Top 10 Philippines Beaches: A list of the best

Philippines beaches are amongst some of the most lovely in the world, yet not all of them get the interest they deserve. The Philippines seems to have it all. The country provides such a broad range of attractions as well as activities that it appeals to beach-goers, cultural enthusiasts as well as thrill-seekers alike.

The Philippines beaches are possibly the most sought-after attraction, bringing in tourists as well as travelers from different parts of the world, all excited to sunbathe on the soft white sand as well as snorkel around the numerous spectacular coves.

Besides beaches, the country’s 7,000 plus islands are filled with an abundance of rice terraces, misty volcanoes, several national parks, top diving sites, former head-hunters, a world-famous tattoo artist, colonial architecture as well as a deep cultural legacy, all of which contribute in making the island nation one of the most diverse in Southeast Asia.

I spent two months traveling around the country’s islands in search of the best Philippines beaches, as well as in spite of not having been to every beach spot in the country, here’s a list of my top picks. In some cases, I have included a whole area rather than a single beach since of the high concentration of lovely spots there!

1. Nacpan Beach

Nacpan Beach, one of the most lovely of all Philippines beaches
Often described as the most lovely of all the Philippines beaches, Nacpan beach is a 4-kilometer long powdery white stretch of awesomeness. The title is well-deserved although it faces stiff competition from numerous of the other Philippines beaches.

Nacpan is really one half of El Nido’s twin beaches. The other half, Calitang, is nothing to write home about as well as typically missable although it’s best next to Nacpan as well as can be went to at the same time.

Nacpan on the other hand, is a spectacular expanse of sand as well as coconut trees, making it the ideal getaway destination in the Philippines if you plan on doing nothing however lazing about on the sand, working on your tan, or swimming in the crystal-clear waters.

Nacpan beach is located about 20 kilometers away from El Nido town as well as is available either by motorbike, trike or even bicycle if you’re wanting to get some exercise (I was not).

In fact, for a fixed price, the trike will even wait for you while you delight in the beach.

The beach is likewise part of the El Nido trip E, likewise known as the Inland Tour, provided by practically all agencies in El Nido. It includes stops at the twin beaches as well as at the nearby Nagkalit-kalit Falls.

Where To stay in El Nido

Here are 3 highly rated properties in El Nido. click on the links as well as check them out for yourself.

Garden Bay beach resort – from $35 / night, 8.5/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking.com

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The Nest El Nido beach resort – from $108 / night, 8.4/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking.com

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El Nido Coco resort – from $196 / night, 8.6/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking.com

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☞ Click here to compare prices & see the most recent reviews on all accommodation options in El Nido on Booking.com

2. Panglao Island Beaches

The Sand bar at Virgin Island, Bohol
Panglao Island, in the province of Bohol, is home to several rocky & white sand beaches, although only few of them are well-known. Alona beach is by far the most popular beach destination, being likewise one of the most well-known of the Philippines beaches.

Due to its popularity, I found it to be over-crowded as well as over-priced although still beautiful. By far, I preferred the quieter as well as less popular Dumaluan Beach, located just a short trike ride away from Alona, which is mostly frequented by curious locals who will be pleased to ask you all sorts of questions about why you are there.

The Virgin Island sand bar off Panglao, which can be reached by private boat or by joining one of the numerous shared boat trips provided on the island, is likewise very appealing.

Despite the sand bar’s popularity with tourists in Panglao, it is possible to walk a few meters away from the center as well as discover some empty spots for some quiet time or great Instagram photo opportunities!

Where To stay in Panglao

Here is a list of the top 3, highly rated, inexpensive properties in Panglao. click on the links as well as check them out for yourself.

Imagine Bohol house – from $27 / night, 9.6/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking

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Alona studio Bungalow – from $57 / night, 9.7/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking

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Bohol beach Club – from $114 / night, 9.2/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking

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☞ Click here to compare prices as well as see reviews on all accommodation options offered in Panglao on Booking.com

3. White Beach, Boracay

White Beach, Boracay, one of the most popular beaches in the Philippines

White Beach, the main beach in Boracay is arguably the most well-known of the Philippines beaches as well as is often the major destination for tourists planning a short trip in the country.

White beach is both household friendly as well as romantic. It’s home to numerous resorts, restaurants as well as bars. beach water sports are a popular activity in the afternoons, whilst at night, the bars get buzzing!

This beach can get rather crowded during top season so it can be challenging to discover a quiet spot. Not only do the soft white sands accept the lovely blue waters, however the sunsets here are awesome too.

Boracy is not just about White Beach. several other lovely as well as much more secluded beaches can found dotting the island if you want to get away from the crowds.

Where To stay in Boracay

Here is a list of the top 3, highly rated, inexpensive properties in Boracay. click on the links as well as check them out for yourself.

Salidos place resort – from $42 / night, 9.1/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking.com

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Greenyard Inn – from $41 / night, 9.1/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking.com

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Villa Caemilla beach boutique hotel – from $68 / night, 9.1/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking.com

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☞ Click here to compare prices as well as read reviews on all accommodations offered in Boracay on Booking.com

4. Cresta De Gallo – The Queen of Philippines Beaches

The beautiful sandy island of Cresta De Gallo in Sibuyan

This is hands down my preferred of all the Philippines beaches as well as probably my preferred spot in the country! It is not hard to see why. The cleanest, whitest sand on this little islet is surrounded by turquoise waters reminiscent of the Maldives.

