The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands (7,641 to be exact) which is nothing short of amazing. It’s also one of the most biodiverse places on the planet which makes the best beaches in The Philippines one of the most sought-after countries to explore.
Once you take a gander at some of the best beaches in the Philippines, you’ll no doubt find yourself with a whole lot of reasons to visit.
Like seriously, these places are absolutely stunning and one that can be visited pretty much all year round. The lowest temperature is about 21C in January, during the cool months which is like ‘summertime’ for us here in Europe!
If you’ve been to the Philippines before, then you’ll no doubt know exactly what I’m talking about and why you have to visit.
But this post is really about where to head when you do decide to visit so let’s skip a few notches and get right down to the best beaches in The Philippines you absolutely have to visit.
Sidebar: Although you can visit The Philippines pretty much all year round, November through May are the most ideal month as they are the driest months and the monsoon season runs pretty much from June to October.
March through to May are generally the hottest and driest month and understandably, the most crowded months so if you’re not into huge crowds, those are the months you might want to avoid.
Personally, I don’t care about the crowds, I find it ridiculous to go on, say – a rainier month, just to avoid the crowds. Also, I live in London so you kinda get used to crowds.
1.) Marimegmeg Beach, Palawan
Located near the town of El Nido, this beach is often referred to as the last frontier in the Philippines.
Here, you’ll get stretches of; white sand, limestone cliffs, beautiful lagoons, blue water experience coupled with some rather dramatic limestone rock formations.
The true gem, however, is the plethora of wildlife to be seen here. (Seriously, pack that zoom lens – for land, and underwater camera i.e. GoPro when you visit).
There are dolphins, over one hundred species of fish, vibrant coral and dugongs.
El Nido is the largest marine reserve and sanctuary in the Philippines and as such is pretty awesome for scuba diving and snorkelling.
Read more: Photos from our time in El Nido
2.) Coron, Palawan
The steep limestone cliffs plunging into the blue water makes Coron look like some otherworldly, modern-day fairy-tale like area perfect for that escape to unwind and soak up the Philippines natural beauty.
Coron gets a distinct mention as a wider area than just its specific beaches as there are so many beautiful beaches here, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
This part of the Philippines is one of the absolute best places in the world to scuba dive (ergo why it’s one of the best beaches in the Philippines).
There are also a fair few day trips you can do from here – one of the most fun of which will be to Coron Island where you’ll find Kayangan Lake – aptly titled the cleanest lake in all of Asia and quite the sight to behold.
3.) White Beach, Boracay
(For the uninitiated) Boracay is located south of Manila in the Aklan province and is one of the most popular destinations for travellers visiting the Philippines.
The beach is absolutely gorgeous,- getting its name from its blindingly white, powdery sand, dipping into beautiful crystal clear waters. As soon as you see it, you’ll understand straight away why it’s so popular.
White Beach (and I’m aware I’m repeating myself now but hey, it’s true) is very popular for scuba diving as well as helmet diving.
Though, its worth exercise a fair bit of caution with the latter and doing some research before deciding on which place to go with.
Read more: Best hikes in the Philippines
4.) Dumaluan Beach, Panglao Island
Dumaluan Beach is widely considered the most beautiful beach on Panglao island and definitely one of the best beaches to visit in the Philippines.
There are opportunities for diving that are virtually unparalleled anywhere else in the Philippines, thanks not just to the abundance of marine life (crustaceans, barracuda, sea snakes and jackfish…etc) but also due to some of the most impressive coral formations in the entire country.
On the shore, you can also watch for dolphins or whales. After spending the day on the beach, be sure to check out Our Lady of Assumption Church, which is an impressive example of Roman and Byzantine architecture.
Here, there is a small well that holds water which is reputed to have incredible healing benefits.
Though clearly, don’t go drinking from it! 🙂
Read more: Best places in the Philippines to visit
5.) Pink Beach, Samal Island
Located a mere 2 km ferry ride from Davao City, Samal Island is perhaps the most developed vacation destination in the Philippines. (If you’re looking for more rugged, rustic beaches, this might not be the spot for you).
The pink beach is named for its pink glowing sand which looks pretty amazing set against the backdrop of lush mangrove and coconut trees and clear blue waters.
If you are looking to do do something a bit different once you’re done with the beach, you should visit the nearby Montfort Bats Conservation Park where you can come face to face with millions of fruit bats!
If you do want to visit in the evening, numbers are limited so be sure to book in advance. Just be careful not to get pooped on by them if you arrive in the evenings – that stuff does not wash out!
Read more: Best hikes in the Philippines
6.) Cloud Nine Reef, Siargao Island
Not only are the beaches here beautiful, the surf is absolutely spectacular.
One of the many reasons why Cloud Nine Reef is not only one of the best beaches in the Philippines but also why it’s so popular amongst surfers – so much so that an annual competition (called the Siargao Cup) is held here.
Even if you’re not a surfer, pop by to kick back, relax and take in the natural beauty of the Philippines in this pretty fantastic spot.
7.) Bounty Beach, Malapascua Island
The main draw to this beach is a brilliant opportunity to swim with whale sharks.
The experience is absolutely amazing and is one that has travellers all over the world flocking here for this incredible wild-life encounter (remember to adhere to all the rules – including not touching the whale sharks, there are huge penalties if you don’t).
To be honest though, whale sharks aside, the popularity these days does mean that the beach can get a bit more “Meh!” and in recent times has been subject to more littering so this might not be one you want to spend too much time in once you’re done with your whale shark adventures (I’ll leave you to decide on that one – depending on how you find the beach).
Read more: Best places in the Philippines to visit
8.) Gigantes Sur Island, Iloilo
While the white sand and blue waters along the shoreline are perfect for sunbathing here, be sure to spend some time at Tangke, a secluded saltwater lagoon that is a pretty amazing sight to see.
When you’re here, be sure to not just stick to one beach but go island hopping on as many day tours as you can fit in. It’s one of the best ways to make the most of your visit and squeeze in as many of the best beaches in the Philippines as possible.
Read more: Best places in the Philippines to visit
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