Brian Kennett
Amateur Chef and Boozy Traveling Foodie Extraordinaire
GRAHAM ATV RENTALS REVIEW PANGLAO: BEST WE HAVE TRIED IN BOHOL
Riding Mud and Memories: My families time with Graham ATV Rentals & Tours in Panglao, Bohol
Graham ATV Rentals Panglao Review: Imagine this: you’re in the Philippines (where even the traffic has such balanced rhythm), you’ve eaten your body weight in lechon, and someone (my Wifey) whispers, “Hey, want to ride an ATV with the kids through mud and volcanic outcrops today, Babes?”
That, folks, is how I found myself face-to-face with two of my kids on two-wheeled dirt monsters, and me and Wifey co-habiting an ATV dune-buggy thang (so fricking cool – more on that later – I WANT ONE!!!), at Graham ATV Rentals & Tours — just a hop, skip and a tricycle ride away from the soft sandy beaches of Alona – like 20-minutes away.
We’ve only done the ATVs before at Carmen under the shadow of the Chocolate Hills, but I am telling you – BIN THAT – and do the ATV part of your Bohol adventure here. This is like 9/10 compared to 5/10 at Carmen, and there is 90% less tourists to jossle and queue with. It was simply the best we have ever done, let alone on Bohol. Totally brilliant – we’re still talking about it days later as a family.
But, if you’re picturing an elegant countryside crawl in a convertible sipping iced tea and munching a cucumber sandwich, boy are you in the wrong place. This is suspension bouncing on steroids, squelchy flip flops, uncontrollable giggles and screams, and deep deep mud-bath territory… And it is just the BEST fun.
Graham ATV Rentals Panglao Review: Contents
The Low-Down on Graham ATV
Before we get to the mud fights and unexpected rain dances, let me set the scene properly. Graham ATV isn’t a flash affair with velvet ropes and resort-style valet parking. It’s a raw adventure hub where you rent an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) — or a doon-buggy thang — and peel out over volcanic trails that seem like they were drawn up by a particularly mischievous mountain goat – and when you’rt efinished you are literally hosed down fully clothed to remove ‘some of the mud’.
Prices are refreshingly OK: roughly ₱7,000 for an hour and a half for the two kids on an individual ATV each, plus me and Wifey in our very own two-person love bug, yes, she wanted to trust her loved one (me) to drive for her (whoopsy!!!). There are also longer rides if you’re up for it and even swimming in the Alona sea included. We did forest trail and beach, and it was just perfect.
Scores in the inter-web are okay overall, with travellers describing it as “fun and family-friendly” and “muddy but memorable.” I’ll +1 to that and some… as I am still picking mud out of holes on my body I didn’t even know I had.
Day One: Expectations Vs Reality
Let’s be honest — I porbably had four expectations:
- Keep the kids off the iPads and iPhones for a good three hours.
- Cool off-road experience, maybe a few bumps o fjoy along the way.
- Instagram shots with the beautiful Bohol Sea in the background.
- Scare the sh!t out of Wifey in our love-doon-bug…
And sure, these ALL did happen many times. And, here’s another twist: it rained. Not a polite drizzle. I’m talking full “how the f@ck did my flip-flops literally float off my feet in our doon-love-bug cockpit as I was driving?” rain.
Right out of the gate, we were handed helmets, and told, “Wear clothes you don’t love and hide your valudables somewhere dry-ish.” That’s Pilipina speak for “You’re gonna get muuuuu-dddddd-yyyyyy.” If your outfit looks like it just escaped from a fashion magazine, consider borrowing clothes from your dad’s gardening cupboard – this sh!t gets messy and some.
Manuals? Nah. Mud? Oh Yes.
I watched Strawb’s first minutes on the ATV and she was all grace and confidence. Then she tried a tight turn in a deep rut, and some sloppy mud laughed at her. Suddenly Strawb was negotiating with her steering like it was a toddler refusing to eat vegetables: the mess was invevitable.
The tracks have puddles big enough to host multiple families of ducks: and the heavy rain of late gave that an added Tsunami effect. At one point I was convinced a frog swam though of doon-love-bug cockpit, or was I just seeing things?
Every time anyone gets stuck momentarily, the guide — bless his eternally cheerful soul — would run to help and take glorious videos and Instagrams without you even having to ask. These are the kind of pictures that will haunt Strawb’s social media and TikTok for a lifetime (in a good way-of course). Seriously, just give them your phone. They’ll capture you riding like a lost jockey (you know who you are), all as part of the service – make sure you tip ’em well though folks, they’re worth every Peso.
