Sun, Laughter & Sea Turtles: Our Unforgettable Family & Friends Tour in Panglao Island, Bohol

May 7, 2022 - Panglao island, Bohol, Philippines

You know a trip is going to be legendary when the group chat turns into a full-on countdown. “3 more sleeps!” “Don’t forget the snorkeling gear!” “Who’s bringing snacks?” Yup, we were that excited.

And finally, the day came. Destination: Panglao Island, Bohol. Squad: the whole crew — cousins, titas, titos, best friends who are basically family, and even that one who always brings a speaker.

Arrival Vibes: From Chaos to Chill

As soon as we landed in Bohol, the vacation energy hit HARD. The city noise? Gone. In its place: coconut trees, gentle sea breeze, and the sound of waves in the distance.

We checked into a resort at Alona Beach, and let me tell you—if “tropical dream” was a place, this was it. White sand so fine it felt like powdered sugar, and water so clear we could see tiny fish swimming near the shore. First things first: slippers off, swimming gear on, and a million photos taken before the sun even set.

Island Hopping: Like a Travel Show, But We Were the Stars

The next morning, we woke up before sunrise (yes, willingly!) for our island hopping tour. With our shades on and Bluetooth speaker blasting, we hopped on a boat and sailed into the bright blue beyond.

First stop: Balicasag Island.
Let me say it straight: the snorkeling here? Next level. We swam with actual sea turtles, freaked out (in a good way) over giant clams, and floated above coral reefs that looked like alien gardens. Even our usually chill uncle was yelling “Woooaaah!” through his snorkel.

Next up: Virgin Island.
Imagine walking on a sandbar in the middle of the ocean. Now imagine eating fresh sea urchin with vinegar while doing it. That's what we did. Some of us loved it, some of us screamed a little—but hey, travel is about trying new things, right?

Land Adventures: Hills, Rivers, and Really Cute Animals

To shake things up, we took a side trip to explore more of Bohol. First up: the Chocolate Hills. Over a thousand of them, all shaped like giant Hershey’s Kisses (which, of course, led to candy jokes for the rest of the day).

Then came the Tarsier Sanctuary, where we met the tiniest primates on the planet. Huge eyes. Tiny hands. Super shy. Basically the opposite of our noisy group, but we adored them.

Lunch was served on a floating restaurant on the Loboc River. Picture this: we’re eating grilled squid and lechon while cruising down a jungle-lined river, with a local band singing “Take me home, Country roads” in the background. A tita gets up to sing. Our uncle joins in. Suddenly we’re in the middle of a full-on concert. 10/10 experience.

Nights to Remember (and Laugh About Forever)

The fun didn’t stop when the sun went down. Our nights were just as epic.

We spent the night kicked back at the pool bar, cold beers in hand, laughter bouncing between clinks of bottles and splashy cannonballs in the background. The music played, stories flowed, and someone started a karaoke session that turned into an impromptu concert showdown. One friend (you know who you are) sang “Bohemian Rhapsody” like they were auditioning for a world tour — and honestly, the resort staff looked impressed.

The kids had their own little world nearby, splashing and playing, while the rest of us lounged, soaking in the warm night air and each other’s company. No deadlines, no emails — just ice-cold drinks, old jokes, and non-stop laughter that reminded us exactly why we took this trip in the first place.

Leaving with Full Hearts (and SD Cards)

When it was time to leave Panglao, none of us wanted to. We had sunburns, sand in our shoes, and about 3,000 photos to sort through. But more than that, we had memories that would make us laugh, smile, and maybe cry a little for years to come.

This trip reminded us that life isn’t just about where you go — it’s about who you go with. And we went with the best.

So thank you, Panglao, for the turtles, the tan lines, and the endless good vibes. We’ll definitely be back. And next time, we’re bringing an even bigger speaker.

By: Meme Borja