Snorkeling at Alona Beach π₯½ Philippines π
Alona Beach. The name itself practically whispers “tropical paradise.” Located on Panglao island, this little slice of heaven in the Philippines is all powdery white sands, ridiculously blue waters, and enough lush greenery to make you wonder if you’ve accidentally stumbled into a screensaver.
It promises a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, and who am I to argue with a promise like that?
Turns out, beyond the postcard-perfect vibes and weekend shenanigans, Alona also boasts some seriously impressive underwater real estate. We’re talking crystal-clear turquoise waters teeming with vibrant marine life and intricate coral formations. My kind of treasure hunt, really.
So, after three delightful days of doing not much at all in Pangangan (Bohol), we decided it was time to brave the bustling shores of Panglao and see if Alona’s underwater game was as strong as its reputation.
Highlights
- Snorkeling from the Beach
- Stay Close to the Buoy Line!
- Don’t Forget your Camera π
- Other Snorkeling Locations
- Ashiyana Resort ποΈπ΄π Alona
- White Sands of Dumaluan Beach ποΈ
- Mithi Resort & Spa, Panglao ποΈπ
- Philippines Beach Destinations π₯π
- All Hotel Deals Around Alona
- A Complete Philippines Itinerary
The Great Gear-Up & Buoy-Line Ballet
First order of business: acquiring the necessary aquatic accoutrements. A quick stroll along the bustling front strip of Alona, and presto! From any of the dive shops you can snag a mask and fins for a princely 250 pesos for the entire day. Bargain, right? Though, I did wonder if the previous wearer had perhaps sneezed underwater, but hey, details.
Armed with my slightly-used gear, I made my way to the far-left end of the beach.
Now, a word of warning for my fellow deep-sea explorers: it’s deceptively shallow for about 100 meters out. You’ll be doing a rather ungainly shuffle-swim until you finally hit that sweet spot where the water decides to actually get deep.
Snorkeling at Alona: It’s sandy to start with
From the shore, you’ll spot this rather official-looking area sectioned off by a line of white buoys. This is your designated underwater playground. It’s initially about 3 meters deep, and thankfully, it’s a boat-free zone, so you won’t get run over by a banana boat mid-Nemo spotting.
The catch? You’re expected to stick to that buoy line like glue. And let me tell you, they mean it.
After the sand, the weeds…
Sirens & Sea Snakes: My Brush with the Law
At one point, feeling a bit rebellious (or perhaps just directionally challenged), I drifted a little too far from the hallowed buoy line. Suddenly, a strange, ethereal siren song echoed through the water. My first thought? Mermaids! My second, more realistic thought? Oh, dear. That’s a loud siren.
It was only then that I spotted them: a trio of rather impressive lifeguards perched high up on the cliff, looking like marine-themed gargoyles. Once they had my attention (which, let’s be honest, was hard to miss with the underwater siren), they used a loudspeaker to very clearly instruct me (in perfectly enunciated English, no less) to stick to the buoy line.
I must admit, I was genuinely impressed. Who knew underwater law enforcement was so efficient?
This little Nemo is defending his turf!
Hotel Deals around Alona Beach
The buoy line, by the way, extends quite a distance in a semi-circle, practically hugging the reef drop-off before eventually leading to the next bay. The only minor hiccup is that at around 6 meters deep, the water starts getting a tad murky.
Not ideal if, like me, you’re armed with a basic camera that doesn’t moonlight as an underwater floodlight.
Snorkeling at Alona Beach
Snap Happy (& Slightly Murky) Memories
Speaking of cameras, I was rocking my trusty old ultra-compact Canon, snugly fitted in a simple DICAPack waterproof case.
Secured with a strap around my neck, it’s the perfect setup for snapping casual pics and even attempting short videos without feeling like you’re hauling a submarine round your neck.
Snorkeling at Alona Beach
I managed to capture some half-decent shots and videos, especially in the shallower sections where the light was still playing ball.
I even got some excellent footage of those incredibly bold and colorful ‘Nemo’-style clownfish β seriously, they have no personal space boundaries. And, because the Philippines loves to keep things interesting, I also encountered one of their famous sea snakes.
Slightly terrifying, incredibly cool.
Alona Beach – Watch out for the sea snakes
One unexpected bonus of Alona’s somewhat unpredictable weather (it often rained in the afternoons) was that snorkeling became the perfect escape.
Why sit on the beach pretending to enjoy a sudden downpour when you can be frolicking with fish underwater? Priorities, people.
Snorkeling at Alona Beach β View above water
Beyond Alona: Other Aquatic Adventures
A week prior, we’d had a couple of idyllic days snorkeling in Moalboal, Cebu, which felt a bit more laid-back. Alona, in contrast, is definitely the busier of the two, but don’t let that deter you. An afternoon submerged in its waters with a mask is absolutely worth your time.
If you’re after something a little more low-key than Alona’s busy vibe, I’d suggest venturing a little further south down the coast to Dumaluan beach . Think of it as Alona’s quieter, equally charming cousin.
So, next time you’re contemplating a trip to Panglao, grab your mask, embrace the potential for minor navigational mishaps, and dive into the surprisingly vibrant underwater world of Alona Beach.
Just try not to upset the lifeguard-gargoyles, okay?
If you enjoyed Snorkeling at Alona Beach, check out Central Philippines – Cebu & Bohol. You may also like:
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