Philippines travel guide: the islands, dives and quiet beaches (2026).

The Philippines has the best islands in Asia per dollar. 7,000+ of them; less developed than Thailand, easier than Indonesia for short trips, and with the warmest welcome of anywhere in the region. This Philippines travel guide sticks to the most rewarding islands rather than trying to cover them all.

The trade-off is domestic flights — you will take a few. Manila is mostly a transit point; do not stay more than a night unless you have a reason.

Palawan (El Nido and Coron). The iconic limestone-and-lagoon scenery. Coron has the best wreck dives in Asia; El Nido has the best island-hopping. Stay 5–7 nights.

Siargao. Surf, lagoons, mangrove forest, the best food scene in the islands. Cloud 9 is for experienced surfers; beginners head to Jacking Horse. 4–5 nights.

Bohol. The Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, and beach bases like Anda or Panglao. Quieter than Cebu, good for couples and families. 3 nights.

Cebu. Use as a hub. Day trip to Kawasan Falls (Badian) for canyoneering, or head north to Malapascua for thresher sharks.

Moalboal (south Cebu). The sardine run is a 10-minute swim from shore — one of the most accessible bucket-list dives in Asia.

Quieter alternatives. Camiguin, Romblon, Batanes — for trip two.

December–May is the dry season for most of the country. January–April is the sweet spot — dry, calmer seas, best diving visibility.

June–November is wet season and typhoon season. Travel is still possible, but flights and ferries get cancelled. Siargao has its own pattern — surf is best August–November.

• Backpacker: $35–55/day (guesthouse, local food, public ferries, scooter)
• Mid-range: $80–130/day (beach bungalow with AC, mix of food, occasional private boat)
• Comfort: $200–350/day (boutique resort, private island-hopping, daily diving)

Food is cheaper than Indonesia or Thailand for the same standard. A plate of adobo at a local karinderia is 100–150 PHP ($1.80–2.70). San Miguel beer is 50 PHP at a sari-sari store, 80–120 PHP at a beach bar.

Domestic flights on Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines are the way to cross the archipelago. Book 2–4 weeks ahead for $35–70 fares.

Ferries link nearby islands — 2GO and OceanJet are the main operators. Always check the weather; in typhoon season they get cancelled.

Tricycles, jeepneys and habal-habal (motorbike taxis) cover everywhere else. Grab works in Manila and Cebu City; outside cities you negotiate.

Island-hopping tours in El Nido and Coron are standardised "Tour A/B/C/D" packages. Tour A in El Nido (lagoons) and the Coron Ultimate Tour are the must-dos.

Day 1 — Manila arrival. One night near the airport; fly out next morning.

Days 2–5 — El Nido (Palawan). Two island-hopping days (Tour A and C), one quiet day at Nacpan beach.

Days 6–8 — Coron. Fly El Nido–Coron or take the slow ferry. Wreck dives or snorkel tours, kayak around Kayangan Lake.

Day 9 — Fly Coron → Cebu. Transfer south to Moalboal.

Days 10–11 — Moalboal. Sardine run + Pescador Island, canyoneering at Kawasan Falls.

Day 12 — Fly Cebu → Siargao.

Days 13–14 — Siargao. Surf lesson at Jacking Horse, day trip to Sugba Lagoon and Magpupungko rock pools.

Fly home from Siargao via Cebu or Manila.

• Visa: 30 days visa-free for most Western passports, extendable
• Environmental fees: most island-hopping areas charge 200–500 PHP — keep small notes
• Bring cash to El Nido and Siargao — ATMs run dry and have low withdrawal limits
• Reef-safe sunscreen is required in many marine parks; cheap reef-safe is hard to find on islands — bring from home
• English is widely spoken — easier than most Southeast Asian countries for first-timers
• Don’t underestimate travel time between islands — pad an extra day for missed flights or ferries