The kids having a Harry Potter 'moment' at Graham ATV Rentals Panglao
The Philippines are indeed clever at creating unique experiences. Here are the kids jumping into the sky, and with a creative upward photo, making that jump look like they are actually Harry Potter flying on a broomstick. They also created that infamous ‘human drone‘ on Siargao – total GENIUS!!!
Who This Is Perfect For
Honestly? Anyone who:
- Likes laughs over elegance.
- Enjoys outings that leave their socks ashamed-especially if wearing with Crocs.
- Wants more than palm trees and beach towels at the pool.
- Thinks laughter burns calories (it doesn’t, trust me-I think it adds calories).
Even families with kids will have a ball — so long as they’re ready to get messy and play. If you’re someone who needs pristine roads, long painted nails, perfectly coiffured hair, and zero splashing, this might not be for you. But if your motto is “Bring it on!” then strap in, cowboy because it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.
A Splash of Panglao Sights
While the ATV itself is a muddy amusement ride, the backdrop is unmistakably Bohol — a province already adored for the Chocolate Hills spectacle.
Some Graham tours combine this ATV action with countryside stops, Tarsier sanctuaries, waterfalls, or river cruises. But for me, the ATV was the main course, and everything else was gravy (like wet bum gravy, that is). This is not a sight-seeing ciruit – this is full-on off-road, over volcanic rocks and through trneches of slick mud, wigth the backdrop of jungle, but then the beautiful Bohol Sea, and Beaches – yes you can swim in the sea as part of one of the packages here – add 30-minutes to the trip duration.
The Trail: Nothing Fancy, All Fun
If you’re thinking scenic contemplative drive, stop right there and get off the ATV-NOW!!!
Most of this experience is muddy trails, uneven ground and chaotic giggles as you try to keep the ATV going straight and your dignity intact. The real stars are the deep deep ruts and puddles. They engulf your tyres-Wifey and I were ankle deep in our love-bug. They splash your family, and they make you laugh ear-to-ear like a hyena. We didn’t stop smiling for two hours on our trip.
The Guides: Part Trail Boss, Part Photographer, All Legend
What really seals it, though, is the people running the show.
Remember that helpful guide who took Instagram photos, as I mentioned earlier? They’re not just there to be pretty faces — they actually make this more fun. It’s a bit like having your own tour buddy, except they actually know the way. They help you with:
- Steering tips when your arms forget what to do.
- Mud exit negotiations that feel like serious diplomatic talks.
- Pretending they fully understand what you mean when you ask, “Is this normal?”
One Tripadvisor review even singled out a guide named Karl, praised for keeping things calm, relaxed, and genuinely enjoyable — which says a lot when guests are bouncing around on dirt bikes in the countryside.
(Source: Tripadvisor)
It feels less like a formal tour and more like heading out with someone who actually wants you to have a laugh — and also wants you to get back in one piece.
Graham ATV Rentals Panglao: Final Thoughts, Mud, Memories, Mayhem — In The Best Way
By the time you roll back into Panglao, hair stiff with dried mud, clothes looking like you’ve been dragged through many puddles, and shoes questioning their life choices, something very clear sets in: Graham ATV Rentals & Tours is not about polish — it’s about unadulterated FUN!!!
This is the sort of activity where things don’t go perfectly, and that’s exactly the point. The steering fights you a bit. The ground doesn’t play fair. The rain might join the party uninvited. But every wobble, splash, and unplanned slide turns into a shared laugh — the good kind that sticks long after your clothes finally forgive you.
- Is it scenic in a postcard sense? Sometimes.
- Is it clean? Absolutely not.
- Is it memorable? Without question.
This is the kind of afternoon that balances out all the beach lounging and buffet breakfasts. It gives Panglao a bit of grit (talking of grit I was still fiding that my hair, ears, nose days later…), a bit of noise, and a lot of character. You don’t leave talking about perfection — you leave talking about family fun moments. And those moments usually start with, “So, Dad, there was this massive puddle…”
If you enjoy activities that end with stories, photos you shouldn’t be allowed to post, and an appetite that magically triples afterwards, Graham ATV ticks all the right boxes. Just don’t wear white (like I did) – ENJOY!!!
Contact details for Graham ATV Rentals Panglao
- Phone: 0946 765 7697
- You can also do just walk-in, as we did this day. Seriously if you’re in Panglao and fancy some ATV, without Chocolate Hills and massive queues DO NOT go all the way to Carmen. This is THE PLACE to go to for your ATV fun – we rocked up and immediately paid and boarded vehicles and off we went – sometimes completely alone on the track = AWESOME!!!
Graham ATV Rentals Panglao Opening Hours
- 7 days a week 7am to 6pm
What's the address of Graham ATV Rentals Panglao
- Graham ATV Rental Panglao Address: Dao dauis, Panglao, 6339 Bohol
- Directions HERE – especially for you Panglao ‘virgins’
People also asked about Graham ATV Rental Panglao
❓ Is Graham ATV Rentals Panglao worth it?
