Top 7 Philippine Beaches You Can’t Miss

So many beaches, so little time? If your idea of a getaway is escaping to a tropical paradise of a destination, but you don’t know where to start, find your way to these beach holiday recommendations from different travel publications and photographers. Like to the clear waters and white beach of this island in…

1. White Island, Camiguin. Voted as the sun worshipper’s paradise by Essential Travel Magazine (http://www.essentialtravel.co.uk/magazine/top-10/international-beaches.asp), this sand bar is about two kilometers off of Camiguin, and emerges only when the tide starts to fall. Travel writer Clayton Truscott recommends renting a boat to take you to this flat white strip of sand. With not a tree or shrub in sight to give you shade, you’re bound to get sun-kissed in no time. (Photo by Harvey Tapan)

2. Any island in Palawan, says The Guardian’s Gavin McOwan, is a dream destination for any beach bum. He also notes that “The Beach” novelist Alex Garland was inspired not by Thai beaches, but by Philippine coasts. Majestic limestone formations, underground rivers, turquoise waters, white, unspoilt sand and nearby diving destinations make for the perfect summer getaway.

3. White Beach, Boracay. Ranked by Nat Geo Traveler as one of the Best Beaches in the World for 2013, the island is known particularly for its powder-soft sand that never gets hot. Kite-surfing, sailing, snorkeling, getting massages, and partying are what visitors enjoy on this stretch of beach.

4. Puka Beach, Boracay. Those who want to steer clear of the partying crowd or tourist traps make their way to Puka, the second longest strip of beach on the island. Named after the Puka shells found all over the shore, the sand is not as fine as that of its sister strand, neither does it have any resorts, but CNN Travel recommends it for anyone Borcay-bound looking to escape the noise of White Beach.

5. Pamilacan Island, Bohol. Just off the coast of Bohol is Pamilacan Island, Travel Photographer Francisco Guerrero’s top beach destination. “It seems to be what a small tropical island paradise should be. Beautiful beach, a small island community, locally supported marine sanctuary—it’s just perfect,” says the host of the travel show, “What I See.” Visitors look forward to diving, dolphin watching, and snorkeling, and if you get tired of the beach, you can make arrangements to see Bohol’s other popular destination, the Chocolate Hills—a spectacle of close to 2,000 hills of limestone.

6. Siargao, Surigao. Dubbed by Lonely Planet as one of the top choices for surfing in the Philippines, this island is home to Cloud 9—the home base of many a local and international surfer. Not a fan of crowds? The area is dotted with many other uninhabited islets on which one can find their own stretch of seaside heaven.

7. The Pink Beach in Santa Cruz Grande Island, Zamboanga. Travel photojournalist Lester Ledesma’s idea of the best beach is one that is off the beaten track. And the Pink Beach, half an hour from the southern city of Zamboanga, via pumpboat fits the bill. “The sand is lovely light pink, and the waters are crystalline. Behind the beach there's even a mangrove area that's good for trekking and birdwatching. Not much commerce there yet though, so you'll have to buy fish and barbecue from the local Badjao folk on the beach. Which is nice anyway,” says Ledesma.