The Ocean Calls
If you are anything like me, you may find yourself drawn to the Philippines not only to be with family, but also to experience the breathtaking crystal clear waters and pristine beaches that the country has to offer. Personally, I always have the image of those beautiful beaches in the back of my mind, beckoning me to relax with a beer in hand while taking in the stunning views and fresh sea air. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and what better way to do so than by immersing yourself in the beauty of the Philippine islands? Here, I will share some of the most popular and best beaches in the Philippines, as favored by both tourists and locals. However, it is important to note that preferences vary from person to person. Some may prefer pure white sandy beaches, while others may prioritize having a nearby bar for refreshments. There are also those who seek seclusion, even if it means sacrificing the perfection of the beach or the presence of white sand. Personally, I find myself somewhere in the middle. I appreciate the beauty of white sandy beaches, a spot to enjoy a beer while admiring the view, and the luxury of swaying in a hammock. However, what truly detracts from my experience is a crowded beach where it is difficult to even walk. Unfortunately, during the high tourist season, many beaches in the Philippines can become severely overcrowded. The Philippines experiences three tourism periods: Low, High, and Peak seasons. Each season sees varying levels of tourist activity, largely influenced by weather conditions. With the country facing an average of up to twenty typhoons or major storms annually, it is crucial to consider this factor when planning your vacation. Additionally, the Philippines has two distinct weather seasons: the dry season from November to April, and the rainy season from May to October. The rainy season is characterized by southwest monsoon weather or habagat, often bringing heavy downpours accompanied by thunder and lightning. While these episodes usually only last a few minutes or so, there are times they can last for a day or two. It is important to note that the timing of rain showers varies depending on the time of year or if there is a typhoon nearby.
Tourist Season Breakdown
Low:
The low tourist season spans from June to October, known as the wet season when typhoons are most prevalent. This time of year brings sporadic rainfall and warm temperatures. Although tourists still visit during this period, their numbers are significantly reduced. The low season is perfect for travelers seeking tranquility and solitude, and who wish to steer clear of crowds, albeit at the risk of encountering some rain or a potential typhoon. Additionally, hotels and flights are more affordable and easier to book during these months.
High:
The high tourist season in the Philippines runs from November to May, with the coolest temperatures occurring in December, January, and February. During this period, the weather is relatively dry, making it an ideal time for travel and vacationing throughout the country. However, it is important to note that popular beaches may become crowded and accommodations can be more expensive and difficult to secure.
Peak:
The peak season in the Philippines is a bustling and hectic time, centered around national holidays. Travel during this period can be extremely challenging, with airlines and hotels often fully booked months in advance. To ensure a smooth and stress-free trip, it is essential to plan well ahead and make all necessary bookings in advance. Failure to do so may result in exorbitant prices and limited availability. My strong advice is to take the necessary steps to secure your travel arrangements early to avoid disappointment!
Peak Season Holidays:
- Holy Week (Easter) - Falls usually in March or April.
- Chinese New Year - Which is celebrated for a week in the month of either January or February.
- Christmas/New Year's Holiday - Starts on December 20th and continues until around the 5th of January of the following year.
It is highly recommended that if you are considering traveling during these uncertain times, you should plan your trip at least one year in advance, including booking your airfare and hotel accommodations. It is crucial to obtain confirmation for both bookings and to carry this documentation with you during your travels. There have been unfortunate incidents where families have arrived at their destination after making early reservations, only to discover that the hotel had no record of their booking. This can be a devastating situation, especially for large families, leaving them stranded without a place to stay or a way to return home. Unfortunately, such occurrences are not uncommon. It has been reported that some hotels may accept your reservation only to later receive a higher offer for the same room from another guest. In such cases, the hotel may choose to cancel your reservation without notice. Therefore, it is essential to be vigilant and proactive in ensuring your travel plans.
Listed below are some of the most popular beaches in the Philippines, cherished by both locals and tourists alike. The archipelago boasts thousands of beaches and secluded sandy spots scattered across its islands, many of which can only be accessed by boat. While the list provided here is extensive, it represents only a fraction of the total number of beaches in the country. To find the perfect island getaway for you, you may need to do some scrolling and research to discover the ideal destination and location. Enjoy . . .
