Summer has come once again and Filipinos are very lucky to be living in the Pearl of the Orient. Comprised of 1,700 islands, the Philippines boasts off its pristine beaches teeming with marine life and cared for by hospitable people. The beauty of the Philippine islands has captured not only the fondness of the locals but also the attention of a lot of foreigners. Read on to get ideas on where you should spend your next vacation in the Philippines.
1. Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
You need not go far away from Manila to experience a white sand beach. Batangas pier is two hours away by bus and the island of Puerto Galera is one to one and a half hour ferry ride from the pier. There are also parking spaces available in Batangas Pier if you have your own car. The two most popular beaches in Puerto Galera are Sabang and White Beach. Sabang beach is frequented by divers and by the young and adventurous. This area of the island is home to several top-of-the-line resorts that offer excellent dive education. Sabang is also the place to stay for those looking for parties and nightlife by the beach. On the other hand, White Beach is mostly preferred by locals and families looking for a place to relax and recharge under the sun.
2.Potipot Island, Zambales“
If you love nature trips and do not mind camping out, Potipot island which is just off the shore of Candelaria in Zambales is a treat for you. Potipot is a small privately-owned island with no resorts or bars. It is a 5-hour drive from Manila and a 5-minute boat trip from mainland Zambales. You would have to rent a boat to get to Potipot and pay a small “entrance” fee, but these will not cost you more than a thousand pesos depending on how many you are in the group. If you opt to stay overnight, it would be more convenient to bring your own tents and food. So next time you would like to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Manila, consider the white sands and clear blue waters of Potipot.
3. Caramoan Islands
Caramoan has been one of the Philippine’s best kept secrets until it was made famous by the reality show, “Survivor”. Fine white sand, characteristic lagoons, caves, limestone cliffs and rock formations lace the islands of Caramoan. To reach Caramoan, one must go to Barangay Sabang in the town of San Jose, Camarines Sur. If you are on a budget, you can take a 10-hour bus ride to Sabang from Manila. There are many hotels and inns to choose from but if you are the adventurous type, you can try camping out in one of the islands to fully experience the beauty that is Caramoan.
4. El Nido, Palawan
Said to be one of the locations of the latest Bourne movie, Bourne Legacy, El Nido in Palawan is definitely a paradise worth a movie’s grand finale. Roughly seven hours of land trip from the Puerto Princesa airport, El Nido is a quiet town that does not need any introductions because it speaks for itself. Nothing beats waking up in a cottage at the beach front with the sun, the sand and other islands in view. While you’re here, you should not miss taking an island hopping trip around the islands of Palawan, the spectacle of islands surrounded with magnificent blue waters rich in marine life will definitely take your breath away.
5. Boracay, Aklan
Hailed by TripAdvisor as the second best beach destination in the world and top 1 in Asia for second year in a row, nobody could contest the beauty of Boracay. Definitely picture perfect, the island is full or locals and tourists all year round. From high-class resorts to budget-friendly accommodations, Boracay island has something for everyone. Aside from its immaculate white sand beach, you can also sightsee around the island by bike or motorcycle, do some trekking and view the island from the mountain peak and explore caves. Boracay Island is definitely a paradise everyone must visit at least once in their lives.
As you can see, these are just five islands and there would be more than a thousand more to explore in the Philippines! You do not have to spend a lot for a vacation because in this country, there are definitely a lot to choose from. Not only do these beaches have the best scenic views, these also have the freshest seafood prepared by the best local chefs. Nonetheless, remember that to keep the beauty of these islands, take nothing but great memories and leave nothing but footsteps. Have a very memorable vacation!
Author: Abigail Ang is an aspiring writer and a former Backpacker. She is into almost all types of music. She also has a passion in singing and an interest in sports particularly Ultimate (Frisbee) and running. Abigail is also one of the editors of White Knight Hotel Intramuros a renowned budget hotel in the Philippines.
