The best beaches in the Philippines

How do you even begin to choose the best beach in the Philippines? With 7641 islands to choose from, most of them circled by teeming coral reefs and sparkling sand, you could throw a dart at a map and be confident of finding somewhere stunning to lay down your towel. 

For decades, the Philippines has drawn travelers eager to trade skyscrapers and city bustle for sea breezes and towering coconut trees. Sunseekers flock to islands such as Boracay, Bohol, Cebu and Coron, finding gleaming white beaches and vibrant dive sites just a short hop from Manila. You don't even have to leave Luzon, the archipelago's largest island, to find a dreamy stretch of sand. 

Reaching some of the best beaches can involve inter-island flights, overland bus journeys and multiple sea crossings by public ferry, but this is part of the charm of travel in the Philippines. Those willing to step off the beaten track will find idyllic islands that lie blissfully beyond the mass tourism map, blessed with year-round warm weather and an even warmer welcome from local islanders. 

Whether it's your first time in the Philippines or your fifteenth, here's our pick of the best islands for beach lovers.

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1. Palawan

Best beaches for adventurers

You can’t go wrong with big-hitter Palawan, the sinuous island running southeast from the Visayas towards Borneo, with attractions neatly packaged into organized tours. Kayak into secret coves to find empty beaches bordered by rugged limestone cliffs at El Nido, then dive into the glassy waters of Kayangan Lake or snorkel over WWII shipwrecks on the offshore island of Coron.

Gorgeous beaches abound. On the mainland, try Nacpan Beach, a 4km (2.5-mile) crescent-shaped strip of creamy golden sand framed by azure waters, just north of the karst-lined bay at El Nido. On the northwest coast, San Vicente shelters the country’s biggest expanse of white sand – you could clock up almost 20,000 steps strolling the entire 14km (9-mile) stretch of Long Beach, but you may be content to simply doze off in a hammock instead.

Head southwest from Puerto Princesa to reach Balabac at Palawan’s southernmost tip, where the pristine sands of Onok Island call out to thrill seekers with time and money to burn; local tour agents can arrange trips to this private island's gleaming beaches.

Planning tip: For the freedom to make up your itinerary on the fly, rent a motorcycle in Puerto Princesa for the trip to El Nido and back. The journey takes around six hours, so break the journey halfway at Port Barton, where boat tours offer the chance to snorkel and swim with sea turtles.

2. Boracay

Best for a group getaway

Backed by palm trees for 4km (2.5 miles), White Beach has long been one of the top draws on the island of Boracay, basking off the northern tip of Panay in the Western Visayas. Air-conditioned hotel rooms, fast food joints and buzzing bars are just steps away from the sandy shore.

Expect a flurry of activities, from dive trips to paddling on transparent kayaks. Alternatively, just sip on an icy-cold fruit shake or indulge in a soothing massage without straying from the sand. As the sinking sun blazes orange, pop into the Hue Hotel for a poolside cocktail or Los Indios Bravos for a craft beer, or board a paraw (outrigger boat) for a cruise; the sunsets are spectacular when viewed from the water.

Detour: To stretch your sea legs, rent a mountain bike and pedal to 100m (330ft) Mount Luho, the island’s highest point. Boracay is just 7km (4.3 miles) long, so you can loop around the island in under three hours, passing rustic beaches such as Puka Beach and Bulabog Beach.

3. Cebu

Best for underwater enthusiasts

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Easily accessible by air and sea, the island of Cebu is home to the Philippines' second city, a bustle of beaches, accommodations and activities, and some of the best dining and diving in the archipelago. Sun worshippers make a beeline for the white sand beaches around the offshore islands of Bantayan, Malapascua and Mactan. 

Offshore, colorful coral reefs teeming with sea turtles and other marine life add extra appeal for snorkelers and divers. For something out of the ordinary, head to the diving hubs of Moalboal or Pescador Island, where spectacular sardine runs can be seen close to the surface year-round. Or for close encounters with megafauna, get up close to the thresher sharks of Malapascua Island. 

4. Bohol

Best for a romantic beach escape

In the middle of the archipelago, Bohol is another top choice for lovers of beaches, scenery and island culture, with abundant lodging options and lots of fun activities to plug into your itinerary. Family-friendly resorts line lovely Alona Beach on tiny Panglao Island, and there's more picturesque white sand nearby on Dumaluan Beach.

