Whether you’re lazing under a palm tree on a sparkling white-sand beach or getting to know the local marine life while exploring a historic shipwreck, an island-hopping holiday in the Philippines truly has something for everyone. From the hottest tourist spots to our favourite hidden gems, this is our ultimate guide to experiencing the immense natural beauty of the Philippines.
This archipelago of more than 7000 islands and islets is spread across a section of the Pacific Ocean that is known as the Philippine Sea. It’s a seven- to eight-hour flight from Australia to the Filipino capital of Manila, where you can catch a domestic flight, a local ferry, or a combination of both, to reach your chosen island destination. Charter boats are the easiest option for reaching more remote spots, while in the cities, the jeepney and habal-habal (a motorbike taxi) or tricycle (a motorbike with an attached sidecar) are cheap and iconic ways to get around.
You can expect moderately high temperatures (an average of 26-27 degrees) and less rainfall during the dry season, which stretches from December to April. The temperature tends to peak in May (averaging 30 degrees), but the trade-off is blissfully warm water temperatures.
With its spectacular white-sand beach (aptly called ‘White Beach’) and turquoise water, this tiny resort island is part of a group of islands known as the Western Visayas. It’s located just off the northern tip of Panay Island and is regularly featured on lists of the world’s most beautiful islands.
You can fly to Caticlan Airport (also known as Godofredo P. Ramos Airport), then take a short habel-habel ride to Caticlan Jetty followed by a fifteen-minute ferry ride to Boracay Island. Alternatively, Kalibo Airport is serviced by more international and low-cost airlines but requires a longer shuttle and ferry ride to reach Boracay.
Once on the island, you can choose from a range of accommodation options from luxury resorts to budget-friendly hostels. Boracay measures just one kilometre across at its narrowest point, and a road runs almost its entire ten-kilometre length so it’s easy to explore the entire island to find your favourite piece of paradise. Bulabog Beach is a great spot if you’re into water sports like parasailing and kiteboarding, while Station 2 is where you’ll find the liveliest beach clubs and the best shopping. You can also use Boracay as a base for exploring many of the other local islands, including Magic Island and Crocodile Island.
Located just south of the Calamian Islands, Palawan is the largest island in the province and is located around 170 kilometres west of Boracay. Although large parts are still relatively undeveloped, the island’s spectacular white-sand beaches and turquoise lagoons guarantee that it’s only a matter of time before the world comes calling.
You can fly direct from Cebu or Manila to the city of Puerto Princesa, where you can explore the subterranean wonderland of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, or fulfil your bucket-list dream of swimming with whale sharks.
You can also fly to the growing tourism hot spot of El Nido at the northern end of Palawan from Manila, Cebu, Caticlan or Coron. El Nido is the gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago, a group of over forty limestone islands with hidden beaches, dramatic cliffs, and lagoons that seem too perfect to be real. There are multiple island-hopping tours that allow you to experience the highlights, from snorkelling with turtles at Seven Commandos Island to kayaking in the aquamarine waters of Big Lagoon. The short hike to the summit of Taraw Peak is steep and challenging, but if you’re feeling up to the challenge, the views across Bacuit Bay are well worth the effort.
Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly hostel in the centre of town, or a tranquil luxury resort set on a private beach, El Nido has plenty of options to choose from. Many are designed to be as eco-conscious as possible and blend into their pristine surroundings.
Coron Island is a fabulous choice if you’re planning an adventure-based holiday in a stunning location. It’s considered one of the world’s best destinations for wreck diving, with incredible visibility and at least a dozen WWII-era Japanese warships for you to explore. Freshwater dive sites include Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake, both of which are renowned for their pristine water and unique limestone formations. You can also go snorkelling in vibrant coral gardens, hike to the summit of Mt Tapyas and enjoy a relaxing soak in the Maquinit Hot Springs.
Coron Town on neighbouring Busuanga Island is the main hub for exploring the Calamian Islands, including nearby Coron Island. You can fly directly from Manila to Francisco B. Reyes Airport (also known as Busuanga Airport), or catch a ferry from El Nido on Palawan Island. The crossing takes around four to five hours and offers spectacular views along the way.
