Tagbilaran City, Philippines
I'd start with Bohol. You can snorkel with giant turtles and they have plenty of good reefs with plenty of marine life when island hopping. The whale shark experience is waaaay better in Lila, Bohol than in Oslob. Less people, more and bigger whale sharks. You can even scuba dive and watch them from below, just make sure you get there early. There's also Pahangog Twin Falls that's very nice. Plus, you have the river cruise lunch, zip lines, swimming inside a cave, chocolate hills, tarsiers, pythons, etc.
Bohol. For me this is a great introduction to The Philippines. It’s got everything you need from top class Resorts,backpackers hostels,stunning white beaches,The hustle and bustle of Alona Beach, with great choice of restaurants and bars. This is where most people hang out. It’s on Panglao island which has two bridges to Bohol. It’s also has an airport just 10 mins away from Alona Beach. It’s like a little Boracay. Recently McDonslds and Jollybee amongst others have opened just off the streets behind the beach. But there’s lots more to see here. Close by is Dumaluan beach which is a great place to watch the sun go down over a few beers.
Tagbilaran, the capital of Bohol is where the port is, not much going on here and no point spending any time there. There’s loads of tours on the island. You’ll be approached on the Alona beach with people offering different places to go. Ballicassig is a must with excellent snorkelling in crystal clear water. From the chocolate hill to the loboc river cruise which is popular with the locals.
For the more adventurous there’s a great zip line, All terrain vehicles around the chocolate hill, this is great fun and even better when it’s wet. Be prepared to get dirty,
Anda beach is one of my favourites, if you want to see what Alona beach was like 20yrs ago this is the place to go. Also has good diving here.
I’ve compiled a list below in the pictures of things to do.
What’s also good about Bohol is it has a ferry to Camiguin and it’s is like a step back in time.( see one of my previous post to see what Camiguin offers)Note; the ferry only runs 3 times a week.
What’s also good about Bohol, it’s a great place to hire a bike and go see the island for yourself. Stop off in the villages and meet the locals.
Some hidden gems and most people don’t know is Bohol also has a sardine run in Napaling reef ,swimming with the whale sharks in Taug, rice terraces in Cadapdapan.Besides flying into Bohol it can also be got to from Cebu, Siquijor and Dumaguette.
Hey All, What are your favorite things to see in Bohol? I’ve come up with this list and am trying to narrow it down to the best few:
Balicasag Island (island hopping, whale & dolphin watching, snorkeling): Balicasag Island, located off the coast of Panglao Island, is one of the top snorkeling destinations in Bohol. The island is home to a marine sanctuary that is teeming with colorful fish, coral reefs, and other marine creatures.
Pamilacan Island (island hopping, whale & dolphin watching, snorkeling): Pamilacan Island, located about 12 kilometers southeast of Bohol, is another popular spot for snorkeling. The island is surrounded by crystal-clear waters that are home to a diverse array of marine life, including sea turtles, colorful fish, and coral reefs.
Virgin Island (snorkeling): Virgin Island is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Bohol that is popular for its pristine white sand beach and crystal-clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling. The island is surrounded by coral reefs and is home to a variety of marine creatures, including starfish and sea urchins.
Alona Beach (snorkeling): Alona Beach, located on Panglao Island, is a popular beach destination that is also great for snorkeling. The beach is home to several snorkeling spots that offer clear waters and abundant marine life.
Cabilao Island (snorkeling): Cabilao Island, located off the western coast of Bohol, is known for its diverse marine life, including colorful fish, coral reefs, and sea turtles. The island is a popular snorkeling and diving destination, and there are several tour operators that offer snorkeling tours to the island.
Anda (whale & dolphin watching): Anda, a town located on the eastern coast of Bohol, is another great place for whale watching. The town is known for its abundant marine life, and you can often spot whales and dolphins in the waters off the coast.
Bohol Sea (whale & dolphin watching): The Bohol Sea, which surrounds the island of Bohol, is also a great place for whale watching. Many tour operators offer whale watching tours that take you out into the deeper waters of the sea, where you can spot several species of whales and dolphins.
Panglao Island (whale & dolphin watching): Panglao Island, which is connected to Bohol by a bridge, is also a great place to see dolphins. Many tour operators offer dolphin watching tours that take you out into the deeper waters around the island, where you can spot several species of dolphins.
Loboc River Cruise (tarsiers): The Loboc River Cruise is a popular tourist attraction in Bohol, and it's also a great place to see monkeys in the wild. During the cruise, you'll pass through lush forests where you can spot monkeys swinging from the trees.
Rajah Sikatuna National Park (tarsiers): This protected area in the town of Bilar is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including several species of monkeys. The park has several trails and viewing areas where you can see monkeys in their natural habitat.
Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary (tarsiers): This sanctuary in the town of Corella is another great place to see tarsiers in their natural habitat. In addition to tarsiers, the sanctuary is home to several species of monkeys and other wildlife.
Siquijor Island (island hopping): Siquijor Island is a small island located southeast of Bohol that is known for its natural beauty and mystical atmosphere. The island is surrounded by clear waters and is home to several waterfalls, beaches, and natural attractions.
Camiguin Island (island hopping): Camiguin Island is a small island located north of Bohol that is known for its natural attractions, including waterfalls, hot springs, and hiking trails. The island is also home to several white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling and diving.
Chocolate Hills - a geological formation consisting of over 1,200 hills located in Bohol, Philippines. The hills are approximately the same size and shape and turn brown during the dry season, giving them their chocolate-like appearance, making them a popular tourist attraction.