Top 20 Philippine Beaches and Islands: MUST SEE List of Top Vacation Destinations in the Philippines

12 Malapascua, Cebu

Malapascua is known for scuba diving in search of the infamous thresher shark. The proximity to airport is what makes it hard to reach. Many of the tourists are foreign divers but if beach lovers only knew how amazing this place is, I am sure people would flock from all over.

 

The look of the island is how I imagine Boracay must have felt and looked like many years ago. The beach stretches for several kilometers. Swimming in the water and laying on the beach is an absolute pleasure. It can be quite an ordeal to reach it but it is worth every sweat.

 

 

11. Bantayan Island, Cebu

The more popular beach destination in Cebu, Bantayan island is where many of the danggit (dried fish) come from. 

 

Because of the rampant blast fishing in the past, I would not rave about the underwater life in Bantayan, but the beach itself is superb. At dusk, just before and just after sunset, the tides are so low that one can walk towards the sea for kilometers and see the sans and tiny crabs crawling. 

 

 

10. Pagudpud, Ilocos (December 2010)

There are several beaches in Pagudpud, but the most popular one is Saud Beach where surfers look for that next big wave. Even if you are not a surfer, you can still enjoy the fine cream sand, though. 

 

Walking along the beach in front of Kapuluan Vista Resort during sunrise was priceless. Unlike Saud beach, this beach is rocky and full of debris like tree trunks, coconut fruit and shells but the view is amazing and the wind is perfectly cool.

 

 

9. San Vicente, Palawan 

This has got to be one of the three craziest commutes we’ve ever gone through to reach a beach destination. I did not even come for business. I came I wanted to own a piece of this. I am definitely sure that only a few have heard about this place. It is because it is so hard to reach and there is no sign of luxury accommodations and restaurants in the island.

 

The cream sand is extremely soft, with the texture that is closest to Boracay’s sand than any of the others that i have visited.  The beach stretching for kilometers is free for all. There are no resorts yet, but in several years, this will be the venue of many luxurious resorts. I am one of the few who are lucky to have seen it in its current state. 

 

 

8. Anawangin, Zambales 

I have always thought that Anawangin has this hippie vibe. And why not? Until recently there has been no accommodations and proper resorts in the island, with people flocking to pitch their tents, cook their meals in open pits on the sand and drink beer! 

 

The sand is alternately light grey, cream and white and is ideal for many beach activities. The water is perfect for swimming during the day but to me, the beach is at its best at night when there are millions of starts on the dark skies.

 

The back part of the island is a haven for photographers and nature lovers where there are shallow streams, woods and plants and tall pine trees with the perfect shadow and lighting at sunrise.

 

Top 5 Philippine Beaches and Islands on the next page