Going snorkeling in Bohol and Panglao is probably one of the main reasons you came to this corner of the Philippines. With little more than a mask and a snorkel, you’ll be able to enjoy colorful reefs teeming with life. Both Bohol and its neighboring island, Panglao, are a true underwater paradise and one of the best places to go snorkeling in the Philippines.
As sea lovers, we’ve been lucky enough to explore these islands since 2010. Here we want to share the best spots to go snorkeling in Bohol and Panglao. We’ll also tell you about excursions to nearby islands and share tips so you can enjoy it even more. At the end, you’ll find recommendations for beachfront places to stay if you want to step out of your room in your swimsuit and feel like the Little Mermaid.
What’s snorkeling in Bohol really like?
In short, snorkeling in Bohol is wonderful. Like the rest of the Philippines, Bohol and Panglao sit right in the Coral Triangle—in other words, the place with the richest marine biodiversity in the world.
The southern coasts of both islands have rich reefs just a few meters from shore. You can easily swim out to them. The shallow section is fairly shallow (around 5 or 6 meters), but then the coral wall drops down to depths between 33 and 56 meters. This means you can snorkel in Bohol on your own and really enjoy it.
Of course, if you feel like it and already have your dive certification, you can also opt for diving in Panglao. If you’re not yet an Open Water Diver and think you’ll like scuba diving, don’t hesitate—getting your Open Water certification in Bohol is one of the best things you can do.
If you can choose, it’s much better to snorkel in Bohol when the tide is low. This way you’ll have those underwater wonders much closer to you. You can check the tide times here.
Oh! In addition, the water temperature in the Philippines usually ranges from 25 to 29°C. So it’s unlikely you’ll feel cold even if you spend hours kicking your fins.
What can you see when snorkeling in Bohol and Panglao?
Bohol’s seabeds are full of hard and soft corals. It will be extremely hard not to see lots of different kinds of starfish (please remember not to touch them), clownfish (yes, like Nemo), moray eels, nudibranchs and even turtles. You’ll see these especially in Balicasag, as we explain in Snorkeling tour to Balicasag.
With a bit of luck, you can even spot the beautiful whale sharks without having to go to places that are as harmful to them as Oslob or Lila.
What’s more, one of the stars of snorkeling in Panglao, especially in the north of the island, is the Napaling sardine run. If you’re not going to include Moalboal in your trip, you definitely shouldn’t miss it.
Best snorkeling spots in Panglao
You’ve already got an idea of what snorkeling in this area is like, but now we’re going to tell you about the main spots for snorkeling in Panglao.
Remember that, as we explain in How to get to Panglao, this is a small island connected to Bohol by a couple of bridges. That’s why many people use it as their base when visiting Bohol. You can find much more information in Things to do in Panglao and Best hotels to stay in Panglao.
1. Napaling
How would you like to jump in the water and find yourself surrounded by thousands of sardines? In the north of Panglao there’s a small reef just 3 meters from shore where this happens every day.
Napaling has become the best place to snorkel in Panglao. It’s truly amazing to watch these fish move in unison, dive down, and block out the sun’s rays. You’ll also find some coral, complete with our beloved anemones and clownfish.
They say that early in the morning, whale sharks sometimes come by to feed on the sardines. We haven’t been able to confirm that ourselves, but hopefully you’ll get lucky.
How to get to Napaling?
The snorkeling spot is right in front of the Mojave Cliff Resort.
You can do it in 3 ways:
- By renting a motorbike: you’ll find them from 350 pesos per day. Remember to be careful and check everything we tell you in Renting and riding a motorbike in the Philippines.
- By taking a tricycle: the fare will vary depending on where you’re staying. If you’re in Alona Beach, which is where most people stay, negotiate a little under 100 pesos per ride.
- On a tour: there are tours that include Napaling on their route. The best-known Filipino booking platform, Klook, has this one.
Once there, it’s a little confusing because each place will try to charge you something different. Molave Cliff charges 300 pesos per person, but at the nearby café (Dominggo) you can get in for 200 pesos. Other travelers tell us there’s a path on the left side (where Google Maps shows Xander’s Place) where you can get in for free. In any case, we recommend going very early to avoid large groups.
From Molave Cliff you can get into the water by jumping from the cliff’s diving board or via some easy stairs.
2. Snorkeling at Alona Beach
Napaling is amazing, but if you’re staying around Alona Beach, don’t miss the chance to spend some time in the water with your mask.
As we mentioned above, all of southern Panglao has a wonderful reef and that includes Alona Beach. While snorkeling, you’ll be able to see the shallowest part of the coral platform, and starfish, clownfish, nudibranchs and even the uncommon frogfish are commonly spotted here.
The downside? You’ll have to swim a bit to reach the reef. The prettiest section is the one where the buoys are. Be very careful because lots of dive boats pass through the area.
We usually get in from the stretch in front of the La Sirenita hotel, which is also our favorite part of the beach.
3. Momo Beach
You already know Momo Beach is one of the best beaches in Bohol and Panglao, but it also stands out for its marine life. Without needing a tour and just a few meters from shore, Momo Beach has a pretty reef dotted with sandy patches where it’s not hard to run into sea turtles.
In this area of Panglao the water is quite shallow, so at low tide it’s a bit tricky to get in. Even so, they’ve created a sort of sandy “path” to make it easier to reach the deeper area. If you have water shoes, bring them—they’ll be very useful.
4. Dumaluan – White Beach – Libaong
If we had to choose one beach on this island, we’d have no doubt and it would be this one. Well, this is also where you can enjoy several of the best spots for snorkeling in Panglao.
In the Dumaluan area, right in front of the Bohol Beach Club hotel, you have a sandy zone where you’ll also see some nice corals and anemones with plenty of marine life.
However, if we had to choose, we’d go with the White Beach/Libaong section. Here you’ll find one of the area’s best dive sites: Arco Point. Although it’s a very deep coral wall, you’ll be able to see the shallowest part while snorkeling. You can even see from above the best-known part of the dive and the reason for its name: a rock arch.
Best snorkeling spots in Bohol
Bohol is one of the largest islands in the Philippines and, despite being one of the most touristy, it isn’t especially known as a beach destination. Loboc, the Chocolate Hills and the tarsiers are its best-known attractions. Even so, if you’re looking for places to snorkel in Bohol, then you should head to Anda.
Snorkeling in Anda
You could say Anda is a small peninsula to the east of Bohol. While it isn’t as well-known as the Alona Beach area and still feels relatively untouched, it’s another of the most interesting places if you’re thinking of diving in the Philippines.
As in Panglao, the south coast of Anda is full of interesting reefs where it’s not uncommon to see turtles. If you’re a good swimmer, you can reach them just fine. It’s advisable to wear fins because it’s a little way from shore, but it’s nothing too demanding.
In our opinion, the best snorkeling spot in Bohol is right in front of the Magic Oceans Dive Resort or the Blue Star Dive Resort. Right in front of the latter, a few steps from shore, it’s common to see turtles—although there’s currently a 100-peso entrance fee.
If you’re traveling with children or don’t feel comfortable swimming that much, you also have the option of a boatman taking you out to the reef itself. They’re usually very helpful, act as guides, take photos and so on.
If you’d like a contact for this, we’ll be happy to share the one we have.
Snorkeling excursions from Bohol
As you can see, you won’t be short of options for snorkeling in Bohol and Panglao, but you also have two stunning coral islands that will give you magical underwater moments.
1. Balicasag
Home to one of the best marine sanctuaries, this is something of a diving mecca. While it’s true that with a tank you’ll be more relaxed and able to admire its imposing coral walls, mask-and-snorkel snorkeling is wonderful too. This is mainly because it’s one of the places where spotting sea turtles—both green and hawksbill—is almost guaranteed.
Balicasag is located about 40 minutes by boat from Alona Beach. Therefore, you won’t be able to snorkel on your own. You’ll need to hire a bangka or join a snorkeling or diving excursion. In our experience, the latter is much better, as they tend to be far more respectful of the animals and won’t try to rip you off by claiming you have to pay multiple fees.
If you like, you can leave us a comment and we’ll give you the contact for our trusted company.
You can read much more about this snorkeling activity in Bohol in Snorkeling in Balicasag. If you have a dive certification, don’t hesitate and read Diving in Balicasag.
If by some rare chance you don’t see turtles here, other places with a high chance of swimming with them are Apo Island and Moalboal.
2. Pamilacan
Balicasag is the best known, but there’s a little gem that still flies under the radar. Located south of Bohol’s coast, Pamilacan is another fabulous destination for snorkeling. Its population of turtles, while not as large as Balicasag’s, has grown exponentially in recent years, so it won’t be unusual to come across them.
Meanwhile, Pamilacan’s coral is in fabulous condition and you’ll be able to enjoy thousands of colorful fish. With luck, you might also see an occasional dolphin or even a whale.
To swim in the sanctuary area you have to pay for a guide and a government fee (250 pesos per person).
As a fun fact, you’ll also find here a fort made entirely of coral from the Spanish colonial period. It was used to watch for incoming “Moros raiders.”
* You can read all about it in Things to do in Pamilacan
How to get to Pamilacan?
You have 3 options:
- Book a tour from Alona Beach. You can do it online with KLOOK.
- Go to Baclayon (Bohol) and negotiate the price of a boat. This is usually 1,500 pesos per way.
- Try to take the public boat that runs from Baclayon to Pamilacan every day. There should be one, but no one has been able to tell us what time. In this case, it will cost you 200 pesos per person.
In our opinion, the best thing is to stay at least a couple of nights on Pamilacan to enjoy the snorkeling and the island’s peace and quiet. Our top place to stay here is Liwayway sa Bohol.
Tips for snorkeling in Bohol
- You can’t really talk about a best time to snorkel in Bohol, but it’s true that it’s better to avoid the months with a risk of typhoons in the area. These are roughly July, August, September, October and November. Although you’ll still be able to snorkel, there’s a risk the water will be rougher.
- Be a responsible tourist: don’t touch or chase turtles or any other animals. Don’t touch or step on any other marine life such as starfish or corals either. Please, if you see people doing this, politely explain why they’re causing harm.
- Remember to take out good travel insurance that covers this kind of activity. Medical facilities in Panglao are limited and, if needed, you’ll have to be urgently transferred to Tagbilaran or Cebu. Take a look at the insurance we use: Travel insurance for the Philippines.
- Avoid putting on sunscreen; if you can’t, use a biodegradable one (like this one) or wear sun-protective clothing. Almost all creams harm corals and animals.
- Bring your own snorkel gear for comfort, hygiene and savings. A good set is this one. It’s more comfortable if you have fins, but we know it’s a bit heavy to travel with them. If you want them, you can rent fins at many dive shops for 150 pesos, as well as a mask.
- You’ll surely want to capture the beauty of what you see while snorkeling in Bohol. We always carry a GoPro. If you have one of the newer ones, remember they’re only waterproof down to a certain depth. For snorkeling it’s fine, but you’ll need a dive housing if you’re going to scuba dive.
- Go with as little as possible. Many people ask us what we do with our valuables when we go snorkeling. Well, it depends. If it’s a little-known place or if the reef is very close to shore, we usually leave our wallet on the beach and not much else. Otherwise, we take turns. The Philippines is generally a safe country, but you never know.
And please, don’t go to Oslob or Lila. From Alona Beach itself and many agencies in Bohol you’ll see outings advertised to swim with whale sharks at these two sites. The first is in Cebu and the second is Bohol. In both, the same barbarity is committed: the sharks are fed artificially and thousands of people gather around them, causing harm. You can read much more in Where to swim with whale sharks in the Philippines.
Where to stay for snorkeling in Bohol and Panglao
Although in Best hotels to stay in Bohol and Best hotels to stay in Panglao we talk at length about accommodation on both islands, here we wanted to recommend beachfront hotels so you only have to step out of your room with your mask and snorkel and enjoy.
Oceanica Resort Panglao – Dumaluan Beach (Panglao)
For an epic treat and to snorkel in Panglao without any hassle, Oceanica is your place. It’s located on the island’s best beach, Dumaluan Beach. You can choose between rooms, suites and sea-view cabins, as it’s right on the beach. The facilities are wonderful and include a pool and a fabulous bar.
Amarela Resort – Libaong Beach (Panglao)
Located on wonderful Libaong Beach—the natural continuation of Dumaluan—if you stay here you’ll be able to enjoy one of Bohol’s best snorkeling spots: Arco Point. Amarela Resort is a boutique hotel decorated with local materials and great taste. Both the restaurant and some rooms have direct sea views, and there’s also a fantastic pool set in the jungle.
Check Amarela Resort availability here
La Sirenita – Alona Beach (Panglao)
This is where we usually stay when we go to Panglao. Located in the quietest part of bustling Alona Beach, you’ll have the beach literally a few steps away. Rooms are spacious, fitted with new furniture, and the staff are super friendly. Oh, and they have fiber-optic internet. It’s blazing fast!
You can find much more about our experience in Staying at La Sirenita Resort.
Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort-Panglao – Alona Beach (Panglao)
This is the new addition to Alona Beach’s hotels. With Best Western’s standards, you’ll fall in love with its colorful, soundproofed rooms, many with sea views. You’ll have a gym, several pools, loungers on the beach and a beach-facing restaurant-bar.
Panglao Sea Resort Tagnan – Napaling (Panglao)
If you want to step out of your room, jump into the water and let the magic happen, this is your place. This new resort is geared toward divers who want to truly enjoy the island’s seabeds. Newly opened, they have very simple yet clean and well-equipped rooms. If you sleep here, you’re much more likely to see the fabulous whale shark doing its thing, as they have their own stairs down to Panglao’s snorkeling area.
Search for your room at Panglao Sea Resort
Amun Ini Beach Resort and Spa – Anda (Bohol)
This is the most luxurious hotel in the Anda area and one of the best on the island. Honestly, few higher-level options come to mind in Bohol. All rooms have balconies with sea views and are decorated with exquisite taste. The pool is wonderful—as are all the common areas.
Check Amun Ini Beach Resort availability
Blue Star Dive Resort – Anda (Bohol)
As we mentioned, right in front of this resort there are usually lots of turtles, so if you’re dying to see them often, this is your place. They also have bungalows with sea views and a pool.
Check the calendar for Anda Cove Beach Resort
Snorkeling map of Bohol and Panglao
Here’s a map showing where the snorkeling spots we’ve mentioned in Bohol and Panglao are located. We’ve also included the accommodation suggestions.
We hope this roundup of snorkeling spots in Bohol and Panglao has helped you. We’re sure you’re going to love them. Remember that in our Bohol Guide you have everything you need to enjoy your stay on the island.
If you have any questions or suggestions, we’ll be happy to hear from you in the comments.
