A limestone island seascape in the Bohol Sea, protecting some of the Philippines' richest marine biodiversity.
Panglao Island Protected Seascape
Panglao Island Protected Seascape is a national protected area in the Philippines covering the waters and surrounding ecosystems around Panglao Island in the Bohol Sea. Located southwest of Bohol Island and within the Central Visayas region, the seascape protects a marine environment that has been recognized as exceptionally diverse, hosting far more recorded species than many larger sea regions elsewhere in the world.
The protected area centers on an island formed from young Maribojoc limestone, whose soluble, coralline character has shaped the surrounding seascape through caves, sinkholes, and reef formations. Designated under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018, the seascape reflects the country's shift toward formal, ecosystem-based protection of coastal and marine zones that underpin regional biodiversity, fisheries, and tourism.
Beyond its ecological significance, the seascape is closely tied to the identity of Panglao Island as one of the Philippines' most recognized tropical destinations, drawing visitors to beaches, reefs, and small offshore islets. The protected designation frames the island's coral systems and coastal waters as a nationally important natural asset, balancing ongoing tourism activity with long-term conservation of marine life.
