Napaling Reef: All You Need to Know About Bohol’s Brilliant Orange Reef

Napaling Reef is a special place to me.

I guess it’s because it’s one of the first places I dived in, as a beginner freediver.

I still remember the struggle of those moments.

How I would try to reach the bottom, some 5 meters below. 

The crazy kicks, the frothing foam, the sharp, tenacious pain in my ears.

But it was all worth it. 

I was dazzled by the glimmering ball of black-and-silver sardines that danced through the cerulean-blue waters.

I couldn’t get my eyes off the reef, a stunning bright orange, embraced by huge corals.

I played with the huge sea turtles as they lazily glided in and out of the underwater garden.

So if you’re ever in Panglao, Bohol, you can’t miss Napaling Reef.

In this blog, I’ll tell you all you need to know to enjoy it.

Napaling Reef Facts: 4 Fun Things to Know Before Your Dive

Before diving into how to get to Napaling Reef, what to see there, and how much you can expect to spend…

…let’s go over the fun stuff.

1. Napaling’s Reef Is a Startling Bright Orange

I’ve been to a lot of reefs around the Philippines but…

…I kid you not, Napaling’s has the most unusual color.

It’s a brilliant orange, its hue seeming to pulse in its deep blue surroundings.

I’m not sure why it’s so orange.

I did a Google search and no one even talks about the color in any blogs online. 🤷‍♀️

Anyway…

…maybe it’s because of the types of corals that grow there? 

Whatever the reason, this is a must-visit spot if you’re into uniquely-colored reefs. 

(This is me. Sorry for the bad quality – but can you see that lovely orange glow beneath the really bad camera? Wait until you see it in real life. 🤯) 

2. Napaling Crack Is a Famous Spot to Get Beautifully Eerie Photos

If you’re a freediver who has a ton of the usual photos…

…you know, the reefs, the fish, the statues. 

Then you must come to Napaling Reef and have a photo of you ascending through “The Crack.” 

Napaling Crack is an eerie, cave-like wall extending around 10 meters from top to bottom.

But you don’t need to dive that deep to get a great shot between the walls of the crack.

If you can do 5 to 6 meters in depth, you can have a stunning shot that’ll surely stand out in your Instagram feed. 

Like this: 

Source: kaubanfreediving 

3. Napaling Reef is Great for Scuba Divers, Freedivers, and Snorkelers 

Each year, tons of tourists flock to Panglao to enjoy the lovely reefs around Napaling.

Some of these sign up for scuba tours, loading their gear onto boats and exploring the deeper region of the steep wall that disappears into a giant blue abyss.

Some of these are freedivers, excited to glide through the stunning coral gardens and say hello to the giant turtles that rest within them.

But if you aren’t a scuba diver or freediver, you can still enjoy Napaling Reef.

(I know, because I visited the reef even before I learned how to duck dive.) 

Snorkellers and swimmers are welcome anytime, and you can enjoy the luxurious color and life of the underwater world from the surface. 

Source: kaubanfreediving 

The reef is only around 8 meters from the shore, great for people who aren’t comfortable swimming so far out.

You can also rent life vests and snorkeling gear, and hire a guide from the reception, so no need to worry if the deep makes you a little scared (for now). 

Note: going freediving? Check out my full Bohol Freediving guide below!

4. Moalboal Isn’t the Only Place to See a Sardine Run (Napaling Reef Has One Too!) 

If you’ve heard of Moalboal’s sardine run, you’ll know it’s an epic ball of silvery fish you can swim with.

Imagine swimming or diving with a shoal of millions of glinting fish! 

But did you know…that Bohol also has a sardine run?

That’s right.

And you can find it right in Napaling Reef.

The sardines are there whole year round, so it doesn’t matter when you go. 

You can always enjoy a swim or dive with them. 

Plus, they love to linger right next to the shore.

They have a bunch of predators (needlefish, tuna, and Spanish mackerel) lurking in the deeper end of the sea, so they prefer to stay in shallower water. 

So whether you’re a freediver or not, you can enjoy the eerie, beautiful ball of fish as they do their gliding dances through Napaling Reef’s waters.

Source: kaubanfreediving 

Haven’t seen Moalboals’ sardine run yet? Check out this guide on what you can expect there. 

How to Get to Napaling Reef (3 Ways I Recommend) 

Here’s the thing that’s wonderful about Bohol: it doesn’t view tourists as unknown creatures from outer space. 😂

It’s not one of those obscure islands where no one even knows why you’re there. 

In Bohol, the moment you land at Tagbilaran Port (the most common way to get to the island), you’ll be surrounded by people wanting to take you anywhere you want to go. (If there’s no mode of transportation to get you where you want, they’ll make it up for you! They’re that friendly and hospitable.) 

