Diving at Alona Beach in Bohol

Alona Beach is a renowned tourist spot on the southwestern part of Panglao Island, Bohol. Panglao Island is about 20 kms away from Tagbilaran City, Bohol’s capital city. A 46-meter long footbridge connects Tagbilaran to Panglao Island. To get to Alona Beach from Tagbilaran airport, you can ride a taxi cab. Cabs ask Php 300 ($7) or more for the 30- to 40-minute trip. For a more economical ride, you can get a tricycle. They charge half less than taxi cabs.

Alona Beach is a half-kilometer stretch of beautiful white sand abundant with coconut trees and resorts. The beach faces Mindanao Sea and has numerous world-class diving spots nearby. The atmosphere here is laidback and relaxed. You can check in at any of the many affordable hotels along Alona Beach. Guest rooms vary from cottage huts cooled by fans or airconditioned ones. The beach is also replete with restaurants serving local and international cuisines.

But perhaps Alona Beach is more known for its snorkeling and diving spots. Diving spots are just about five minutes to 90 minutes away, depending on proximity. Moored offshore are many diving boats or bancas. There are also motorized or outrigger boats that tourists can rent to bring them to nearby islands like Pamilacan and Balicasag.

Diving shops abound at Alona Beach and they provide visitors not only with scuba and snorkeling amenities but also diving guides, diving boats, and even diving lessons. They also arrange the dive excursions and night dives. Some of the dive spots near Alona Beach include Arco Point, Kalipayan, Rudy’s Rock, Rico’s Wall, Habagat Wreck, and Cathedral.

The diving spots are home to rich marine life. The spots are truly an underwater photographer’s dream places with their beautiful coral gardens, wondrous sea creatures, shoals of different types of fish, and clear sea water.

You can get a dive package from any of the diving shops. Diving package usually includes diving guides, boat, and dive suit. Costs for boat dives vary among diving shops and also on the number of boat dives and dive guide. Services of master guides cost more than ordinary dive guides. Boat dives range from $17 ( Php 765) for one boat dive to $400 (18000) for unlimited boat dives.

The only thing to watch out for when you are in Alona Beach are sea urchins. They inhabit 20 – 30 meters of the sea from the coastline. Even then, Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines is still one of the best places to relax and to enjoy the underwater world by exploring the several world-class diving spots located there.