Beautiful Philippine Beaches
Abak Beach
Capul, Northern Samar
Acapulco Beach
Capul, Northern Samar
Acapulco Beach
San Fernando, La Union
All Hands Beach
Subic, Zambales
Amihan Beach
Santa Fe, Cebu
Amor Beach
San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro
Antonia Beach
Carles, Iloilo
Apo Island Beach
Dauin, Negros Oriental
Atwayan Beach
Coron, Palawan
Bagacay Beach
Calbayog, Samar
Bakhaw Beach
San Francisco, Cebu
Balabac Island Beach
Balabac, Palawan
Balidbid Lagoon
Santa Fe, Bantayan
Balinghai Beach
Malay, Aklan
Bamboo Island Beach
Coron, Palawan
Ban-ak Beach
Eastern Samar
Banana Island Beach
Coron, Palawan
Banban Beach
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Banilad Beach
Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro
Banol Beach
Coron, Palawan
Bena Raza Beach
Sariaya, Quezon
Big La Laguna Beach
Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
Bihiya Beach
Pola, Oriental Mindoro
Bluewater Maribago Beach
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Bon Bon Beach
Romblon, Romblon
Borawan Beach
Padre Burgos, Quezon
Buena Suerte Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Bugsuk Island Beach
Balabac, Palawan
Buktot Beach
Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro
Bulabog Beach
Malay, Aklan
Bulog Dos Beach
Coron, Palawan
Buyayao Island Beach
Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro
Cabong Beach
Borongan, Eastern Samar
Camayan Beach
Subic, Zambales
Camara Beach
San Antonio, Zambales
Camiguin Island Beach
Camiguin Island, Bohol
Caohagan Beach
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Capones Island Beach
San Antonio, Zambales
Caramoan Island Beach
Caramoan, Camarines Sur
Cloud 9 Beach
Siargao, Surigao Del Norte
Dalaguete Beach Park
Dalaguete, Cebu
Dalupiri Island Beach
San Antonio, Northern Samar
Danao Beach
Panglao, Bohol
Dancalan Beach
Sorsogon, Luzon
Dibatok Island Beach
Coron, Palawan
Diniwid Beach
Malay, Aklan
Ditaytayan Beach
Coron, Palawan
Dolarog Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Doot Beach
Siargao, Surigao Del Norte
Driftwood Beach
Subic, Zambales
Dungaree Beach
Subic, Zambales
Durhan White Beach
Tabuelan, Cebu
Entalula Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Fortune Beach
Nasugbu, Batangas
Galapagos Beach
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Gota Beach
Caramoan, Camarines Sur
Guimaras Island Beach
Jordan, Guimaras
Gumasa Beach
Sarangani, Davao Occidental
Half Moon Beach
Subic, Zambales
Helicopter Island Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Hidden Beach
Aloguinsan, Cebu
Hidden Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Hilangagan Beach
Borongan, Eastern Samar
Ilig Iligan Beach
Malay, Aklan
J & J Beach
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Jagnaya Beach
Salcedo, Eastern Samar
Jomalig Island Beach
Real, Quezon
JPark Beach
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Kalanggaman Island Beach
Palompon, Leyte
Kayangan Lake
Coron, Palawan
Laiya Beach
San Juan, Batangas
Lambug Beach
Badian, Cebu
Las Cabanas Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Little Maosanon Island Beach
Linapacan, Palawan
Lio Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Long Beach
San Vicente, Palawan
Luyang Beach
Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Madridejos Boardwalk
Madridejos, Bantayan, Cebu
Magpupungko Rock Pools
Siargao, Surigao Del Norte
Mahabang Buhangin Beach
Tinaga Island
Malajog Beach
Calbayog City, Eastern Samar
Malcapuya Beach
Culion, Coron
Marabut Beach
Marabut, Samar
Maraneg Beach
Dumaran, Palawan
Marcilla Sandbar Beach
Coron, Palawan
Marimegmeg Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Morong Beach
Morong, Bataan
Nacpan Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Nagtabon Beach
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Naonao Beach
San Vicente, Palawan
Nasugbu Beach
Nasugbu, Batangas
Ocam Ocam Beach
Coron, Palawan
Onay Beach
Laoang, Northern Samar
Onuk Island Beach
Balabac, Palawan
Pagudpud Island Beach
Ilocos Norte, Luzon
Pamuayan Beach
San Vicente, Palawan
Pandan Island Beach
Honda Bay, Palawan
Papaya Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Paradise Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Pacifico Beach
Siargao, Surigao Del Norte
Patar Beach
Bolinao, Pangasinan
Patoyo Island Beach
Linapacan, Palawan
Pebble Beach
Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
Pili Beach
Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro
Pinagbuyutan Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Pink Beach
Balabac, Palawan
Pink Beach
Paseo Del Mar, Zamboanga
Pink Beach
San Vicente, Northern Samar
Potipot Island Beach
Potipot Island, Zambales
Puka Shell Beach
Malay, Aklan
Punta Beach
San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro
Sabang Beach
Baler, Aurora
Sabang Beach
Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
Sabang Beach
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Samal Island Beach
Davao City, Davao del Norte
San Remigio Beach
San Remigio, Cebu
Sandira Beach
Santa Fe, Bantayan
Santiago White Beach
San Francisco, Cebu
Saud Beach
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Sayaw Beach
Barili, Cebu
Secret Beach
Siargao, Surigao Del Norte
Seven Commandos Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Shangri-la Beach
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Shimizu Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Small La Laguna Beach
Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
Smith Point Beach
Coron, Palawan
Snake Island Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Sohoton Cove
Siargao, Surigao del Norte
Spice Of Life Beach
Victoria, Northern Samar
Suba-Basbas Beach
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Subic Beach
Subic, Zambales
Sugar Beach
Siplay, Negros Occidental
Suguicay Beach
Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro
Sumilon Beach
Sumilon, Cebu
Talaudyong Beach
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Talipanan Beach
Abra de Ilog, Oriental Mindoro
Tambisaan Beach
Malay, Aklan
Tingko Beach
Alcoy, Cebu
Tonggo Beach
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Tuko Beach
Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro
Tulang Diot Beach
San Francisco, Cebu
Twin Beaches
El Nido, Palawan
Urbiztondo Beach
San Juan, La Union
Verde Safari Beach
El Nido, Palawan
Waling Waling Beach
Coron, Palawan
White Beach
Malay, Aklan
White Beach
Moalboal, Cebu
White Beach
Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro