Bohol Island

Bohol Island

Guide  If your schedule allows, you should plan your “One-Day Tour of Bohol” for a Sunday, because every Sunday morning from 7:30 to 8:30, the world-renowned Loboc Children’s Choir performs at the Loboc Church. You don’t need to understand the lyrics to enjoy their singing—the pure sound alone is a delight. The choir members are children aged 7 to 12. Their concerts at the Cultural Center of the Philippines can cost up to 1,500 pesos per ticket, and they have also been invited to perform at the Shanghai Arts Festival in China. Introduction  Bohol Island is the tenth largest island in the Philippines, located 70 kilometers from Mactan Island in Cebu. It is a coral island. The beaches formed by crushed coral washed ashore are not as fine as flour-like sand, but even under the scorching sun, the sand remains cool underfoot. The snow-white beach creates a beautifully layered view of the sea—turquoise near the shore and deep blue in the distance.

The island offers attractions such as ancient churches and the Blood Compact Monument. Don’t miss visiting the forest area near Sikatuna Village to see the world’s smallest monkey, the Tarsier (opening hours: 8:00–16:00; a small donation is recommended). By taking a small boat upstream, you can enjoy the views of pristine forests, monkey sanctuaries, and waterfalls along the way. Alternatively, you can hike up the mountains or go swimming and diving to immerse yourself in the poetic surroundings.

Diving: Bohol is a diver’s paradise. Visitors with diving licenses can rent gear and oxygen tanks directly. For most beginners, hiring a diving instructor is essential. The total cost is around 60 USD. The training takes about an hour and a half, after which you can take a boat out to sea and explore the colorful underwater world. It’s said you might even spot clownfish like those in Finding Nemo.

Transportation  From Mactan Port, there are ferry services to Cebu every hour. From Cebu to Bohol, there are both fast and slow boats. The slow boat is cheaper (around P170) but takes nearly 7 hours. The fast boat is more expensive (about P400) but only takes 2 hours.

Cebu, Philippines