From hills to underwater: 12 Diverse Things to Do in Bohol Island Philippines

Bohol Island is known for its iconic Chocolate Hills and adorable Tarsiers, but there’s so much more to explore. From breathtaking landscapes and exciting sea adventures to rich cultural gems, this 12 things to do in Bohol Island article highlights a range of activities on Bohol Island that will add diversity to your trip.

• A highly-rated day tour includes a visit to the Chocolate Hills, Dao market, Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, and Man Made forest (from Bohol Island) click here.
• A popular day tour includes a visit to Baclayon Church, Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, Man-Made Forest, and Blood Compact Monument (From Cebu) click here.
• How we got a Cebu Pacific Air canceled flight refund & an honest review of the airline customer service
• Apo Whang Od tattoo guide: 12 essential things to know before travelling
• Our Adventurous Journey in Finding the World’s Oldest TattooArtist–Apo Whang Od

Things to do in Bohol Island 1: Visit unique Bohol Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills on Bohol Island, Philippines, are one of the island’s must-see attractions. I didn’t understand why, as before I visited, I thought the Chocolate Hills were just ordinary mountains. 

However, seeing this spectacular, nature-made landscape in person was a totally different feeling than seeing it on photos. According to the information sign at the site, these bao-shaped hills actually formed from ancient coral reefs that turned into limestone over time, creating the fascinating hills we see today. How magical is Mother Nature?! I’d say it’s definitely worth a visit!

If you want to visit Chocolate Hills, you can easily join a Highly-rated day tour, or travel at your own pace by renting a scooter, or a car. (tips: if you choose the latter option, I suggest you visit 1-2 hours before sunset, as it’d be quieter, with lesser people, and you may have better chance to find a parking spot)

Exact location: Chocolate Hills, Bohol Island

Things to do in Bohol Island 2: Capture photos of the lush scenery in Bilar Man-Made Forest

On the way to the Chocolate Hills, you will see a man-made forest that looks like a green tunnel, making it a perfect spot to stop and take photos.

You can also visit the nearby Bilar Eco Park and Hiking Trail for a pleasant walk and to enjoy the surrounding greenery.

Exact location: Bilar Man-Made Forest Bohol Island

Things to do in Bohol Island 3: Search for tarsiers among the branches and beneath the leaves

Tarsiers, found in only a few countries, are tiny primates with large, expressive eyes, cute round ears, and long, mouse-like tails. Their appearance reminds me of Gollum from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, as well as Yoda from Star Wars. 

Before I saw tarsiers in person, I imagined they would be the size of a typical monkey. In reality, tarsiers are so tiny that they can be smaller than a hand, and they are so adorable.

As they are nocturnal, it’s natural that you may see many of them sleeping when you visit them during day time. However, we got to see a few of them with wide-opened eyes for a few minutes, and just like that, tarsiers became one of my favourite animals.

According to the article by CNN (2017), Meet the Philippine tarsier: Second-smallest primate on the planet, the number of tarsiers is on the decline. Which makes it essential things to do in Bohol Island.

To see Tarsiers in Bohol Island, you can visit Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area & Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary. 

Note: We visited the Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area in Loboc to see Tarsiers, however, later I learned from a local blogger that the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella is a better choice, as they focus more on responsible tourism.

If you want to enjoy a more relaxed and worry-free experience of Bohol Island and see Tarsiers and other attractions in Bohol Island, here is a highly-rated day tour including a visit to the Chocolate Hills, Dao market, Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, and Man Made forest.

Things to do in Bohol Island 4: Snorkelling/swimming with whale shark

While Cebu, Philippines is famous for whale shark watching, you can also spot and swim with whale sharks on Bohol Island, Philippines. If the underwater world and seeing giant whale sharks is what fascinated you, you wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity when you are in Bohol Island, Philippines. 

