Bohol's Ultimate Adventure: Thrilling Activities to Try in 2024

This post contains details on what to do in Bohol, places to visit and how to get there. Additionally, I have included suggested guided tours for your convenience. Hopefully you find this information useful when planning your next trip to Bohol!

1. Discover Scuba Diving in Bohol

Scuba diving in Bohol offers an unforgettable opportunity to discover the underwater world.

Here are the Dive Sites in Bohol:

• Panglao: Dive sites are located in Virgin Island, Balicasag Island and Molave Cliff Dive.
• Pamilacan Island in Baclayon, Bohol
• Jagna, Bohol: Dive sites are located in Nausok Point, Canupao Point and Cantagay Point.
• Danajon Double Barrier Reef in Bien Unido, Bohol
• Cabilao Island in Loon, Bohol

Here's a guide on how to go scuba diving in Bohol:

• Choose a dive center: Bohol has several dive centers that offer scuba diving courses and guided dives. If you choose Balicasag Island, you can check out guided tours at Aloha Beach on Panglao Island.
• Book your dive: Once you have chosen a dive center, you can book your dive in advance or arrange for one when you arrive in Bohol. The dive center will ask you for your certification level and diving experience to ensure your safety and comfort during the dive.
• Head to the dive site: The dive center will take you to the dive site via a boat ride, which typically takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the location.
• Dive: Once you reach the dive site, you will receive a briefing from your dive master about the dive plan, safety procedures, and the marine life you can expect to see. Then, you will gear up and dive into the water to explore the underwater world. You can expect to see colorful corals, schools of fish, and other marine creatures.
• Relax and enjoy: After the dive, you can relax and enjoy the scenery while the boat takes you back to the dive center.

Scuba Diving for First Timers:

• You can learn the basics of scuba diving with the help of PADI-certified instructors and be able to explore the depths of the ocean. 
• You do not need any prior experience to participate in this activity; in fact, you do not even need to be able to swim!

Overall, scuba diving in Bohol requires proper planning and preparation, but the experience is unforgettable. With the help of a trusted dive center and knowledgeable dive master, you can have a safe and memorable underwater adventure.

2. Whale Shark Watching in Lila, Bohol

Maybe you've heard that Cebu is the most popular destination for whale shark watching. Well, good news: they offer whale shark watching here in Lila, Bohol.

Here's a guide on how to go whale shark watching in Bohol:

• To go whale shark watching in Bohol, you need to book a tour with a licensed tour operator. You can do this in advance online, or you can book a tour when you arrive in Tagbilaran or Panglao Island.
• Once you arrive in Lila, you need to register at the whale shark watching center and attend a briefing. The briefing includes information about the dos and don'ts while interacting with the whale sharks.
• After the briefing, you will board a boat to take you to the whale shark watching area. The boats can accommodate up to 6 people and will take you to where the whale sharks are.
• Once you're in the water, you can enjoy the experience of seeing the gentle giants up close. Remember to follow the guidelines and avoid touching the whale sharks or using flash photography.
• After the whale shark interaction, take your lunch at a seaside restaurant just near the area.

Most of the tours include hotel pick up and drop off.

3. Umantad Falls with Candijay Rice Terraces

Umantad Falls and Candijay Rice Terraces are two popular tourist destinations located in Candijay, Bohol. Here's how you can get to both places:

How to get to Umantad Falls:

• From Tagbilaran City, take a bus or van to Candijay town. The travel time is approximately 2-3 hours.
• Once you reach Candijay, hire a motorcycle or habal-habal to take you to Umantad Falls. The travel time is approximately 30-40 minutes.
• The motorcycle will take you to the jump-off point, where you'll need to hike for around 10-15 minutes to reach the waterfall. Along the way, you'll enjoy scenic views of the surrounding hills and forests.

How to get to Candijay Rice Terraces:

• If you're in Candijay, hire a motorcycle or habal-habal to take you to Cadapdapan Rice Terraces. The travel time is approximately 15-20 minutes.
• The motorcycle will take you to the jump-off point, where you'll need to hike for around 20-30 minutes to reach the rice terraces. Along the way, you'll enjoy scenic views of the surrounding hills and rice fields.

It's important to note that both Umantad Falls and Candijay Rice Terraces are located in remote areas, so it's best to hire a local guide who knows the area well. 

The guide can also help ensure your safety and provide you with interesting information about the local culture and customs. Below is a guided tour in Candijay and Anda.

4. Panglao Island Hopping

Panglao Island is known for its crystal clear waters and diverse marine life, making it a perfect spot for island hopping and dolphin watching. Panglao Island consists of the following beaches and islands:

• Alona Beach (Most Popular)
• Dumaluan Beach
• Doljo Beach
• Bagobo Beach
• Danao Beach
• Momo Beach
• Panglao Beach
• Bikini Beach
• Balicasag Island
• Virgin Island
• Pamilacan Island

To get to Panglao Island in Bohol, you can follow the steps below. Ideally, you may want to stay at or get to Alona Beach.

Alona Beach is known for its numerous commercial establishments that run along the one kilometer-long beach.

It is a well-known location for scuba diving and snorkeling due to its proximity to a coral reef in the area. Furthermore, Alona Beach becomes busy and noisy at night when bars and stalls open up.

• If you're coming from the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, there are private cars waiting outside to get you to Panglao Island. Private cars range from PHP 500 to PHP 1000.
• If you are already in Bohol or in Tagbilaran City, you can take a bus or van from the Tagbilaran Bus Terminal or Dao Integrated Bus Terminal to Alona Beach or other areas in Panglao Island.
• If you are on Panglao Island, you can take tricycles to take you to Alona Beach.

Tour agencies that offer island hopping are available in Alona Beach if you want to go island hopping on Balicasag Island, the Virgin Islands, and Pamilacan Island.

Alternatively, you can book Panglao Island hopping, dolphin watching and other popular tours below:

Tricycles, private vans, cars, and taxis are the most common modes of transportation on the island. You can easily get one while waiting along the road.

5. Explore Bohol Countryside

This is the most popular tourist destination that Bohol has to offer!

This includes a visit to the Baclayon Church that dates back to the time of the Spanish, the famous Chocolate Hills, the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, and the Bilar Manmade Forest, which is a 2-kilometer-long mahogany forest.

Plus, enjoy a buffet lunch as you cruise through the Loboc River. The food was amazing, and there were plenty of options. Additionally, there was live music and ethnic dancing.

• Baclayon Church
• Corella Tarsier Sanctuary
• Loboc River Cruise (Lunch)
• Bilar Man-Made Forest
• Chocolate Hills
• Aproniana Souvenir Shops

This trip is great for people who love both nature and cultural and historical sites.  This tour includes hotel pick up and drop off.

The Baclayon Church is situated along the National Road, just 6 kilometers from Tagbilaran City.

If you're in Tagbilaran City, you can find a jeepney heading to Baclayon at the Tagbilaran City Dau Bus Terminal. Prior to leaving, request that the driver drop you off at Baclayon Church.

Alternatively, you can ask tricycles to drop you off at Baclayon Church.

If you're on Panglao Island, it's best that you join a guided tour offered on Panglao Island. They have tours that offer tours of Bohol's countryside.

• Opens 8 AM to 7 PM daily
• Free admission

If you're in Tagbilaran City, go to the Dao terminal and look for jeepneys bound for Corella, specifically the Sikatuna route, as it passes directly through the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary.

The Corella Tarsier Sanctuary is located in Brgy. Canapnapan, Corella, Bohol, which is 13 kilometers away from Tagbilaran City and 27 kilometers away from Panglao Island.

If you’re coming from farther away, it's best to join a guided tour.

• Opens 8:30 AM and closes at 4:00 PM daily
• PHP 150 Admission Fee

The Loboc River Cruise is a popular tourist attraction in Bohol, and it's a great way to experience the beauty of the province's countryside. 

Loboc River Cruise is located in Barangay Valladolid, Loboc, which is about 25 kilometers east of Tagbilaran City.

• If you're in Tagbilaran City, go to the Dao terminal and look for jeepneys, buses, and private vans bound for Loboc town proper.  From there, you can take a tricycle or motorcycle (habal-habal) to the Loboc River Cruise starting point.
• If you're in Panglao Island, it's best to book a joint tour because Loboc is 33 km from Panglao Island.

Once you arrive at the starting point, you can buy your ticket for the river cruise and enjoy the scenic boat ride along the Loboc River while having lunch and listening to live music performances.

