A Beach Lover’s Guide to the Most Beautiful Beaches in the Philippines

Summer is coming and you know it. Make a difference this year and visit the best beaches in the Philippines!

Photo by Cris Tagupa on Unsplash

 

Sadly, spring is reaching its end, and soon enough, the heat of the summer will start. But summer will happen whether you want it or not, so let’s be proactive and let’s discover the best beaches in the Philippines! Combat the heat with the turquoise and deliciously cold waters of the Philippine coastline.

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The Best Beaches in the Philippines

What makes them so unique?

It’s a fair question to ask, after all, there are other destinations in the area with well-known beaches like Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Here are some reasons to choose the Philippines:

• Unique Islands: Just think about it, the Philippines is an Archipelago with over 7,000 islands, so you know you’ll find some variety there. We’re talking about dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and karst landscapes. You won’t find that in Vietnam.

• Pristine White Sand: Some beaches, like Boracay, El Nido, and Siargao, have exceptionally soft and white sand. It looks amazing in photos, and the feeling in real life is even better.

• Crystal-Clear Waters: If you stand up over 20-meter deep water and you can see the bottom clear as day with all the fish and corals, you know you’ve found something unique. And this incredibly high visibility is perfect for snorkeling and diving.

• Biodiversity: There are a lot of fish in these waters, after all, the Philippines lies within the Coral Triangle, one of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems on Earth.

• Secluded Spots: While beaches in Thailand and Vietnam are pretty popular, they’re also quite crowded. In the Philippines, however, there are lots of islands that are still remote and untouched, like Calaguas and Palaui Island.

 

What’s your Ideal Beach Getaway?

The Philippines has just so many options that choosing just one is quite hard, isn’t it? So let’s make it more fun and dynamic, with the quickest of quizzes! Just let your instinct answer for you, don’t overthink it. You’re going to the best beaches in the Philippines to relax, after all.

 
What’s your main goal for this trip?

• A. I just want to relax, life’s been too stressful.

• B. I want to explore as many islands as I can!

• C. Hang out with cool people and surf.

• D. Get as far from the crowds as possible, somewhere off the grid.

 
What kind of crowd do you prefer?

• A. I don’t mind lively people, as long as they’re chill

• B. Adventurers like me, people who live traveling the world.

• C. I like being with the young and energetic folk.

• D. None please, I prefer being alone.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

 

Tell us a must-have activity for you

• A. First of all, I need a massage. After that, a piña colada would do wonders!

• B. Everything! I want to snorkel, dive, take photos, go on boat trips, visit caves, etc

• C. Surfing, of course! There’s nothing like riding the waves.

• D. I want to discover new hikes and see the stars at night without any light contamination.

 
Finally, what vibe are you going for?

• A. Comfort and scenic, of course.

• B. Wild and adventurous!

• C. Fun and spontaneous.

• D. Just peaceful and remote.

The results are here!

• Mostly A: The perfect beach for you is the beautiful white-sanded Boracay! It’s ideal to relax and feel all the stress melt away.

• Mostly B: The exotic beach El Nido calls you, with its hidden lagoons, snorkel adventures, cliff jumps, island hopping tours, and more!

• Mostly C: Siargao is the one you’ve been looking for all this time. It’s laid-back and vibrant, and the waves are just perfect.

• Mostly D: Palaui Island is the peaceful and untouched paradise you need. It offers a more secluded and authentic experience than other popular beaches.

 

Boracay, the finest white sand

This island is one of the most well-known in all the Philippines, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not as big as you could imagine, as you can go from one point to the other in under two hours, but it’s quite packed with beaches, hills, resorts, and even local villages! But you won’t find cars there, only electric tricycles and very few serviced vehicles, which helps preserve the quality of the island’s air.

Top Attractions in Boracay:

• White Beach: The most famous, but not the only one. Here’s where you’ll find the luxurious resorts, shops, and the best nightlife. Fun fact: the sand is so fine that it’s always cool, even under the strongest sun.

• Puka Shell Beach: An alternative beach with fewer crowds and more shells. It’s great for relaxing and reading in peace, just look at the photos on Tripadvisor!

• Island Hopping Tours: You can take one and go visit nearby islands, like Crocodile Island, Crystal Cove, and Magic Island.

Photo by Bambi Corro on Unsplash

 

El Nido, the tip of Palawan Island

It’s hard to find an area more scenic than this one, with its jaw-dropping limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and hidden beaches. It attracts both adventurers and nature lovers with its charm and activities. It actually has been a marine reserve since 1991, as it houses endangered species like sea turtles and dugongs.

