Bottom Line: The Philippines is Southeast Asia’s most diverse island nation — 7,641 islands from volcano cones to turquoise lagoons. Palawan (El Nido + Coron) is the most scenic, Boracay is recovering from over-tourism, and Siargao is the uncrowded surf paradise nobody knew about until Cloud 9 went viral. Book Palawan boat tours on Klook with island hopping to the Big Lagoon and Secret Beach — saving 25% vs. booking in El Nido town.
The Philippines is best approached island by island — each destination requires a flight or ferry to reach, and the logistics between islands can be challenging. Here’s how to do it right.
Palawan: El Nido vs. Coron
Palawan is the Philippines’ most scenic island, often called the “last frontier” for its preserved nature.
El Nido
The jumping-off point for the Bacuit Archipelago’s lagoons and beaches.
Book El Nido island hopping tours on Klook — Tour A (Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach) and Tour C (Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine) are the classics, about PHP 1,200-1,800 (€20-30) per person including lunch and snorkel gear. Booking online guarantees a spot during peak season.
Kayak secret lagoons — rent a kayak for PHP 800 (€13) half-day and paddle into lagoons that boat tours skip.
Coron
Coron is the WWII shipwreck diving capital, but above water, the Kayangan Lake (sometimes called the cleanest lake in Asia) and the Twin Peaks coral gardens are spectacular.
Getting from El Nodo to Coron: SuperFerry or 2Go ferry (18+ hours) or a 1-hour flight via Manila. The ferry is an adventure in itself — bring a blanket and earplugs for the overnight crossing.
Boracay: Back from the Brink
Boracay was closed to tourists in 2018-2019 for environmental cleanup and reopened with stricter regulations. The famous White Beach is cleaner than it’s been in a decade.
Best beach clubs:
- The Lind — luxury beachfront, adults-only pool
- Waves — surf camp and budget beach bar
Book Boracay activities on Klook — parasailing, helmet diving, and island hopping day trips from about €30.
Siargao: The Surfing Secret
Siargao (particularly Cloud 9) became globally famous after the surfing competition was featured on every travel influencer’s feed. The island has a laid-back, still-untouristy vibe.
Surf: Cloud 9 is a world-class right-hand reef break, best at mid to high tide. November-April is the surf season.
Book Siargao surf camp on Klook — 5-day all-inclusive camp including accommodation, meals, and 10 surf lessons from about €400. The island has surfboard rental shops at Cloud 9.
Non-surfers: Magpupungko Rock Pool — natural tidal pool perfect for swimming and photos.
Getting Around the Philippines
Between islands: 2Go and SuperFerry are the main inter-island ferry companies. Book online or at the port 1-2 days ahead — ferries sell out during holidays.
Within islands: Motorbike (habal-habal) is the standard transport. PHP 200-400 (€3-7) for short hops.
Flights: Philippines Airlines and Cebu Pacific connect the main islands. Book 2-3 months ahead for the best fares.
eSIM for the Philippines
Globe and Smart have the best coverage. Airalo Philippines eSIM — 10GB/30 days for about €18, Smart network with decent coverage including Palawan and Siargao (some dead zones in remote areas).
Budget Breakdown (14 Days Island Hopping)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights (Manila hub + between islands) | €280 |
| Accommodation (mix) | €400 |
| El Nido tours (3 days) | €90 |
| Boracay beach club | €60 |
| Siargao surf camp | €400 |
| Scooter + transport | €50 |
| Food (local restaurants) | €150 |
| Total | ~€1430/person |
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