The 19 Best Islands in the Philippines

From windswept northern hills to sandbar-ringed southern coves, this list runs from household-name beach islands to quiet corners few travelers reach. Which one would you fly back to?

1. 1
   Palawan

   Long, narrow western island known for underground rivers, limestone lagoons and some of the country's clearest water.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Calaguas

   Remote group of islands in Camarines Norte with wide powdery beaches and few resorts.
   871pts
3. 3
   Camotes

   Island group east of Cebu with lagoons, caves and empty beaches.
   862pts
4. 4
   Boracay

   Small island off Panay famous for its four-kilometre White Beach and lively strip of bars and resorts.
   822pts
5. 5
   Balabac

   Southernmost Palawan island chain with white sandbars and shallow reefs near Malaysia.
   801pts
6. 6
   Batanes

   The country's northernmost province of rolling green hills, stone houses and Basco lighthouse, nicknamed Home of the Winds.
   633pts
7. 7
   Bohol

   Central Visayas island home to the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers and the Loboc River.
   548pts
8. 8
   Guimaras

   Small island province south of Iloilo known for its sweet mangoes and rocky islets.
   448pts
9. 9
   Malapascua

   Tiny Cebu-side island where divers meet thresher sharks at dawn.
   448pts
10. 10
    Catanduanes

    Rugged eastern island called the Land of the Howling Winds, with surf breaks and cliff coastline.
    448pts
11. 11
    Siquijor

    Quiet island of cliff-jump pools, waterfalls and folk-healer legends.
    329pts
12. 12
    Coron

    Busuanga island town famed for shipwreck diving and Kayangan Lake's limestone cliffs.
    329pts
13. 13
    Sibuyan

    Forested Romblon island dubbed the Galapagos of Asia for its endemic wildlife and Mount Guiting-Guiting.
    329pts
14. 14
    Siargao

    Teardrop island off Mindanao known for Cloud 9 surf and mangrove lagoons and rock pools.
    329pts
15. 15
    Apo Island

    Marine sanctuary off Negros known for sea turtles and coral reefs.
    329pts
16. 16
    Bantayan

    Laid-back island off northern Cebu with long, powdery white-sand beaches.
    329pts
17. 17
    Camiguin

    Volcanic island off Mindanao with hot springs, white sandbar and seven volcanoes.
    0pts
18. 18
    Mindoro

    Big island near Manila with Puerto Galera's coves and Apo Reef diving.
    0pts
19. 19
    Cebu

    Long Visayan island mixing canyoneering, sardine runs, whale sharks and waterfalls like Kawasan.
    0pts

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