The Philippines. One of the world’s finest tourist destinations you can ever imagine is situated in Southeast Asia right at the face of the mighty Pacific Ocean. Given the Philippines’ perfect natural location, our country is beautifully blessed with breathtaking tropical wonders that will surely keep tourists from different parts of the world to come back and fall in love over and over again.
From majestic mountains, evergreen forests, hidden waterfalls, sparkling rivers, and complex rock formations, the Philippines will always have a lot more to offer.
Aside from its other notable natural assets, the main reason why the Philippines is heavily beloved by international tourists are its world-class beaches. Hailed as the Pearl of the Orient, the Philippines is known to be an archipelago composed of 7,640 islands that are all worth visiting. Each of these islands possesses a unique and unrivaled beauty that will surely captivate you. Glorious white-sand beaches, crystalline turquoise waters, luxurious resorts, fun and memorable activities, rich culture, and everlasting entertainment are all waiting for you in the Philippines’ overwhelming display of tropical paradise.
Who knows? There might even be more islands to discover in our country and there’s a high chance that you’ll be the one to lead the way! So what are you waiting for? Suit yourselves as we all discover the 15 Best Beaches of the Philippines!
1. El Nido | Palawan
Sitting on top of the list is no other than the Philippines’ best. El Nido, Palawan was dubbed as the best beach in the Philippines years back because of its extraordinary beauty and thriving ecosystem. For many tourists, El Nido is a tropical haven where you would want to cast yourself away and forget about everything else. El Nido is known for its towering, dramatic black limestones that serve as a backdrop for beautiful white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. You can also find and explore hidden lagoons that are truly enchanting.
Just like any beach destinations in the Philippines, El Nido sure has a lot to offer to everyone. But because of its mesmerizing islands, I’d say that you shouldn’t miss the chance to go on island hopping tours because these truly highlight the breathtaking beauty of the Philippines’ best island. You can also try other fun and exciting activities on the island such as kayaking, snorkeling, rock climbing, and many more!
Moreover, if you’re looking for El Nido’s best beach destinations, then you should definitely drop by Snake Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and the famous Nacpan Beach.
Read the blog post: El Nido, Palawan: Tourist Spots, Food, Tours & Itinerary
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2. Boracay Island | Aklan
Well, of course! Boracay Island still remains one of the best beach destinations in the Philippines. Boracay has become the face of Philippine tourism for many years thanks to its signature white-sand beaches, crystalline turquoise waters, exciting adventures, and finally, a one-of-a-kind nightlife experience.
Boracay attracts tourists from different parts of the world not only because of its stunning natural features but also because of its exceptional offerings! Tons of world-class hotels and resorts are lined up along the coast of Boracay Island offering you the best holiday experience you can ever ask for.
Oh, and now that Boracay was able to rest and recover thanks to the government’s intervention in 2018, expect to experience Boracay Island in its best condition yet! Truly, Boracay still is and will be a tropical paradise worth visiting in the Philippines.
Read the blog post: 15 Best Boracay Beaches
3. Jomalig Island | Quezon
Jomalig Island, I’d say, is one of the most underrated beach destinations in the Philippines. With its breathtaking golden-sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and islands with thriving ecosystems, Jomalig is truly worth exploring. It’s like a lost paradise where you can only encounter a few people and hear the calming sound of the rustling waves and chirping birds. It is truly enchanting. So if you’re looking for a perfect beach destination in the Philippines where you can relax and enjoy the whole place to yourself, then Jomalig Island is the best choice for you.
Reaching Jomalig Island is quite a challenge because you can only access it by boat. But that’s what makes Jomalig Island special! Its pristine beauty is preserved for everyone to enjoy. Moreover, if you want to explore some of the island’s hidden gems, you’d want to avail the habal-habal tour. This way, you’ll get to have a true island experience going from one attraction to another with ease!
Read the blog post: Jomalig Island: DIY Budget and Itinerary
4. Coron | Palawan
There it is! Another world-class beach destination found in Palawan is no other than the mesmerizing islands of Coron. Coron is known all over the world as one of the best wreck diving destinations because several Japanese warships sunk in these areas during World War II. Moreover, Coron is also known to have an extremely rich marine biodiversity. Coron, Palawan is truly a picturesque beach destination where you can find majestic karst limestone formations towering behind the stunning white-sand beaches and turquoise waters of the island. Also, prepare yourself to fall in love with some of Coron’s enchanting lakes and lagoons scattered all around the island.

