Panglao Island

Panglao is an island in the Philippines located in the Central Visayas, with an area of 80.5 sq. kilometers. Politically, it is divided into two municipalities: Dauis and Panglao, part of Bohol Province. Panglao is located southwest of the island of Bohol and east of Cebu Island.

Currently Panglao is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, famous for its beautiful dive spots and its coral reef, as well as many several islet ideal for beach bathing like the islets of Gak-ang and Pontod.

History

In early history, Panglao was well known to Chinese, Malays, Thai people and Indonesians, traders. In 1803, Spanish explorers came to the shores of Panglao in search of fresh water. At the time a couple of natives on the seashore were making fishing devices called “panggaw”. One of the Spaniards asked what the name of the island was. The natives–who thought the visitors were asking what they were making–then replied “panggaw”. Hence, from that term, was derived the name Panglao.

Geography

Panglao has a terrain that range from plain, hilly to mountainous. Panglao is made of Maribojoc Limestone, the youngest of the limestone units found in the western area of Bohol. The limestone composition halted the development of an airport as coralline limestone is soluble which causes formation of caves and sinkholes. One interesting geological feature found in the island is the Hinagdanan Cave which has an underground water source. The cave is an important water source as the island has no rivers or lakes.

One tourism spot on the island of Panglao is the BOHOL BEACH CLUB. It features a 1.5 kilometer beach shoreline that provides a pristine beauty of what the island offers. It also boasts of the presence of one of the most beautiful dive spots that carries a glimpse of an awesome sea world treat.

Biodiversity

About 250 new species of crustaceans and 2500 new species of mollusks were found around the island.The discovery was the work of the Panglao Marine Biodiversity Project. The project found that Panglao alone has more marine biodiversity than Japan and the Mediterranean sea.

Panglao Island International Airport

Panglao Island International Airport is a controversial airport project waiting to start construction on Panglao Island in the province of Bohol, Philippines. It is intended to become Bohol’s international airport to support its tourism industry, especially on Panglao Island which is being promoted as an alternative destination for Boracay Island.

The airport is very close to Tagbilaran Airport in Tagbilaran City which currently serves as the gateway to Panglao Island and the rest of mainland Bohol for domestic air travelers. It also is less than 2 hours travel time from Mactan-Cebu International airport, which is a gateway to the Central Philippines for international tourists. More about the airport in our news section.