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 country’s biggest diving destinations, Panglao has a busier, more developed feel than Anda, with plenty happening both above and below the water.
Scuba diving here is all about variety and accessibility. The reefs are full of life, covered in soft corals, sloping walls, seagrass beds and a huge mix of marine creatures. You can expect everything from turtles grazing in the shallows to tiny nudibranchs hiding in the coral, while schools of fish swirl all around.
It’s worth noting that Panglao is particularly popular with Korean visitors, thanks to direct flights into Bohol-Panglao International Airport. As a result, the area around Alona Beach is lively, with dive boats heading out early each morning and plenty of shops, bars and restaurants catering to the steady stream of tourists.
One of Panglao’s biggest advantages is how easy the diving is. There are over a dozen sites just a short boat ride from shore, and some can even be reached by swimming out from the beach. Nearby islands such as Balicasag and Pamilacan offer even more pristine sites and make great day trips.
If you’re after a lively hub with excellent diving and plenty of activity both in and out of the water, Panglao is a great stop to include on any Philippines itinerary.
After finishing up in Anda, Palaweña Travel and Tours arranged a private car to take us to Panglao. The journey took around two hours and forty minutes. The car was comfortable, the driver professional, and it made for an easy ride straight to our accommodation.
For this leg of the trip I’d booked Alona Pawikan Resort, which I’d found online at a very good rate. It turned out to be an excellent choice. The modern rustic-style huts were air-conditioned, spacious and spotless. Although there’s no pool, the resort has a small bar and a South African-themed restaurant next door, perfect for a casual meal or drink.
The staff were friendly and helpful, and the whole place felt well looked after. The location was ideal too, about a five-minute walk into town and around ten to fifteen minutes to the main beach. For what we needed, a clean and comfortable base for diving, it was spot on.
Before arriving, I’d done my research and found a dive centre that really stood out, Blue Revival Dive College. Their communication was excellent from the start, and everything for the diving day was organised well in advance. We confirmed the details over WhatsApp, including the equipment sizes and what we’d bring ourselves. We usually hire BCDs, regulators and weight belts, and bring our own rash vests and suits, which is all you need in the warm Philippine waters.
On the morning of the dive, a car arrived on time to collect us and take us down to the beach. After signing in and completing the usual paperwork, our equipment was ready and waiting in perfect condition. Everything was checked and loaded efficiently, and within minutes we were heading out on the boat.
Blue Revival impressed me with their professional yet relaxed approach. Their ethos focuses on slow, thoughtful diving, giving divers time to enjoy and appreciate the reefs. The guides were experienced, knowledgeable and great company both on the boat and underwater.
That day’s itinerary included three dives: two at Balicasag Island and a final one closer to Panglao itself.
Balicasag is one of the true highlights of the region and it didn’t disappoint. The walls were stunning, bursting with colour and covered in healthy coral. Turtles were everywhere, gliding past or grazing on seagrass beds, while huge schools of jacks swirled around in silver clouds. At times, it was hard to know where to look next.
However, it’s worth mentioning that Balicasag can get very busy. We arrived early and managed to dive before the main crowds, but more boats and snorkellers arrived soon after. Underwater it still felt peaceful, but on surfacing we stayed close to the divemaster to avoid the boat traffic overhead.
Our final dive of the day was just off the coast of Panglao. It was a calmer, more relaxed dive, but just as enjoyable. We found frogfish, nudibranchs and plenty of colourful reef life, keeping the camera busy right up until the end of the dive.
The water around Panglao was crystal clear, with excellent visibility and vibrant colours on every dive. The team at Blue Revival Dive College were professional, organised and friendly, and the boat crew helped make the whole day seamless. Everything ran smoothly, from the pickups to the diving itself, and I’d happily recommend them to anyone visiting Panglao.
A great day underwater deserves a great evening on land. We rounded things off with a few cold beers at Aluna Beach Lounge, which had a brilliant post-dive atmosphere full of divers and travellers swapping stories. Later that night, we had dinner at Mr. & Mrs. Thai, a themed restaurant in town. The food was full of 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 Island.
Here are a few shots from my day diving around Panglao and Balicasag. The reefs were full of life, the water beautifully clear, and the whole experience one to remember.
