Lonely bone-white beaches, reefs packed with marine life, flowing rice terraces- it’s not surprising that why the Philippines is generally associated with tropical paradise. With more than 7000 islands, in fact, the precise number is a topic for hot debate- it is easy to get carried away by what’s on offer. Whatever type of trip you are planning, here is a guide to the most beautiful islands in the Philippines.
A) Palawan for wildlife and beaches:
The eco-island of the Philippines is a firm backpacker favourite. The capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa is a carbon-neutral place, while the island and its beaches have large numbers of accolades- mainly for the mesmerizing Nacpan Beach situated near the El Nido. A visit to Palawan is all related to getting inside the water- island hopping between deserted beaches and hidden coves and enjoying snorkelling in the water. One of the main attractions of this island is the popular Puerto Princesa Underground River- one among the “New seven wonders of nature”. It runs for about 8.2 km below the St Paul Mountain Range.
B) Bohol for nature:
Being a part of the Visayas group of Islands, Bohol is a nature’s paradise which is packed with spectacular beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and national parks. One among the unearthly landscapes of the island, the most popular ones are the rightly named Chocolate Hills- a stretch of more than a thousand rounded hills, that seems to turn into a chocolate brown colour at the end of the dry season. This beach also provided numerous encounters with wildlife- the highlight being a chance to see the tarsiers, a hand-sized, saucer-eyed being that the is the smallest primate in the world.
C) Boracay for partying and adventure sports:
Situated in the Central Visayas area of the Philippines, Boracay is regarded as one of the smallest islands. However, it is also one of the most developed areas when it comes to tourism. Here, you will come across too many international resorts and hotels, as well as large numbers of clubs and beach bars- mainly around the Bulabog Beach and White Beach. Here, adrenaline seekers will have plenty of choices with a wide range of adventure sports ranging from horse riding, kitesurfing, parasailing, and windsurfing.
D) Mindoro for reef diving:
While the Philippines has lots of diving and snorkelling opportunities, Mindoro goes an extra mile. Nearly 30 km off the coast lies Apo Reef Marine National Park, which is one of the most important and spectacular reefs, a huge area that is home to more than 450 diverse species of coral. These coral systems attract all types of marine life, including barracudas to giant schools of tuna, manta rays, and sea turtles. Other popular dive sites around Mindoro is accessible from the famous town of Puerto Galera, located in the northern side of the island.
E) Coron for wreck diving:
Coron is one of the popular Calamian islands, which is known for its wide opportunities in shipwreck diving. Here, you will get a chance to explore the Japanese ships used during the Second World War. Apart from wreck diving, other popular dive sites near Coron include Siete Picados Reef and Lake Barracuda. You can find everything from staghorn coral to sea turtles in Siete Picados Reef whereas Lake Barracuda is encircled with jungle.