Sabang Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

80km away from Palawan’s capital, Puerto Princesa, on the way to the world-renowned Underground River Park, is the town of Sabang.  Taking the Monkey Trail that leads to the park will bring you to untouched shorelines with fine, white sand and sparkling, blue waters.  Definitely worth the bumpy ride from the city. 

SAND-O-METER: Creamy, off-white sugar, and rock-free
PARADISE POINTS: 9/10 – It’s Palawan. Clear blue and always teeming with life. 
CURFEW: 10:00PM – Lying under a star-frosted sky is the only thing to do at night, unless your resort has karaoke, then God save us all.
BEACH BUM ADVISORY: Very high – there’s plenty to do what with crystal-clear waters to swim and snorkel in, and tours offered of the nearby mangrove forest and of course the Underground River.
(SLEEP UNDER THE) 5-STAR ACCOMMODATIONS: 4 Star – A bunch of resorts to choose from, whether you’re a budget backpacker or luxury traveler. 
BACKPACKABILITY: Moderate explorer – the 2-3 hr ride from Puerto Princesa City via jeepney or private van and short hike shouldn’t deter the eager tourist from the city looking for something off the beaten track.

Malcapuya Island, Coron, Palawan

A relaxing 45-minute boat ride from Busuanga, Coron, will take you to the idyllic tropical paradise of Malcapuya Island.  Uninhabited, and therefore preserved in its natural beauty, this privately owned island now welcomes those in search of that perfect, unadulterated island getaway.

SAND-O-METER: White talcum powder
 PARADISE POINTS: 10/10 – Sparkling clear waters. On one side of the completely empty island there’s a large swimming area; the opposite shore is lined with vibrant, healthy reef.  If you’re lucky you might even see a dugong lounging in the sea grass. 
NIGHT LIFE: 8:00PM – The only nightlife for miles around is the sound of the crickets and the evening breeze, unless you and your travelling group decide to sing songs by the bonfire.
BEACH BUM ADVISORY: High – Swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing…so much to do, so little time. The sand area is huge and clear from rocks and debris—did someone say beach football?
(SLEEP UNDER THE) 5-STAR ACCOMMODATIONS: 2 Star – The island has the grand total of one structure that you could appropriately call accommodations. But this far from civilization, it makes more sense to just pitch a tent or even sleep on the beach under the stars.  For overnight inquiries, contact malcapuyaisland@yahoo.com. 
BACKPACKABILITY: Veteran traveler – More challenging than the 45-min bangka ride from Busuanga, Coron, is the fact that not too many people know of this private, paradise island. Reservations must be made in advance, so planning is a must. 

Anawangin Cove, San Antonio, Zambales

Though its waves has put Zambales on the map as a surfing destination, this nearby province is a hidden treasure chest of unspoiled beauty: thriving coral reefs, oh-so-dramatic rock cliffs and waterfalls, and, yep, pristine beaches. After a 20-minute bangka ride from Pundaquit, San Antonio, when you finally set foot in Anawangin Cove, you just might think you’ve arrived on the shores of Middle Earth. Pale, blue-gray sand as fine as powder stretches on past your slippered feet to a scattered forest of pine trees (you heard me), and a cool, bubbling creek from the mountain.

SAND-O-METER: Finely ground granite – Light, bluish gray, and powder fine. Free from rocks and debris.
PARADISE POINTS: 8.5/10 – The beach is quiet and pristine and the swimming area has a clear, sandy bottom that’s shallow a long way out from shore. So you can enjoy the uninhabited cove in peace—unless other tourists are around.
CURFEW: 6:00PM – Best to head back to civilization before dark, unless you’re planning it camp out. Just remember to ask the boatmen to come back for you in the morning.
BEACH BUM ADVISORY: Medium – Unless it’s surf season (when Anawangin cove gets some serious waves), there’s not much to do except sunbathe, wade, and dream up a fantastical adventure to enact as you explore Anawangin’s otherworldly surroundings.
(SLEEP UNDER THE) 5-STAR ACCOMMODATIONS: 1 Star – Nothing but stars and pine trees above your head.
BACKPACKABILITY: Eager newbie – Pundaquit, San Antonio, is less than an hour away from Subic, just park your car and look around for a willing bangkero to hire. Rates are pretty much standardized and the locals are friendly to visitors.

Malapascua Island, Cebu

This little island just 8km north of Cebu is one of the world’s best-kept secrets.  Some have called it “Boracay 20 years ago”—that pretty much says it all.  Not many Pinoys know that it’s been featured on Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, being one of the few places in the world where divers can go to meet two rare gentle giants of the ocean.

SAND-O-METER: Semi-crushed rock salt – White, with irregular grains ranging from fine to slightly coarse. A bit rocky at some points, which simply means the ocean is alive with coral reefs. 
PARADISE POINTS: 9/10 – Still unspoilt despite being so near Cebu. The water is crystal blue and teeming with marine life. This is the world’s Mecca for swimming with giant manta rays and the very rare, elusive thresher shark. 
CURFEW: 11:00PM – There are a handful of bars around the island where you can share a drink with a new friend, both locally and foreign-owned. 
BEACH BUM ADVISORY: Very high – The scuba diving alone, which is a definite, resounding must, will fill up your day plenty. Then again, there’s always time for a nap on the sand.
(SLEEP UNDER THE) 5-STAR ACCOMMODATIONS: 4 Star – Take your pick from around 20 resorts that range from budget cottages to fancy resorts, most of them owned by European-Filipina couples.
BACKPACKABILITY: Moderate explorer – From Cebu City, it’s a 3-hour bus ride to the northern tip Maya, then a 30-min boat ride to the island. 

Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud

Most people think of Saud beach when they hear the word “Pagudpud”. But the real gem in this northernmost region is the Blue Lagoon, or Maira-ira, 20 minutes away from Saud. The name isn’t a product of some tourism marketing scheme; the lagoon is really just blue. As in sapphire blue—the real carat stuff. Add this to the white-sugar sand and the glaring lack of overcrowded resorts, and you can pretty much spell “paradise” with that.

SAND-O-METER: White sugar – a little off-white, a bit coarser than powder; like the less-fine sand on Boracay’s White Beach. Generally free from rocks and debris.
PARADISE POINTS: 9/10 – There are only so many ways to describe unbelievably clear, deep-blue water. The quiet stretch of sand is broken only by a few fishing boats and their shy owners.
CURFEW: 10:00PM – There’s gotta be karaoke around here somewhere.
BEACH BUM ADVISORY: Very low…unless you’re a surfer.
(SLEEP UNDER THE) 5-STAR ACCOMMODATIONS: 5 Star – holiday your way: go rustic with a beach cottage or head out around the cove for some truly lush R&R at the Kapuluan Vista Resort.
BACKPACKABILITY: Veteran traveler – The twelve-hour, two-bus commute makes Pagudpud the rest-place for the strong—or the deep-pocketed, since it’s an hour away from the Laoag international airport. Sweet.