# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published September 29, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-19-best-islands-in-the-philippines*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Palawan** — score 1000/1000
   Long, narrow western island known for underground rivers, limestone lagoons and some of the country's clearest water.
2. **Calaguas** — score 871/1000
   Remote group of islands in Camarines Norte with wide powdery beaches and few resorts.
3. **Camotes** — score 862/1000
   Island group east of Cebu with lagoons, caves and empty beaches.
4. **Boracay** — score 822/1000
   Small island off Panay famous for its four-kilometre White Beach and lively strip of bars and resorts.
5. **Balabac** — score 801/1000
   Southernmost Palawan island chain with white sandbars and shallow reefs near Malaysia.
6. **Batanes** — score 633/1000
   The country's northernmost province of rolling green hills, stone houses and Basco lighthouse, nicknamed Home of the Winds.
7. **Bohol** — score 548/1000
   Central Visayas island home to the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers and the Loboc River.
8. **Guimaras** — score 448/1000
   Small island province south of Iloilo known for its sweet mangoes and rocky islets.
9. **Malapascua** — score 448/1000
   Tiny Cebu-side island where divers meet thresher sharks at dawn.
10. **Catanduanes** — score 448/1000
   Rugged eastern island called the Land of the Howling Winds, with surf breaks and cliff coastline.
11. **Siquijor** — score 329/1000
   Quiet island of cliff-jump pools, waterfalls and folk-healer legends.
12. **Coron** — score 329/1000
   Busuanga island town famed for shipwreck diving and Kayangan Lake's limestone cliffs.
13. **Sibuyan** — score 329/1000
   Forested Romblon island dubbed the Galapagos of Asia for its endemic wildlife and Mount Guiting-Guiting.
14. **Siargao** — score 329/1000
   Teardrop island off Mindanao known for Cloud 9 surf and mangrove lagoons and rock pools.
15. **Apo Island** — score 329/1000
   Marine sanctuary off Negros known for sea turtles and coral reefs.
16. **Bantayan** — score 329/1000
   Laid-back island off northern Cebu with long, powdery white-sand beaches.
17. **Camiguin** — score 0/1000
   Volcanic island off Mindanao with hot springs, white sandbar and seven volcanoes.
18. **Mindoro** — score 0/1000
   Big island near Manila with Puerto Galera's coves and Apo Reef diving.
19. **Cebu** — score 0/1000
   Long Visayan island mixing canyoneering, sardine runs, whale sharks and waterfalls like Kawasan.

Tags: travel, beaches, islands, philippines