All activities / Freediving / Panglao
Freediving in PanglaoPH
A small island in Bohol with the highest concentration of professional freediving schools in Southeast Asia. Warm, calm water with no thermocline makes it ideal for beginner-to-advanced progression, with AIDA, SSI, and Molchanovs courses running year-round from multiple established schools.
Why here
Panglao has earned its reputation as Southeast Asia's freediving capital through school density. Freedive Academy, Freedive SuperHOME, and Conservation Freediving Bohol all operate full AIDA, SSI, and Molchanovs programmes here, attracting instructors from around the world. The water conditions are close to perfect for learning: 26-30°C throughout the year, calm, protected, and with no thermocline — the same temperature at 30m as at the surface. This is where freedivers come to take their first serious course and return to progress. The sardine run at Moalboal (30 minutes away) and whale shark encounters at Oslob are day-trip bonuses that reinforce why Bohol is so compelling as a diving destination.
Best months
Visibility 15-30m year-round. Water temp 26-30°C throughout with no thermocline — consistent from surface to depth. Minimal current; protected from swell by Cebu and Bohol. Alona Beach reef: easy shore entry, macro life, shallow reef for skills training. Balicasag Island (20-min boat): walls to 50m+, clear water, sea turtles and sea snakes resident. Sardine run at Moalboal: tens of millions of sardines in a tight shoal just 5m underwater — accessible as a day trip.
Getting there & around
Fly to Tagbilaran Airport (TAG), Bohol — via Manila or Cebu (2 connections from international hubs). Transfer from airport to Alona Beach takes approximately 1 hour by van. Alona Beach is the hub: all major schools and most accommodation within walking distance. Course packages including accommodation widely available from all schools. Low cost of living: full AIDA 2 course plus 7 nights typically $400-600 USD. Combine with Moalboal sardine run, Oslob whale shark interaction (3 hours south), and Chocolate Hills.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (3)
Freedive Academy
SchoolAIDA, Molchanovs, and SSI Instructor Training Center in Panglao, Bohol. Runs multiple instructor-level courses each month across all three certification agencies. The academy trains freedivers from beginner to instructor trainer, and also offers swim teaching and mermaiding programs.
Freedive Panglao
SchoolThe original freediving school in Bohol and one of Asia's most established AIDA centres. Offers courses from beginner to instructor level and has been a cornerstone of the Panglao freediving community since the island became a regional hub.
Freedive SuperHOME
SchoolFull-facility freediving school on Doljo Beach, Panglao, operating since 2015. Features a 25m freediving pool, on-site accommodation, classrooms, speedboats, and an offshore training platform. Offers AIDA and Molchanovs courses from beginner to instructor level.