With over 7,500 islands, it is easy to find spectacular beaches and seascapes in the country. Nearly all coastal provinces are home to island destinations that are worth visiting.
El Nido is a Philippine municipality on Palawan island. It’s known for white-sand beaches and coral reefs.
And since the number of beach destinations can be overwhelming, we’ve narrowed down the search for you. Here are 12 of the most amazing beaches in the Southeast Asian archipelago you can add to your bucket list this summer 2021
-> Read more: Tips and Tricks: Be Prepared for Anything While Traveling
12 Best Beaches in The Philippines For Summer 2021
1. Boracay Island, Aklan
Boracay is the top beach destination in the Philippines for vacationers. This is the place to go if you want to enjoy a tropical island experience and you’re not in love with the idea of taking very long road trips.
Boracay, Malay, Philippines
This small island is probably the only tourist destination in the country where you can find lively nightlife, excellent dining, a wide variety of places to stay, shopping areas, and lots of fun activities, all in one sandy stretch. The beach alone is worth the trip. At 4 kilometers long,
Boracay, Malay, Philippines
White Beach has clear blue waters and very fine white sand, compelling enough to earn Boracay a spot on the list of the World’s best beaches & islands by many globally recognized publications. If you want to get away from the crowds, there are still a couple of spots in Boracay where you can enjoy peaceful sun worshipping
-> Top Things To Do In Boracay Island, Philippines
2. Pink Beach, Samal Island
Located a mere 2 km ferry ride from Davao City, Samal Island is perhaps the most developed vacation destination in the Philippines. (If you’re looking for more rugged, rustic beaches, this might not be the spot for you)
The pink beach is named for its pink glowing sand which looks pretty amazing set against the backdrop of lush mangrove and coconut trees and clear blue waters
Pink Beach, Samal Island
3. White Sand Beach
The high-profile breaches of places like Boracay and Palawan are no doubt astonishing. But this has come to mean having to share them with loads of other tourists at any given time too. If a deserted paradise is what you truly want, you can be sure an archipelago comprised of over 7,000 islands still has a few of those tucked away.
White Sand Beach, Cresta De Gallo
On a remote island in the province of Romblon is a stunning bright stretch of sand called White Sand Beach. The island, Cresta de Gallo, is as tranquil as they come. With only two of its caretakers inhabiting the island and little tourism, this will definitely feel like your very own slice of paradise.
Sibuyan Island, Romblon
There is virtually nothing on the island so everything you might need, you’ll have to bring with you on your visit. A dazzling beach surrounded by sensational aquamarine waters and ultimate peace — you might have to see it for yourself to believe a place like this still exists
4. Marimegmeg Beach
Marimegmeg Beach is reachable by road from the El Nido town proper and is also a brilliant place to catch the sunset. What visitors love about this beach is its overall vibe. Imagine enjoying daybeds, beanbags, and swings, cocktails, good music, and the sunset, all whilst having the sea a stone’s throw away. Being only a 15-minute tricycle ride from the El Nido town proper, tourists gladly make the short trip and kick back on Marimegmeg Beach and bask in its ideal tropical energy.
Marimegmeg Beach, El Nido, Palawan
Here, you’ll get stretches of; white sand, limestone cliffs, beautiful lagoons, blue water experience coupled with some rather dramatic limestone rock formations.
5. Coron, Palawan
Coron is the ultimate island destination in the Philippines. This is THE place to go if you have a really short trip to the Philippines and have to choose only one destination. After arriving at the airport, you can easily find a place to stay in the town center or one of many luxury island resorts nearby.
Then, hop on a boat to see amazing white sand beaches, lagoons, and snorkeling/diving spots. Coron gets easy aces across the board for gorgeous island views and convenient travel
This part of the Philippines is one of the absolute best places in the world to scuba dive (ergo why it’s one of the best beaches in the Philippines).
