The Philippines: an archipelago of unique scenery

Apo Island is a 72-hectare island and marine sanctuary; one of the first marine protected areas (MPA) designated in the country back in the 1990s. It has also become one of the Philippines’ most popular and successful dive sites. Located off the coast of Negros Island and roughly a half-hour boat ride away from the mainland, it’s frequented by divers and scientists alike. There is a whole other colorful world underwater—with hundreds of varieties of coral species as well as fish species. You might also find sharks, rays and sea turtles.

There are plenty of surfing destinations scattered across the Philippines. Just a four- to five-hour drive from Manila, there’s San Juan in La Union which is the textbook definition of a surftown, laden with cool coffee shops and colorful hostels. There is also Liwaliwa in Zambales, which has a number of surf camps by the beach and narrow paths lined with pine streets.

White sand, blue-green water, trees, and a few nipa huts—that’s what this tiny sandbar is made of. “Seco” is the word for “elbow” in the local dialect. It would take you roughly two hours by motorized boat to get to this small island from the coast of Antique; a good example of how the phenomenon of “island hopping” in the Philippines can lead tourists to all kinds of unique beaches in a single day. This one is less than two kilometers in length, or a short walk. Seco is a popular destination for kiteboarders.

The Philippines is home to many white-sand beaches, and there is a wealth of them in Sipalay, along with other dive sites featuring clear blue waters. The town is located in the south of Negros, a province known as the center of the sugar industry in the Philippines, hence Sipalay’s title as the “Jewel of the Sugar Island.” One of its many beaches is even named “Sugar Beach.” Overlooking the Sulu Sea, the topography here is so rich that each area offers something different, from little rocky islets of land to long stretches of sandy shore for viewing the sunset.

Batanes is the smallest province in the Philippines, and yet its landscapes are so rich it would take weeks to explore. Almost half of the province is made up of hills and mountains. The local government has been trying to get the entire province on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for nearly a decade, as there are many well-preserved sites originally made by the Ivatan, the indigenous people still living in Batanes. They are particularly known for their stone houses made of coral and limestone because these houses were made to withstand storms and typhoons, and they can be found all over the province along with plenty of lighthouses.

In the province of Bohol, there are catamarans cruising down the Loboc River, which is flanked on either side by coconut trees and banana groves. These tourist rafts are often referred to as “floating restaurants,” as they offer meals to their passengers during the one-hour trip. The route goes through Busay Falls, offering a scenic view of the small waterfalls. The Loboc river also curves into town right by the Loboc Church. Often on the winding river you can find paddleboarders making their way from and to resorts.

There are plenty of waterfalls in Ilocos Sur, but the Pinsal Falls might be the most popular and they also happen to be the largest in the region. Sometimes referred to as the “Twin Falls,” they stand at about 85 feet tall. You can usually find small numbers of tourists picnicking and hiking in this area. At the top of the canyon, there are also some natural swimming holes which the local Ilocanos refer to as “pools.” There are a number of local myths about these pools, particularly about a giant who supposedly left his footprint.

Sandwiched between two bays, the roads in Anilao, Batangas, are quite winding and the shores are craggy and rough. Most people make the ride down to Anilao not to be on land, but to dive deep underwater. There is a large diving (and freediving) community based here. At the southern tip of Anilao is the Verde Island Passage, a strait that has more than 300 coral species, known as a global center of shore fish biodiversity.