Anda is a small municipality on the eastern tip of Bohol, one of the Philippines' central islands, about three hours by road from Tagbilaran, Bohol's capital. Most visitors to Bohol stick to the well-known circuit of the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier Sanctuary, and the beaches of Panglao Island - Anda sits on the less-visited eastern side of the island and rewards those who make the journey with white-sand beaches, waterfalls, rice terraces, and natural cave pools that are largely free of crowds. Quinale Beach is consistently rated one of the best beaches in Bohol - fine white sand, palm trees, and a long shoreline with plenty of space. The diving and snorkelling in the surrounding waters are good, with healthy coral and clear visibility, and several operators offer trips for all levels.
What sets Anda apart from other beach destinations in the Philippines is its inland attractions. Cabagnow Cave Pool is the most popular - a deep, blue sinkhole pool with limestone formations, where visitors can swim in cool, clear water. There are several more cave pools in the area, all formed by the same karst geology that shapes much of Bohol. Lamanok, on the easternmost edge of Anda, is an archaeological site with ancient rock shelters, boat coffins, caves with prehistoric paintings, and an old graveyard - one of the more genuinely unusual things to see anywhere in the Philippines. A day trip to the nearby Cadapdapan Rice Terraces in Candijay is well worth the short journey - among the most photogenic landscapes in east Bohol, and easily paired with a waterfall stop.
Anda suits travellers who want beach life without the package-holiday feel, and those curious enough to explore beyond the shoreline. It is quiet, affordable, and gives a more grounded experience of the Philippines than the busier resort areas on the island.