Honda Bay, Palawan

Framing the rocky and fascinating coastline of the capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa City is Honda Bay. Its blue cool waters are scattered with islands that guarantee one of a pure-pleasure experience. From snorkeling in its clear waters to the more adventurous island hopping within its districts to simply having a picnic in the fine sand of its beach areas, Honda Bay is sure to leave a lasting impression on the visitor.

One of the Philippine's premiere tourist destinations, Honda Bay, Palawan island is also known as the "The Last Frontier". It is host to several of the most exclusive resorts in the country. With its white sand beaches, magnificent landscape, fishing villages and rainforests, it is a favorite destination of adventurers and nature lovers. The province has several sites that attract divers from various parts of the world. In the city center of Puerto Princesa, hall of fame awardee for the cleanest and greenest city in the country, several tourist spots can be seen in a one day tour. This would include Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, the world's largest prison "without bars", and the Kamarikutan Gallery. The city's best offering is the St. Paul Subterranean National Park that is famed for its 8.2 kilometer long river, said to be the longest of its kind in the world.

Regardless of its dazzling natural beauty, Palawan's 1,770 islands has been one of the least developed holiday destinations in Southeast Asia aside from the well-known El Nido Beach Resorts. So far the lack of commercialism has made Palawan very special, but it is becoming more popular mostly for international divers, as well as adventurers.

The perfect place for sun questers and loves snorkel diving is Honda Bay. HONDA BAY is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines and the best place around. It has been known to be the best dive spots in the Philippines.

Source: philippinecountry.com

PUERTO GALERA, ORIENTAL MINDORO

Puerto Galera is a soothing vision of shimmering seas surrounded by lush mountains. It is considered one of the most beautiful and developed beach resort community in the country.

Starting from "backyard tourism" wherein local residents accept local and foreign tourist as stay-in guest, the island’s tourism has flourished. In the course of time, several hotels, resorts, inns and restaurants have mushroomed within the area.

There are a thousand things one can do here. Landlubbers can pitch tents, light bonfires, play volleyball, toss a Frisbee, go beach-hopping, watch the sunset, gaze at the stars, hike, go rock climbing, carom off on a motorcycle, discover Oriental Mindoro’s other tourist spots or simply live it up.

But water is certainly the main attraction of the island. Crystal clear and shimmering especially during the hot summer months, the sea framing Puerto Galera is ideal for swimming, sailing, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. In fact one doesn’t have to go by boat to get to a dive site. Within a kilometer from the coast, schools of Moorish idols, trumpet fish, frog fish, lion fish and leaf fish weave in and out of thriving corals and sea anemones while species of starfish – from the speckled red-and-white to the neon-blue Pacific – rest on the sandy floor.

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Gradually sloping beaches – with the terrain ranging from powder white sand to grainy dark sand to smooth stones to rough coral rubble – comprise a large chunk of the island’s 25 thousand hectares. And while the Department of Tourism’s last count pegs the number of resorts at 115, pockets of isolated and virtually resortless coves and beaches are tucked between massive rock formations.

Outside of minor glitches, Puerto Galera is a tropical paradise that is both rustic and thriving. By day it echoes with the soft breeze and the pounding waves. At night, it comes to life with heady laughter and the clink of wine and glasses, only to segue once again to the barest whisper of the elements.

Source: puertogalera.org

SIARGAO BEACH IN SURIGAO

Siargao is a tear-drop shaped island situated 800 kilometers southeast of Manila in the province of Surigao del Norte.  It has a land mass of approximately 437 kilometers. The east coast is relatively straight with one deep inlet-Port Pilar with a coastline marked by a succession of reefs, small points and white sandy beaches.

There are similar neighboring islands and islets with similar landforms. The reefs and points are excellent for picking up any swell that comes along turning into clean, fast waves. The Island's Pacific-facing reefs are situated on the edge of the Philippine Trench, and the extremely deep offshore waters guarantee the ocean swells have undiluted power when they encounter the many coral and rock reefs, giving Siargao excellent surfing conditions, particularly during the southwest  monsoon from August to November, when the prevailing wind is offshore.

It is considered to be the Surfing Capital of Asia and of the Philippines. Its proximity to the Philippine Deep and coupled by the waves of the Pacific has made Siargao island a popular venue for surfers. Watch out for local and international surfing competitions throughout the year. This is location is great for adventure seekers.

Siargao Island, faces the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Deep, the second deepest water in the world, at more than 11 km below sea level. The area is pure tropics with the plenty activities including snorkeling, island hopping, checking out waterfalls, swimming holes, watching awesome waves and and of course meeting friendly locals.

This right-breaking reef wave is the site of the annual Siargao Cup, a domestic and international surfing competition sponsored by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte.

The wave was discovered by travelling surfers in the late 1980's, and named and made well-known by American photographer John S Callahan, who published the first major feature on Siargao Island in the US based SURFER Magazine in March 1993, and hundreds of photos in many other books and magazines since. Callahan has returned to the island many times since his first visit in 1992, and his efforts to photograph and publish surfing related and general location material from Siargao island in books and magazines around the world has put the island on the international map and drawn thousands of surfers and tourists to Siargao island.

SANDBAR BEACH IN ILOILO

Found at Bulubadiangan Island within the area of Concepcion in Iloilo City, Sandbar Island Beach Resort is one of the most impressive resort facilities in the area.

Being at this place is just like living in paradise, thanks to its nice and wonderful features combined with the mesmerizing beauty of nature. The management and staff of this place are very much willing to provide guests with extensive services. Of course, with their passion for service, making extra efforts to satisfy visitors and guests are very much expected as well.

More importantly, Sandbar Island Beach Resort in Iloilo City is highly recommended for individuals or groups who really love the outdoors, including those who want to try the excitement and fun that water recreational activities provide.

For those who love fishing, they can certainly catch various types of fishes within the nearby areas. Likewise, they can also try snorkeling and get a closer look at the beautiful corals and marine creatures underwater. Furthermore, the clear and refreshing waters surrounding Sandbar Island Beach Resort in Iloilo City are ideal for swimming especially during warm mornings and sunny afternoons.

Source: iloiloboard.com

MATABUNGKAY BEACH, BATANGAS

Matabungkay Beach is a white sand beach reasonably accessible to Manila (120 km or so).

It has a small coral reef about 50 meters from the low tide mark in the center of the cove which diverts the incoming waves beautifully and creates some that on good days you could body surf on.

Matabungkay is touted as the finest beach around Manila. The water is clean and it is possible to hire floating bamboo picnic huts anchored out over the reef, which are good bases for snorkeling and generally kicking back.

The package of having a beautiful sunset, white beach, and the provincial atmosphere made Matabungkay a drive-away beach destination for tourists coming from Manila.  

Some local visitors bring their own barbeque sets and cook their food the way they want at the beach or at their rented open cottages. Others spend their day barbecuing on the shaded raft floating several meters off the shore. These floating sheds are rented out by villagers which they remark a purely Matabungkay way of picnicking.

For upscale tourists, they can choose from luxurious resorts located along the right strip of the beach.