1. BORACAY ISLAND

Characterized by its fine sand and crystal clear waters, Boracay comes as a no-brainer in this list. Currently it is still the most famous and the most visited beach in the country; the destination of foreigners and Filipinos alike during summer. Boracay locals work hard to maintain the island's prestige as the number one summer getaway in the Philippines. Now highly commercialized, the island not only boasts of its beaches, but is also packed with bars, hotels, shopping areas, and other establishments. Boracay satisfies those urbanites who do not want to get away from the conveniences offered by the city, yet are longing for a relaxing summer by the beach.

2. BACUIT ARCHIPELAGO, PALAWAN

Palawan has always been a favorite getaway to the adventure-hungry traveler, for the province offers not only heavenly beaches, but also possesses breathtaking vistas and exciting biodiversity. One of these places is the Bacuit Archipelago in El Nido, inarguably one of the best beach landscapes in the world. Also awaiting the audacious traveler are features such as Miniloc Island's Big Lagoon, the most photographed sight in Palawan; and Matinloc Island's Secret Beach, only accessible by swimming through a keyhole slot.
Trivia: The American reality game show Amazing Race shot one of their episodes in

3. PANGLAO ISLAND, BOHOL

Panglao Island is a recent favorite among bakasyonistas, for who will not be enticed with some of the Philippines' clearest waters, paired with rich marine biodiversity and sands as fine and white as Boracay's? More importantly, Panglao Island is rarely visited by the volume of people that troop to Boracay, so your dream of a quiet summer by the beach can become a reality.

Where To Stay in Puerto Galera

Where to stay in Puerto Galera? Puerto Galera is blessed with the widest range of accommodations of any water sports destination around the country and makes for ideal Philippines beach resort holidays. Whether your budget is that of a backpacker or of a business tycoon there are beach resorts or holiday packages somewhere here that will suit your pocket. Whether for romance and tranquility or for rambunctiousness and camaraderie, Puerto Galera is a primary Philippines beach resort holidays destination. A small but varied selection of beach resorts and resort hotels are offered here to give you a feel for where to stay in Puerto Galera for the best of Philippines beach resort holidays. Note: The beach resorts and resort hotels are listed approximately in geographic order from West to East.
WHITE BEACH Where to stay in White Beach? 25-years ago White Beach was the movie-makers’ beach, because it was devoid of beach resorts and resort hotels. Today, White Beach comprises a bustling tourist community that stretches from the high-water mark way back into the adjoining coconut plantations.
Apartelle de Francesca is one of the best resort hotels located in the heart of White Beach, with its own swimming pool & mini Jacuzzi, gym and offering mid-priced accommodations. Catering for both Filipino and foreign tourists, most equipment for water sports can be rented at the Apartelle de Francesca. It's a great place for seminars and conferences too. T: +63 916 737-3086 W: www.francescaresort.com
THE BAY AREA Where to stay in the bay area? Only a small collection of beach resorts and resort hotels accommodations are available within the bay area of Puerto Galera because there has been a concerted effort to protect the natural beauty afforded by the mangroves and sheltered coves. Most beach resorts and resort hotels accommodations in the bay area are very peaceful, at the same time as being convenient to the town.
Sandbar Resort & Windsurfing Centre spans the sand bar that links Paniquian Island to Puerto Galera proper. The Sandbar's mid-priced beach resorts accommodations deliver spectacular sunrises with views across the swimming pool, manicured lawns and out over Puerto Galera bay. The Sandbar has a wide range of water sports facilities available, including windsurfing, and also tennis courts . . . so you can sharpen up your backhand between windsurfing and scuba diving. T: +63 917 562-0124 or +63 43 442-0047 or email
Badladz Resort and Dive Shop on the Muelle Pier offers good value for money, low-to-mid priced resort hotels accommodation with few frills (except hot water showers, cable TV and air conditioning) but a great view over the yacht club's moorings in the bay. You can learn to scuba dive with Badladz and also play paintball. If your perfect scuba diving locations also includes Mexican food with a French flair then Badladz Resort and Dive Shop could be the best choice in Puerto Galera. T: +63 920 945-6339 W: www.badladz.com
Puerto Galera Villas Puerto Galera Villas offers a unique Yachtsman’s Holiday Package with a combined waterfront villa and sailing yacht, located in Dalaruan Bay, Puerto Galera. Ideal for a group of four to ten persons who want to fill their vacation with the peace and tranquility of a secluded waterfront villa but also enjoy day-sailing along the coast or across the Verde Passage. A resident boatman and housekeeper will ensure that almost every whim is catered for. If you are looking where to stay in Puerto Galera and want privacy, tranquility and diversion the Puerto Galera Villas could be your choice. T: +63 2 844-6067 W: www.puertogaleravillas.com
BIG LALAGUNA BEACH Where to stay in Big La Laguna Beach? Big Lalaguna Beach is probably the best beach for swimming & snorkeling because it has many areas of sandy bottom and easy water entry, as well as roped off areas over corals to protect swimmers from bankas. The Big Lalaguna Beach water is crystal clear 99% of the year; the corals are vibrant and varied. When looking at where to stay in Puerto Galera, Big Lalaguna Beach is far enough away from the boisterous nightlife of Sabang Beach so that evenings can be peaceful and romantic. Big La Laguna Beach is full of scuba-diving-focused Philippines resort hotels for families, couples and individuals.
Lalaguna Beach Club & Dive Centre One of the most established Philippines resort and dive shops on Big Lalaguna Beach offering mid-priced accommodations, a swimming pool, an international menu and a comprehensive range of water sports activities, with equipment for hire, in addition to scuba diving. Lalaguna Beach Club's new scuba dive shop has virtually all the scuba diving equipment you could possibly need to rent or want to buy; Lalaguna Beach Club & Dive Centre also operate a liveaboard dive boat for scuba diving packages around the Philippines. Click for live webcam of La Laguna Beach Club & Dive Centre T: +63 917 794-0323 W: www.llbc.com.ph
SMALL LALAGUNA BEACH Where to stay in Small La Laguna Beach? Small Lalaguna Beach actually has a larger beach-front than Big Lalaguna Beach and offers a wide variety of beach resorts and resort hotels. Small Lalaguna Beach has areas of rocks and broken corals in the shallows, so this is not the best beach for swimming but it is closer to Sabang Beach and therefore more convenient for those who also need an entertainment fix between scuba lesson and scuba certification. Some of the most spectacularly colourful sunrises in Asia have been photographed on Small Lalaguna Beach.
The Portofino Resort could easily answer 'where to stay in California' instead of where to stay in Puerto Galera. Portofino Resort represents good-value-for-money beachfront villa accommodation, with a range of secluded luxury rooms and hotel suites in the mid-price range - depending upon your desire for space. The Portofino Resort restaurant, set beside the swimming pool, provides the perfect inducement for an al fresco dining experience. If you are looking for a Philippines resort that delivers a California holiday at a fraction of a California holiday price then Portofino Resort on Small Lalaguna Beach could be the answer. T: +63 43 287-3227 W: www.portofino.com.ph
El Galleon Resort & Hotel / Asia Divers The most established dive shop & resort hotel on Small Lalaguna Beach and a pioneer in the development of scuba diving as a sport in Puerto Galera. When looking for where to stay in Puerto Galera the good, mid-priced rooms overlooking the swimming pool, supported by an extensive international menu at the beach view restaurant, make El Galleon / Asia Divers the best scuba diving holiday choice for the culinary connoisseur - a guest chef is usually in residence during the high-season at El Galleon. El Galleon / Asia Divers could be your base in Puerto Galera for a scuba / technical diving or free-diving adventure. Asia Divers stocks a wide range of international brand scuba diving equipment for rent and for sale.