Credit: TrotterHop
Countless tourists from different parts of the world flock to Coron because it is a divers’ paradise. But if you want to spend time away from the bustling city and just enjoy one of nature’s greatest creations, then Coron, Palawan, is absolutely the right choice for you.
5. Calaguas | Camarines Norte
Camarines Norte’s pride should definitely be part of this list! The famous Calaguas Island is another tropical haven that beach lovers shouldn’t miss. The island is full of world-class beaches, cerulean blue waters, evergreen hills, and stunning rock formations that all exude the amazing island vibe anyone is looking for. One of Calaguas Island’s most popular beach destinations is the Mahabang Buhangin Beach. From the name itself, the beach is known for a long stretch of ivory white sands that envelop the coasts of the islands. It is truly a perfect place to relax, enjoy, and be mesmerized by the beautiful setting sun.
Some of the most popular activities to enjoy on Calaguas Island are camping, swimming, snorkeling, stargazing, trekking, and more! It is the perfect chance to enjoy nature’s mesmerizing beauty first-hand and you should definitely grab the chance to do so.
Read the blog post: Calaguas Island Story and Travel Guide
6. Balabac Islands | Palawan
Don’t be surprised because Palawan is really composed of several breathtaking islands that are truly worth seeing. After all, it’s dubbed as the Philippines’ last frontier for a reason! The Balabac Islands are located at the southernmost tip of the main island Palawan and are famous for their breathtaking beaches, crystal-clear waters, and world-class sandbars.
One of the most popular destinations in Balabac is Onuk Island. Here, you’ll get a chance to experience what it feels like to be lost in paradise. Just standing by yourself, surrounded by white sands and turquoise waters, that feeling alone makes visiting Balabac Islands truly worth it.
7. Panglao | Bohol
When we talk about Bohol, the first thing that crosses our minds is the world-famous Chocolate Hills and the lovely tiny primates called Tarsier, right? Well, Bohol has another world-class tourist destination that is bound to surprise us and make us fall in love hard. I’m talking about the mesmerizing Panglao Island. It is known for its white-sand beaches, crystalline waters, and rich forests. It is also a perfect place to watch the glorious beauty of the setting sun! Panglao Island is shaped like a perfect circle making each area of the island worth exploring. Well, every corner is a perfect place to relax!
More than its stunning natural features, Panglao Island is also known as a world-class diving site thanks to its extremely rich and thriving marine biodiversity.
Read the blog post: Best Bohol Tourist Spots and Itinerary
8. Once Islas | Zamboanga
Nothing feels more special than discovering a hidden gem where you can exclusively enjoy nature’s breathtaking beauty, right? Well, I bet that’s the exact feeling you’ll get once you visit the stunning Once Islas of Zamboanga. Here, you can find world-class islands full of white-sand beaches, majestic rock formations, and crystal clear waters. On top of that, the islands are also managed by friendly locals so that you’d definitely feel at home.
Once Islas is composed of 11 islands but only four (4) of them were declared as tourism zones. This is because the other islands served as homes to some of Zamboanga’s treasured tribes. Aside from falling in love with the island’s world-class beaches, island hopping is also a must-try experience in Once Islas. This way, you’ll get to reach the four (4) beautiful islands of Sirommon, Buh-Buh, Baung-Baung, and Bisaya-Bisaya which is known for its natural infinity pool.
Read the blog post: Once Islas in Zamboanga (Story and Guide)
9. Burias Island | Masbate
Fine white sands, turquoise waters, evergreen forests, and finally, out-of-this-world rock formations are all waiting for you when you visit the heavenly Burias Island of Masbate. There are also countless world-class hotels and resorts scattered around the island so securing decent accommodation wouldn’t be a problem.
What sets Burias Island apart from any other beach destination in the Philippines is its stunning rock formations. It’s simply hard to believe that these amazing rock formations are carved by mother nature herself! Some stories by the locals suggest that the height of these rock formations was originally the height of the ocean itself. Mind-blowing, isn’t it?! I’m sure it leaves you more intrigued and curious about the mysterious beauty of Burias Island, right?
Well, then you should definitely take the time and explore Burias Island for some time! Some of the must-visit destinations around the island are Animasola Island, Tinalisayan Island, Dapa Island, Sombrero Island, and the beautiful Alibijaban Island.
