Alona Beach strip and dive boats

Bohol

Panglao Island & Alona Beach

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Top pick

The backpacker and dive engine room — Alona Beach strip, dive boats, every restaurant in walking distance.

Connected to mainland Bohol by a 250m bridge near Tagbilaran, Panglao is a small island with the new international airport and the Alona Beach strip — a 1.5km curve of white sand backed by resorts, hostels, dive shops, beach bars and seafood grills. Most of Bohol's tourists stay here. Dive boats leave for Balicasag Marine Sanctuary, Pamilacan and Cabilao from the strip every morning.

Scores

8/10

Walkability

5/10

Transit

5/10

Price

4/10

Local feel

8/10

Nightlife

7/10

Family-friendly

8/10

Centrality

What you gain

  • Alona's 1.5km strip walkable end-to-end with hostels through to 5-star resorts
  • Direct access to Balicasag, Pamilacan and Cabilao diving
  • Bohol-Panglao International Airport 10 min away

What you sacrifice

  • Alona is the most overdeveloped strip in Bohol — full tourist bubble
  • Beach crowded by 9am in dry season; vendors persistent
  • Far from Chocolate Hills (90-min drive each way)

Best for

diversfirst-timerssocial travellers

Avoid if

authenticity seekersno-effort quiet stays

Know where to stay — now find when to go.

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