Panglao Island, just off Bohol, pairs powdery Alona Beach with some of the country's best diving and easy access to Bohol's famous sights. Mornings are for dolphin watching and dives along the drop-offs of Balicasag; afternoons for lazing on white sand and fresh seafood by the shore. It's a relaxed island base with the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers a short drive away.
March to May offers the driest, sunniest weather and the calmest seas for diving; the June-to-November wet season is greener and quieter but can bring afternoon showers.
Fly straight into Bohol–Panglao International Airport (TAG). Tricycles and rented scooters cover the island; arrange a van or guide for Bohol countryside day tours.
Start island-hopping and dolphin tours at dawn for glassy water and the best sightings, and pre-book Balicasag dives — daily visitor numbers are capped to protect the reef.