Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort (CDN PHOTO/EDD BUENAVIAJE)
IT’S pretty normal to play favorites when it comes to summer destinations, even expected to appraise and rate each. For Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort’s exciting lined up summer activities plus its turquoise waters and lagoon-shaped pools, this one destination is climbing the list without much weighing up.
Located in Panglao Island, Bohol, this haven is nestled strategically close to other paradisal islands perfect for island boat tours and watersports.
From the shoreline of Bluewater Panglao, Balicasag Island is situated to its left. Oslob, Cebu is to its right, and Siquijor Island is easily sighted straight ahead.
Panglao Bluewater has various summer activities and events on a monthly basis. Guests can tour around on the ATV or all-terain vehicle. Guests can also go cycling around Panglao Island. Tourists get to enjoy mango picking when it’s in season.
Watersports such as kayaking and paddle boarding are made available—and so is diving if you are feeling more adventurous for the day. Submariner Diving Center is a certified PADI five-star dive resort located in the resort. Tourists can also look forward to whale-watching and the Abatan River firefly-watching.
A huge statue of Padre Pio greets guests of Isola Di Francesco. (CDN PHOTO/EDD BUENAVIAJE)
If historical bits and facts is more your thing, the tour to Isola di Francesco is a must in the itinerary.
Isola di Francesco or Island of St. Francis is also known as Pungtod Island, but it is popularly referred to by most tourists as Virgin Island.
Fact check: The privately-owned islet is now called Isola di Francesco in tribute to Padre Pio, the Franciscan friar known to exhibit signs of stigmata.
A massive statue of Padre Pio is placed north of the island and nearby is a small museum with his relics.
There are statues of saints, and cherubs are hanging on tree branches. The landscape is a shaded garden grove of shrubs and trees with pigeons and doves unmindful of the presence of humans. Visitors are continually reminded not to chase after them. Outside is a long crescent-shaped sandbar where starfishes are visible in the shoreline. A walk around the islet easily draws you to commune with nature and it’s only 25 minutes away from the resort.
Relaxing on deck chairs scattered on the long stretch of white sand beach is, of course, as enticing as it appears, but swimming in its turquoise waters, basking under the sun knows no equal. The beachfront is bordered with coconut palms with its fronds dancing in summer breeze. Alternatively, the two lagoon-shaped pools in the resort with cascading falls are equally rewarding.
A barrio fiesta presentation caps dinner during weekends. (CDN PHOTO/EDD BUENAVIAJE)
Tourists, vacationers and locals flock during weekends. However, the day is spent in Panglao Bluewater, a Saturday night is best capped with the Barrio Fiesta presentation where a few talented staff and performers do the Philippine folk dances after dinner. They’d dance the Tinikling, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Cariñosa, Singkil, Maglalatik and others.
First-time guests are encouraged to go out and maximize their experience at Bluewater Panglao upon arrival. But with the spacious rooms with cantilevered beds and private verandas adding a homey feeling with its oriental touch, sometimes that is a big ask.
