Home to roughly 1,780 of the Philippines’ islands and islets, Palawan is one of the most irresistible tourist destinations in the Philippines. With breathtaking beaches, unspoiled islands, and underwater activities, Palawan is a true tropical paradise for many travelers. 

We created a list showcasing Palawan’s best beaches to help visitors get the most out of their trip. The most well-known islands include El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa. A few more islands, like San Vicente, are becoming more popular among tourists. 

Related Article: 10 Reasons Why Palawan Should Be On Top Of Your Must-Visit List

EL NIDO

El Nido is known for its glistening cream-colored sand beaches, crystal blue seas, limestone cliffs, and beautiful rock formations. Here are some of El Nido’s best beaches:

1. Nacpan Beach

Nacpan Beach boasts four kilometers of stunning white sand beach lined with coconut palm trees, clear waters, and true tranquility. It’s a 45-minute drive from El Nido’s main town, and it is worth the trip for some swimming, surfing, kayaking, or just relaxing by the beach. 

There are also available snorkels, masks, and fins for adventurous underwater explorers.

2. Duli Beach

Duli Beach is about an hour away from El Nido’s main town. It is a favorite among visitors seeking some serenity in their travels. The beach stretches for two kilometers and offers perpetually quiet spots to its visitors even during peak seasons.

The beach is considered the best for surfing on the island. The Duli Beach Resort, located on the southern part of the beach, rents a board and even offers surfing lessons. 

3. Secret Beach

For the more daring tourist, a must-see El Nido beach is the Secret Beach on Matinloc Island. The beach has a relatively shorter stretch of white sand, but it is enclosed in intricate rock formations forming a wall around it.

Secret Beach showcases a scene out of a postcard, but most intriguing is why locals call it the Secret Beach. To get there, intrepid tourists must carefully swim through a small hole underwater, below the rock formations, and brave the dark underwater path. This secluded beach is part of the island-hopping tours offered on the island.

4. Snake Island

Snake Island, also known as Vigan Island, features a little island with an S-shaped sandbar resembling the shape of a snake. The sandbar connects the islet to the main island of Palawan. 

The island is approximately three kilometers long and is best exploited at low tide, so tourists can walk on the white sandbar and feel like they’re standing in the ocean. Many take advantage of this view to take panoramic photographs of the horizon.

Related Article: Which Palawan Paradise? El Nido vs. Coron 

 

CORON

Coron is known for its beautiful beaches, shallow-water coral reefs, shipwreck diving locations, and crystal-clear freshwater lakes. Here are the must-see beaches in Coron:

5. Malcapuya Beach

Malcapuya Beach is one of the top destinations offered in island hopping tours for many reasons. It is an hour away from Coron’s main town. 

First, it features a long stretch of pure white sand and shallow waters, ideal for beach enthusiasts. Second, it has an incredible underwater spot with marine life and a vast coral bed, perfect for divers. 

6. Banol Beach

Banol Beach is another small yet beautiful tropical paradise in Coron known for its white sand, crystal clear waters, and majestic limestone cliffs. It is a popular stopover for island tours, especially for a relaxing picnic lunch by the beach.

The beach’s rock formations make a gorgeous backdrop for photo shoots. Otherwise, tourists can simply lounge under the nipa huts, dip in the waters, or ride a kayak. 

 

PUERTO PRINCESA

Puerto Princesa is known for the globally-recognized Underground River, distinct underwater wildlife, and white-sand beaches. Here are our top beach picks in Puerto Princesa:

7. Nagtabon Beach

Travelers come to Nagtabon Beach for its long stretch of white sand and towering palm trees. It offers tourists bliss and tranquility by being one of the less commercialized beaches on the island.

Activities for tourists here include swimming, sunbathing, sunset-watching, skimboarding, and snorkeling. Some groups also take advantage of the spacious sandy shores by playing frisbee or beach volleyball.

8. Sabang Beach

Sabang Beach, located in a small village in Puerto Princesa, is one of the more famous beaches on the island. The beach is a popular lunch stopover for those visiting the Underground River. Located midway between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, it’s a fantastic and convenient place to rest between trips.

The beach has abundant palm trees and a fantastic view of the mountains. Visitors can swim in the clear blue waters, enjoy the food and cocktails offered by restaurants and bars, and even soar over the ocean on ziplines. 

 

SAN VICENTE

San Vicente is known for its spectacular waterfalls, diving spots, and the longest white sand beach in the Philippines.

9. Long Beach

With a shoreline that stretches to over 14 kilometers, Long Beach is considered the longest white sand beach in the Philippines. The beach is lined with coconut trees and nipa huts and remains unspoiled with very few commercialized establishments. 

To explore the beach from end to end, traveling pairs can rent a habal-habal or motorcycle, while slightly bigger groups can hire an e-trike. 

10. Irawan Beach

Irawan Beach is another vast stretch of white sand beach along the shores of San Vicente. It features well-maintained shorelines, giant boulders, and vibrant coconut trees. 

At the north end of Irawan Beach is a small hill, and on top of it is a boulder which has been proven to be a good vantage point to get a beautiful 180-degree shot of yourself with the beach as your background. The hill also has a birds-eye view of Irangan Beach, Mount Capuas, and Imuruan Island.

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Featured Image: Sabang Wedding Planner

For the finest and most exclusive accommodations in the island, look no further than our collection of luxury villas and holiday homes in Palawan.