Alona Beach

Alona is about a kilometre and a half of white sand on the southern side of Panglao Island, and it is Bohol's tourist centre rather than its quiet corner - resorts, dive shops, restaurants and bars run the whole length, boats line the shore, and touts work the sand. What justifies the density is what lies offshore: Panglao sits beside a wall that drops into deep water, and Alona is the closest launch for Balicasag's turtles and reef walls, Pamilacan's dolphins, and a string of local sites reachable in ten minutes. The dive industry here is long established and competitive, which keeps standards reasonable and prices moderate. Swimming from the beach itself is fine at high tide and awkward at low, when the reef flat is exposed. People who want the reefs without the strip base themselves at Doljo, Momo or Danao beaches nearby and come to Alona only for boats and dinner.

What you actually see

• The beach strip - sand backed by bars and dive shops.
• The boat line - outriggers waiting for the reef runs.
• The reef flat - exposed at low tide off the shore.
• The evening scene - restaurants and music along the sand.

When to go

November to May for calm water and reliable boat days. It is at its busiest over Christmas, Holy Week and Chinese New Year.

Honest expectations

This is a developed, sometimes crowded strip with persistent vendors, not a quiet beach. Low tide makes swimming poor. Boat and marine-park fees are charged on top of dive rates.

Nearby

Balicasag and Pamilacan are the boat trips; Hinagdanan Cave and Bohol's inland sights are half an hour away.