Bohol: Panglao Island Hopping & Dolphin Watching Tour

Bohol’s Panglao Island is a prime destination for nature enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable adventure. The island hopping and dolphin watching tour offers a chance to witness the playful spinner and bottlenose dolphins, as well as explore the vibrant coral reefs of Balicasag Island. With opportunities to swim with sea turtles and capture memories with a GoPro, this tour promises an exhilarating blend of excitement and relaxation. But the real question is: are you ready to dive into this breathtaking experience?

Key Points

• A 5-hour tour starting from Panglao that offers dolphin watching and snorkeling at Balicasag Island, priced at $45.32 per person for a shared tour.
• The tour includes a 30-minute safety briefing, 1-hour boat ride to the dolphin watching area, and 3 hours of free time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Participants can observe spinner and bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat and have the option to rent GoPro cameras and fins.
• Balicasag Island is known for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, including the opportunity to spot tropical fish and swim with sea turtles.
• The tour includes boat transportation, licensed boatman, and snorkeling gear, with entrance and environmental fees covered, but tips and gratuities are not included.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Bohol: Panglao Island Hopping & Dolphin Watching Tour offers a captivating 5-hour experience starting from the McDonald’s in Panglao.

The Bohol: Panglao Island Hopping & Dolphin Watching Tour offers a captivating 5-hour experience starting from the McDonald’s in Panglao.

Priced from $45.32 per person, it’s a shared tour accommodating up to 12 participants, with a private group option available.

The tour includes a safety briefing, a boat ride to the dolphin watching area, and an hour of observing spinner and bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat.

After that, the tour heads to Balicasag Island, where guests can enjoy 3 hours of free time for swimming and snorkeling among the vibrant coral reefs and marine life.

Itinerary Highlights

The tour begins at the McDonald’s in Panglao, where participants receive a safety briefing lasting 30 minutes.

Next, they’ll embark on a 1-hour boat ride to the dolphin watching area. For 1 hour, they’ll spot spinner and bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat.

After, the group travels to Balicasag Island, where they’ll have 3 hours to swim, snorkel, and spot sea turtles at Turtle Point.

The tour wraps up with a 1-hour return transport to Alona Beach.

Dolphin Watching Experience

Participants begin the tour with a 1-hour boat ride to the dolphin watching area. Once there, they’re treated to an hour of observing spinner and bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. The dolphins’ acrobatic displays and playful nature captivate onlookers. To enhance the experience, guests can opt to rent a GoPro camera (₱1,000) and fins (₱700) for hands-on underwater exploration.

| Dolphin Species | Characteristics | Behaviors |

| ————— | ————— | ——— |

| Spinner Dolphin | Sleek, small | Spin rapidly out of the water |

| Bottlenose Dolphin | Robust, large | Jump, breach the surface, and interact socially |

The dolphin watching segment offers a memorable, up-close encounter with these remarkable marine mammals.

Snorkeling at Balicasag Island

After the exhilarating dolphin watching, the tour moves on to the island of Balicasag.

Known for its vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life, this snorkeling spot promises a captivating underwater experience.

Renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, this snorkeling destination promises a captivating underwater adventure.

Guests will:

• Glide through crystal-clear waters, marveling at the kaleidoscope of colorful coral formations.

• Spot a variety of tropical fish, from the graceful Angelfish to the playful Clownfish.

• Have a chance to swim alongside gentle sea turtles at the aptly named Turtle Point.

• Capture stunning underwater photos and videos with the option to rent a GoPro camera.

Balicasag Island offers a budget-friendly opportunity to take in the beauty of Bohol’s marine ecosystem.

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Swim With Sea Turtles at Turtle Point

As guests venture further into the crystal-clear waters of Balicasag Island, they’ll have the chance to swim alongside the island’s gentle sea turtles at the aptly named Turtle Point.

This area is renowned for its population of green and hawksbill sea turtles, which glide effortlessly through the warm, shallow waters. Guests can snorkel or swim alongside these majestic creatures, marveling at their graceful movements and serene presence.

The opportunity to observe these endangered species in their natural habitat is a truly unforgettable experience, making Turtle Point a highlight of the Panglao Island hopping adventure.

Optional Gear Rentals

For those interested in capturing their underwater adventures, the tour offers a range of optional gear rentals.

Choose from:

• GoPro rental for Php 1,000 to record your snorkeling experiences

• Fins rental for Php 700 to increase your mobility and stability in the water

• Underwater camera rentals to capture the vibrant marine life

• Snorkeling equipment upgrades to ensure a comfortable and clear view of the coral reefs and sea turtles

These add-ons provide an opportunity to elevate your tour experience and create lasting memories of your Panglao Island adventure.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The tour includes boat transportation, a licensed boatman and assistant, snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel), as well as all necessary entrance and environmental fees.

However, tips and gratuities aren’t included. The tour isn’t suitable for children under 7, people over 95, or those over 70.

Guests are advised to bring swimwear, a change of clothes, towel, sunscreen, cash, and a waterproof bag. Alcohol and drugs aren’t allowed on the tour.

In case of bad weather, the tour may be rescheduled, and full refunds are available if rescheduling isn’t possible.

Important Information

Cancellation of the tour is free up to 24 hours in advance, allowing for a full refund.

Guests are advised to bring the following:

• Swimwear and a change of clothes

• Towel and sunscreen

• Cash for optional extras

• A waterproof bag to keep belongings dry

Alcohol and drugs aren’t allowed on the tour.

In case of inclement weather, the tour may be rescheduled, and full refunds will be available if rescheduling isn’t possible.

While the tour generally receives mixed reviews, with some guests reporting issues with guide engagement and boat congestion during dolphin watching, it remains a budget-friendly option for exploring Panglao Island.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Restroom Facilities Available During the Tour?

Restroom facilities are available at the starting location, McDonald’s Panglao. During the tour, there may be limited restroom access on the boat or at Balicasag Island. Guests should plan accordingly and use facilities before and after the tour.

Can We Bring Our Own Snorkeling Gear?

Yes, you can bring your own snorkeling gear for this tour. However, snorkeling gear is provided as part of the tour inclusions, so you don’t need to if you don’t want to.

Is There an Option for a Vegetarian or Vegan Meal?

The tour doesn’t include meals, but you can request a vegetarian or vegan meal when booking. There are affordable local dining options near the meeting point that cater to special dietary needs.

Do We Need to Know How to Swim for This Tour?

You don’t need to know how to swim for this tour, as the snorkeling equipment is provided. However, being a comfortable swimmer will allow you to fully enjoy the snorkeling experience at Balicasag Island.

What Is the Minimum Group Size for the Private Tour Option?

The minimum group size for the private tour option is not stated in the tour overview. However, the shared tour includes up to 12 participants, so the private tour option likely has a smaller minimum group size.

The Sum Up

The Bohol: Panglao Island Hopping & Dolphin Watching Tour offers an unforgettable adventure. Witness playful dolphins, snorkel vibrant reefs, and swim with sea turtles. This budget-friendly tour promises a perfect balance of excitement and relaxation, making it a must-do experience in Bohol.

You can check availability for your dates here: