Panglao is a small island connected to Bohol island via land-bridge: it is within the waters around Panglao as well as the nearby islands of Balicasag and Pamilacan where most Bohol diving takes place.
Most dive centres, restaurants and accommodation options in Panglao are located along or within close proximity to Alona Beach which lies at the far south end of the island.
Although Panglao may seem tiny on a map it still takes about 25 minutes to ride a scooter from one end to the other; which is why most tourists choose to stay close to Alona to be in the midst of the action!
We’ve narrowed down the very best places to stay for divers in Panglao to the top 12!
How to Use this Guide:
Use the Quick Answer below to check out our top 3 accommodation recommendations for divers in Panglao or scroll down further to read our full reviews of all 12!
Remember, reserving your accommodation online through booking.com is always cheaper than paying when you get there!
QUICK ANSWER
Best Places to stay in Panglao for Divers
- 1) TOP PICK: Abraham Resort
- 2) RUNNER UP: Hayahay
- 3) QUIETEST: Domo’s Native Guesthouse
Best Dive Resorts in Panglao, Bohol
1) TOP PICK: Abraham Resort
$$
Awesome Social Scene
Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Games & Bar
1 km from Alona beach
14% Discount Code: DIVINGSQ
2) Runner Up: Hayahay
$$
Terrace, Bar & 2 Restaurants
Next to Sierra Madre Divers!
3) Quietest: Domos Native Guesthouse
$
Shared kitchen, private patios, breakfast available
Far end of Alona Beach
4) Partay: Mad Monkey Backpackers Hostel
$
Pool, Bar, Restaurant, Evening Entertainment
Danao Beach, 2 km from Alona Beach
5) Most Luxurious: Oceanica
$$$
In-house dive team
Private beach close to Alona
Spa, Gym, Pool, Restaurant, Watersports
5km to Alona beach
6)Luxury Runner Up: Henan
$$$
Alona beach: next to dive centres, bars & restaurants
Pool bar, spa, gym, restaurant (free buffet breakfast)
Located along Alona Beach
7) Great Value: Bluewater Resort
$$
Diving facilities
Spa, pool, restaurant
200m from Alona beach
8) Cheap: Manta Dream Dive
$
Arrange diving for you
Pool, restaurant
10 min walk from Alona beach
9) Linaw Beach Resort
$
Arrange diving for you
Pool, restaurant
10 min walk from Alona beach
10) Lennons Place Backpacker Hostel
$
Huts, bar, garden, common patio
500m from Alona Beach
11) Adrianas Place Backpackers Resort
$
Bar, Lounge, Restaurant
5km from Alona Beach
12) Bohemian Bohol Hostel
$
Bar, Lounge, Karaoke
600m from Alona Beach
1) TOP PICK: Abraham Resort
- $ – $$ (Budget to Luxury Options Available)
- Tours & Activites
- Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool & Games
- 1km from Alona
Abrahams Resort is hands down one of the coolest places I have ever stayed. It styles itself as a resort and indeed there are some super nice mid-price and luxury rooms available; however the main crowd it attracts are backpackers and it feels more like a hostel, having some great budget dorm options.
This is simply a great place to meet other travellers and with nightly events such as bar crawls and games nights as well as numerous tours around Bohol (including to the Chocolate Hills, Tarsier sanctuary and Hinagdinan cave) there are many memorable experiences to be had here.
There is a lively bar and restaurant serving unusually delicious and healthy yet affordable cuisine (a combo which honestly is not that easy to come by in the Philippines!); close by there is also a swimming pool and pool table.
I stayed at Abraham Resort in late 2024 and was truly blown away by the very special vibes of this place. It has authentic backpacker energy; the balance is perfect with plenty of oppurtunities to have fun and meet people but without being so loud you can’t get a good nights sleep, everything is very clean, the food is excellent and the location is perfect; being just 1km from Alona Beach.
This is a rare jewel; that not only is the best place to stay in Panglao in my opinion; but also a very special and unique backpacker vibe that is hard to come by these days. Highly recommend!
GET A 14% DISCOUNT on rooms when you use the Promo Code: DIVINGSQ
2. Runner Up: Hayahay Resort
- $$
- Directly along Alona Beach (Awesome Location!)
- Restaurant, Bar and Luxury Room Options
You won’t find a resort closer to the action of Panglao’s dive centres than Hayahay. It’s located along Alona Beach; directly next to Sierra Madre Divers where I work!
In fact, you can buy special combo packages from Sierra Madre that combine dives and accommodation at a discount rate (contact me for details on Whatsapp at +44 7812 648968 !).
Hayahay itself is a mid-priced resort with luxury feels. There’s a terrace, bar and restaurant where you can order a selection of tasty Filipino and Western Cuisine.
