The Best White Sand Beaches You Should Visit in the Philippines

The Phillippines is known for its abundance of beautiful islands, and it’s no surprise that most local and foreign tourists visit its many stunning white beaches when on vacation. While Boracay’s White Beach is arguably the most famous white beach in the country, there are many options to choose from, and this article will help you decide what to include in your itinerary.

These white beaches can be found scattered all over the country, and it’s important to note that these provinces and cities may have different COVID-19 Philippines travel requirements you need to complete before your trip. Trust us, though, all the planning will be worth it once you set foot in some of the best white sand beach destinations in the Philippines.

1. White Beach (Boracay)

Boracay’s White Beach is not only the most famous white beach in the Philippines, but it is also one of the best in the world. Home to powdery white sand, clear blue waters, and a gorgeous sunset, White Beach is a great place to unwind.

You won’t have trouble finding where to stay or what to do here, as there are luxury and budget hotels and resorts along and near the beach, as well as countless activities like parasailing, helmet diving, paraw sailing, and banana boat riding. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most visited Boracay tourist spots. If you don’t mind crowds, the best time to visit is during the dry season, from December to May.

2. Nacpan Beach (El Nido, Palawan)

Located in Palawan, one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Nacpan Beach captivates its visitors with its cream-colored sand, calm turquoise waters, and overall laid-back vibe. It is accessible via a shuttle or a motorcycle ride from El Nido town proper, where most hotels are located, but Nacpan Beach itself is home to a handful of resorts that you can stay at.

Most travelers who visit Nacpan Beach spend the day just chilling at the sand and having a drink and a meal at one of its many restaurants. More adventurous visitors can rent snorkeling gear, kayaks, and standup paddleboards so they can explore more of Nacpan Beach’s waters.

3. Puka Beach (Boracay)

Although the sand is not as fine here compared to that of its famous neighbor, White Beach, Puka Beach is still worth a visit, especially for those who prefer fewer crowds. With a lush forest lining the 800-meter beach, it offers a quieter experience, especially if you visit in the morning.

Its coarse sand is mixed with crushed Puka shells, hence the name. You can take a dip in its waters, but if you’re not a strong swimmer, stay close to the shore as the water level can suddenly go deep. There are no commercial establishments on the beach, so pack mats, water, and snacks if you plan to stay long, but do bring some cash as you may encounter some vendors selling snacks and souvenirs.

4. Malcapuya Island (Coron, Palawan)

Many have compared the beach of Malcapuya Island to Boracay’s White Beach, thanks to its powdery white sand and crystal clear waters. Located in the northern part of Palawan, the beach itself is lined with coconut trees and picturesque rock formations, making for a relaxed atmosphere.

Travelers often book a stop here as part of a tour, but you can also rent a private boat so you can spend more time lounging in the sand or swimming in the shallow waters. Bring snacks and water on your visit as there are only a few stores on the island itself.

5. Kalanggaman Island (Leyte)

Kalanggaman Island in Leyte can be reached via a boat from Palompon Port, which is around 12KM away from the capital city, Tacloban. The island is famous for its gorgeous sandbar that extends up to 365 meters from the island itself. Walking along the sandbar gives you gorgeous views of the turquoise waters from both sides, but just remember to slather on sunblock as you’ll need to walk back to the island for some shade.

If you want to enjoy some water activities on your visit, you can snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, aqua-bike, or just go for a refreshing swim.

6. Hidden Beach (El Nido, Palawan)

Like its name suggests, El Nido’s Hidden Beach is surrounded by limestone formations that conceal the beach itself. To get to the beach, you need to book a tour or a private boat that will take you near the entrance to the beach. Once there, you need to wade and swim through shallow waters to get to the beach itself, so don’t forget to bring a dry bag if you want to bring a camera to photograph the majestic views inside.

After taking in the view, you can enjoy its powdery white sand, clear turquoise waters, and quiet atmosphere by just lounging in the sand or going for a swim.

7. Mantigue Island (Camiguin)

Located off the coast of the main island of Camiguin, Mantigue Island is a protected marine area and sanctuary. Its waters are home to gorgeous corals and sea turtles that you can see via snorkeling or scuba diving. The powdery white sand is bordered by a green forest, so you’ll be able to enjoy a nature retreat on your visit.

