15 of the best beaches in the Philippines, explore colorful island coral gardens

The Philippines has perhaps the best beaches and the most beautiful islands in the world. There are more than 7,000 islands to choose from, each with its own unique and fascinating landscapes and diverse geography. You can visit colorful coral gardens and laze around on pristine beaches while sipping tropical juices. Choosing your favorite beach in the Philippines is like picking the most colorful flower. This guide to the best beaches in the Philippines will help you decide which beach you should go to for some sun!

1. Boracay White Beach

After a 6-month restoration, Boracay has finally reopened to the public. Boracay is perhaps one of the most popular beaches in the entire world. The fine white sand is like walking on warm flour. You can even walk 100 meters from the beach shore into the sea and the water is still only waist-deep. The natural beauty of this island is amazing, with turquoise blue waters and palm trees complementing each other.



How to get there From Manila, you can choose to go to Boracay via Caticlan Airport (closest to Boracay) or Kalibo Airport (2 hours from Kalibo Airport to Boracay). Once you arrive at the Caticlan Jetty Port, you will be asked to print out your accommodation information and you can buy your ferry ticket at the port. Once you arrive in Boracay, you will see a row of tricycles and you can decide whether to take a tricycle or take a private transport.

2. Puka Beach, Boracay

If you want to get away from the mainstream beaches of Boracay, this is a great place to stop and relax. This is an Instagram-worthy beach with pure waters and some rocks and broken shells on the beach, hence the name "Puka". Although the turquoise waters are great for swimming, please note that the waters here are usually not as calm as those at White Beach.



How to get there Take a tricycle from Boracay’s downtown stops 1, 2, and 3 and tell the driver to get off at Puka Beach. One-way fares are 20 pesos per person, while chartered Trips are 200 pesos.

3. Camiquín White Island

Camiquín’s White Island, just about 1.5 kilometers off the coast of Mambayao Island (the capital of Camiquín Province), is the province’s most popular Tourist attraction. Admire the long, boomerang-shaped white sandbar surrounded by seagrass and the majestic twin peaks: Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Mt. Vulcan. This gem is truly a naked island – there are no houses, trees, or huts to shade you from the sun. You’re guaranteed to get a tan here!



How to Get There There are no direct flights to Camiguin Island from Manila; however, you can fly to Camiguin Airport from Cagayan de Oro or Cebu. Take a shuttle from Cagayan de Oro to Agora Terminal and then take a bus to Balingoan Terminal. Board the ferry to Camiguin Benoni Terminal and hail a tricycle or multi-way bus to the hop-off point in Baranggay Yumbing. From here it takes only 10-20 minutes to get to the White Island.

4. Nacpan Beach, Palawan

You will love this place! How about golden brown powder sand? Yes! You will find a lot of it at Nacpan Beach. It is a perfect place with no boats in sight, small waves, clear blue waters to play in, and delicious food in the small hotels. Tourists usually stay here for a night or two to escape the busy crowds of El Nido town.



How to get there From El Nido town, you can rent a motorbike and open Google Maps or Waze on your phone to get there. You can also rent a private tricycle. Another option is to take the E Tour from El Nido that includes a visit to Nacpan Beach. The driving time is about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

5. White Beach, Puerto Galera

With its stunning colorful coral reefs and long stretches of white sand, Puerto Galera’s White Beach is a paradise for those who want to experience a stunning beach without having to fly from Manila. It is very popular for its exquisite diving and snorkeling sites and is often included in lists of the top diving sites in the Philippines.



How to get there From Manila, take a bus to Batangas Pier at Buendia LRT Station and get off at Batangas Pier. Once at the pier, buy your ticket near the docking area and board a boat to Puerto Galera.

6. Kalanggaman Island, Leyte

Kalanggaman Island has a deserted beach with its famous long white sandy bay, swaying palm trees and blue waters that are so clear it will bring tears to your eyes. It is a stunningly beautiful paradise in the middle of the ocean. The government has built basic facilities to cater to tourists and the police are on duty to ensure their safety. It is simply amazing!



How to Get There are many ways to get to this paradise. The cheapest and best way is via Malapascua Island in Cebu. From Malapascua Island, you can take a small ferry for a day trip to Kalanggaman Island. The sailing time is about 2 hours.

7. Malapascua Island, Cebu

When people hear the word "Malapascua", the first thing that comes to mind is often diving with the elusive thresher shark. This small island off the north coast of Cebu is not only known as one of the top diving spots in the Philippines, but also for its colorful coral reefs, shipwrecks and clear waters. Locals call it "Boracay 20 years ago."



How to get there From Cebu City, take a taxi to Cebu North Terminal and transfer to a bus to Maya Port, which takes about 4 hours. Once you arrive at Maya Port, transfer to a public boat to Malapascua Island.

8. Apo Island, Dumaguete

Apo Island has been declared a marine sanctuary and is one of the most successful examples of community-based protected areas. Due to the protection measures in place, the island is only accessible with a local guide. The coral gardens here are colorful and present the most beautiful scenery. Turtles thrive here, and spending a day or two on this island will make you fall in love with everything. The beauty here cannot be described in words.