Guests can choose from a variety of room options ranging from Deluxe Double rooms to Superior Queen rooms with stunning ocean views.
3. Best Location: Domos Native Guesthouse
- $
- Private patios, shared kitchen, breakfast available
- Far end of Alona beach
Domos Native Guesthouse offers extremely low prices, a quiet and tranquil setting and a truly awesome location. I actually stayed here during my first visit to Panglao in 2023 and was blown away by the close proximity to the dive centres and restaurants of Alona yet how quiet and tucked out of the way it is.
It is on the far end of Alona beach (on the opposite end of Henan’s resort). You can easily walk to the dive centres, bars and restaurants within 5 minutes from here and yet it is tucked away from all the noisy nightlife – a winning combination.
Each room has a fan and an ensuite bathroom; ac is available but you have to pay an extra price for it in some rooms. There are a range of room options from budget doubles to twin and family rooms.
This is a relaxing place to be; it is also just a one minute walk from a large rock above Alona beach that provides amazing views off towards Siquijor island.
Domos Native Guesthouse is a quiet little homestay; you may not meet many other people here, but the cheap rooms and quiet yet close-to-everything location make it a fantastic option.
4. TOP PICK: Mad Monkey Backpacker’s Hostel
- $
- Pool, bar, restaurant, evening entertainment
- Danao beach, about 2km from Alona
If you’re on a budget and you want to enjoy super fun, ultra-social backpacker vibes, Mad Monkey hostel is the best bet for you! With a bar/restaurant area directly next to a pool; this is a great place to meet and connect with other travellers, even more so thanks to the evening entertainment.
Staying at Mad Monkey Hostel is a lot of fun (albeit a little crazy at times!). You’re likely to make a lot of friends and have some bloody good fun experiences.
This hostel is located along Danao beach just 2.5km from Alona (where most dive centres, bars and restaraunts are located) and which you can reach in less than eight minutes scooter / tricycle ride.
There’s also several dive centres right on Danao beach that you can easily walk to; most notably Bohol Divers Club.
Mixed dorms and female only dorms are available at extremely low prices: all feature ac and shared bathrooms. There are also a few private rooms with ensuite bathrooms and ac available; again at very low prices.
5. Most Luxurious: Oceanica
- $$$
- In-house diving team
- Spa, gym, pool, restaurant, bar, other water-sports
- Private beach
Oceanica Resort (previously known as South Palm Resort) is easily the most luxurious resort in all of Panglao, Bohol and with good reason. It lies just steps from Bohol Beach; a beautiful white-sand beach that is only accessible to residents of Oceanica and a small handful of other resorts and restaurants.
There’s plenty of space to enjoy the view whilst lounging around on the hammocks and deck chairs with a cocktail from the nearby bar/restaurant – or you can go for a game of volleyball.
With facilities such as a luxury spa, fitness centre (gym) and indoor games room, Oceanica has everything you need but if you do want to go and check out Alona Beach, it’s just a ten minute scooter ride away.
Guests can choose from a variety of spacious and comfortable rooms all with flatscreen TV’s, aircon and minibars and some with pool and beach views. You can also rent an entire villa! The staff are extremely proffessional and friendly; there is a 24 hour help-desk and room service as well as laundry and airport shuttle services.
With it’s own, highly-rated in-house diving team, Oceanica is extremely popular among scuba divers and couples!
6. Best Location: Henan’s Resort
- $$$
- Within walking distance of Alona Dive Centre (number one dive centre in Panglao!)
- Pool bar, spa, gym, restaurant with free buffet-breakfast
- Alona beach
Henan’s Resort is another luxury resort; this time located right at the classy end of Alona beach and within easy walking-distance of all of the main dive centres, bars and restaurants.
Although there is no in-house diving team, you need only walk for five minutes before you reach Alona divers: the most popular dive centre in Panglao…the other top dive centres are also just several minutes walk away.
Henan’s resort has it’s own unique vibe; it is especially popular among digital nomads and groups of younger travellers. The pool bar gets extra lively at night and there is often a live DJ on the beach just out front.
All rooms feature a large flatscreen TV with cable channels, aircon, safe and seating area with some also offering private balconies.
In addition to the various facilities and awesome location of Henan’s Resort, guests frequently cite how helpful the staff are as another thing that makes Henan Resort great to stay at. The free buffet-breakfast is especially popular!
7. Great Value: Bluewater Resort
- $$
- Diving facilities
- Spa, 2 pools, business centre restaurant
- 200m from Alona Beach
Bluewater Resort is less than half the price of South Palm or Henan’s but still offers a sufficient luxury feel with it’s own private beach area, 2 outdoor pools and business centre. It is also within the ideal location of just 200 meters from Alona beach.