Top Attractions in El Nido:

• Island Hopping: Since El Nido sits within the Bacuit Archipelago, you have almost 50 islands to explore nearby. There are several kinds of tours, each with different activities like snorkeling and kayaking. Check all the variety on El Nido Tours.

• Kayaking: There are a lot of incredible areas that you can explore with a kayak, like the Big Lagoon with its towering limestone cliffs, or the Secret Lagoon, which you access only through a small hole in the rocks.

• Try new food: You can play it safe and eat kinilaw, a Filipino-style ceviche, or BBQ squid and lobster. Or you can be brave and try tamilok, delicate woodworms served raw with vinegar.

Photo by Eibner Saliba on Unsplash

 

Siargao, the surfer’s dream

Moving now to one of the best beaches in the southern Philippines, Siargao, is often known as a surf haven. But not only are surfers attracted to this beach, the area is also enticing for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and digital nomads. Even with the increase in tourism, the vibe hasn’t changed, and it’s still pretty chill and laid back.

Top Attractions in Siargao:

• Surf: Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, it doesn’t matter; there’s plenty to choose from. If you’re just starting, better go to Daku Reef or Secret Spot, you’ll find gentle waves and local instructors! For intermediate surfers, there’s Jacking Horse, and for the pros, Cloud 9.

• Explore Tayangban Cave Pool: One of the island’s hidden gems. There you can do cave exploration, cliff jumping, and fresh water swimming. You’ll need a guide to reach it, and better get your sturdy shoes on, as the rocks are slippery and sharp.

• Take a boat to Sohoton Cove: Is not on Siargao, but it’s accessible from there, and it’s a very unique place. There you can see jellyfish swimming gently in an emerald-water lagoon.

 

Palaui Island, the best-kept secret

As we said, the Philippines has a lot of islands that are still untouched, and among all of them, the most beautiful of all is Palaui Island. It’s in the far north of Luzon, to get there you have to fly to Tuguegarao City and then take a 3-4 hour bus to Sta. Ana, and from there, a boat ride to Palaui. But it’s thanks to this remoteness that it has remained almost forgotten. And in fact, there are no hotels, to stay there you can stay with a local family on Punta Verde, or you need a permit and bring your own camping gear.

Top Attractions in Palaui:

• Visit Cape Engaño Lighthouse: An old building on the hill at the northeastern tip of the island. It’s a Spanish colonial construction and offers panoramic views of the nearby Babuyan Islands.

• Take the Laguanzad Trail: It connects Punta Verde with Cape Engaño, and it’s only 3.5 km, but it is a very scenic trek through forest and grasslands. Try to stay alert, and you might see part of the birds that live in the area.

• Visit Siwangag Cove: A very quiet and secluded beach that’s ideal for sunbathing and snorkeling. It is one of the areas where you can camp, just make sure you get the right permits and you leave no trace behind after you leave.

 

Best Beaches for all Public

• For solo travelers: Siargao is the option for excellence, as most people there are friendly and welcoming. Other options are El Nido and Alona Beach, which are similar to Boracay but a bit quieter and offer a good range of activities.

• For couples: El Nido is an excellent option, with how scenic and lovely it is. Alternatively, Siquijor, with its beautiful waterfalls, and Amanpulo, with luxurious resorts.

• For families: Bohol, in Panglao Island, is perfect, with gentle swimmable beaches and tons of family-friendly activities like the Loboc River Cruise and the Butterfly Garden. Many resorts there also offer babysitting services, so the parents can relax for a while.

• Eco-conscious: Siargao is a great option in this area, with its growing zero-waste movement and eco-hostels. Also, many of the resorts and buildings use solar power, native materials, and collect rainwater.

Photo by Aldrino on Unsplash

 

Better FAQs, What Travelers Really Want to Know

Is it safe to travel solo as a woman in the Philippines?

It is, especially in the main islands and beaches. English is widely spoken, so you won’t have problems communicating, and Filipinos are incredibly warm and respectful. Also, while you stay within the well-developed destinations, you’ll have plenty of access to safe transport, guided tours, and accommodations.

Do I need to bring snorkel gear or rent on-site?

Not really, unless you have good equipment that you prefer over rental equipment. In most tourist destinations, you can rent snorkels, masks, and fins for around $2-5.

When is the jellyfish season?

It typically goes from April to June-July, but it can vary slightly from location to location. Most jellyfish in the Philippines are not dangerous, but be aware of sea wasps or bluebottles, which can cause irritation and allergic reactions. Ask local guides about the jellyfish activity if you’re traveling in these months, and bring vinegar packets, as vinegar neutralizes most jellyfish stings.