🐚 Nova Shell Museum Panglao – One of the Largest Shell Collections in Bohol

🐚 Nova Shell Museum – Panglao, Bohol
"Discover the Underwater Wonders Without Getting Wet"

📍Location: Poblacion, Panglao, Bohol (near Alona Beach)
📞 Contact: +63 (38) 502-8074
🕗 Open Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Daily
🎟️ Entrance Fee: Php30.00/person
📸 Last visited: 2013 & 2016
🗓️ Updated: 2025

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🌊 The Philippines’ Underwater Kingdom, on Land

The Philippines is not just blessed with over 7,000 islands—it's also home to thousands of marine species, from vibrant corals to exotic seashells, mollusks, and clams.

If you're curious about this hidden world but hesitant to dive, Nova Shell Museum in Panglao, Bohol, offers the perfect alternative.

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🐚 How It All Began: From Hobby to Heritage

The museum began as a passion project by Mr. Quirino Hora, who was introduced to the world of seashells by his brother. What started as a small hobby grew into a massive private collection—eventually turning into a museum.

  

🔍 Fun Fact: Almost half of the shells in the museum were collected in Panglao Island, believed to have the richest variety of shells in the South Pacific.

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🐌 Must-See Exhibits at Nova Shell Museum

Step inside and you’ll be greeted by thousands of seashells in every size, shape, and color:

• 🐚 From the tiniest shells (requiring a microscope to view)
• 🐚 To massive clams and ornate mollusks
• 🐚 Rare shells named after emperors and the owner himself

🔬 Shell Named After Emperor Hirohito

A tiny shell found in Balicasag Island is named after Japan’s Emperor Hirohito—so small, you’ll need a microscope to appreciate it.

🐚 Mr. Hora’s Pride

Two rare shell species found in Panglao have been named in his honor:

• Bursa Quirihorai (discovered 1987) – a type of sea snail
• Primovula Horai (discovered 1997) – another snail species

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🛍️ Souvenirs & More

Next to the museum is a well-stocked souvenir shop selling handcrafted shell products:

• 🎐 Wind chimes
• 💡 Lampshades
• 🧵 Shell curtains
• 💍 Earrings, necklaces, brooches, and more

🧭 Tip: Walk around the back—there’s a small collection of antiques, some still boxed but fascinating nonetheless.

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🦈 Outdoor Displays

Outside, don’t miss:

• 🐚 A giant clam display
• 🦷 Shark teeth
• 🐡 Dried pufferfish
• 🐚 Other large seashells hanging beside the clam

💬 It may look like a simple house from the outside, but inside it holds an ocean of treasures!

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🙋 Staff & Atmosphere

The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about marine life. They’re happy to answer questions about the collection—and even point out some of the rarest finds.

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📝 My Visits

🔙 First Visit: I was thankful our tour guide brought us here, even though it wasn’t in our itinerary. It ended up being a highlight of the day.

🔙 Second Visit: I chose to wait outside while my family explored. Still, the atmosphere and souvenir displays made the wait enjoyable.

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🔔 2025 Updates

✅ The museum has updated its labeling system for easier navigation
✅ Some shells now include QR codes that link to digital info or videos
✅ Improved ventilation and lighting inside the museum
✅ Souvenir shop now accepts cashless payments (GCash & Maya)
✅ There’s now an interactive touchscreen panel highlighting Bohol’s marine biodiversity

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🧳 Whether you're a marine life enthusiast, a shell collector, or just a curious traveler, Nova Shell Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the world beneath the waves—without ever diving in. It’s a humble but enriching stop just minutes from Alona Beach.