Depart from your Panglao Island hotel at 8:00 AM and begin with a snorkeling adventure in the crystal-clear waters of Napaling. After snorkeling, freshen up before heading to Loboc River for a scenic bamboo raft lunch cruise, surrounded by tropical rainforests and charming riverside villages. The itinerary continues with visits to iconic attractions: marvel at the unique conical formations of the Chocolate Hills, get up close with rare tarsiers, interact with diverse butterfly species at the butterfly garden, and explore the lush man-made forest. The well-paced tour concludes with a return to your hotel around 18:00, offering a perfect blend of Bohol Island's marine ecology and captivating terrestrial views in a single enriching day.
▲ Located in the central northern part of Panglao Island, Napaling is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling. It features spectacular cliffs that extend from 3m to 40m, adorned with holes, crevices, overhangs, and caves, creating excellent conditions for photography. With some luck, you may have the chance to witness the breathtaking sardine run up close and experience the awe-inspiring charm of marine life. Additionally, the area boasts abundant soft and hard corals, juvenile barracudas, bannerfish, moray eels, and other marine creatures. Napaling also has a diving platform for visitors to experience the thrill of cliff diving.
▲ The Chocolate Hills are a natural wonder near Carmen in central Bohol Island, Philippines, consisting of 1,268 to 1,776 conical mounds ranging from 30 to 50 m in height, with some reaching up to 120 m. Composed of limestone, they derive their name from the grass turning chocolate-brown during the dry season. Their formation remains debated, but the widely accepted theory attributes it to the uplift of Bohol Island from the seafloor, followed by prolonged erosion of shell, coral rock layers, and impermeable clay. The Chocolate Hills not only served as a filming location for "Harry Potter" but are also designated as the Philippines' third National Geological Monument, holding immense tourism value and cultural significance.
▲ The Butterfly Garden, also known as the Bohol Habitat Conservation Center, is located in Bilar Town on Bohol Island, serving both educational and conservation purposes. Formerly called the Highland Retreat Resort, it is now named the Bohol Habitat Conservation Center. The garden features numerous plants that attract butterflies, with the open butterfly garden and netted butterfly enclosure being the highlights. Nearly 200 butterfly species can be found here, with over 60 local species frequently visiting naturally and more than 20 species living and breeding within the enclosure. Visitors can stroll along natural trails and experience butterflies fluttering around them. The center also includes a visitor center, restaurant, and gift shop, offering complimentary tour guide services to help visitors learn about the life cycle and habits of butterflies. It is an excellent destination for exploring the world of butterflies.
▲ The Loboc River rafting lunch takes place on the Loboc River, known as the "Amazon of the East." Travelers board floating bamboo raft houses to enjoy a Filipino-style buffet while admiring the pristine tropical rainforest scenery along both banks. The experience also includes performances by local singers, guitarists, and indigenous dancers showcasing traditional dances.
▲ The tarsier is a national treasure of the Philippines and an endangered protected species. As one of the world's smallest primates, it measures only about 10 cm in length and weighs just over 100 grams. With large, round eyes resembling glasses (hence its name), bat-like ears, and a tail longer than its body, it has soft gray fur. Being nocturnal, it primarily feeds on insects. Its head can rotate 180 degrees for precise prey capture. Visitors can observe them at the Bohol Island Tarsier Sanctuary, but must remain quiet and avoid using flash photography.