Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DIVING AT PANGLAO
The
reef
at the western end of Panglao, a few minutes by bangka from Alona Beach, has healthy
corals, a multitude of reef fish and perpendicular underwater cliffs that drop to a depth of 50m.
This is where most of the island's dive sites are, though you can go further afield to
Doljo Point
and
Cervira Shoal
, or use Alona Beach as a base for diving at Cabilao (see p.299). Dives typically
cost around P1500 per time, plus equipment, but as always, the more dives you do the cheaper it
gets. Dolphins, and sometimes whales, can also be seen off the coast of Panglao. Day-trips also run
to the
Balicasag
, a beautiful halo of coral with steep drop-offs to the southwest and
Pamilacan
,
a further 22km east, where mantas and whale sharks can be seen between January and April.
DIVE OPERATOR
Sea Explorers
W
sea-explorers.com.
Sea Explorers
are one of the best dive outfits in Alona and have a base
6
at
Alona Vida
resort (see below).
or buy some of the goodies to take home. You can also watch local handicrafts being
made here, and even stay the night (see p.296).
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
PANGLAO ISLAND
From Tagbilaran
Almost everyone arrives at Alona by
van (P500-600) or tricycle (P250) from Tagbilaran port or
airport, in which case you'll be dropped as close to your
accommodation as possible (you'll need to walk to get to
some of the beach cottages).
From elsewhere in Bohol
Coming from elsewhere in
Bohol you might arrive via Dao Integrated Terminal, from
where there are jeepneys and buses to Panglao. These
services will drop you on the main road from where it's a
5min walk down to the beach.
INFORMATION AND TOURS
Tourist information
The tourist centre in Alona (daily
9am-9pm), really just a glorified shop, is near the beach
opposite the
Alona Kew
restaurant. In case of any trouble,
head for the tourist
assistance
centre, near Graziella.
Tours
Seashine Tours (
T
038 502 9038,
E
seashinetravel
@yahoo.com), next to the tourist information centre, can book
all ferry
tickets, as well as arrange day-trips around Bohol,
van hire and boat trips (P1500-2500 for a boat for the day).
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel prices have gone skywards in
Alona
, and there are hardly any budget options actually on the beach, but if you don't
mind a short walk to the sea, there are still a few cheapies out there. For those who prefer to be away from the Alona buzz,
there are some fantastic resorts dotted
around Panglao
, although most are in the mid-range to high price bracket.
earthy tones just a few metres back from the beach. Deluxe
and superior rooms come with fridges, mini-bars, kettles,
safety deposit boxes and room service, plus there's one
budget room but it's a little too close for comfort to the
lively
Coco Vida
bar. There's also the Sea Explorers dive
centre on site (se
e box
above), plus a nice pool and free
wi-fi throughout.
P3000
★
ALONA BEACH
Alona Grove Tourist Inn
Set back from the western end
of the beach
T
038 502 4200.
One of a number of small
budget resorts at the western end of the beach,
Alo
na Gro
ve
has simple huts, some with a/c, fridge and cable TV.
P700
Alona Tropical Beach Resort
Eastern end of the
beach
T
038 502 9024,
W
alonatropicalbeachresort
.com.
One of the better big resorts, with a wide selection of
rooms spread along a quiet section of beach and up the
hillside behind. Beachfront fan bungalows (P5000) are
way overpriced, but the budget fan rooms still have sea
views and are far better value. There are also a/c rooms
(P2980) with cable TV and hot water, plus a decent pool up
the hill, and free wi-fi at reception and the beach bar.
Wildlife lovers won't enj
oy the s
ight of caged birds in the
tropical gardens though.
P1320
Alona Vida Beach Resort
Halfway between the main
access road and the eastern end of the beach
T
038 502
9180,
W
alonavida.com.
Excellent rooms decorated in
Charts Resort
By the turn-off for Ester Lim St
T
038
502 9095,
W
charts-alona.com.
A beautifully designed
boutique resort,
Charts
is intimate, well managed, and has
some of the most tasteful rooms on the island, set around
a compact garden with a dolphin-shaped pool. Standard
rooms come with a double bed, while the luxurious suite
has an expansive roof terrace, and there's also one budget
“Flashpacker” room (P1500) by the chill-out bar. The
upstairs arts café showcases works by local artists and
there's also a small handicrafts store near the reception. The
only downsides are that it's not on
the be
ach, and there
can be a little road noise. Free wi-fi.
P3500