There is a meticulously-run 24 hour help-desk that can assist with laundry, massage, car / scooter rental and…scuba diving! Snorkeling, fishing and other (non-motorized) water-sports can also be arranged.
Guests can relax by the pool-side bar or within the 2 separate dining areas where high quality Asian and Western cuisine is served. There is also a luxurious spa as well as daily housekeeping.
Rooms are fitted with tiled-flooring, aircon, a wardrobe, satellite TV and iPod dock and seating area. Banqueting and meeting facilities are available.
8. Budget Resort: Manta Dream Dive
- $
- Can arrange diving for you
- Pool, restaurant and bar
- 10 minute walk (800m) from Alona beach
If you want to stay at a dive resort in Panglao but you’re on a budget, Manta Dream Dive resort is the best bet for you! Located just 800m from Alona Beach, Manta Dream Divers offers a large swimming pool, free private parking and a common garden.
Rooms go for under 2000 PHP ($35) a night and feature aircon, ensuite bathrooms and a small private patio out front. At twenty metre squared they also offer a very decent amount of space. As you can see from the image above, Manta Dream Dive resort offers less privacy compared to other resorts with rooms being semi-detached.
Still, this is a more quiet and private option than staying in the dorm of a hostel and it is situated within a great location, easily walkable to Alona beach. And as the name suggests, Manta dream dive resort is also agreat place to arrange scuba diving.
9. Alternative Location: Linaw Beach Resort
- $$
- Diving Facilities
- Pool, restaurant, games hall
- Danao beach, 3km from Alona beach
If you’re looking to stay at a nice resort that’s somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of Alona (whilst still within a 10 min scooter ride of it), you should seriously consider Linaw beach resort which offers very quiet and laid back vibes along with a luxury (but only actually mid-priced!) feel.
Situated on the private beach of Danao, Linaw resort boasts an outdoor pool, fine-dining restaurant and open air games hall where guests can play billiards, table tennis or foosball.
The staff are extremely kind and courteous and all too happy to help you arrange scuba diving, tours and other activities or to rent a scooter / bicycle.
All rooms feature ensuite bathrooms, aircon, flatscreen TV’s and coffee making facilities. Some also offer beautiful sea views and private balconies.
10) Lennons Place Backpacker Hostel
- $
- Huts, bar, garden, common patio
- 500m from Alona beach
Within walking distance of Alona beach, Lennons Place offers a good blend of quiet tranquility: (thanks to the garden huts) with social vibes… thanks to the sun terrace where guests can relax with a drink from the bar whilst enjoying the view of the garden.
It is just 500m from Alona beach and so easily within walking distance (or a 1 minute scooter / tricycle ride) from the main selection of dive centres, bars and restaurants.
This is a cheap place to stay; you can choose to be in an 8 bed mixed dorm or a budget double room; either option is located within one of the small thatched huts in the garden surrounded by nature. There is also a 24 hour help desk and the option for bike hire. There are also bbq facilities, coffee machines and free private parking.
11) Adrianas Place Backpackers Resort
- $
- Bar, Restaurant, Lounge
- 200m from Damaluan beach, 5km from Alona
Another great hostel to meet other backpackers is Adrianas Place; which has one of the coolest and most unique bars of any hostel in Bohol. Said bar also doubles up as a restaurant and lounge area!
There’s a variety of room options; all are small cottages surrounded by nature in a lush garden. You can choose from mixed or female only dormitory rooms and private suites with aircon and private patios all at extremely reasonable prices.
Adriana’s place is located on Damaluan beach; this is about 5km away from Alona and less than ten minutes to reach via scooter or tricycle. Along Damaluan beach, there is also Club Aquasports, a local dive centre.
12) Bohemian Bohol Hostel
- $
- Bar, Lounge, Karaoke
- 600m from Alona beach
There’s actually quite a bit more to Bohemian Bohol Hostel than just karaoke. It’s another great place to meet people thanks to the shared lounge, terrace and bar with darts. And of course, yes there’s also karaoke!
You can choose from a variety of room options: 8 bed mixed or female only dorms, economy quadruple rooms or family rooms. All rooms have shared bathrooms; only a few feature aircon so be sure to check if this is important to you!
This is a cool and social place to stay; drinking games like beer pong are common and it’s extremely easy to get talking to and befriend other backpackers here. It’s also conveniently located just 600m from Alona beach where you will find most of the dive centres, restaurants and bars!
What to know about Diving Bohol
Bohol is an incredible place to dive for so many reasons! It’s useful to know what scuba divers can expect to see there – as well as when to go, how to get there and so forth.
Check out my main article for a complete Traveller’s Guide to Diving Bohol. crammed full of handy tips and other stuff you can do there besides just dive.
Best Places to Stay in Bohol Diving Squad DEBRIEFING:
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