Loboc River Cruises usually last 45 minutes to an hour.

• Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Saturday and Sunday: 10: AM to 2:30 PM

• PHP 850 per adult.
• PHP 600 per (Senior Citizen and PWD)
• PHP 36: Children 3 ft to 4 ft tall
• FREE: Children 3 ft or below

Note that additional drinks are not free. We ordered mango shakes, and they charged us.

The Bilar Man-Made Forest is situated 52 km from Panglao Island and 33 km from Tagbilaran City.

There are no public transportation passing here so it is best that you book a joint tour, or you can hire or rent  private vans or motorcycles to get here.

• The forest is open to the public 24/7 unless there are road constructions along the way.
• Free admission

it's best to visit during the daytime when the sunlight filters through the trees, creating a beautiful and enchanting atmosphere.

The Chocolate Hills Complex is the main viewing area for the hills. It is located in Carmen, which is about 55 kilometers northeast of Tagbilaran City.

• Head to the Dao Integrated Bus Terminal in Tagbilaran City and look for a bus or van going to Carmen Town. Once you arrive in Carmen, you can hire a motorcycle (habal-habal) or tricycle to take you to the Chocolate Hills Complex.
• Alternatively, you can also hire a tour guide or rent a motorbike to take you to the Chocolate Hills. Hiring a tour guide is a great option if you want a more guided experience, while renting a motorbike is perfect for those who want to explore on their own.
• If you're in Panglao Island, it's best to book a joint tour because Carmen is 68 km from Panglao Island.

• Pay the entrance fee: Before you can enter the complex, you will need to pay an entrance fee. The fee gives you access to the observation deck and other facilities like restaurants and gift shops. 
• Climb the viewing deck: The viewing deck is the best place to see the Chocolate Hills. From there, you can take in the breathtaking view of the hills, which are made up of over 1,200 limestone mounds.
• Explore the area: Aside from the viewing deck, there are other things to see and do in the Chocolate Hills Complex. You can visit the mini-zoo, take a ride on an ATV, or try the cable car ride.

• Open daily from 8:30am to 5:30pm (Including Holidays)

• Single Entrance Fee: PHP 80
• Bike Zipline: PHP 750
• Surf Zipline: PHP 750
• Mountain Biking: PHP 350
• Tarzan Swing: PHP 650
• Entrance with car: PHP 550 per person
• Entrance with van: PHP 400 per person

If you prefer to experience the ATV eco tour, it would cost you PHP 950 for an hour.

Aproniana Gift Shop is a popular souvenir shop in Tagbilaran City that offers a variety of items, including handicrafts, t-shirts, bags, keychains, and other souvenirs. Here's how you can get there:

• If you're in Tagbilaran City, head to CPG North Avenue.  Aproniana Gift Shop is located along CPG North Avenue in Tagbilaran City. You can take a tricycle or a taxi to get there.
• Look for Aproniana Gift Shop, located near the Island City Mall. You can ask locals or look for the mall to help you locate the shop.

Since the locations are spread out, it is best to reserve a guided tour so you can complete the tour in a single day. Check out guided tours below:

6. Pahangog Twin Falls

The beautiful Pahangog Twin Falls are in the municipality of Valencia in the island of Bohol. Here's a guide on how to get to Pahangog Twin Falls:

• Head to Valencia: Pahangog Twin Falls is located in Valencia, a town in the central part of Bohol. From Tagbilaran, you can take a bus or van to Valencia. Alternatively, you can rent a scooter or hire a private car to take you there.
• Trek to the falls: Once you arrive in Valencia, you need to trek to the falls. The trail to Pahangog Twin Falls is relatively easy, but it can get slippery and muddy, so make sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing. The trek takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your pace.
• Once you reach Pahangog Twin Falls, you can enjoy the stunning view and take a dip in the natural pool. The falls are surrounded by lush greenery, and the water is cool and refreshing.

While it's possible to trek to the falls on your own, it's recommended that you hire a guide to ensure your safety and help you navigate the trail. You can hire a guide at the entrance or arrange for one in advance through a tour operator.

In general, going to Pahangog Twin Falls takes some planning and work, but the trip is well worth it. With the help of a guide and proper planning, you can have a safe and enjoyable trek to one of Bohol's hidden gems.