The 6 Best Philippines Islands For Beaches

The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country that’s perfect for island hopping. It has over 7,000 islands – each one more beautiful than the next. So, with so many immaculate white sand beaches to see, how do you choose which ones to visit?

Well, don’t stress, because I know the best! Below is a list of 6 Philipines islands that stand out amongst the crowd due to their postcard-worthy beaches.

1. El Nido Islands, Palawan

Palawan is an extremely popular tourist destination as its home to a few of the Philippines’ most well-known islands like the archipelago that makes up El Nido and Coron Island.

To get to these gems of Southeast Asia, most people fly into Puerto Princessa and then head directly to the islands – but don’t get ahead of yourself. If you have time, spend at least one night in Puerto Princessa.

Why wait? That’s because right near Puerto Princessa is the longest underground river in the world! Go on a boat tour of the Subterranean River and explore the inside of this one-of-a-kind natural wonder. It is a unique experience that you shouldn’t miss out on in your haste to get to the islands.

The list starts off with El Nido. Hop on a van from Puerto Princessa, and about four hours later, you will find yourself in the midst of an alluring island paradise.

There are around 45 little islands that makeup El Nido’s archipelago and they are without a doubt some of the most beautiful little islands in the entire world.

No trip to El Nido would be complete without a visit to Las Cabanas Beach. It has everything you could possibly want out of a Philippine island beach: white sands, clear water, and palm trees – but one thing sets it apart from the rest – a zipline.

For a thrilling experience at Las Cabanas Beach, you can zipline over the breathtaking beach and enjoy the view from above while feeling the wind in your hair.

What’s more, El Nido has a fun party scene for those of you looking to boogie the night away. There are bars with live DJs and party boat tours so that you and your friends can celebrate on the crystal clear waters.

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2. Coron Island, Palawan

Coron Island has the perfect mix of white sand beaches and freshwater lakes. Kay Hagan Lake is one of the cleanest bodies of water in the entire country, so it is rich with marine life making it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling.

Coron even has World War II shipwrecks hidden beneath the water that you can observe and if that’s not enough to convince you, there are also hot and cold springs. Yes, you heard me right… you can relax your muscles after a long day of island hopping in Coron’s natural springs.

3. Boracay Island, Aklan

Boracay is an island about 200 miles south of Manila that is another popular island that attracts visitors from all over the world ready to live the good life on one of its many pristine beaches. Boracay has more than a few noteworthy beaches that shouldn’t be missed.

First of all, White Beach is the most popular and therefore most crowded of all the Boracay beaches. It’s lined with beachfront restaurants and bars, and there is no shortage of activities. You can go kite surfing, snorkeling, banana boating, or whatever else you can think of.

From the white beach, Diniwid Beach is just a short walk away from the commotion of White Beach but it feels like a completely different island because of its isolation. It’s a small super chill beach for those of you that tend to get overwhelmed by crowds.

Last but not least is Bulabog beach which provides entertainment and a panoramic view of the entire Boracay island. You will find hundreds of people kitesurfing here on its windy shores. If you don’t know how to kitesurf, don’t let that deter you, just find a spot to watch the professionals doing their thing.

Borocay might be one of the most touristic places, but for good reason. It has so many incredible beaches just waiting for you.

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4. Siargao, Surigao del Norte

The once sleepy surf town of Siargao has grown a lot in popularity because of its giant barrel-shaped waves that make for perfect surfing conditions. It has even been called the Philippines’ surf capital.

For being such a small island, there are lots of lagoons, rock pools, and national parks that are any scuba divers’ delight.

Naked Island, Guyam Island, and Daku Islands are three of the main islets you can visit in Siargao.

Naked Island is a completely uninhabited sand bar that disappears and reappears with the tide. Guyam Island is a small tropical paradise that is just 50 steps in diameter, and Daku Island is a personal favorite of mine because of its delicious locally-owned seafood restaurants. 

Keep in mind that Siargao also has also earned a reputation as one of the Philippines’ party islands thanks to its wild raves that have become a nightly occurrence at many of the local bars.

5. Calaguas, Camarines Norte

In Camarines, you can laze on the beach, join a beach volleyball game, or go on a sunset hike. This island is more often the beaten path than the others, but you will love this island.

It has one of the best sunsets of all the Filipino islands because there are no high-rise buildings or resorts obstructing views. Actually, the only options are to stay in quaint cottages or go camping.

There is a visitors fee and if you aren’t keen on roughing it a little bit, then consider staying on a different island. Make sure to bring cash, and a laid-back attitude when you visit so that you can make the best out of your island getaway.

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6. Malapascua Island, Cebu

Malapascua Island is a pocket-sized island that is just a couple of miles long. Located across the shallow strait from Maya, on Cebu Island, Malapascua is famous for its world-class scuba diving. The Monad Shoal dive is an unparalleled diving spot because of the unique Thresher sharks that live there year-round.

Malapascua Island is one of the only places in the world where you can dive with Thresher sharks at any time. These friendly sharks are known for their unique tails and interesting hunting habits, but don’t worry – they won’t take a bite out of you!

To Sum Up

That’s a wrap on this list of the 6 best islands in the Philippines! You really can’t go wrong with any island. All in all, they are all wonderful places to visit that don’t cost an arm and a leg. You will fall in love with this island-filled nation known as The Philippines.