Skip to content

Palawan to the Visayas · about 120 minutes in the air

Private flight from El Nido to Panglao, Bohol

El Nido Airport (Lio) (ENI) to Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG). Whole aircraft from ₱378,000 ($6,200), up to 5 passengers.

El Nido and Bohol are the two places a Philippines itinerary most wants to join and the two the airlines keep furthest apart. There is no scheduled flight between them and no ferry: the dependable routing is El Nido to Manila, a connection of two to three hours at NAIA, and Manila to Panglao, seven to nine hours door to door on a day when everything runs to time. The alternative through Cebu swaps one connection for three and only works on the days the El Nido to Cebu turboprop operates. Either way, a leg that measures about 510 kilometres on the map costs a full day of the holiday at each end.

A private aircraft flies the straight line in about two hours: off Lio's runway, east across the Sulu Sea and the ridge of Negros, and onto Bohol-Panglao International Airport, on the resort island itself and 15 to 20 minutes from Alona Beach. It is one of the two longest crossings we price, and the aircraft is chosen for it. The leg is listed on a five-seat Cessna 206 Stationair, with room for a family or a dive group and the extra cabin space that a two-hour sector deserves; larger groups are quoted on a turboprop.

The price on this page is for the whole aircraft, shown live in pesos and dollars. Against two airline fares each and a lost day, a group of four or five splitting one aircraft is buying back a full day of holiday at each end for a per-person premium that shrinks quickly; a couple with flexible dates may reasonably decide the Manila loop is worth the day. A booking is a request the operator confirms, usually within hours, and nothing is charged until they do. Give a two-hour cross-sea leg a few days' notice, and check the empty legs page first: Bohol-based aircraft that deliver groups to El Nido reposition home east with empty seats.

El Nido, Palawan to Panglao, Bohol: your options compared

El Nido, Palawan to Panglao, Bohol: options compared
Option Time Cost Notes
Private aircraft (Avian) About 120 min ₱378,000 Whole aircraft, up to 5 passengers; lands at the airport.
Airline via Manila7–9 hours door to doorTwo fares, per seatEl Nido to NAIA, a connection, Manila to Panglao. Reliable, and the longest of the crossings by airline.
Airline via Cebu + ferryMost of a dayAirfare plus ferry and taxisOnly on the days the El Nido to Cebu turboprop flies; then a taxi, a two-hour ferry and a road transfer.
Ferry——No passenger service between Palawan and Bohol.

Flight time is a typical block time for the aircraft shown and is confirmed at booking; surface times are typical and vary with weather and season.

Frequently asked questions

Is the price per person or per aircraft?
Per aircraft. The price shown covers the whole aircraft from El Nido to Panglao for up to the passenger limit on the price card, so splitting it between travellers is where charter starts to make sense.
How much luggage can we bring?
Each price card shows the aircraft's total luggage allowance in kilograms. Light aircraft take soft bags far more easily than hard cases; if you are travelling with dive gear, a surfboard or camera cases, mention it when you book and the operator will confirm it fits.
How far in advance do we need to book?
A booking on Avian is a request: the operator confirms availability, usually within hours, and you then receive a secure payment link by email. Nothing is charged until the operator has confirmed. Same-day flights are sometimes possible; a few days' notice is safer in peak season.
What happens at the airport?
Charter departures use the small general-aviation side of the airport. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure, meet the crew, and walk to the aircraft. There are no boarding groups and no long security queues.
What if the weather turns?
Light aircraft fly in visual conditions, so heavy weather can move a departure. If the operator needs to change your time they will propose a new one and you accept or decline it from your booking link; a flight that cannot operate is not charged.
Can children and infants fly?
Yes. Every person on board, including an infant on a lap, counts towards the aircraft's passenger limit, so choose your passenger count accordingly when you search.
Which aircraft flies this leg?
A five-seat Cessna 206 Stationair, chosen for the range and cabin room a two-hour crossing needs. Groups of six or more are quoted on a turboprop; search the pair and operators will bid.
Can we fly from Coron or Puerto Princesa instead?
Puerto Princesa to Panglao is priced on its own page, about 2 hours 5 minutes. Coron to Panglao is quoted rather than listed; enter it in the search box and operators bid within hours.