The most common place to see and swim with whale sharks on Bohol Island is in Lila, called Taug Whaleshark Watching and Snorkeling, which is about 1 hour drive from the capital of Bohol Island, Tagbilaran City and about 1 hour 30 minutes from Panglao.

Important note: Although Lila is a great spot to witness whale sharks, and the operators attract the whale sharks daily by feeding them fish, these whale sharks remain in the wild, open water, so encounters are not guaranteed. 

Based on our experience, if you want to see whale sharks, I suggest visiting during the dry season. We visited Lila by ourselves during typhoon season, it was very wavy and windy, with visibility dropping to less than 2 metres (6.5 feet), so we didn’t get to meet the whale shark after staying in the water for about 30 minutes. Surprisingly, Taug Whaleshark Watching and Snorkeling centre offered us a 1,500 PHP/person refund, which we didn’t expect at all. 

More information about Taug Whaleshark Watching and Snorkeling 

Exact location: Taug Whaleshark Watching and Snorkeling, Bohol Island

Operation hours: On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, it opens from 8 am to 11 am. 

On Tuesday and Thursday it opens from 7 am to 10 am.

Phone number:  +639989925938 (if you want to go there on your own, I highly suggest you call them before going there, to check if they are operating, as sometimes the operation schedule may be adjusted because of the weather or maintenance etc).

Entrance fee for Taug Whaleshark Watching and Snorkelling: 1,500 PHP/person.

Recommended visiting season: dry season 

If you want to travel with ease and join guided tours with hotel pick-up and drop-off, here are the tour options for Taug Whaleshark Watching and Snorkelling:

• A whale shark watching and snorkelling tour with Gopro photography and videography included, you can click here.
• Another tour without getting underwater photography and videography, click here.

Things to do in Bohol Island 5: Enjoy the picturesque view of coconut trees, rice terraces, and the sea

Along the Bohol Circumferential Road, the area surrounding Taug Whale Shark Watching and Snorkeling is really beautiful, with a stunning combination of coconut trees, rice terraces, and sea views. It is one of my favourite views in Bohol Island, Philippines. 

If you want to take photos or see the above views, pay attention to the area between Lomanoy Beach and Taug Whale Shark Watching and Snorkeling spot. 

Things to do in Bohol Island 6: Swimming/snorkelling with schools of sardines

Other than Cebu Island, you can also immerse yourself in a sea of sardines in Bohol Island.

The spot to see sardine run in Bohol Island is Napaling Reef, which is close to the shore and easily accessible, so you don’t need to take a boat trip. This makes it a convenient and fun thing to do on Bohol Island without the need to join a tour. 

You can simply ride a scooter there, pay the entrance, guide, and environmental fees, and walk down to the reef for a swim. 

The local guide will take you to the sea and stay with you for one hour, and guide you to find sardines and safe areas. If you wish to swim longer, you can do so, but safety will be your own responsibility.

There are even simple toilets, shower places, and a public area with tables and chairs for you to leave your items (don’t leave anything valuable though). 

Exact location: Napaling Reef (Napaling point) in tangnan, Panglao, Bohol Island. 

Entrance fee: 100 PHP/person

Guide fee: 100 PHP/person  

Environmental fee: 100 PHP/person

Things to do in Bohol Island 7: Explore Hinagdanan Cave featuring an underground pool

Formed from limestone and features impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and a natural underground pool with natural lighting, Hinagdanan Cave is one of a popular attractions for travellers visiting Bohol Island.

While marvelling at the natural beauty of the cave, many travellers like to take a refreshing swim in the natural pool. If you want to swim too, don’t forget to bring your swimwear; there’s a nearby toilet outside the cave (near the parking lot) where you can change clothes.

We eventually decided not to swim in the cave, as we realised the water is enclosed, meaning there’s no exchange with an external source. This made us unsure about the cleanliness and condition of the water. You might want to consider this as well when deciding whether to swim in the pool.