Read the blog post: Burias Island: Island Hopping in Masbate
10. Dalugan Beach | Aurora
Dalugan Beach is one of the most beautiful yet underrated beach destinations in the Philippines. Located in Casiguran, Aurora, the beach is known for its pristine white-sand beaches facing the mighty blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The beach is also made more beautiful by the majestic backdrop of the San Ildefonso Mountain Range and the stunning rock formations scattered along the shorelines. Dalugan Beach truly offers a complete package of a tropical paradise experience that any beach lover would absolutely love.
Dalugan Beach is also famous for being surrounded by tons of towering coconut trees. That’s why one of the location’s best attractions is the laid-back coconut trees where tourists love to take pictures. Moreover, you also shouldn’t miss the chance to watch the mesmerizing view of the sunset while you’re at it!
Read the blog post: Dalugan Beach in Casiguran, Aurora (story)
11. Anguib Beach | Cagayan
One misconception about the northern provinces of the Philippines is that you can only find mountains and stunning views up there. Well, the Anguib Beach, or should I say, the “Boracay of the North” begs to differ!
Anguib Beach is known for its pristine and scenic white-sands, turquoise waters, and evergreen forests painting a perfect tropical paradise. The best part? This tropical haven’s dazzling beauty is perfectly preserved because only a handful of tourists come to visit this hidden gem of Sta. Ana, Cagayan every once in a while.
So if you’re looking for a fine place where you can enjoy, relax, and find peace and solitude, then Anguib Beach is definitely one of the best choices for you.
Read the blog post: Anguib Beach: The best beach of the north
12. Bantayan | Cebu
Ah, the unspoiled beauty of Bantayan Island in Cebu is once again here to capture our hearts. The island is famous for its long stretches of white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. A lot of tourists who visit this island are definitely in awe of its raw and dazzling beauty that they tend to come back just to fall in love over and over again. Bantayan Island is truly a slice of paradise that you shouldn’t miss the chance to visit.

Credit: Raynard Ong Vaño
More than its exceptional natural features, Bantayan Island is also known as a fishing village that supplies some of the best seafood in the entire country. The island is also where the famous Danggit is caught which is also a popular export product of the country. So aside from having an adventure of a lifetime, you’ll also get to experience a seafood feast when you visit the mesmerizing Bantayan Island of Cebu!
13. Kalanggaman Island | Leyte
And there it is! One of the Philippines’ postcard-worthy beach destinations is an island paradise located between the provinces of Cebu and Leyte. Kalanggaman Island is one of the most notable beach destinations in the country thanks to the pristine beauty of its ivory-white sand beaches, turquoise waters, palm trees, and stunning rock formations. Just the sight of Kalanggaman Island makes you feel that you have seen a slice of tropical paradise that’s truly enchanting.
More than its stunning natural features, Kalanggaman Island is famous for the dazzling beauty of its sandbar. It is one of the longest sandbars in the Philippines and definitely the most beautiful. All in all, Kalanggaman Island is truly worthy of its title, the Crown Jewel of Leyte.
Read the blog post: Kalanggaman Island: Leyte’s Piece of Paradise
14. Santa Cruz Island | Zamboanga City
Ah, yes! The Pink Beach itself. Santa Cruz Island is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Zamboanga City. The beach is known for its pink sands that result from pulverized Red Organ Pipe Corals and white sands. The combination of Santa Cruz Island’s pink sands, turquoise waters, and evergreen forests make a perfect painting of a tropical paradise you definitely shouldn’t miss. There are lots of activities to enjoy on this island such as sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and more!
The best part? The local government unit only allows a limited number of visitors per day to preserve the pristine beauty of Santa Cruz Island. This only means that you’ll get to enjoy much of the island’s spectacular beauty all by yourself!
Read the blog post: Santa Cruz: The Pink Beach of Zamboanga
15. Dahican Beach | Davao Oriental
Ah, finally. Get ready to fall in love because our last destination is the stunning Dahican Beach! Located in Davao Oriental, Dahican has been a go-to beach destination for everyone who wants to escape the bustling city and just have a vacation filled with peace and solitude.
Read the blog post: Dahican Beach: Surfing Stories in Davao Oriental
More than its creamy fine sands, tall coconut trees, and strong waves perfect for surfing, Dahican Beach is known as a sanctuary for sea turtles or pawikan. Actually, the name of the beach itself is derived from the word dahik which pertains to the act of the sea turtles coming off the beach and onto their nests.