Philippine Beaches! Which do you like or recommend??

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Many of us have favourites when it comes to the beautiful beaches of the Philippines. Tell us what is your favorite and why. What is there to do either for water activities or for the town that's nearby. Can you recommend places to stay in the area, off beach or on the beach.

[Gregory&Dyn 113]

Bohol and the small connecting island of Panglao are hidden gems among the many islands / beaches in the Philippines. Although tourism is ramping up in the area, the beaches are considerably less crowded than those found in other popular areas. With just a handful of resorts, gorgeous white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and large, colorful coral reefs, you would be wrong not to consider Panglao in the Central Visayans. Best of all, the beaches aren't horribly overrun with tourists.

My future father-in-law runs a small day tour business on the island and would gladly take you and yours on a day-long excursion of Bohol (including pickup and delivery from / to the airport and resort). Bohol offers hundreds of square acres of untouched forest and jungle. The famous Chocolate Hills are also on the island of Bohol and are listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders. With everything from guided river tours down the Loboc River, to 600 year old churches, to gorgeous beaches, this is a destination to consider. In Panglao you can wake up early and watch dolphins, you can island-hop and the diving / snorkeling is amazing. And the food, as you know, is out-of-this-world.

Bohol can be reached via two seaports and a small national airport (Tagbilaran). A boat ride from nearby Cebu generally takes less than two hours. A flight from Manila is just forty-five minutes.

Popular Beach Resorts in Panglao

• Alona
• Henann
• Amorita Resort
• Bohol Beach Club
• The Bellevue Resort

Edited June 15, 2016 by Gregory&Dyn

[Gregory&Dyn 113]

At night many of the resorts along the beaches in Panglao come alive with live music, family activities, incredible foods and dancing. Several bars are situated along the beachfront offering tourists tropical mixed drinks and festive concoctions. Fire-dances are also popular in the area after the sunsets.

[aratamorne 164]

On my 2nd visit my fiancee and I decided to stay somewhere quiet where we could rent a small place to ourselves and just be together. We chose Zamboanguita south of Dumaguete on Negros Oriental. Such a beautiful little town and we stayed at Oceanside 30. Private residence with rentals right on the beach. Private pool, friendly neighbors and staff, buses, jeepney, and tricycles right at the end of the drive, and best of all for us, a nice quiet beach. Everytime we went for a walk, it was like we were on a private beach there were so few people, yet anyone we saw had a friendly smile and greeting. If you are looking for a great place out of the way for a quiet relaxing vacation, they have my recommendation.

Keep in mind this is not a resort, they rent full apartments and have staff on hand to provide cleaning and laundry service. They also have a couple scooters you can rent, will provide transportation to and from the airport, and have space if you decide you need your own rental. If we ever head back to that area, that is where we will stay, but obviously, there are still many places to see.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

My asawa and I choose to go to Bantayan Island one right off Cebu Island. It is a small not really commercial island but it has some small resorts on it. The water quality was really good and the beach was great. I would fully recommend this island to go too. The only thing my wife complained about was that our room didn't have a tv so she could watch her show. She didn't say anything about literally being feet away from water.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1218897-d1858775-Reviews-Beach_Placid_Resort_Restaurant_and_Bar-Bantayan_Island_Cebu_Island_Visayas.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1218897-d782966-Reviews-Marlin_s_Beach_Resort-Bantayan_Island_Cebu_Island_Visayas.html

Edited June 15, 2016 by cyberfx1024

[Brassballs 47]

As I posted in another topic, my vote goes to Calaguas, probably for all the wrong reasons. First there is the obligatory brilliant white sand and crystal clear water. Shallow with no immediate drop off so you can wade forever. Totally isolated, about a 3-4 outrigger ride from the Vinzones, Camarines Norte area. Mostly day tourists but there are nipa huts available for rent. About 2 years ago the first permanent accommodations were being constructed as a dive resort. It looked like staying there would be pricey and most likely the rooms would be part of a dive package.

So there is really nothing at all to do there except get away from the hustle and bustle and relax with your asawa (and her family, haha). Can't give any outlook on places to stay in Vinzones or Daet on the mainland as we stayed at her G'ma's place in a split bamboo floor, elevated nipa hut, province style.

What a change from city living. I even threatened my wife with building a HOUSE on her lola's beach front property and do nothing forever!!!!

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

As I posted in another topic, my vote goes to Calaguas, probably for all the wrong reasons. First there is the obligatory brilliant white sand and crystal clear water. Shallow with no immediate drop off so you can wade forever. Totally isolated, about a 3-4 outrigger ride from the Vinzones, Camarines Norte area. Mostly day tourists but there are nipa huts available for rent. About 2 years ago the first permanent accommodations were being constructed as a dive resort. It looked like staying there would be pricey and most likely the rooms would be part of a dive package.

So there is really nothing at all to do there except get away from the hustle and bustle and relax with your asawa (and her family, haha). Can't give any outlook on places to stay in Vinzones or Daet on the mainland as we stayed at her G'ma's place in a split bamboo floor, elevated nipa hut, province style.

