Napaling reef and the sardine shoals

On Panglao’s west coast, steps lead down from a low cliff into water where a reef wall drops away and huge shoals of sardines swirl just below the surface.

Area

Panglao & reefs

Start from

Panglao

Distance

a short ride from Alona

Time needed

half a day

Best season

All year; calmer December – May

Difficulty

Moderate

Transport

Tricycle or scooter; snorkelling from the shore

Tickets & rules

Small entrance or environmental fee; snorkel gear rental

Why go

I lowered myself off a ladder into clear blue water, put my face in, and the sea in front of me went silver. Thousands of sardines turned at once, a single shape folding and unfolding, then parted around me as I floated. A few metres further out, the reef dropped into deep blue.

Napaling is one of the easiest ways to have that experience on Bohol without a boat. The reef runs right along the shore, and the drop-off begins just a few kicks from the steps. Even without the sardines it is a lovely snorkel: soft corals, sponges, triggerfish, and the occasional turtle.

It is also a good place for beginners who are confident swimmers, because you can hold on to the ladder, get used to the mask and come back out whenever you want.

The story

Sardine shoals like this appear in several places in the central Visayas, and they come and go. Locals at Napaling say the shoals have been here for years, sometimes thicker, sometimes thinner, depending on currents and plankton. Nobody can promise you will see them.

The local community manages access to the reef, collecting small fees and controlling where people enter the water. The reef is part of a marine protected area, and fishing is restricted along this stretch, which is one reason the fish are so abundant.

Panglao’s western coast was hit by Typhoon Odette in 2021, and some shallow corals were damaged. Divers who have known the area for decades say recovery has been visible since, a reminder of how resilient reefs can be when they are left alone.

Fishermen here traditionally used small bancas and hand lines, and some families still fish further offshore. A man selling coconuts by the steps told me that he had swum with the sardines as a boy, before anyone thought of charging for it.

Getting there

Napaling is near the village of Tawala, on the west coast of Panglao, roughly 15–20 minutes by tricycle from Alona. Drivers know it.

Diving trips also visit the Napaling wall from boats, and dive centres around Alona offer guided dives here.

A suggested plan

1. 7:30Arrive early, before boats and groups, for calm water and good light.
2. 8:00Snorkel along the reef edge looking for the sardine shoal.
3. 9:30Rest, have a coconut, then go back in for a second swim.
4. 11:00Return to Alona or continue to Panglao town.

Where to stay

Alona or the quieter west coast of Panglao, where some guesthouses are within walking or short tricycle distance.

Good to know

• Use reef-safe sunscreen, or better, a rash guard.
• Fins help here because currents can pick up along the wall.
• A small underwater camera or housing is worth bringing.