Spanning 115,000 square miles across the Pacific Ocean are 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines.
When that much of your land is bordering the water, it would be hard to pick favorites.
Essentially, every beach on this list is a stunning feat of nature.
Clearly, there is no way to include every amazing beach on a list of the best.
While these are our top 10, there are so many that are just as beautiful that it would be challenging to ever have a truly definitive list.
However, that’s not going to stop us from trying.
These are the Philippine beaches that need to be seen before broadening your beach-discovering horizons.
Contents
- 10 Best Beaches in the Philippines
- 1. Kota Beach, Bantayan Island, Cebu
- 2. Malcapuya Beach, Coron, Palawan
- 3. White Beach, Boracay
- 4. Nacpan Beach, El Nido, Palawan
- 5. Antonia Beach, Gigantes Islands, Iloilo
- 6. Saud Beach, Pagudpud
- 7. Banul Beach, Coron, Palawan
- 8. Morong Beach, Batanes
- 9. Alona Beach, Bohol
- 10. Hidden Beach, El Nido, Palawan
- Philippines Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
10 Best Beaches in the Philippines
1. Kota Beach, Bantayan Island, Cebu
Smack dab in the middle of the nation is Kota Beach.
The water is so light blue that it feels like you’re floating on a cloud.
Perhaps that’s why there is a resort here dedicated to the beach itself.
Forget tall buildings in the skyline.
Here, there are bungalows right by the sand.
Get that coveted sunrise from the steps just outside your door.
No need to drive, there is a free shuttle service to get you to the resort.
Otherwise, parking is also free.
2. Malcapuya Beach, Coron, Palawan
Sometimes you just want to get away without having to worry about running into people.
Malcapuya Beach is a great solution to that problem.
These stark white beaches are not only insanely scenic, but they are also quite secluded.
Got an inexperienced swimmer in your group?
The water is shallow for a long distance out.
This makes playing in the water and walking across the shore much safer.
It only costs $4.50 per person.
3. White Beach, Boracay
White Beach is probably the most well-known beach internationally in the Philippines.
This place is probably more comparable to what you might expect at other resort destinations.
Along the 2.5-mile stretch are restaurants, boutique shops, tourist excursions, and hotels.
While those sites are familiar, the sand is unique.
It is almost powdery in consistency, which is derived from single-cell organisms.
Many equate spending their vacation on White Beach as the ultimate paradise experience.
Another bonus, White Beach is free!
4. Nacpan Beach, El Nido, Palawan
On the northern tip of Palawan is Nacpan Beach.
Have you ever been to an island that felt like it was hugging you?
The big U-shape of Nacpan Beach gives off those vibes.
The coconut-tree-lined beach of golden sand nicely highlights the baby blue water.
Also, if you’re looking to meet locals, this is a great beach to do that.
Coming from El Nido, it costs about $10 to take a shuttle 45 minutes out to Nacpan.
5. Antonia Beach, Gigantes Islands, Iloilo
Another beach in the heart of the Philippines sits on the tiny South Gigante Island.
Since this isn’t one of the spots that many tourists seek out, it’s a great place to get away.
The Gigantes Islands are also known for having seafood that won’t break the bank.
So, this might be the ultimate beach trip for a foodie that prefers fresh seafood.
North and South Gigante Islands are so close, it would be easy to island-hop both in one day.
6. Saud Beach, Pagudpud
The very tip-top of all the Philippines is Saud Beach.
Thanks to the country being full of smaller islands and beaches, there are several paradise-level beaches that aren’t flanked by tourists.
Saud Beach is fortunate to be one of those.
Just over one mile in length, the curved beach is lined with tall palm trees and plenty of shade.
This is more of a casual beach with most activities being swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, and volleyball.
7. Banul Beach, Coron, Palawan
Immediately striking are the limestone cliffs that overlook the water.
The water is so clear here that Japanese shipwrecks from WWII can be seen from above.
That’s one of the reasons Banul Beach attracts divers.
An entrance fee is required, which is less than $3.
However, use the restroom and bring everything you need before you arrive.
There are no facilities on the beach itself.
8. Morong Beach, Batanes
Batanes is a small group of islands just north of the main group of islands that make up the Philippines.
If you’re heading up this way, it’s probable that you’ll be stopping at Morong Beach.
Locals consider it the calmest of all the beaches in the Batanes.
Something interesting about Morong is the natural rock formation on the beach that is shaped like an arch.
It’s a nice spot of shade to take in a good breeze.
9. Alona Beach, Bohol
On the Bohol Sea, Alona Beach is said to have the cleanest shoreline and the finest sand.
It is a favorite of the locals and tourists alike.
Anyone interested in coral will be attracted to this beach.
The reef nearby has snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world putting Alona Beach on their list.
With waters as crystal clear as they are here, it makes looking at the corals that much more fun.
This is also a fee-free beach!
The only way to get to Hidden Beach is a 45-minute boat ride from Bacuit Bay.
Upon approach, you might feel like this is a movie set.
The rock formations and the way the cove is tucked away feel too perfect.
But that’s what visitors love about it most.
Walking along the beach here is surreal and so are the corals and the overall quiet nature of the area.
Philippines Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Philippines Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: HIGH
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
How were the Philippine Islands created?
Unlike other islands that may have been formed when continents started breaking apart, the Philippines have a bit of a different origin story.
Actually, the way this island nation was formed is quite similar to Hawaii.
That is, these islands came to be due to volcanic activity over a period of millions of years.
What occurred was an epically long series of eruptions.
The more lava spewed out, the more it had a chance to cool in the ocean.
Over time, the Magna would harden and create land formations.
This actually turns out to be very fertile land.
When original Malay and Indonesian tribes found these islands, they were primed and ready for civilization to take root.
Are there beaches in the Philippines that travelers should avoid?
Since the islands cover such a vast amount of space in the ocean, it’s only natural that there are some spots that are less desirable than others.
In the Philippines, there are two areas that come to mind, Quezon City and the Sulu Archipelago.
Both regions have been associated with a high percentage of crimes.
Most commonly, drugs are running rampant amongst the locals.
This is something that easily spills over into tourism.
Other big problems that can have a detrimental impact on the tourist population are kidnappings, theft, gang activity, and gun crimes.
Is the Philippines a friendly country?
Going to this island nation from another country is a very warm and welcoming experience.
They have actually been ranked as the 10th most friendly country in the world.
Natives are incredibly friendly and interested in chatting with tourists as they come in.
It is a big benefit for English speakers, as 92% of Filipinos speak English.
So, if you’re lost or have questions, there is no need to struggle.
Finding someone who you can speak with directly is a whole lot easier than you probably realized.
Feel free to do something nice for anyone who helps out.
While this is a beautiful and friendly country, poverty is just about everywhere.
What's the most expensive beach in the Philippines?
If you’re looking for a luxury escape with all the extras, check out Banwa Private Island.
Not only is this the most expensive vacation spot in the nation, but it’s also actually on the list of the most high-end stays in the world.
Coming in at around 100,000 a night, Banwa encompasses 15 acres in Palawan.
With less than 50 people able to be accommodated at a time, the only way to arrive on the island is by helicopter.
As you probably imagined, this isn’t the type of trip where you drop your stuff off at the hotel and then go hang out at the beach reading a book.
Not only are you only steps from the clearest water, but there’s also an infinity pool and hot tub for your relaxing pleasure.
No need to go out, chefs will be preparing all your snack and beverage needs.
Want to take out a jet ski, go kayaking, or scuba dive?
All of those activities and more are included.