Here are some common ways to get to Napaling Reef from the Port:

• Rent a motorcycle. It’s the easiest thing in the world to rent a motorcycle at Tagbilaran port. Outside the gate, you’ll find them lined up, ready for you to take them for a spin. A motorcycle costs PHP 350-600 for 24 hours, depending on its model. 
• Take a tricycle. A tricycle is a motorcycle taxi (a minicab driven by a motorcycle). Even before you exit Tagbilaran port, you can hail these in the parking area outside the port buildings. It’ll cost you around PHP200 per person to get to Panglao (and Napaling). Since there are no fixed prices, be sure your haggling skills are duly sharpened! 
• Bus. There’s a bus line from Dao Terminal in Tagbilaran to the Alona area in Panglao. This is the cheapest option (around PHP100 per person), but it’s also the most complicated. You’ll either have to get off at Barangay Tangnan at the entrance towards Napaling Point (then walk around a kilometer to Kalikasan Dive Resort), or go all the way to Alona and hire a motorcycle or tricycle from there. But if you’re into adventure, why not try this route? 

Once you’ve chosen your mode of transportation, search Kalikasan Dive Resort on Google Maps.

Here’s the exact location: 

You can access Napaling Reef from Kalikasan Dive Resort. 

How Much You’ll Spend at Napaling Reef (And the Best Time to Visit) 

You don’t need to break the bank to enjoy the wonders of Napaling Reef.

Here’s what you can expect to spend when there:

Kalikasan is open from 9am to 5pm daily (for day trippers).

If you’re staying overnight in one of their rooms, you can arrive at any time you want. 

However, if you arrive at night, you have to wait until the next day to explore Napaling Reef.

Note: You can enjoy Napaling any time of the day, but mornings are the best time to visit. That’s because the waters are still cool, meaning you’ll get a better chance of seeing the sardines at their most active time of the day.

Places to Stay Near Napaling Reef

There are a bunch of great places to stay in the Napaling area.

Trust me, nothing is ever too hard in Panglao, Bohol. 

Here are a few I recommend: 

1. Kalikasan Dive Resort 

Want to be right in the middle of all the action? 

You’ll love it that Kalikasan Dive Resort has direct access to Napaling Reef.

Get a room there, and you’ll only be a couple of steps to the dive point.

Note: This place is usually fully booked! (The reason why I’ve never stayed there.) So If you want to stay there, it’s best to book long ahead of time. 

A room here costs PHP2,200 to PHP2,600 for 2 pax. 

2. Panglao Sea Resort

This option is a little bit on the pricier side.

But you’ll love it if you want a relaxing place to stay that’s right next to the sea. 

It has spacious, comfortable rooms, a refrigerator and coffee machine, a pool, room service, and free breakfast. 

I stayed in this place in 2022, and it was worth it.

Check out its pool and garden. 

Pricing for a room is around PHP5,000 per night for 2 pax.

This place is about 5 minutes from Napaling Reef. 

3. Glamping Alona

Looking for cheaper options?

Traveling in a larger group?

Glamping Alona is the perfect spot for you.

You can stay in their (non-air conditioned) glamping tents for PHP400-500 per head.

Or you can rent a tent-shaped (air-conditioned) room that fits 4-6 people (PHP2,000-2,500 per room).

I love this place!

It has a fun hangout area with a billiard table and a cool tree-house-themed balcony with pillows.

It has a pool, bar, and lots of little tables on the grass for those who want to sit out at night and look at the stars. 

Check out how cozy it looks: 

This place is around 15 minutes from Napaling Reef. 

Who to Contact When Visiting Napaling Reef

If you’re the adventurous type, you can totally wing it on your trip to Napaling Reef.

 But if you want someone waiting there for you, with a safety buoy and tour schedule that ensures you get to enjoy every part of the reef?

You can contact Kauban Freediving.

Facebook: kaubanfreediving 

Instagram: @kaubanfreediving  

Niel is a freediving instructor and former National Record holder who offers freediving tours, snorkeling tours, line training, and certification courses. 

In fact, the underwater photos in this blog are all from him! 

Simply message him before your trip, tell him what you need, and voila!

You never have to worry about anything again.

Napaling Reef: A Must-Visit for All Ocean Lovers

In Bohol for a weekend (or longer)?

Napaling Reef is a place you should never skip.

With its long orange reef, ball of mysterious black sardines, turtles, and beautiful underwater calm…

…it’s a memorable spot you’ll want to go back to again and again.

(I know I have 😉)

Heading to Bohol? Check out my complete Bohol guide for more adventures.