The island is home to one fisher household with no running water or electricity. The truth that it is remote as well as challenging to gain access to makes it all the much more special, as well as certainly the island was practically deserted during my visit.

I got to the island by taking a 2-hour boat trip from Sibuyan island in the province of Romblon. getting to Sibuyan island however, where I stayed for 9 nights, was no simple task. It involved the use of a bus, two ferry rides as well as a jeepney ride from Manila, so if you’re planning on going there, be sure to check out connections in advance.

5. The El Nido Beaches

Hidden Beach, one of El Nido’s treasures

Nacpan beach, close to El Nido, fully is worthy of its own section (above). However, besides Nacpan which is available through land transport, several other lovely little beautiful beaches can be accessed from El Nido town through boat tours, conveniently called trips A, B, C as well as D.

All the trips include stops at several beaches, my preferred of which, hidden Beach, is available through trip C. surrounded by tall karst cliffs which go all the way round the little beach, this secluded spot cannot be seen from the boat you’re on, thus its name.

Lounging in the beach’s great shallow waters whilst lapping up the sun is a great way to spend your day. other beaches such as Talisay beach as well as the sand bar on snake Island are just as beautiful as well as well-worth the boat trip. Don’t forget to take a dry bag along.

The town of El Nido proper can be accessed directly by bus or van from Puerto Princesa or from other main towns in Palawan.

READ MORE: the best Palawan Resorts in the Philippines

6. Sabang Beaches

One of the secluded beach spots in Sabang
Few people stay in the little Palawan village of Sabang, because the main attraction here, The Puerto Princesa Underground River, can be accessed through trips from Puerto Princesa without the need for spending time in Sabang. This guarantees that Sabang’s beaches are mostly devoid of tourists, rubbishas well as noise.

The main beach just down the road leading from the village is not particularly beautiful, however a little stroll to the best side of it (facing the water), will lead you to a series of deserted beaches providing a number of beautiful, secluded spots.

Because the beaches in Sabang are not as popular as other Philippines beaches, there are no traveler facilities beyond the main beach so be sure to bring sufficient food as well as water to keep you full as well as hydrated for a while!

The ride from Puerto Princesa to Sabang on a local bus takes about 2.5 hours.

Where To stay in Sabang

Here is a list of the top 2, highly rated, inexpensive properties in Sabang. click on the links as well as check them out for yourself.

Daluyon beach as well as mountain resort – from $79 / night, 8.6/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking

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Sheridan beach resort as well as medspa – from $117 / night, 8.5/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking

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☞ Click here to compare prices as well as see reviews for all accommodations offered in Sabang on Booking.com

7. Siargao Island

The beaches in Siargao provides the best waves for surfers!

There’s a lot going on in Siargao, however it is mostly well-known for being the best surfing spot in all the Philippines beaches. located on the eastern side of the Philippines, you can learn to conquer the mighty waves here, or alternatively search for the ideal swell at one of the numerous surf spots if you’re already a pro surfer.

If you need a break from surfing, other activities such as island hopping as well as going to the bizarre Magpupungko rock pool will keep you entertained, as well as of program the beaches around general Luna are pretty good for non-surfers too!

Direct flights to Siargao island are offered from Cebu.

Where to stay in Siargao

Here is a list of the top 3, highly rated, inexpensive properties in Siargao. click on the links as well as check them out for yourself!

Eddie’s beach resort Siargao – from $33 / night, 8.9/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking.com

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Romantic beach Villas – from $74 / night, 8.5/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking.com

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Sunset Bay beach Villas – from $137 / night, 9.5/10 rating. Click here for the most recent price on Booking.com

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☞ Click here to compare prices as well as see reviews for all accommodations offered in Siargao on Booking.com

8. Coron

One of the numerous beaches available from Coron Town
Although Coron’s main draw is the spectacular Kayangan Lake, as well as to a lesser extent, Barracuda Lake, the island itself as well as the smaller islands around it are home to numerous secluded beaches surrounded by high cliffs available through boat tours. some of the best resorts in the Philippines are found here as well.

CYC beach as well as the fantastic Siete Pecados Marine Park (which is not really a beach however one of the best snorkeling spots around Coron) are certainly worth going to, as well as best of all, are not went to by as numerous people as the lakes are.

Like numerous other Philippines beaches, the beaches here are picture-perfect as well as include soft white sand as well as clear turquoise waters offering ideal photo opportunities. Be sure to bring a waterproof video camera with you on your boat trip!

Coron town on Busuanga Island can be accessed through a boat ride from El Nido or a flight from Manila, whilst Coron Island can be reached by boat from Coron Town. To get from El Nido to Coron by boat, there are really 4 different ways – by ferry, quick boat, personal boat or cargo. check out how to get from El Nido to Coron using the ferry for much more details.

Where To stay in Coron

Here is a list of the top 3, highly rated, inexpensive properties in Coron. click on the links as well as check them out for yourself!

Haisa house – from $68 / night, 9.2/10 rating. Click her