Top 5 Beaches in the Philippines

The tropical islands of the Philippines have plenty of nice beaches where you can get that gold brown sun tan, but there are only a few white sand or white coral beaches in the Philippines. We will guide you through the best white sand and coral beaches in the Philippine with the top 5 beaches in the Philippines list.

Pristine in Palawan | Philippines

Palawan is the most popular destination for both tourists and locals of all ages and everybody comes for the pristine white sand beaches which puts Palawan on the top 5 beaches in the Philippines. The beaches are long and wide and depict the ultimate paradise picture, where you can relax in a hammock while sipping on a fruity cocktail with the little umbrellas. You will also find plenty of dining opportunities along the beaches so that you wont starve while achieving that perfect tan.

Party, Party, Party and White Sand in Boracay | Philippines

While Palawan is something for families and people who love the peace of paradise, Boracay is the exact opposite. The appearance is still very similar with white sand beaches, but the lifestyle is all about parties and raves. Boracay is mainly visited by young adults and students rather than families, which is the reason why the Boracay beach is on the top 5 beaches in the Philippines. Everything can be done in the beaches of Boracay and you can even sleep in the beaches after a night of partying.

Bohols Treasures in Bohol | Philippines

Bohol is not only famous for its Chocolate Hills, but it is one of the best places to go in the entire Visayas Region if you are looking for white sand beaches. The island of Bohol deserves the its place on the top 5 beaches in the Philippines, because the beaches are so understated and because Bohol is not crowded with tourists in comparison to Palawan or Boracay. You might be persuaded to try out some dive sites at Alona Beach or at Balicasag.

Island of Barang in Dumaguete | Philippines

Siquijor is an unexpected contender in the list of the top 5 beaches in the Philippines. This island of the so-called Filipino dark magic practices called barang in the local lingo, has so many nice beaches where you will literally burn under the sun. You could practically walk around the whole island within a day on the beach alone. The biggest problem for those who would like to visit the Siquijor beaches and the island arises once you travel from places such as Manila or Cebu. The only way to Siquijor is via Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, which fortunately has a domestic airport.

Crocodile Island - Apo Island in Dumaguete | Philippines

Apo Island, also dubbed crocodile island due to its crocodile shape, has made it into the top 5 beaches in the Philippines. This little island belongs to the municipality of Dauin, Negros Oriental and can be reaches from any beach resort in Dauin and from a special pier in Zambonguita, the neighboring municipality. The beaches in Apo Island are made out of white corals and although the island itself does not have much to offer, the underwater world and the coral reefs of the island do. You can go scuba diving with one of the many diving resorts in Apo Island and in Dauin, or you can go snorkeling from the shores of the white coral beaches.

Top 5 Beaches in the Philippines per Destination

Top 5 Beaches in Bacolod

Top 5 Beaches in Bicol

Top 5 Beaches in Bohol

Top 5 Beaches in Boracay

Top 5 Beaches in Butuan

Top 5 Beaches in Cagayan de Oro

Top 5 Beaches in Cebu

Top 5 Beaches in Davao

Top 5 Beaches in Dipolog

Top 5 Beaches in Dumaguete

Top 5 Beaches in General Santos

Top 5 Beaches in Iloilo

Top 5 Beaches in Laoag

Top 5 Beaches in Legazpi

Top 5 Beaches in Leyte

Top 5 Beaches Close to Manila

Top 5 Beaches in Ormoc

Top 5 Beaches in Palawan

Top 5 Beaches in Puerto Galera

Top 5 Beaches in Puerto Princesa

Top 5 Beaches in Samar

Top 5 Beaches in Sorsogon

Top 5 Beaches in Subic

Top 5 Beaches in Surigao

Top 5 Beaches in Tacloban

Top 5 Beaches in Tagbilaran

Top 5 Beaches in Zamboanga

 

A Rough Guide to White Beach, Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera is the quinessential tourist destination and White Beach is especially popular with the budget traveller. Get tips on accommodation and restaurants to let you get the best of what White beach, Puerto Galera has to offer.

Talk about Puerto Galera with anyone familiar with it and chances are, the first thing that they will mention is White Beach. Puerto Galera is located on the northernmost tip of the island of Mindoro, an hour ferry boat ride away from Batangas City, and White Beach is the most popular destination for budget travelers, locals and foreigners alike. White Beach is also known for its vibrant nightlife, with row upon row of bars, restaurants, budget hotels and dive shops.

As soon as you disembark from the ferry, an army of Puerto Galera locals will swarm around tourists to try and direct them to hotels (where they will pick up their commission). While this might be helpful to the weary traveler, it is best to have a pre-determined hotel of choice because most of these guides might direct you to a derelict house away from the beachfront. Private homes are very often rented out to tourists especially during high season, and most of these houses do not provide adequate service nor amenities.

For those who can afford to splurge, Mindorrine Oriental (09178578425) is a good bet. Undoubtedly, Mindorrine is the classiest resort around White Beach (even the whole of Puerto Galera) but expect to pay more than a hundred dollars for your first night. However the rate is cut by almost or more than 50% for succeeding nights. For those who would like to go for cheaper accommodations, there are more choices around. The general rule is, the farther you are from the beachfront, the cheaper it is. However, it is advisable to stick to the beachfront so you can avoid walking far under the sweltering heat.

White Beach Resort is a good resort for those looking for the $20-$30 room. This rate is already good for 2-3 people, or as many as 4-5 people. All rooms are air-conditioned with TV and private shower (for bookings, email contact: [email protected]). Another good budget choice is South of the Border (043-727-2771), which is on the eastern side of the beach, situated on its own private compound. Rooms are a bargain at around $20, which is a good deal even if the nightlife is a couple of minutes of walk away.

In terms of food, you can’t really go wrong in White Beach. The fare is not fussy, and almost all restaurants offer a sumptuous treat of grilled seafood and meat with a number of traditional Filipino dishes. There isn’t much difference from one restaurant to another, and a good advice would be to follow your nose and go with your instinct. However for those looking for something more western, there is a quaint family-owned restaurant called Italian Corner which serves, well, you guessed it—Italian food. The joint, located on the corner of the main road and the main alley leading to White Beach, serves a mean array of pizza and pasta. The restaurant is owned by an Italian and his Filipina wife, just ask around and locals are sure to know where it is.

You wouldn’t run out of things to do in Puerto Galera, and White Beach is a good jumping point to all of these—water sports, food tripping, massage, dancing, or just plain sunbathing. All you have to do is hang out at the beach and the activities will be sure to come to you: ladies selling trinkets or offering a relaxing massage by the sand, or boatmen offering snorkeling experience for under 500 pesos per person. So sit back, relax, enjoy your mango shake, and let Puerto Galera take care of the rest.