Alona Beach
Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Bohol's iconic beach strip — world-class snorkeling and diving right from the shore, white sand, turquoise water, and a buzzing beachfront scene.
Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Bohol's iconic beach strip — world-class snorkeling and diving right from the shore, white sand, turquoise water, and a buzzing beachfront scene.
Location
Panglao Island, Bohol Province
Best For
Snorkeling, Diving, Families, Nightlife
Water Clarity
Excellent — 15–20 m visibility
Crowds
Busy but manageable; quiet mornings
Access
Habal-habal from Tagbilaran City (1 hr)
Facilities
Dive shops, resorts, bars, restaurants
Alona Beach on Panglao Island is one of the most famous beaches in the Visayas region and the beating heart of Bohol's diving scene. A compact, 1.5-kilometre strip of white sand lined with coconut palms and backed by a dense strip of dive resorts, restaurants, beach bars, and guesthouses, it combines beautiful tropical scenery with some of the Philippines' most accessible world-class marine encounters. The water off Alona is a dazzling turquoise, exceptionally clear, and immediately adjacent to spectacular coral reef systems.
The diving off Alona Beach is genuinely exceptional, with a variety of sites catering to all skill levels within easy boat ride distance. The drift dives of Balicasag Island (30 minutes by bangka) are world-renowned, with dramatic walls, massive schools of jacks, and regular sightings of thresher sharks at Donsol Point. Snorkelling directly from shore is equally rewarding — coral gardens in 1–5 metres of water are teeming with clownfish, parrotfish, squid, and sea turtles that can be encountered just metres from the beach.
Despite being Bohol's most touristy beach, Alona retains much of its charm. The beach strip operates at a human scale — no high-rise hotels, no jet-skis disrupting the peace — and the overall atmosphere is one of relaxed, sociable adventure. It's a place where scuba divers compare notes over cold San Miguel in the evening, families rent tricycles to explore the Chocolate Hills by day, and independent travellers from across Southeast Asia converge for some of the best-value diving in Asia.
Fly to Tagbilaran Airport (Bohol) from Cebu or Manila. Take a taxi (₱400) or habal-habal (₱200) to Alona Beach (45 min–1 hr). Alternatively, take a ferry from Cebu Port to Tagbilaran (2 hrs) then jeepney/taxi onward.
November to May for calm seas and clear visibility. Peak months (Dec–Apr) are busiest — book accommodation in advance. The beach is excellent year-round, though June–October can bring rougher weather and reduced visibility on some dive sites.
Rent snorkel gear from any dive shop (₱150/day). For diving, compare prices between shops — they vary. Combine with a day trip to the Chocolate Hills (2 hrs from beach). Sea turtles are regularly seen early morning just off the beach — go at 6am for the best sightings.