With 7,107 islands, the Philippines is home to a number of beautiful beaches. You don’t have to go out of the country to see the beauty that this world has to offer. So, this summer, you might want to pack your bags and travel the Philippines.
Get your dose of sun, sand and sea in these beautiful beaches in the Philippines. List not in any particular order.
9. Isla Gigantes
Located at Iloilo, Isla Gigantes is one of the most sought after islands this year. It can be accessed through Iloilo City, Roxas City, or Caticlan. Travel time from those entry points ranges from 3 hours up to 7 hours. The tourism office is open to help adventurers visit the island through Bancal Port in Carles which is a few hours away from any entry point. Gigantes has different parts like the Cabugao Gamay Island, Tangke, Antonia Beach, Bantigue Island, Pawikan Cave, Gigantes Norte and Gigantes Sur. Each can be visited through the island hopping services of the boats there.
Accommodations that can be found in Gigantes Norte range from basic to budget. You can also pitch a tent in Antonio and Cabugao or inquire for homes that are open for guests in Gigantes Sur.
8. Panglao Island
Less than an hour away from Tagbilaran Airport, Panglao Island is the home of the best coral reefs and dive spots. It is near everything you want to visit in Bohol like the Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, Tarsier Sactuary, Hinagdanan Cave, and other tourist spots.
Finding accommodations in Panglao is easy as the island has resorts that offer rooms with prices that range from Php950 to as much as Php15,000 a night.
7. Nacpan-Calitang Beach
Also known as Twin Beaches, the Nacpan-Calitang beach is one of the best kept secrets of El Nido, Palawan. Since there is only one trip per day going there, it is not crowded and you will be assured of a relaxing stay there. Nacpan Beach is a stretch of white sand with palm trees and meets with Calitang Beach that offers a spectacular view of El Nido through it’s small hill. You can reach Nacpan-Calitang Beach through inland tours or by renting a tricycle/van for larger groups.
The island is not very commercial; accommodations are only small huts where you can spend the night and be one with nature.
6. Bolobadiangan Island
Photo from Sandbar Beach Resort Facebook Page
There are two entry points to Bolobadiangan: one is through Iloilo City and another is through Roxas City. Both will be directed to Concepcion where you will board a boat to the island. Though there is electricity in the island, it is only available until 10pm so make sure to bring a powerbank and a flashlight. Aside from chilling in the island, you can also go island hopping.
As for accommodations, there is only one resort in the island but you can always rent small huts or pitch a tent if you want.
5. Malapascua Island
Known for diving, Malapascua island in Cebu is one of the few places you can see thresher sharks. It is also a place to encounter huge fishes and see beautiful coral reefs that are left unspoiled. Even if you travel to Malapascua during peak season, it never gets crowded and you can still relax by the beach without people disturbing you.
If you won’t be diving, you can discover the other nearby islands like Biliran that has volacanoes, hot springs, rice terraces, and waterfalls. For accommodations, Malapascua has a few resorts but there are also rooms that will suit the budget and needs of a backpacker.
4. Apo Island
Apo Island is one of the top dive sites in the Philippines. Located in Negros Oriental, Dumaguete, the Marine Sanctuary in Apo Island is protected by the government. There are eight reef divisions here namely Coconut, Largahan, Balay, The Chapel, Katipanan, Kan Oran, Olo and the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary. The community-organized marine sanctuaries are the home of more than 650 species of fish and more than 400 species of corals.
3. Biri Island
Photo from Biri, Northern Samar, Philippines Facebook Page
Unlike most beaches in this list, Biri Island in Samar is not just sand and sea. Biri Island is composed of beautiful rock formations, Mangroves and Marine Life that are being protected by the Biri Initiative. Travelers can even volunteer in cleaning up the coast and removing sea pests that feed on the corals.
There are only two resorts in the island so better book your accommodations in advance. For the food, there are sari-sari stores and in-resort dining where they serve fresh seafood. You can also ask the resort to cook for you at a certain price.
2. Matinloc Island
Palawan has some of the most beautiful beaches and Matinloc is just one of them. It has a secret beach which is located in a corner of a sinkhole. Also in Matinloc are the Matinloc Shrine, Grotto, and Kulasa Beach which is a stretch of white sand where water is deep and travelers can go diving.
1. Kalanggaman Island
Photo by JP Swing (Instagram: @jaypeeswing)
Located in Leyte, Kalanggaman Island is a beautiful stretch of white beach where you can relax. You will actually feel like a castaway as there are only a few people traveling to the island. It will take about 24hours by land trip, but if you will travel through Tacloban via plane, you will just need to ride a van for 4 hours. If traveling from Cebu, you will need to catch a SuperCat in Pier 3 bound to Ormoc or a ship to Palompon.
