It is impossible not to be swept away by the charming and stunning beaches in the Philippines. The Philippines is home to clear, turquoise waters with the most diverse marine life. The powder-fine beaches, the majestic islands, and the very friendly locals are your gateway to the best summer ever. So pack your bags and see for yourself what it feels like to be in a piece of heaven. Below is a list of seven of the best beaches in the Philippines that you must go to this summer. Let’s start.
Boracay, Aklan
Photo courtesy of Ki via Flickr
It is not possible to make a list of the stunning beaches in the Philippines without including Boracay Island. It is the ultimate getaway for the adventurers, romantics, and party souls. All year round, the waters are pristine and the sand, well, as the whole world already knows, it is white, fine, and just perfect. Even foreigners say there’s nothing like it. Boracay is definitely one breathtaking reason why you need to travel to the Philippines.
Aside from the beach and the sand, the Boracay sunset and the view are to die for. During the day, you will not run out of things to do in Boracay from diving, snorkeling, island hopping, parasailing, cliff jumping, etc. At night, the five-kilometer stretch of the beach is pumped up with parties and good times.
When you travel to Boracay, getting a relaxing and luxurious accommodation is not a problem. Most hotels are lined across the beach front while a few more private hotel-resorts are nestled at higher points of the Island to give guests a more scenic and panoramic view of everything good in Boracay. These hotel-resorts spread out among the tropical mountains and the hillside of Boracay offer world class facilities and services which are your guide to a luxurious Boracay accommodation. They also offer exclusive access to the stunning Puka Beach. Boracay may be bursting with tourists but these fine hotels give you your sanctuary when you need some peace and quiet.
El Nido, Palawan
Photo courtesy of Ben Beiske via Flickr
There are over 50 beaches to explore in El Nido. Yes, that’s 50. Talk about luxurious travels, El Nido easily lands on top of any list.
Off the coast, towering marble cliffs, limestone formations, and clear blue waters will greet you. There are also enchanting lagoons and prehistoric caves that will lead you to more secluded beaches and many species of corals and other marine life. Among them is the heavenly marine reserve called Bacuit Bay. With over 30 dive sites, El Nido is popular among scuba divers. Cliff climbing, cave exploration, and windsurfing are also some of the rather wild activities here.
Hollywood also loves El Nido. That majestic scene towards the end of “Bourne Legacy” was shot here, so was a pit stop for “Amazing Race.” Alex Garland wrote “The Beach” while living here. Palawan is commonly referred to as the “Final Frontier” and once you have been to the breathtaking beaches of El Nido and also Coron, you will understand why.
Palaui Island, Cagayan
Photo courtesy of Stanley Semilla via Flickr
Palaui Island made it to CNN’s Top 100 beaches in the world in 2013 because “Palaui is all about raw beauty.” Here you can see white sands meet with volcanic rocks and clear waters. Divers are also welcomed with coral gardens and a rich marine reserve. Only the brave and determined get to go to the breathtaking stretch of the island. To get there, you need to trek through thorny grass, mud, and a mangrove forest with a local tour guide. But once you get there, all the weariness wears out. You can go camping under the stars --- now, that’s real luxury no one gets too often.
Caramoan, Camarines Sur
Photo courtesy of Eugene via Flickr
The province of Camarines Sur is also an up and coming travel destination. It’s star ---- the Caramoan Island. If you are a follower of the Survivor series, you are probably very familiar to this island. The island offers real adventure for divers, beach bums, and island hoppers. Aside from the species of marine life, there are also caves, waterfalls, and underground lagoons and streams to explore. The white sand runs between boulders and huge rock formations.
Samal Island, Davao
Photo courtesy of Lady May Pamintuan via Flickr
This island prides itself in its 118-kilometer coastline of sandy beaches. It is a favorite among divers and snorkelers because of the vast coral garden marine park. The Shanipaan Shoal or popularly referred to as “The Vanishing Island” is also something to look forward to. It disappears during high tide leaving only an elevated cottage poking out of the waters.
As a burgeoning tourist destination, numerous hotel-resorts have been offering accommodations in the Island. You will find several fine hotels here for the luxurious travel of your dreams.
Malapascua Island, Cebu
Photo courtesy of James Gagen via Flickr
If you ask divers, Malapascua would be the most stunning beach in the Philippines. It is truly a diver’s paradise with numerous world-class dive sites to explore. Big fish encounters are also common here. Special mention goes to the daily thresher shark sighting.
Staying here is convenient with all the hotels and resorts off the main beach. Some hotels even have access to their very own private beach.
Sabtang Island, Batanes
Photo courtesy of Allan Ascaño via Flickr
Batanes is on the bucket list of many Filipinos. If they get to explore Sabtang Island, they will be even more convinced that Batanes is what dreams are made of. The majestic view and historical sites featuring traditional architecture are a must-see. Its own white beach called Nakabuang is famous for its sculptured arc which is the most photographed spot in the island. The white and slightly pinkish sand is fine and the waters are clear and refreshing. It is true what they say that looking at this island is like staring at a bright-colored postcard.
The Philippines will never run out of places to explore and discover. For one, the world’s best beaches can be found here. If you seek for adventure or just some quiet time, the pristine waters of the most stunning beaches in the Philippines will take care of that. This summer, see and experience these places for yourself and your vacation will surely be filled with moments that will take your breath away.
Anna Rodriguez is a manager and a passionate writer. She also has varied background in real estate brokerage, investing, online marketing and social media management. She owns Homey Guide Blog. Follow her at @annrodriguez021