Panglao Island
Travelers come for white-sand beaches, clear water for diving and snorkeling, and easy boat trips to the islets nearby.
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Panglao is an island in the Bohol Sea, in the Central Visayas region of south-central Philippines, and it is part of Bohol Province. It covers about 91 square kilometers and lies southwest of Bohol island and east and south of Cebu. The island is made of limestone, which has formed its caves and sinkholes, and its land runs from flat plains to hills and mountains. Panglao has no rivers or lakes, so Hinagdanan Cave, with its underground water source, is an important water supply.
Alona Beach is the best-known spot, with white sand and clear water, and the sea around the island suits scuba diving, snorkeling, dolphin watching and kitesurfing. Island hopping trips reach nearby islands such as Balicasag, Pontod and Gak-ang, and Pamalican is close by. A few days is enough for the beaches and one or two boat trips. The drier months, roughly December to May, suit beach and diving trips best. Short rides are usually by tuk-tuk or motor tricycle, so agree on the fare first.
Panglao Island in five
- Take the air-conditioned airport busAn air-conditioned bus runs from the airport to Tagbilaran City for PHP 50 each way. A circular route also serves Alona Beach.Getting around
- Agree the tuk-tuk fare before you rideShort trips on the island are usually made by tuk-tuk or motor tricycle taxi, and fares are negotiable. Settle the price before you get in.
- Fly into Bohol-Panglao airportThe airport opened in November 2018 and replaced Tagbilaran Airport, so it is now the main international airport for Bohol province. Almost hourly daytime flights run from Manila.
- Check the protected seascape rulesThe waters around the island are part of the Panglao Island Protected Seascape, declared a national park under Republic Act No. 11038, signed in July 2018. Protected-area rules apply, so ask your diving or boat operator what they require.
- Use the fast ferry to CebuThe fast ferry from Panglao to Cebu takes less than 2 hours. Use it if your trip includes Cebu.
Things to do in Panglao Island
See all attractions in Panglao Island
Need to know
- Currency
- Philippine peso (PHP)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check the Bureau of Immigration Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire or ambulance
- Tipping
- Check whether a service charge is included in your bill
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Dry seasonJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 231 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season
- FebruaryRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Dry seasonFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 160 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season
- MarchRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, hotMarchRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 157 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot, dryAprilRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 172 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- MayRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Hot, rains startMayRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 260 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rains start
- JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Rainy seasonJuneRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 288 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rainy seasonJulyRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 284 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- AugustRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rainy seasonAugustRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 233 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Rainy seasonSeptemberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 236 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Rains easingOctoberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 329 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains easing
- NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Rains easingNovemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 280 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains easing
- DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Dry, holidaysDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 272 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Panglao, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Panglao Island
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Panglao Island
08:58 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°26°98%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed29°26°97%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Thu29°26°84%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Fri30°25°94%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Sat29°25°86%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sun30°25°96%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Mon30°25°92%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 92%.
Updated 06:25 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 63.7 PHP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- JanSinulog festivalCebu City, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Cebuless than 2 hours by fast ferryThe fast ferry from Panglao to Cebu takes less than 2 hours, so Cebu fits into a longer trip.
- Balicasagby boat from PanglaoA common island-hopping stop near Panglao, reached by boat.
- Pamalicanby boat from PanglaoAn island close to Panglao, reached by boat.
Before you go to Panglao Island
Rules for Panglao Island, checked
- Visa-free entry covers many nationalities for short stays. Check your passport on the Bureau of Immigration site before you book.Source
- Protected-area rules apply to the Panglao Island Protected Seascape under Republic Act No. 11038. Ask your boat or dive operator which rules apply before you snorkel or dive.
Plan around Panglao Island
Regions, entry rules and money for a Philippines trip
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights, buses and tuk-tuks from the airport to the beaches
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free rules and what to check before you book
Read the guideMoney and costsTypical prices for beds, food, transport and sights
Read the guideWhere to stayAlona Beach and other bases on the island
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile data for maps, bookings and the airport transfer
Read the guidePanglao Island FAQ
How do you get to Panglao Island from Manila?
Fly to Bohol-Panglao International Airport, which opened in November 2018. Almost hourly daytime flights run from Manila, operated by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia.
How do you get around Panglao Island?
Short trips are usually made by tuk-tuk or motor tricycle taxi, and fares are negotiable, so agree on the price before you ride. A circular bus route also serves Alona Beach.
Is Alona Beach the best beach on Panglao?
Alona Beach is the island's most popular spot, known for its white sand and clear water.
Can you visit Balicasag or Pamalican from Panglao?
Yes. Balicasag, Pontod and Gak-ang are common island-hopping destinations, and Pamalican is close by. You reach them by boat.
Is Panglao connected to Bohol by road?
Yes. The Cong. Suarez Bridge and the Gov. Borja Bridge connect Panglao to mainland Bohol, and a third bridge is under construction.
What is Hinagdanan Cave?
It is a limestone cave with an underground water source. The island has no rivers or lakes, so the cave is an important water supply.