You’ll find an excellent selection of resorts in and around Coron Town, but if you’re looking for something quite unique, we recommend checking into a floating room with a view at Coron Island’s iconic Paolyn Houseboats.
This teardrop shaped island in the eastern Philippines is home to one of most iconic surf breaks in Asia: Cloud 9. However, you don’t have to be a pro surfer to enjoy the island’s laid-back atmosphere and breathtaking natural beauty – there are plenty of surf spots where you can experience the thrill of catching a wave, even if you’re an absolute beginner. You can rent a motorbike and explore the coastal road, winding through coconut plantations and past one perfect beach after another. If the waves aren’t working, you can take a refreshing dip at the Magpupungko Rock Pools or go on a day trip to the spectacular Sugba Lagoon on neighbouring Kangbangyo Island.
The easiest way to get to Siargao is to catch a domestic flight from Manila or Cebu City, but you can also fly to Surigao City and catch a ferry across to the port of Dapa at the southern tip of the island. It’s a 90-minute voyage that passes some of the loveliest islands in the Mindanao Group.
The island’s main town is General Luna, which is where you’ll find most of the restaurants, shops and accommodation as well as easy access to the Cloud 9 surf break via a 300-metre boardwalk. Accommodation options range from all-inclusive barefoot luxury stays to budget-friendly surf resorts.
If you’re looking for something a little extra in your island holiday, Camiguin Island is a strong contender as the Philippines’ best kept secret. Despite its compact size (just 23 kilometres long and 14.5 kilometres wide), there are four volcanoes (seven volcanic cones) on the island to provide plenty of challenging hikes with incredible views.
You can fly direct to Camiguin from Manila, and once you’re on the island, catch a local habal-habal to see the sights. If you’ve always longed to be marooned on a desert island for a day, catching a small ferry to White Island is a must during your stay. This tiny sandbar is just pure white sand surrounded by sapphire water, plus incredible views of Camiguin’s volcanic peaks in the distance.
Although the volcanoes are considered dormant, the island remains a hotspot of geothermal activity. The natural hot pools at the foot of Mt Hibok-Hibok are the perfect place to soak tired muscles after a challenging hike. You can even sleep in mountain chalet-style comfort, surrounded by lush forest, at the Camiguin Volcano Houses. It takes less than two hours to drive the entire perimeter of the island, but you could easily spend days exploring the many highlights which include a Giant Clam Sanctuary, Sunken Cemetery and the Blue Lagoon.
Currency – the official currency of the Philippines is the Philippine peso (₱); there are 100 sentimos (also known as centavos) in one peso. As of May 2025, one Australian dollar is worth approximately 36.34 PHP.
Time zone – There is only one time zone in the Philippines year-round; Philippine Time (PHT) is two hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time and the same as Australian Western Standard Time.
Wi-Fi coverage/SIM cards – check with your telco provider about international roaming availability and pricing in the Philippines, but be aware that service can be unreliable in the more remote areas. You can also buy a pre-paid travel SIM to use during your stay.
Passport and visa information – if you’re travelling on an Australian passport, you can enter the Philippines as a visitor for up to 30 days without requiring a visa. Be sure to check with Smartraveller, the Philippine Embassy website or your personal travel manager for the most up-to-date information.
Safety – In general, the Filipino people are very friendly and welcoming, and the Philippines is considered a relatively safe destination if you take sensible precautions.
However, Smartraveller currently advises against travelling to central and western Mindanao (including the Zamboanga Peninsula; the Sulu Archipelago and the southern Sulu Sea area) and also eastern Mindanao (excluding Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao Islands). If you are visiting these regions, you will need to check that your insurer will cover you, and we recommend taking extra care to protect yourself from security and health risks. As in any foreign environment, you should always be aware of your surroundings, avoid isolated areas at night, and protect your belongings against pickpocketing.
Language – English and Filipino (Tagalog) are the two official languages in the Philippines, and English is widely spoken, especially in popular tourist areas. There are another 130 to 195 languages and dialects spoken regionally, but a friendly ‘Kumusta’ (how are you?) and ‘Salamat’ (thank you) will always be appreciated.
From the towering limestone cliffs of El Nido to the underwater shipwrecks of Coron, each island in the Philippines is a unique adventure. If you’re ready to start planning your island-hopping escape, talk to your Personal Travel Manager.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
