The Philippines has more than 7,000 islands, and boat trips between them are part of everyday life. These 5 are the places most people start with, each with its own character.
1. El Nido, Palawan
El Nido, in northern Palawan, is famous for hidden lagoons and limestone cliffs. Day boat tours, labelled A to D, take you through the islands of Bacuit Bay, with stops to kayak into the Big Lagoon and swim off quiet beaches. It has its own small airport, or it is about 5 hours by road from Puerto Princesa.
2. Coron, Palawan
Coron, on Busuanga Island in the Calamian group, is known for Kayangan Lake, with its clear water and viewpoint, and for a group of Japanese supply ships sunk in 1944, now some of the best wreck dives in Asia. Ferries link Coron and El Nido in about 4 hours.
3. Siargao
Siargao, off the north-east tip of Mindanao, is the country’s surf capital. The Cloud 9 wave and its wooden boardwalk are the island’s best known sight, and boat trips run to the small islands of Naked, Daku and Guyam and to the still water of Sugba Lagoon.
4. Bohol
Bohol, in the Central Visayas, has the Chocolate Hills, more than 1,200 rounded hills that turn brown in the dry season, and the Philippine tarsier, one of the world’s smallest primates. The nearby island of Panglao, linked by bridge, has white beaches and good diving, including trips to Balicasag Island.
5. Boracay
Boracay has 4km of powdery White Beach and some of the best sunsets in Asia. The island was closed for 6 months in 2018 for a major clean-up and now limits visitor numbers, so book accommodation before you travel. Flights land at Caticlan, a short boat ride away.
When to go
The dry season, from about December to May, is the best time for island hopping, with calm seas and sunny days. From June to November, the rainy season brings typhoons that can cancel boats and flights.
A simple route
Fly to Puerto Princesa or El Nido, spend a few days on boat tours, then take the ferry to Coron. From there, fly via Manila or Cebu to Bohol, Siargao or Boracay, depending on whether you want beaches, surf or wildlife.