Coron, Palawan, Philippines
There are also a fair few day trips you can do from here – one of the most fun of which will be to Coron Island where you’ll find Kayangan Lake – aptly titled the cleanest lake in all of Asia and quite the sight to behold.
6. Bantayan, Cebu
Looking for the most beautiful beach in Cebu? Head to Bantayan Island found off the northernmost tip of the mainland. Here, you can enjoy white sand beaches and calm aqua blue waters that are among the most picturesque not only in Cebu but in the Philippines.
Bantayan, Cebu, Philippines
Because of the long journey from the nearest airport, Bantayan is without crowds most times of the year. So, it’s easy to find a peaceful spot along its long sandy shores. The cost of living is also not expensive on the island. You can expect many great-value resorts and cheap seafood
7. Dumaluan Beach, Panglao Island
Dumaluan Beach is widely considered the most beautiful beach on Panglao island and definitely one of the best beaches to visit in the Philippines.
There are opportunities for diving that are virtually unparalleled anywhere else in the Philippines, thanks not just to the abundance of marine life (crustaceans, barracuda, sea snakes, and jackfish…etc) but also due to some of the most impressive coral formations in the entire country.
White Dumaluan beach on Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
On the shore, you can also watch for dolphins or whales. After spending the day on the beach, be sure to check out Our Lady of Assumption Church, which is an impressive example of Roman and Byzantine architecture.
8. Long Beach
While Palawan is mostly known for El Nido and Coron, the fishing village of San Vicente is also home to beautiful, albeit underrated, beaches. One of these, recognized as the longest white-sand beach in the country, is Long Beach.
Stretching 14 kilometers long, this extensive strip has fortunately been left alone for the most part. Devoid of crowds and commercial development, this beach is a great choice for anyone who has grown tired of tourists in the province’s more famous stops.
9. Anawangin Cove
Anawangin Cove is a highly popular camping destination for city-folk seeking to escape the restless Manila pace. They go off the grid and get back in touch with nature through pitched tents, only the bare necessities, and zero telecommunication signals. The cove’s make-up is as interesting as it is beautiful, being pleasant aftermath of an otherwise tragic moment in Philippine history.
The Mount Pinatubo eruption of ‘91 devastated a considerable area of the country, so nobody expected that the resulting ash fall could turn what was then a rocky coast into the sandy beach Anawangin is today. And even more surprisingly, Agoho trees flourished into a lush forest that now provides campers refuge from the beach’s scorching heat. A hiking trail up a hill that overlooks the entire cove allows visitors to see Anawangin in all its raw beauty
10. Kalanggaman Island, Leyte
Kalanggaman had become popular after drone videos of the island got viral online. On this tiny island, you can find a long sparkling white sandbar surrounded by vast blue waters.
Kalanggaman Island, Philippines
This piece of paradise is uninhabited and only a limited number of people are allowed to visit/camp on a given day to protect its natural beauty.
11. Cloud Nine Reef, Siargao Island
Not only are the beaches here beautiful, but the surf is also absolutely spectacular.
One of the many reasons why Cloud Nine Reef is not only one of the best beaches in the Philippines but also why it’s so popular amongst surfers – so much so that an annual competition (called the Siargao Cup) is held here.
Even if you’re not a surfer, pop by to kick back, relax and take in the natural beauty of the Philippines in this pretty fantastic spot
12. Gigantes Sur Island, Iloilo
While the white sand and blue waters along the shoreline are perfect for sunbathing here, be sure to spend some time at Tangke, a secluded saltwater lagoon that is a pretty amazing sight to see.
Gigantes Sur Island, Iloilo
A few years ago, even most locals in Iloilo did not know that this paradise existed within their province. Now, it has become a popular island-hopping destination among travelers seeking new adventures in the Philippines,
When you’re here, be sure to not just stick to one beach but go island hopping on as many day tours as you can fit in. It’s one of the best ways to make the most of your visit and squeeze in as many of the best beaches in the Philippines as possible.