You can take a boat from Mahinog Town on Camiguin Island to get here. The island is only about 3.5KM away from the mainland, so it will only take around 30 minutes or less to reach this pristine paradise.

8. Bantayan Island (Cebu)

Bantayan Island can be found off the northwestern coast of the island of Cebu. It is home to fine powdery white sand, azure waters, and vibrant marine life. The island has a couple of beaches and tourist attractions, including Kota Beach, Paradise Beach, Obo-ob Mangrove Eco Park, and Ogtong Cave.

The island itself is over 100 square kilometers, so visitors won’t run out of places to explore and things to do. You can spend several days here trying different activities like snorkeling and even skydiving! There are also several resorts, hotels, and restaurants on the island that you won’t have trouble looking for those that will fit your travel requirements.

9. Alona Beach (Bohol)

Bohol’s Alona Beach can be found in Panglao Island, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines. While Alona Beach is one of the most commercialized places on the island, with resorts, hotels, restaurants, bars, and tour operators lining its beach, the locals still manage to keep its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters pristine and enjoyable. It’s perfect for those who want to spoil themselves while on a beach vacation.

The beach is also roughly around 1KM, so it won’t be difficult to find a spot on the sand to chill and relax. On your visit, you can try snorkeling, kite surfing, dolphin watching, and scuba diving.

10. Sumilon Island (Cebu)

Sumilon Island is known for its sandbar with cream powder sand and is surrounded by clear turquoise waters. The sandbar is unique because its shape changes depending on the tide and weather. From the small coastal town of Oslob, it will take around 10 minutes to reach the island by boat. The waters around it is a protected area and a marine sanctuary.

There is only one resort on the island, Bluewater Sumilon. You can enjoy a day tour on the island or stay several nights, so you have more time to enjoy activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and whale and dolphin watching. There are also three nature trails on the island, which you can explore with the help of a guide.

11. Malapascua Island (Cebu)

A small island off the northern coast of Cebu, Malapascua is famous not only for its white-sand beaches but also for the thresher sharks that frequent its waters. No matter what time of the year your visit, you’re guaranteed to see a thresher shark when you dive in Malapascua’s waters.

Those who want a laid-back vacation should consider visiting the island as it is not as commercially developed as other famous tourist spots in the country. But that doesn’t mean you have to rough it during your visit. There are several resorts, restaurants, and bars here to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.

12. Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Islands (Camarines Norte)

Mahabang Buhangin literally means long stretch of sand, and that is exactly what you’ll see when you visit this beach in Camarines Norte. The white sand beach is roughly 2KM long, so you’ll have plenty to explore on your visit. Its calm waters are also perfect for a refreshing swim.

It’s the perfect spot to go off the grid, as not only is the beach bordered by lush greens and clear waters, but there is also limited mobile phone service in the area. The beach is not commercialized, and while there are a couple of resorts in the area, an overnight stay here usually means you have to bring your own camping gear, food, and water.

13. Saud Beach (Pagudpod)

Located on the northern coast of the Luzon, Saud Beach in Pagudpud Ilocos Norte is home to white sand and clear blue waters, which have gentle waves that are perfect for swimming. It’s a quiet area lined with coconut trees, making it ideal for those who want a serene beach getaway.

There are also several beachfront restaurants here, so you can feast on local food in between enjoying water activities like snorkeling and sailing. Since the beach is just on the mainland, there are plenty of nearby tourist attractions you can also visit during your stay, including Kabigan Falls and the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.

14. Tikling Island (Sorsogon)

The sand in the beaches of Tikling Island is pinkish-white, thanks to the crushed red coral grains that are mixed in with the sand. Its shallow clear waters make it a good swimming and snorkeling spot. This beach in Matnog, Sorsogon has no hotel or resorts but is easily accessible via a short boat ride from Matnog Port.

Apart from its pristine beach and waters, visitors can enjoy the lush vegetation and the rock formations on another side of the island. If you’re lucky, you might even see some of the adorable domesticated boars who call the island their home.

These are just some of the gorgeous white sand beaches you can visit and enjoy in the Philippines. With dozens and dozens to choose from, it’s almost impossible to visit them all in just one trip to the country, which just gives you more reason to keep coming back. After all, you can’t go wrong with any single one of them.