Old Castle and Zenith Inn & Resto Bar.
2. White Beach
Rivaling the previous one in beauty but much quieter, White Beach is one of the best beaches in Bohol. On this huge beach of white sand, as its name suggests, there are several resorts, so it’s usually well kept and is more than pleasant for spending a day under a palm’s shade. Try to go at high tide, which is when you’ll see it at its best.
Two of Anda’s best resorts are located here, so it’s highly recommended to stay in this area. Imagine waking up and being greeted by one of Bohol’s most beautiful landscapes. Paradise!
Places to stay in White Beach: Three Little Birds Resort and Anda White Beach Resort.
3. Talisay Beach
This is the beach between Quinale Beach and White Beach, so it doesn’t differ much from the previous ones. There are no resorts here and, since its closest attraction (the Cabagnow cenote) has been closed for months now, few travelers visit. It’s a place heavily used by fishermen to moor their boats, so it may not be as picturesque as its sisters.
If the tide is low, you can walk to Talisay Beach from Quinale Beach.
Places to stay near Talisay Beach: Rd Bed and Breakfast.
4. Bituon Beach
If you’re strolling through Anda’s different caves (highly recommended), you’ll surely reach Combento Cave at some point. Don’t leave too quickly—walk toward the sea and you’ll find this small, romantic cove flanked by Anda’s typical cliffs.
Take note: it’s a perfect place to watch the sunset.
Places to stay in Bituon Beach: 1peace guesthouse and Anda Poseidon’s Beach Resort.
5. Bas Gamay
This beach is a well-kept little secret—and one you can enjoy too. For us, it’s our favorite in Anda and we’ve been several times. Although there’s not much shoreline (you should go at high tide), we think that’s part of its charm, as it’s sheltered by small limestone walls. Do try to go Monday to Thursday, since on weekends Filipinos come to spend the day, sometimes equipped even with grills.
The way to get there might confuse you a bit, but it’s no big mystery. Take the turnoff from the main road and follow the unpaved path without fear. You’ll pass the gates of a mega resort (Amun Ini) and then you’ll see lots of motorbikes parked. At some point there’s a kind of passageway/stairs that leads you down to this beach paradise.
6. More beaches in Anda
We’ve already told you about 13 beaches in Bohol! If you’re still not satisfied, west of Bituon Beach you’ll find a series of coves among cliffs that hardly anyone visits but that are very picturesque: Bugnaw Beach, Dapdap Beach, and Arthogin Beach are some of the most interesting.
Also, did you know Anda has fantastic snorkeling? The reef in front of Magic Oceans Dive Resort is spectacular. Although you’ll have to swim a bit (nothing you can’t handle with fins), you’ll find incredible marine life, with turtles often making an appearance. If you want to do it comfortably, we have a boat contact who can take you to this spot and others in the area. Leave us a comment and we’ll send you all the info.
On the other hand, in front of Blue Star Dive Resort there are also loads of turtles and you can easily go down the stairs there. When we went, buying something there was enough, but some travelers tell us they now ask you to pay a fee. It doesn’t hurt to ask—the place is great.
Other hotels in Anda near the beach: Magic Oceans Dive Resort and Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa.
Dapdap Beach
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Bohol guides
We’ve been coming to Bohol since 2010, so you can’t miss all the information we’ve prepared for you:
Diving in Panglao: best dives and recommended Spanish-speaking dive shop
Do you have any questions or suggestions for beaches in Bohol or Panglao? We’d love to read you in the comments!
