Wazzup Pilipinas!
Today we are going to tell you about 7 the most attractive beach destinations in the Philippines.
South East Asia is one of the most popular destinations for all the beach enthusiasts from all around the world. Its hotspots like Bali and Thailand are well-known for the mesmerizing views of turquoise waters and white sand so actively sought after by everyone willing to enjoy a beach holiday with plenty of seafood and breathtaking sunsets. However, due to its ever rising popularity it may be getting a tad too crowded as more and more people are looking to go on a holiday there.
If you would like to experience all the cool features of the South East Asia coast yet would rather opt for a less-discovered alternative, Philippines may be exactly what you are looking for. It is a great location for everyone who wants to live to the fullest and visit the beaches ranked top 10 in the world.
The Philippines consists of over 7500 islands, so there is definitely plenty of options to choose from. Maybe even way too many, hence here is out top 7 most beautiful beaches to relax in Philippines:
#1 El Nido, Palawan
El Nido tops this list as it has been called to be the most picturesque destination in the Philippines and number 14 most amazing beach in the world by CNN. Apart from that, El Nido has been repeatedly featured in Conde Nast Traveller as one of the best beaches in the world. And that is most definitely for a reason. Just like many other beaches on the coast it has the amazing crystal clear water and white powder-fine sand, but what really makes this beach stand out among other location is the views that open to visitors who decide to go there. And the best thing is that the beaches on the island are still much less developed than elsewhere around the Philippines, hence you are given an opportunity to enjoy the pure, unadulterated nature.
There are plenty of things to do on the island. It is most well-known for its diverse marine life, beautiful lagoons, karst limestone formations as well as prehistoric caves and waterfalls. El Nido is home to more than five types of forest and three large marine habitats. Therefore, it is great to come to observe various marine species: there are large marine mammals such as dolphins and dugongs (six of which are intrinsic to El Nido exclusively), over a thousand different species of fish and over 100 types of coral in the waters surrounding the island.
Furthermore, El Nido is also where the largest marine reserve and sanctuary of Philippines is located. The total area of 903.21 square kilometers contains one of the most diverse ecosystems worldwide. In fact, it would be particularly appealing to those willing to see swiftlets with their own eyes. These exotic birds build their nests entirely with their own saliva, which is the key ingredient of the famous bird’s nest soup.
It makes El Nido not only perfect for those who would like to catch some sun and lay on the soft sand, but also for those fond of diving and exploring the underwater world as well as hiking and observing the nature.
The best time to visit this beautiful island is in the winter time, from December to March, as the weather is the nicest during this period, and there are fewer tourists. On the other hand, if you are looking to go on a holiday in April or May expect to be faced with a larger number of visitors and therefore increased prices due to the high season.
#2 Boracay, Aklan
Boracay is much smaller than the previous island, yet it still is packed with multiple resorts. In fact, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines as the island has a very diverse infrastructure and can accommodate both those guests looking to relax in a high-end luxurious hotel and those travelling on a budget.
And it is not only the level of the room one can get that varies in Boracay. The island has something appealing to offer to all kinds of tourists starting from those looking for full relaxation and a chill holiday on the beach to those trying to embrace active lifestyle to real party animals. Boracay has it all!
In the daytime, Boracay can boast its tranquil environment that would be great for everyone who is looking for a remote paradise-like location to get the perfect tan. One of the world’s finest beaches according to multiple respected sources, the White Beach, it a part of Boracay. It is located on the western side of the island and attracts tourists from around the globe with its gin-like water and perfectly fine white sand. Apart from that, it also has extremely rich sea life that one can observe by snorkeling or helmet diving. On the eastern side of Boracay there is Bulabog Beach that offers similar views but is the complete opposite to the White Beach in terms of the activities one may do there. Since it has strong winds all year round, it is perfect for extreme sports such as windsurfing.
As the night grows Boracay becomes the mecca for partiers from all around the Philippines because of the outstanding nightlife the island offers. All the best pubs, clubs and bars are located there.
#3 Samal, Davao
Samal is among the most developed travel destinations in the Philippines so it is suitable for those travelers who would like to have a vacation with class. It has a large number of various pink and white sand beaches, which are a rare find anywhere outside of the Philippines. Moreover, Samal is the home to several world-class resorts such as Pearl Farm and Kaputian Beach Resort.
Samal is your top choice if you are looking for a relaxing holiday filled with lounging and eating fresh seafood, as it is great for both! As well as that, you could also check out the vanishing island. It is a popular tourist attraction which mesmerizes people with the fact the island disappears completely as the tide rises.
#4 Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
In 1973 Puerto Galera became a UNESCO-protected site because of its incredibly dense population of marine species (according to research conducted by the University of the Philippines, the densest in the world). Therefore, this is the top destination for everyone looking for a place to dive. In fact, Puerto Galera is among one of the most popular Asian diving sites, so you should definitely check it out if you are interested in admiring the numerous underwater creatures indigenous to the island.
Even if snorkeling and diving is not something you are after, you should still definitely add Puerto Galera to your bucket list as it is generally a great beach that would make a perfect background for your holiday pictures for the gram! Moreover, there are plenty of standard beach activities such as water sports, lounging, etc. Unfortunately, however, if you are a foodie, Puerto Galera is not particularly famous for providing delicatessens.
#5 Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Pagadpud is not exactly easy to access, but this is especially what makes it so tempting for an experienced traveler. Those down for a little adventure can enjoy visiting this island that zig zags around headlands. Apart from white sand and crystal clear water, it can also offer a not so rare in the area sightings of large mammals such as humpback whales and other cetaceans.
#6 Mactan Island
Mactan Island is one of the most densely islands in the Philippines as its population is over 430 thousand people. This means, the island has a rather developed infrastructure and has a large number of tourist attractions.
It is a coral island, which implies it has outstanding marine diversity. Therefore, one of the key activities people visiting Mactan Island may do is diving and snorkeling. However, Mactan Island is equally as good for those looking to have an active holiday as it offers a lot of water sports such as wakeboarding, jet skiing, and parasailing.
#7 Paradise Beach, Bantayan Island
Paradise Beach truly lives up to its name! It is the honeymooners’ favourite for a number of reasons. The first and the main one being the fact that it is a very desolate beach, hence all the adventurous visitors can have some privacy and hide from the world in their own little paradise on Earth. Most of the times, couples arriving to Paradise beach find themselves being completely alone.
There is no developed infrastructure here, nor any other distractions. Just you and nature, undivided and undisturbed. Do whatever your heart pleases, and enjoy the connection with the divine!
Author’s Bio: Cheryl Hearts is a talented journalist from Boston, Massachusetts. From an early age, she was into writing so she decided to make it her career. Obtaining a Master’s Degree in Journalism has boosted her desire to grow as a journalist and currently she contributors to major media publications. Cheryl also runs her blog CherylHearts.com where she shares her opinion on topics trending in modern society.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
