After leaving Anda, the next stop on my Philippines diving trip in May 2025 was Panglao, a lively island just off the southwest coast of Bohol. Known as one of the Philippines’ biggest diving destinations, Panglao has a much busier and more developed feel compared to Anda.
Scuba diving in Panglao is all about variety and accessibility. The reefs here are alive with colour, full of soft corals, sloping walls, seagrass beds and a huge mix of marine life. You’ll see everything from massive turtles grazing in the shallows to tiny nudibranchs tucked into the coral, with plenty of schools of fish swirling all around.
It’s worth noting that Panglao is very popular with Korean tourists, thanks to direct flights into Bohol–Panglao International Airport. Expect a bustling scene, especially around Alona Beach, with dive boats heading out early each morning and plenty of shops, bars and restaurants catering to the steady flow of visitors.
What makes diving here even better is how easy it is. There are over a dozen dive sites just a short boat ride from the beach, and some can even be done from shore. Nearby islands like Balicasag and Pamilacan offer even more pristine sites and are perfect for a day trip.
If you’re looking for a lively hub with excellent diving and plenty of activity both in and out of the water, Panglao is well worth a stop on your Philippines itinerary.
After finishing up in Anda, Palaweña Travel and Tours arranged a private car to take us to Panglao. The drive took around two hours and forty minutes, and it was a comfortable and easy journey straight to our accommodation.
For Panglao, I’d booked Alona Pawikan Resort, which I’d found online at a really good price. I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived. The modern rustic-style huts were air-conditioned, spacious and spotless. There’s no pool here, but the resort has an onsite bar and a South African-themed restaurant next door, which made it easy to grab a bite or enjoy a drink.
The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the whole place felt well looked after. The location was also ideal, just a five-minute walk into town and around ten to fifteen minutes to the main beach. For what we needed… a clean, comfortable base for diving… it was perfect.
As always, I’d done my research before arriving and found a dive school I was really happy with… Blue Revival Dive College. Their communication was excellent right from the start, and everything for my diving day was organised well in advance. We arranged the details over WhatsApp, letting them know what sizes and gear we needed and what we’d bring ourselves. We always hire BCD, regulator and weight belt and bring our own rash vests and suits, which is all you really need in the warm waters of the Philippines.
On the morning of the dive, a car arrived on time to pick us up and take us down to the beach. After signing in and completing the usual disclaimers, our equipment was already boxed, waiting and in great condition just as promised. Everything was checked over and within minutes we were heading out on the boat.
Blue Revival really impressed me with how professional yet relaxed their whole set-up was. Their ethos is all about slow, thoughtful diving and really taking the time to enjoy the reefs. The guides were experienced, knowledgeable and good company on the boat.
On our itinerary that day were three dives. Two were at Balicasag Island and the final one was closer to the coast near where the boat docks.
Balicasag is one of the big highlights in this region and didn’t disappoint. The walls here are stunning, alive with colour and covered in healthy corals. Turtles were everywhere, lazily gliding past or grazing on the seagrass beds, and huge schools of jacks swirled around us. At times it felt like you didn’t know where to look next because there was so much happening.
It’s worth noting that Balicasag can get very busy. We got there early and were in the water before the crowds but snorkelling boats and more dive boats soon started to arrive. Underwater it still felt calm but when surfacing we stayed close to the divemaster to avoid the traffic of boats overhead.
Our final dive of the day was just off the coast of Panglao itself. It was more relaxed but just as enjoyable, with plenty of smaller critters to find if you took the time to look. Frogfish, nudibranchs and plenty of colourful reef life kept the camera clicking right to the end.
The water was crystal clear with excellent visibility, full of vibrant colours and teeming with life on every dive. The team at Blue Revival Dive College and the boat crew were professional, friendly and made the whole day feel seamless. Everything was really well run and I’d happily recommend them to anyone diving in Panglao.
After a fantastic day of diving, we rounded it off with a few well-earned beers at Aluna Beach Lounge. The atmosphere there was great, with plenty of divers and travellers relaxing after their own adventures. Later on we headed to Mr. & Mrs. Thai, a brilliant little restaurant in town. The food was so good, packed with flavour and just what we needed after a full day in the water.
After enjoying Panglao’s reefs, turtles and great food, it was time to move on to the next stop of my Philippines diving adventure… Malapascua.
Here are a few shots from my day diving around Panglao and Balicasag. The reefs were full of life, the water was beautifully clear and the whole experience was one to remember.
