With over 7,000 islands, choosing where to go in the Philippines can feel impossible. Whether you want world-class diving, surf, powdery beaches, or dramatic landscapes, here are seven islands that should be on every expat and traveler’s list.
Each has its own personality — from party-and-paradise Boracay to the wild, otherworldly cliffs of Batanes. Mix and match based on what kind of trip (or life) you’re after.
A quick tip before you go: book your island-hopping tours and activities in advance during peak season, as the best operators sell out fast.
The shortlist
- Palawan — El Nido’s lagoons and Coron’s wrecks; arguably the most beautiful place in the country.
- Siargao — the surf capital, with a laid-back island-life vibe that traps people for months.
- Cebu — whale sharks, waterfalls, and a big city base all in one island.
- Bohol — the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, and calm white-sand Panglao.
- Boracay — the famous powder-white beach; lively but still stunning.
- Camiguin — a tiny volcanic gem, lush and uncrowded.
- Batanes — rolling hills and stone houses; the most peaceful place in the Philippines.
How to do it
Domestic flights connect all of these affordably, and inter-island ferries fill the gaps. Give each island at least 3–4 days — rushing the Philippines is the one mistake almost everyone regrets.
However you build your route, you genuinely can’t go wrong. The hardest part is deciding which paradise to leave for next.