⌛ Alona Kew Resort - Panglao Island, Bohol

It looks like a lesser traveled route to get there from what I am reading on the site. I will be coming from Dumaguete, so it appears I would take the Tagbilaran route.

Their prices from Cebu to the island are pretty high.

Hopefully the prices for Tagbilaran through them are more reasonable.

Originally I was just planning to stay in Panglao for 2 nights, but from what I see the time of day the ferries come and go from Dumaguete will eat up a day.

This location looks like a very good option. Thanks for your help.

Edit: Forgot to ask something. Is the snorkeling good there? I am not a diver and it seems to mention diving a lot.

 

Yes. That Cebu transfer...I've done it once...is expensive and frankly not that interesting. It's a tedious car ride for about two hours then the boat ride for about 45 minutes. Boat ride is ok but not as scenic as from Bohol. Routing thru Bohol is miles better. Neither one of us can remember exactly how much we paid via Bohol....but it was nowhere near that, or we would remember! The ride from tagbilaran to the pickup pier is around an hour...maybe less if they have finally finished the construction work that was being done to the 'highway'.

Fantastic snorkeling is straight out from the resort beach about two hundred meters. I only snorkel about four hours a day, between dives. Can't stay out of the water. When you're ready for other sites, one of their boats can take you to many other nice spots. Visibility was a hundred feet or better. Corals and sealife pristine. The locals take care of the place...to keep the tourists coming to the resorts. I've seen turtles, just about every reef fish in the catalogue, schools of pelagics (mackeral, trevally, barracuda), a couple small white-tips. Very nice and always entertaining. Can't wait for next time. A lot of the people there are repeat customers. Met one couple from the US who were on their eighth trip to the resort! Fly all the way from the states every six months or so...

 

Wow! Now you have me more excited about this place than Panglao. My girlfriend and I have lots of fun snorkeling and we are not fans of crowds. This seems to fit that.

They didn't reply to me, so I think that is a sign they are full as well....or just slow to reply :( Chalk it up to high season and not reserving early.

 

Franz can be a little slow with the email. He does it all himself...and running the place keeps him pretty busy. I find it takes a day, or two, or three...to get a reply. Phone usually works better. Good luck!

 

You nailed it. I did eventually get a reply.

It was from Maria. They are fully booked during the time range I inquired about. :(

However, my persistence may pay off. I received a reply from a resort on Panglao. I just need to lock in the reservation.

 

Yes, they likely got a bunch of Germans in on a package tour. Franz touts the place pretty heavily over there and does get results. Keep it in mind for next time!

Snorkeling at Panglao. It's ok...was pretty good twenty years ago but has gradually declined..population pressure I presume. You will see some reef fish though and the water is still reasonably clear. Balicasag is great snorkeling...particularly in the morning...depending on where you are staying, and their boat, you can get there roughly 45 minutes. Gets choppy in the afternoon usually....still good visibility but you flop around in chop...Have a great time!!