Exact location: Hinagdanan cave, Bohol Island

Hinagdanan cave entrance fee: 50 PHP/person

Hinagdanan cave swimming fee: 75 PHP/person

Things to do in Bohol Island 8: Exploring Baclayon Church, a historical coral stone church

According to Bohol Island Geopark, Baclayon Church, completed in 1727, is the oldest Christian settlement in Bohol and is built from coral stones and cement made from egg whites.

When you visit the church, take a moment to admire the detailed interior design, it is truly artistic and beautiful.

You can also see a flood level line marked on the wall, indicating the height reached during Typhoon Odette in 2021.

Exact location: Baclayon Church, Bohol Island

Baclayon Church entrance fee: it is free but you can donate the money at the entrance.

Things to do in Bohol Island 9: Watch sunset at Manga Fish Port or The Majestic Loon Coral Garden

We found these 2 places on a random drive in Bohol Island, as we wanted to look for a sunset spot. 

We first stopped at Manga Fish Port because we were drawn by the authentic local vibes, the wide, peaceful view of the port and the great spot for watching the sunset. 

There, we discovered a local little cafe called Mamai’s Cafe, where we tried the Dirty Matcha Latte for the first time—it quickly became our new favourite coffee.

The combination of matcha, milk, and espresso blended perfectly, creating a smooth and silky taste that felt heavenly. If you go there, look for this little white cafe, and give dirty matcha latte a try.

We also found another excellent sunset spot at The Majestic Loon Coral Garden, but unfortunately, a storm was approaching when we arrived. Even so, the view was still quite nice. If you visit during good weather, you can expect a stunning sunset along with fishing boats, capturing the perfect coastal vibe in your photos.

This spot requires a short hike down from the road, making it a bit more hidden, quiet, and peaceful. If you plan to visit, be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring mosquito repellent.

Things to do in Bohol Island 10: Walk along the scenic Alona Beach

If you are looking for an easily accessible public beach with palm trees, white sand and turquoise sea in Bohol Island, Alona Beach is a great option for you. 

At Alona Beach there are many aesthetic sea view restaurants and shops where you can chill and enjoy the view. You can also find many restaurants, cafes, and gift stores nearby. 

We discovered this place after an island-hopping tour dropped us off by boat. I immediately liked it, so we returned later for a walk and dinner.

Exact location: Alona Beach, Bohol Island

Things to do in Bohol Island 11: Swimming with sea turtles and enjoy coral reef at Balicasag Island

One of the highlights of our trip to Bohol Island was swimming with sea turtles at Balicasag Island during our island hopping trip, and I recommend you to go for it too if you like the sea activities and would like to see beautiful underwater views and swim with sea turtles. 

Our experience was quite interesting. The tour first took us on medium-sized bangkas (traditional fishing boats) to reach Balicasag Island from Panglao. Later, we were grouped in pairs and transferred to even smaller bangkas for snorkelling just off the coast of Balicasag Island. And each small bangkas has a boatman, who rowed the bangkas and spotted sea turtles for us from the surface. In total, we saw 3 sea turtles in less than 40 minutes. 

Balicasag Island is also where you get to see the coral reef at the spot further out of the coast of Balicasag Island, where seabed drops sharply, revealing beautiful coral and a darker blue, mysterious sea, along with a more peaceful vibe. In my opinion, it is a great spot for snorkelling and diving as you get to see diverse underwater creatures. 

Dolphin watching and a visit to Virgin Island were also included in the island-hopping trip. However, due to the weather and sea conditions, we didn’t get to see any dolphins. As for the famous secluded Virgin Island, known for its sandbar that emerges during low tide, I didn’t find it particularly special. Balicasag Island itself was already great and I was satisfied with the trip because of it. 

If you want to book in advance online, you can book it here.

Note: there are restaurants, juice shops, camera and gear rental at Balicasag Island, but food doesn’t look particularly great, you can bring your own sandwiches or snacks there if you want to. Fresh juices and smoothies though were amazing! 