How to get thereFly to Dumaguete from Manila. Take a taxi from the airport to the bus terminal. Hop on any southbound bus to Zamboanguita and get off at Malatapay port. Take a boat to Apo Island – it takes a bumpy 30-minute ride to reach the island.

9. Paliton Beach, Siquijore

On this unspoiled beach, there is only pure nature. The picturesque white sand is lined with palm trees and the water is turquoise blue. There is no doubt about the hidden beauty of Siquijore Island – it is deserted, sparsely populated, and full of stunning beaches and cascading waterfalls. It is no wonder that this island is gaining popularity among tourists.



How to Get There Fly from Manila to Dumaguete City and then take a tricycle to Dumaguete Sea Port. Take a ferry to Siquijore Island, which takes 1 hour. If you are Travelling from Cebu, go to Cebu South Terminal and hop on a bus to Liloan; the Journey takes 4-5 hours. Once at the port, board the ferry to Sibulan. From there, take a jeepney to Dumaguete Port and then board the ferry to Siquijore.

10. Alona Beach, Bohol

Bohol is not only famous for its marmosets (the smallest primate in the world) and Chocolate Hills, but also for the crystal clear waters and powder-smooth sands of Alona Beach. There is an excellent stretch of sand backed by swaying palm trees and high-end restaurants, where you can linger and watch the sunset.



How to Get There Take a tricycle or rent a motorbike from Tagbilaran, Bohol to the beach, which takes 30-45 minutes.

11. Algao del Sur, Surigao del Norte

Known as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines,” Algao del Sur is a peaceful, laid-back island with azure waters, beautiful lagoons, and pristine brown-white sand beaches. You’ll find spectacular waves for surfing and stunningly beautiful islets around the main island. If you’ve always dreamed of a tropical island paradise, this is your answer; it will definitely live up to your expectations. There are so many beaches and islets to explore, and you’ll be mesmerized by every little attraction you find. Renting a motorbike will allow you to reach almost every beach on the island, and it’s also the best and cheapest way to explore the area.



How to get there You can fly to El Nido from Manila or Cebu. Upon arrival, there are vans and tricycles outside the airport that take travelers to General Luna, where most travelers stay. There are also ferries from Cebu Port, which usually leave at 7pm; arrive in Surigao City in the morning and take the next ferry to Dapa, El Nido.

12. Martinoc Beach, El Nido

Palawan is one of the most talked about islands in the world, especially because of the beautiful El Nido. The lush scenery, craggy limestone carvings, islands with white powdery beaches, and the shade of palm trees are all things you want to take photos of. El Nido has many perfect white beaches, but this one is beyond beautiful. This underrated island is usually just a lunch stop, but it is beautiful here. The blue waters and limestone rocks surrounded by beautiful vegetation are very appealing.



How to get there This beach is part of Tour C, a combination of Tours A and C, which you can buy at various tour agencies in El Nido.

13. Laiya, Batangas

Just a 4-hour drive from Manila, Batangas is another hidden treasure and is often the beach of choice for Filipinos. This is not only because of its proximity to Metro Manila, but also because of its stunning brown sand beaches and world-class diving spots. Laiya Beach is known for its long stretches of fine brown sand, turquoise waters, and superb marine life.



How to Get There The cheapest and quickest way to get here is via San Juan. From Manila, take an ALPS bus from Araneta Center Cubao, Quezon City to San Juan, Batangas (about a 2-hour drive) and have the driver drop you off at the City Hall. Once in San Juan, take a jeepney marked “Laiya” or “Hugom.”

14. Subic Laki, Sorsogon

Tucked away from the mainstream, Subic Laki Sorsogon’s beaches are a lush backdrop of fertile shores and turquoise waters gently lapping against pink sands. This hidden gem, away from the modern world, is simply stunning. While it’s a rather difficult beach to reach, you’ll be rewarded with a scenic, postcard-worthy getaway.



How to get there From Manila, you can take a bus (10-14 hours) or flight (1 hour) to Legazpi City and head to the central bus terminal near Gaisano Pacific Mall. Take a van to Bulan Town, Sorsogon (2 hours) and get off at Tresor. From Tresor, take a jeepney to Matno and have the driver drop you off at the city hall. Go directly to Matno Tourism Office to hire a boatman for an island tour.

15. Nagesa Beach in Zambales

If you want to enjoy some alone time or recover from work stress, you can consider heading to Nagesa Beach in Zambales. Nagesa Beach is usually where locals take a short break from city life. This gem of a place requires you to be away from the hustle and bustle and there is no cell phone signal. The chill beach atmosphere, bright sunshine and white sand coastline are all you need. In addition, you can also do some hiking as there is a trail for hiking on the nearest mountain, which is quite steep but the views are very beautiful.



How to get there From Manila, take the Victory Liner bus in Pasay bound for Iba or Santa Cruz, Zambales, and get off at the San Antonio Public Market. Then, take a tricycle to Pundaquit, from where you can charter a boat to Nagsasa Cove.

Hopefully, this post has inspired you to make your trip to the Philippines a dream. For all the best places to stay, check out these great hostels in the Philippines.