Yes, it is totally worth it if you enjoy hands-on, outdoor fun that involves dirt, bumps, and plenty of laughs and giggles. The experience focuses on riding ATVs through seaside volcanic rock tracks rather than polished sightseeing, which makes it popular with visitors looking for a bit of action during their stay in Bohol. It’s casual, relaxed, and memorable — especially if you don’t mind getting muddy and smiling way too much.
❓ What is the Graham ATV experience like in Bohol?
It is a guided off-road ride across uneven terrain, muddy paths, and open countryside. Riders are given basic instructions, safety gear, and then set loose on trails that test balance more than bravery. Expect splashes, laughter, and plenty of Instagram photo and TikTok stops along the way, especially during wet weather when the tracks become extra slippery.
❓ Is Graham ATV suitable for beginners?
Yes, it is suitable for beginners. No prior ATV experience is required, and guides are on hand to help with controls, balance, tricky sections of the track and if you get stuck (as Strawb did a few times). Riders can take things at their own pace, making it accessible for first-timers while still being entertaining for those who have ridden before.
❓ How does Graham ATV compare to other Panglao ATV tours?
Compared to other Panglao ATV tours, Graham ATV keeps things simple and focused on the ride itself. It’s less about long scenic routes and more about fun, muddy driving and relaxed guidance. If you’re after a straightforward ATV rental in Bohol without strict schedules or overly formal setups, Graham ATV fits the bill nicely.
❓ What should I wear for an ATV ride in Panglao?
For an ATV ride in Panglao, wear clothes you’re happy to get dirty. Closed shoes are strongly recommended, as the terrain can be uneven and muddy. Lightweight clothing works best in the heat, and bringing a change of clothes is a smart move — especially if it rains, which often turns the Bohol ATV experience into a full mud session.
Top Tips for Graham ATV Rentals Panglao
Let me save you from these rookie mistakes. When I say rookie what I mean is, save you from these mistakes that we made:
- ✔ Clothes: Choose something you wore when you thought, “Eh, let’s not worry about stains.” As I did, NOT!!!
- ✔ Footwear: Avoid flip-flops. ATVs and flip flops are like cats and cucumbers — not compatible. I ended up driving bare-foot, which was actually fine.
- ✔ Rain Gear: Bring it. There’s real rain that turns tracks into mud-slide arenas. However, I prefer to let the rain and mud bring it on – much more fun – like wearing a poncho on a water-ride at Universal Studios: WHY?
- ✔ Water: Stay hydrated. Unless you want to look like a deflated balloon.
- ✔ Camera: As long as it’s secure. You’ll want those photos, trust me. Just bring one and give to the guide, thaat’s all you’ll need. Any others – get those in water/mud-proof bags.
- ✔ Carrier Bags: Bring these, or equivalent. Those dive bags would be ideal, as you’ll need to hide all your valuables from the mud. We didn’t have, and I was cleaning my stuff two days later still.
Is Bohol worth visiting?
Is Bohol worth visiting? Blimey, if Chocolate Hills don’t sell you, nothing will—those 1,200-odd lumps of limestone popping from paddies like nature’s own funfair, turning green post-monsoon or chocolate-brown in dry spells, begging for ATV roars or viewpoint gawps that mock any Singapore skylines. Fresh from Graham’s mud-splattered trek, I’ll cal out that Bohol’s not a one-trick carabao: tarsier sanctuaries house tiny gremlins with eyes bigger than Wifey in a Coach store, Loboc River cruises float you past karinderya singers, and Panglao’s beaches (Dumaluan’s powdery hush, Alona’s booze buzz) sling sunsets sharper than a sinigang.
Add ziplines screaming over forests, bee farms dripping honey like fiesta gold, and Baclayon Church’s stone walls whispering 400-year-old Spanish memories—it’s a riot of rice terraces, falls like Can-Umantad (cliff jumps for bravehearts), and freediving reefs where turtles photobomb your bubbles.
Truth be told, Bohol punches tourist traps into touch with countryside combos that cram hills, tarsiers, blood compact shrines, and man-made forests into one van whirl (₱2k-3k/person, proper steal), leaving evenings for South Palms feasts or Alona bars where San Migs flow freer than jeepney fumes. Families chase fireflies and cold springs, divers hit Balicasag’s corals (turtles galore), solos ATV solo or island-hop Virgin’s sands.
Compared to Cebu crowds, Bohol breathes easier: less concrete, more carabao lows, prices kinder. Verdict: drag your crew, throttle hills, float rivers—Bohol’s worth every peso splatter. Proper island idyll, zero FOMO.