The Philippines is all acknowledged for its beautiful & exotic beaches, turquoise water, serene ambience and especially for tropical islands. Each destination of the Philippines is exceptional in their ways. Talking about El Nido, Palawan, Bohol, Cebu Island, Hidden Beach, Manila etc; all these destinations are totally loaded with tourists, backpackers and love birds throughout the year. One unusual island destination at Philippines which is also the home for UNESCO Heritage sites and lures travellers in its ways is Palawan Island.
Palawan is the largest island in the Palawan Province located in Western Philippines. Today we will explore this island fully for your next itinerary and understand why it is special in the eyes of every traveller and aquaphile.
Quick Insight of Palawan Island
Palawan is a long-drawn island destination poured with postcard-worthy beaches, amazing lagoons, calm turquoise water surrounded with exotic wilderness, underwater rivers, mesmerising limestone caves and hidden many worthy destinations for island lovers and adventure seekers.
As summer is approaching, Palawan makes a perfect island getaway for exotic explorers & honeymoon couples. Got highlighted from the famous James Bond movie The World Is Not Enough for its amazing wildlife and natural beauty as well.
Palawan, part of the Mimaropa Region and Luzon Group of Islands, is a picturesque area of almost 1,800 small islands. Here you can find beautiful beaches and lagoons that are largely untouched.
Recognized as the “Last Ecological Frontier” in the Philippines, Palawan’s forests and seas are home to incredible biodiversity and natural beauty that keeps tourists coming. It’s any beach lover’s heaven on earth.
Also Read:Â 10 Most Appealing Beaches of Philippines
Popular Travel Spots at Palawan Islands
The capital of the Palawan Province is Puerto Princesa, which is one of the cleanest cities in the Philippines. Major tourist destinations within Palawan include Coron & El Nido which are popular among scuba divers for dive sites & snorkelling in warm water and splendid scenery. Puerto Princesa is known as the cleanest spot and for underwater caves. Let’s explore all in brief below –
El Nido – Known For Picturesque Karst cliffs
El Nido is Palawan Island’s most famous tourist destination located on the northern tip. The archipelago houses some of the country’s best turquoise water and white sand beaches. The most popular thing to do in El Nido is island hopping and then enjoying kayaking by arranging a kayak by rent. Then explore hidden beaches and caves around Cadlao Island in the Bacuit archipelago.
Enjoy the boat rides from one island to another and flaunt them on your social media feeds. Most likely which drew attention is the Instagram-worthy with the picturesque karst cliffs surrounding you so make a visit to them. The stunning lagoons, exotic wildlife and pristine sea beds enveloped by light blue and sea green colour water will leave you in awe of El Nido.
Beaches in El Nido
The best beaches in El Nido are the key reasons why this northern tip of the island of Palawan became one of Philippines’ most sought-after tourist destinations.
Many of the beaches of El Nido are the perfect attraction for with white powdery sand and turquoise waters. Some of them are listed below –
- Nacpan and Calitang – El Nido’s Twin Beaches
- Marimegmeg Beach
- Las Cabanas Beach
- Seven Commandos Beach
- Papaya Beach
Coron Bay – Best For Scuba Divers
If you are a history buff and those who want to dive deep in the sea then Coron Bay is your location. Coron islands are the inhabitants of Tagbanua people. It is the blend of natural beauty with steep limestone cliffs, white-sand beaches and seven mountain lakes. The bay also houses a collection of sunken well-preserved Japanese warships at a diveable depth, dating back to World War II.
From Busuanga Island, Bangka can take you to the wrecks where you can dive and admire the reef surface, excavators and weaponry of those boats. You can also discover Barracuda Lake’s underwater mountains. If you left with some time then go for hiking Mount Tapyas.
Beaches in Coron
The best beaches in Coron are framed by the stunning natural scenery that surrounds them. But the beauty here includes stunning scenery visible under the water’s surface too. Especially the Kayangan Lake, which has been given the title of the cleanest lake in Asia.
Beaches are a perfect paradise for all travelholics. Popular ones are given below –
- Banol Beach
- Atwayan Beach
- Malcapuya Island Beach
Puerto Princesa – Cleanest & Greenest in the Philippines
The capital of Palawan is Puerto Princesa is also recognised for the biodiverse Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Subterranean River National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the most exclusive site. The Cabayugan, the second-longest navigable underwater river in the world which is found here.
Boats run along an underground river through vast caves so you can enjoy the boat ride here. The majesty of the calcareous cellar can be discovered by going by a paddleboat, cruising through the mouth of the cellar. It has a number of species indigenous to the river system. You can also pay a visit to Honda Bay which offers a variety of water activities such as snorkelling and scuba diving.
Explore Tubbataha Reef National Park
Tubbataha Reef National Park is a marine and bird sanctuary that is stretched across 97km² areas. It includes 2 large unique coral reefs one is “atoll reef” and other is the Jessie Beazley Reef. Tubbataha Reef, situated in the middle of the Sulu Sea, is considered one of the world’s best diving sites.
Tubbataha Reef National Park can only be visited on live-aboard ships because of its remote location. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a sanctuary to more than 1,000 coral species including manta rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks. You can find hundreds of aquatic animals as well as many sea turtles that are used as nesting grounds in this area.
Meet Giraffes at Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary
After enjoying the water activities and hopping islands and beaches, take a day off and visit the Calauit Game and Wildlife Sanctuary on Busuanga Island, home to a wide variety of exotic African animals and endangered species native to Palawan.
This preserve is openly wandered by hundreds of Giraffes, Elans, Waterbucks, Calamian deer, Monkeys, freshwater Crocodiles, Zebras, Bearcats, Bushbucks and a number of birds. You can also take overnight trips at Calauit Safari Park which are available from Coron Town.
Best Time to Visit Palawan is between February and March.
Bottom Line
You’ve probably seen the photos of sparkling azure waters, overlooking limestone formations, and white-sand beaches – location is heavenly paradise and this is Palawan. But if you still need to touch this hidden beauty then hurry up and book a trip now!! Wait don’t forget to read our fresh blog on indiaimagine.
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Also Read:Â 10 Dream Destinations In The Philippines