What a change from city living. I even threatened my wife with building a HOUSE on her lola's beach front property and do nothing forever!!!!

See that is what I like to do NOTHING when I am on vacation. When I was working in Afghanistan before and go one vacation from there to the Philippines to see my now wife, I would always be very careful and methodical about where we stayed and what island we went too. I used Tripadvisor in deciding what island I wanted to take her too and what place to stay at. I love going to off the wall places, where there is hardly any tourists. I am fine living province style as long as we have running water, a clean bed, and place where I can wash off at and a toilet I am just fine and my wife is pretty much the same way. I will definitely look into that area next time we go, but honestly I love the visaya region so who knows.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g2412438-d2406765-Reviews-Calaguas_Island-Vinzons_Camarines_Norte_Province_Bicol_Region_Luzon.html

Edited June 15, 2016 by cyberfx1024

[teddy k 35]

Boracay Island

Boracay Island

[Brassballs 47]

Boracay = too means tourists

Toilet.... Does a bowl over a hole in the sand and tabo bucket qualify??????

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

Boracay = too means tourists

Toilet.... Does a bowl over a hole in the sand and tabo bucket qualify??????

I couldn't have said it better myself. I was just there this time last year and there was TOO MANY TOURISTS...... The tourists are mainly Koreans, Japanese, and Europeans. If you want a island that has a nice beach like Boracay try Bantayan Island or Malascupa Island.

[AP&AD 8]

El Nido will always be my favorite.

But it really depends on what I feel like doing.

Diving - Isla Verde, Palawan, Apo Island

Surfing - La Union

Complete R&R - Palawan or Batanes (these two SHOULD be in your bucket list lol)

Adventure - Palaui Island

[jg121783 3,909]

Bohol and the small connecting island of Panglao are hidden gems among the many islands / beaches in the Philippines. Although tourism is ramping up in the area, the beaches are considerably less crowded than those found in other popular areas. With just a handful of resorts, gorgeous white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and large, colorful coral reefs, you would be wrong not to consider Panglao in the Central Visayans. Best of all, the beaches aren't horribly overrun with tourists.

My future father-in-law runs a small day tour business on the island and would gladly take you and yours on a day-long excursion of Bohol (including pickup and delivery from / to the airport and resort). Bohol offers hundreds of square acres of untouched forest and jungle. The famous Chocolate Hills are also on the island of Bohol and are listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders. With everything from guided river tours down the Loboc River, to 600 year old churches, to gorgeous beaches, this is a destination to consider. In Panglao you can wake up early and watch dolphins, you can island-hop and the diving / snorkeling is amazing. And the food, as you know, is out-of-this-world.

Bohol can be reached via two seaports and a small national airport (Tagbilaran). A boat ride from nearby Cebu generally takes less than two hours. A flight from Manila is just forty-five minutes.

Popular Beach Resorts in Panglao

• Alona
• Henann
• Amorita Resort
• Bohol Beach Club
• The Bellevue Resort

I don't mean to hijack the thread but I am planning to visit my wife in October and we want to go on a trip for a few days while I am there. Bohol was one of the places we were talking about going to. We are looking to go somewhee where we can save as much money as possible and still have a good time for a couple days. How much would you estimate 2 people might spend on a 2-3 day trip to Bohol including plane tickets and hotel from Manila? Can anyone else recommend places to go that are inexpensive?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

My wife and I were in Cebu at the time and we decided to go over to Bohol for 2 days. And so from Cebu to Bohol was just a quick trip on one of the fast boats about an hour at max. got there was picked up by a company that rents scooters. And we rented a scooter for the two days and tour the island had just a blast. We did all the tourist sites and then some off-road stuff and it was just very fun and inexpensive. You should contact Gregory&Dyn and get hooked up with his FIL. I'm sure they would treat you well.

Edited June 17, 2016 by Greenbaum

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but I am planning to visit my wife in October and we want to go on a trip for a few days while I am there. Bohol was one of the places we were talking about going to. We are looking to go somewhee where we can save as much money as possible and still have a good time for a couple days. How much would you estimate 2 people might spend on a 2-3 day trip to Bohol including plane tickets and hotel from Manila? Can anyone else recommend places to go that are inexpensive?

Where is your fiance from in the Philippines? If you want to stay in Bohol and don't have the money to stay at Panglao Island, then I suggest stay at this little place called Kayla'a Resort on Bohol. It is a nice little place where you can go and relax with no problems at all, and the owner is an American who is pretty decent. No one can tell you how much exactly it will be but if you don't have the money to splurge about $1k-1500 then just don't go. Because you will need money for the airfare, hotel, island sight seeing tour.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1673720-d1758488-Reviews-Kayla_a_Beach_Resort-Bohol_Province_Visayas.html

[Brassballs 47]

Another non-hijack but kind of related question.....

Has anyone seen any documented evidence of an individual actually having set foot on each of the 7000+ Philippine Islands? At 1 a day that would be nearly a 20 year expedition, but of course in some locations you could knock out quite a few in 1 day.

Just curious.