Big Apple Dive Resort

A 24 hour entertainment and dive resort hotels with reasonably quiet, spacious swimming pool side accommodations in the low-to-mid price range. Billiards/pool competitions mix it up with roast lunches and Bar-B-Qs for those with not a moment of life to waste. If you want to mix your 24/7 scuba diving holiday with billiards and a great Sunday roast then the Big Apple could be your best Philippines resort choice. The Big Apple Dive resort also has a scuba diving equipment store, with international brand name scuba diving equipment available. Click for live webcam of Big Apple Dive Resort T: +63 2 526-7685 W: www.divebigapple.com

Capt'n Gregg's Dive Resort Capt'n Gregg's is the longest running dive resort on Sabang Beach and has been a magnet for scuba divers and backpackers to Puerto Galera since the late 1970s. The open seascape views from many of the modest rooms, combined with the spacious panoramic restaurant, make Capt'n Gregg's Dive Resort a great place for contemplating the previous night's spoils over a late breakfast. Capt'n Gregg's is also the spiritual home of the Puerto Galera HASH. If you want your scuba diving holiday to include HASHing and substantial breakfasts, choose Capt'n Gregg's. T: +63 43 287-3070 W: www.captngreggs.com

CORAL COVE

Where to stay in Coral Cove? Coral Cove is a secluded bay around Escarceo Point in the barangay of Sinandigan, about a fifteen minute hike (or a five minute jeepney ride) from Sabang Beach. This is a newly developed beach area and is very close to many of the best dive sites in Puerto Galera. The beach is not a swimming beach per se but at low tide the inhabitants of the rock pools provide in intriguing distraction for locals and visitors alike. A handful of beach resorts and resort hotels are located here.

Coral Cove Resort Newly refurbished, Coral Cove Resort is well appointed for the scuba diving enthusiast who wishes to enjoy a peaceful night but with the option of hoping over to Sabang for an infusion of entertainment once in a while. Coral Cove offers a stimulating Philippines resort package ideal for scuba divers or for corporate seminars and team building experiences. The resort rooms are spacious and the range of international dishes on the menu makes Coral Cove one of the good value beach resorts in the mid-price range. Coral Cove Resort has installed yacht friendly moorings off the beach for those visiting Coral Cove by boat. If you want your scuba diving holiday to include a day Spa, seclusion, special views and Indian curry . . . choose Coral Cove for your Philippines resort package.. T: +63 43 287-3220 W: www.coral-cove.com

Boracay Island Philippines

Beach resorts abound in Boracay Island Philippines, located in the central part of the Philippines, approximately 315 km (200 miles) south of Manila. Boracay is surrounded by the South China Sea on its northwest side, the Sulu Sea on the southwest and the Sibuyan Sea on the east. The Island is around 7 km long from tip to tip, but barely a kilometer wide at its narrowest point in the center.