Things to do in Bohol Island 12: try all the tropical fruits and drink coconut water

Bohol Island Philippines offers a variety of tropical fruits that are fresh, delicious and with affordable, reasonable prices.

While you’re on this tropical island, be sure to take the opportunity to taste some of the popular local fruits, including mango, rambutan, langsat, jackfruit, mangosteen, durian, fresh coconut and more. 

More travel information about Bohol Island, Philippines

Is Bohol Island worth a visit?

I’d say yes. There are diverse activities to enjoy, from visiting the unique Chocolate Hills and seeing tarsiers, unique village houses, to swimming with sardines, whale sharks and sea turtles. The island also offers peaceful vibes and an authentic local atmosphere.  Plus, if you have time, it’s easy to take a 1 or 2 days trip from Bohol to Cebu.

What is the name of the Bohol Island Philippines airport and the location of it?

Bohol Island airport is called Bohol–Panglao International Airport, and is located on Panglao Island, Bohol. It’s small but convenient, being close to many of the island’s attractions and good hotels, and connected to the main island by two bridges.

Where to Stay in Bohol Island & Bohol Hotel Recommendations

I’d recommend staying in Panglao Island when visiting Bohol Island. The reason is that it is close to the airport, Tagbilaran City (capital of Bohol Island) and easy to visit attractions of Bohol Island. 

Here are some hotel recommendations for your stay on Bohol Island, offering a range of options to suit different preferences and budgets.

• Luxury beachfront resort with pool: Henann Resort Alona Beach
• Medium price option: The Bellevue Resort (beachfront designed hotel with a pool & perfect sea view), The Mayana Resort (clean, simple, comfortable option with a pool), Anlio Resort (bright atmosphere with bit of Balinese interior style).
• Budget option: Peaceland Hostel (wooden hostel surrounded by nature and walking distance to the beach) & Nautilus Hostel & Hammocks (cute huts & close to the beach).  
• Unique cottages with lush greenery: Fox & The Firefly Cottages.

How to get around in Bohol Island (based on our experiences)

You can rent a car or scooter and explore the island at your own pace. If you prefer not to drive, you can join guided tours to visit attractions or take a tuk-tuk or jeepney to nearby locations.

• Car rental price: around 2,000 PHP per day (depending on the rental company). Gas is not included; we spent approximately 1,000 PHP for driving 140 km.
• Scooter rental price: around 500 PHP per day. Gas is not included (we spent about 300 PHP for 37 km).
• Join guided tours and travel worry-free to the main attractions of Bohol Island:

1. Lila whale shark watching/swimming (with photography/videography or without photography/videography)
2. Full day tour to Chocolate Hills, Dao market, Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, and Man-made forest.

Best season to visit Bohol Island, Philippines 

Best season to visit Bohol Island is dry season.

Now that I’ve experienced travelling to Bohol Island (and the Philippines) during the wet season (end of August to beginning of September), I’d highly suggest visiting there during the DRY season!!!

Even though we were lucky to only experience 1 rainy day, there was a typhoon on the last day we were there and the underwater visibility was really bad, we couldn’t see anything during the whale shark watching experience. If your schedule allows it, the dry season will be better.

Are there ATMs in Bohol Island? 

Yes, there are several banks in Bohol Island, especially in Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol Island. You can use your foreign debit cards to withdraw money at their ATMs.

Can you use international credit cards on Bohol Island?

You can use international credit cards at some hotels, larger restaurants, and souvenir shops. However, most local shops, car rentals, eateries, tours, and attractions only accept cash (Philippine Pesos). So, be sure to exchange some money at the airport or bring your debit card to withdraw cash from local ATMs.

How to get to Bohol Island from Manila? Which airline is good?

From my personal bad experience with Cebu Pacific Air and good experience with the Philippine Airlines, I’d suggest you to take Philippine Airlines and do not take Cebu Pacific Air if you can.