The Top 5 Islands To Visit In The Philippines

The Philippines is home to roughly about 7,600 islands so you are completely spoilt for choice. I spent just about a month exploring the Philippines and it was nothing short of a dream.

It's a beautiful travel destination with so much to explore from lagoons, unreal beaches, waterfalls, diverse wildlife and lovely communities with incredibly friendly locals.

I couldn't recommend the Philippines enough so book your flight and tuck into my guide to the best 5 islands in the Philippines!

Palawan

This is one of the most popular islands for tourists and with good reason, you’ll find crystal clear blue waters and gorgeous beaches here. Palawan is an island as well as a province of the Philippines, so is technically home to more than one island, but it's a great place to base yourself to explore.

First on the agenda of places to explore would be El Nido, a lovely town based on the north of Palawan island. From here there is plenty to keep you busy, you can enjoy the island life by taking a boat tour or you could watch a beautiful sunset on Napcan Beach. Or maybe you are feeling adventurous and want to take the zipline over the trees and the white sand beaches. As you are surrounded by coral reefs, snorkelling and scuba diving are also popular activities here.

For a more laid-back destination on Palawan Island, I would recommend Port Barton. It's a fairly small village on a little bay but with considerably fewer tourists than El Nido. There are plenty of island hopping tours to choose from which can include some awesome snorkelling/scuba diving and a visit to White Beach.

If you have an extra bit of time and money whilst in Palawan, I highly recommend a castaway tour around Coron and the surrounding islands. I did a 3-day 2-night tour with a company called Red Carabao and it was unforgettable. We stayed on a remote island, home to a local Filipino tribe and they were nothing but welcoming, running a cooking and crafts class for us. The sunsets and night skies were like nothing I had seen before and we also got taken to some popular lagoons and coves around Coron.

Cebu

Cebu City is the next biggest city in the Philippines after the capital Manila, but the best stops are outside of Cebu City. A popular destination to visit on Cebu Island is Moalboal, home to the famous sardine run. You can see this just off the coast of Panagsama Beach, making it super accessible to tourists. Moalboal is also a great place for scuba diving, free diving and snorkelling tours. Another fun activity in the area is a canyoneering day trip to Kawasan Falls, prepare for crazy jumps, rapidly flowing water and gorgeous waterfalls.

Oslob is a another coastal town right at the bottom of Cebu Island, with more gorgeous beaches and blue waters to explore, it's definitely worth a visit. It's becoming more popular with tourists who come to see/swim with the whale sharks, for this the best time to visit is between April and July. As well as relaxing on the beaches you can also visit Tumalog Falls, hidden in the Filipino jungle it's a gorgeous refreshing falls with a small swimming hole beneath it.

Siargao

Siargao was easily my favourite island I visited in the Phillippines, covered in tropical palm trees and surrounded by stunning coastlines it's hard not to fall in love with this island.

The island was dubbed the next Bali and it was easy to see why. What started as a quiet surfer's paradise has become a popular spot, with lovely restaurants, cafes and bars galore on the main road in General Luna. With plenty of stunning locations around the island for adventures to explore from Pacifico Beach to Suguba Lagoon, the Magpupungko Rock Pools and Sohoton Cave

Need more info about Siargao read my full travel guide ->

Siquijor

Siquijor is a mystical island in the Philippines, home to faith healers and some also believe it to be home to witches. Aside from the magical presence on the island, Siquijor is also home to some unbelievable beaches and waterfalls.

The most popular waterfall is Cambugahay Falls, this epic falls has a large natural swimming hole as well as rope swings and bamboo rafts. Some other noteworthy falls around the island are Lagaan Falls and Lugnason Falls.

One of my most special moments in Siquijor was being at Paliton Beach for sunset, I was swinging around on the rope swing watching the rich colours of the sunset, it's a memory I will treasure forever!

With plenty more to do on the island such as visiting Salagdoong or Talisay Beach, maybe hiking up to the Quisol Mountain View, a day trip to Apo island or visiting the 400-year-old Balete tree.

Boracay

Last but not least on my list of recommended islands to visit in the Philippines is Boracay. Boracay is a resort island, known for its stunning beaches, whilst you can find luxury resort stays here there is also a scene for backpackers.

With plenty of watersports activities offered on the island, if you are an active person you won't be bored. Popular watersports on the island are kite surfing, parasailing, free diving, snorkelling tours and scuba diving.

There are plenty of shops and restaurants just off the front of the famous White Beach (aptly named for its whiter than white sand and crystal clear ocean waters), where you can relax and enjoy a beach day. So get your suncream on, beach towel out and a good book to hand!

If you fancy a more adventurous way to spend the day, why not opt for a cliff diving tour to Ariel's Point. With jumping platforms at different heights, paddleboards and kayaks and maybe even a BBQ lunch you are in for a great day around this beautiful island.

Share your favourite Philippines destination in the comments below!


Hattie Conroy

I share my travel stories, guides, and itineraries from destinations worldwide to help you plan your next adventure.

https://whereintheworldishattie.com
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