Five Best Islands to visit in the Philippines

[ASEAN NOW News]

With over 7,100 islands, it might seem like an impossible task to narrow it down to the best five islands- but we like a challenge.

 

You will find easily accessible islands with airports and well-oiled public transportation systems, and then you will find islands where there are no more than dirt paths filled with potholes which you can only hope do not bust the tire on your motorbike.

 

There are islands with huge shopping malls filled with cinemas and food courts, then there are islands where the only place to buy a soda is a dude’s cooler on the beach.

 

Tap into the culture of the Philippines with a visit to a Catholic church for Sunday mass or jump in on a game of pickup basketball with a bunch of smiley barefooted kids.

 

Island hop around the country to discover how vast, beautiful, and unique this country really is.

 

So here are the top five islands to explore according to the Crazy Tourist.

 

1. Palaui Island

 

Source: Gloss Girl / Flickr

Palaui Island

 

Palaui Island perfectly represents why most travelers come to the Philippines- to find a paradise where it feels like you are the first human to ever step foot.

 

That is what it feels like on Palaui Island. You can find deserted beaches, eerie caves, crystal clear waterfalls, endless rice fields, and some of the cleanest air you have ever breathed.

 

As if Scotland had a baby with Southeast Asia, you would find bright green grass lying flat atop steep cliffs overlooking the sea.

 

The terrain here is vast and varied. One day you could spend hours hiking through vibrant green rice fields and jungle paths only meeting water buffalo along the way; the day after you could beach hop all day from one patch of white shore to the next. For nature lovers, there are no limits here.

  

2. Siargao

Source: joyfull / shutterstock

Siargao

 

Situated at the northeastern tip of Mindanao, eight hundred kilometers south of Manilla, is a dream-come-true island called Siargao.

 

You have a couple options of where to stay when you visit. The most popular option is General Luna Beach. This lively little island town is filled with restaurants, resorts, shops, and people- yet still encapsulates that small beach town charm.

 

This island has it all- exotic wildlife, mangrove forest reserves, mesmerizing lagoons, and of course, perfect white sand beaches.

 

But there is one more element that brings travelers to Siargao- surfing. There are great waves, swells, and shops that attract surfers who were lucky enough to find out about this gem!

 

3. Cebu Island

Source: Maks Ershov / shutterstock

Kawasan Falls on Cebu Island

 

Everything you could ever want in a dream vacation is right here on Cebu Island.

 

Cebu is such a convenient spot for a holiday as you can fly into nearby Mactan-Cebu International Airport located close to beaches, restaurants, and accommodation.

 

You can get local by visiting family-owned watersport companies that will take you out parasailing, jet skiing, and banana boating. You can go on an island-hopping tour to snorkel and even each raw sea urchin from the bottom of the ocean.

 

Down south you will find Tumalog Falls, a 5-story natural waterfall that has created a clear pool of water where the sun shines through the trees.

 

Best of all, off the coast of Oslob Beach on Cebu Island, you can go swimming with wild Whale Sharks.

 

4. Malapascua

Source: Randy Ngatimin / shutterstock

Malapascua

 

Odds are, you have never even heard of Malapascua. It is small, remote, and does not offer much in terms of nightlife- but if you want a once-in-a-lifetime diving experience, this is where to get it.

 

Off the shores of Malapascua, you can swim with schools of Thresher Sharks. With its long, distinctive tail that cuts through the water as it gracefully hovers over the ocean floor, swimming with a Thresher Shark can be a thrilling experience.

 

After you dive, head back to the island of Malapascua for some of the most impressive scenery yet.

 

Like I said, there is not much development here- just untouched, raw beauty.

 

5. Palawan

Source: Alena Ozerova / shutterstock

Palawan

 

The mother of all things magical and mystical in the Philippines is Palawan.

 

It is home to El Nido (which deserves a rank of its own on this list) and many more mysterious Disney-esque destinations that attract travelers from all over the world.

 

It is capitol, Puerto Princesa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as if this island were not already impressive enough.

 

Everyone knows that you can find El Nido and Coron in the North with breath taking cliffs that wind together to create crazy waterfalls, passageways, and landscape, but what about further south?

 

Check out Brooke’s Point that is home to Bakbakan Falls and Mainit Hot Springs where you can bath in hot pools of medicinal water.

 

Also check out Rizal which is home to some cool eco houses where you can kayak, surf, and snorkel.

 

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