On the main island, you can seek out Bohol's tiny tarsiers – the world's smallest primate – while bangka boats wait to whisk tourists to islands offshore. On the islands of Pamilacan and Balicasag, you can bask on beautiful beaches and enjoy a spot of dolphin spotting and snorkeling on the side.

Anda on Bohol’s eastern edge offers a quieter getaway, with 3km (1.9 miles) of dazzling sand for undisturbed idling; the Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa is a secluded spot for couples to cocoon themselves away.

Detour: For a break from the beach, visit Bohol's Chocolate Hills and tarsier sanctuaries – always a hit with kids – then grab some fruity ice cream on the coast at Bohol Bee Farm.

5. Siargao

Best for surfers

Home to the world-famous Cloud 9 break, Siargao Island at the top of Mindanao draws surfers across the globe. The vibe is lively yet laid-back, and beginners can take surf lessons near the town of General Luna, where hip cafes, social hubs and budget hostels are clustered.

Some shops rent out customized motorbikes with racks so surfers can ferry their boards to secret breaks along the coconut-tree-lined coast, including postcard-perfect Pacifico Beach. The best surf is from September to November, particularly at Cloud 9.

Boat tours to islets, rocky tidal pools and the spectacular Sugba Lagoon are easy to book online. Beyond the surf, digital nomads and sociable solo travelers are drawn to Siargao by the allure of slow island living and many end up staying longer than planned.

Detour: The dreamy beaches of the Dinagat Islands are accessible via a sea route launched in 2024. This underrated destination is rarely visited even by locals; get here from the village of Del Carmen on Siargao's west coast.

6. Romblon

Best for intrepid explorers

If you prefer the sound of waves breaking on the shore to the buzz of conversation, you’ll love Romblon to the north of Panay. Hours will stretch into days as you wander from one beach to another on this easygoing island off the main circuit.

A short tricycle ride from Romblon’s main town is Bonbon Beach, a low-key spot with soft sand and calm waters. When the tide is low, you can walk along the sandbar to a nearby islet or watch youngsters frolic in the waves. Romblon’s coast is studded with immaculate islets, with water so clear you’d think it was AI-generated.

Detour: You'll find more fine beaches on the neighboring islands of Tablas and Sibuyan. Test your castaway potential by taking a trip to Cresta de Gallo, a snaking sandbar off the coast of Sibuyan, where you can enjoy sweet solitude surrounded by sparkling seas. Return to Sibuyan to hike up the jagged slopes of Mount Guiting Guiting, one of the country’s toughest climbs.

7. Batanes Islands

Best for photographers

The islands of Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat in Batanes province in the far north of the Philippines (off the north coast of Luzon) hide some incredible stretches of coastline, though you may spend more time snapping photos than swimming on these remote islands. Despite the compact size of each island, exploration takes longer and memory cards fill up faster with so much striking scenery to record.

The landscape of the Batanes islands is defined by rolling hills topped by lighthouses and rugged beaches covered with volcanic rocks. Leap over the boulders at Valugan Boulder Beach on Batan for dramatic landscape photos, then head over to White Beach, south of Mahatao, for a safe dip on a pebble-sprinkled strip of sand.

Heading on from Batan, board a wooden faluwa boat at Basco for the bumpy crossing to Sabtang Island. After snapping shots of the island's iconic stone houses, head to Morong Beach, dominated by a natural rock arch. This scenic seaside stop is ideal for swimming and the best place on the island to enjoy local specialties such as turmeric rice, uvud (banana heart meatballs) and dibang (flying fish).

8. Santa Cruz Island

Best for an eco-escape

Santa Cruz Island, just off the coast of Zamboanga on Mindanao, has one of the few beaches in the world with pink sand. Stroll along the shoreline and you'll immediately notice its blushing hue – caused by crushed red organ pipe coral mingling with grains of white sand.

It's a rewarding escape for environmentally-conscious travelers; yellow-painted fishing boats offer trips into thick mangrove forests, where you can gather edible seagrapes and spot stingless jellyfish. At the center of the island lies a calm and shallow lagoon dotted with vintas – traditional Zamboango fishing vessels with rainbow-striped sails. It’s a picturesque spot for paddling.

Detour: Northeast along the coast from Zamboanga City are the Onse Islas, a cluster of eleven small islands with fine sandy beaches. Swimming, kayaking and nature treks are the main draws in these community-managed islands, which remain blissfully free of commercial development.