Abatan River Firefly Kayak, Bohol

As night falls on the Abatan River, the mangroves and nipa palms along its banks start to glitter. Thousands of fireflies gather in the riverside trees and flash in the dark, so whole trees seem to twinkle like Christmas lights.

You paddle upriver in a kayak with a local guide, who leads the way in the dark and explains the life of the mangroves and the villages along the river. Paddling is gentle and the water is calm; most trips are about an hour on the water, timed for after sunset when the fireflies are at their brightest. If you'd rather not paddle, the same trip can be done in a traditional bandong boat.

The Abatan runs through Cortes, Maribojoc and Antequera, about 30 to 45 minutes' drive from Panglao, and community groups along the river run the tours. It's a quiet, memorable evening, and a good contrast to the busy beaches.