10 awesome Boracay alternatives

World-renowned Boracay Island gained its status among the finest beaches on earth for several things: the powdery white sand along White Beach, a myriad of dining options, interesting accommodations ranging from five-star resorts located in Stations 1 to 3 to backpacker arrangements in other parts of the island, a multitude of activities and leisure/chill downtime, and arguable one of the world's best sunsets.

But there's the looming six-month ban that the national government imposed on Boracay, which is starting a few weeks away — on April 26 to be exact.

With the summer season officially starting in just a few days, many are devastated by the news.

The good news is though, the country has 7,107 islands to get the needed Vitamin Sea. Not every island on the list offer all the features, activities, and amenities that Boracay offers, but they boast their own kind of rest, relaxation, sea, sand, and sky. 

Caramoan (Camarines Sur)

This is called Tinago Beach, one of the many hidden beaches in Caramoan. Photo: Lou Albano

A favorite location for several Survivor franchises is Caramoan and its charming islands. It’s more convenient if you drive on your own but for public transportation, there are two options: catch a jeep, bus, or van from Naga City to Sabang Port (two hours) and then take a RoRo or bangka ride to Caramoan; or jeepney or bus ride directly from Naga to Caramoan (five hours, availability is weather-dependent).

The crown jewel of the Caramoan Islands is Goa, an island that has been used as the backdrop of the US and French versions of the reality series Survivor. Access to Goa is limited, especially when production is in full swing. Matukad, flanked by huge limestone cliffs on both ends of its shoreline is the next best option should Goa be unavailable.

White Island (Mambajao, Camiguin)

The sands in White Island in Camiguin is comparable to Boracay’s, seeing Mt. Hibok-hibok, an active volcano, at the background doesn’t look bad either. Photo: Stanley See

Located 1.4 kilometers off the shore of Mambajao in Camiguin is White Island. Sand-wise, it is just one notch below the powdery sands of Boracay. What makes this beach interesting is how the tides and its size affect each other: is it better to schedule a visit during high-tide than during low-tides.

Having Mt. Hibok-hibok as a backdrop doesn’t hurt the eyes either. Soaking in the sun and swimming the waters are just about the only thing one can do while in White Island.

Other must-see or must-do activities are reserved on the main island of Camiguin: hot and cold springs, Katibawasan falls, Sunken Cemetery marker, and several churches including the ruins of the Old Catarman Church. Be sure to bring home a few kilos of lanzones, especially when its in season.

Guimaras (Western Visayas)

Imagine feasting on the famous Guimaras mangoes on a Guimaras beach! Photo: Archive/GMA News Online

Located between the provinces of Iloilo and Negro Occidental is the island-province of Guimaras. There are 17 islands to choose from but among the more popular ones include Inampulungan, Naburot, Nauai/Nauway, and Nagarao islands.

A two-day visit of Guimaras can be a side trip to a longer Western Visayas itinerary that originates from either Iloilo City (west) or Bacolod City (east). Be sure to bring back kilos of the island’s most famous and literally tastiest product, mangos, said to be one of the sweetest varieties in the world.

Puerto Galera (Oriental Mindoro)

What Puerto Galera lacks in great dining and sleeping options, makes up in great nightlife, water activities, and accessibility. Photo: Stanley See

The “nearest” option for Metro Manila-based travelers is Puerto Galera (Port of Galleons). Choosing the bus-boat option, requires travellers to first take buses headed for Batangas City Pier from either Buendia or Cubao bus terminals. Once inside the Batangas Pier, book tickets for either Sabang or White beach.

While Sabang Beach has a shoreline and hosts multiple resorts, it’s actually known more as a jump-off point for scuba diving rather that beach walking. The sand on White Island is finer compared to Sabang and is conducive to long leisure strolls, especially during sunrise or sunset.

Dining options are not as refined or luxurious as those in Boracay but Puerto Galera offers outdoor activities like kayaking, the aforementioned scuba diving, and visiting the Tamaraw Falls. Nightlife is also quite busy in the bars along White Beach. While in Puerto Galera, be sure to get a piece or two of the souvenir shirts that feature a detailed map of the island of Mindoro at the back.

Panglao (Bohol) 

The shores along Balicasig in Panglao, Bohol are ideal for lazy strolls, quick hammock naps, and soaking up the sun. Photo: Stanley See

Aside from tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills, Bohol is also home to some of the best-kept and fine beaches in the country. Panglao, Balicasig Island to be exact, boast underwater sands that can go head-to-head with Boracay’s White Beach. Strolling along the shoreline at dawn, lying on a hammock on a lazy afternoon, and dolphin watching are must-experience while in Bohol.

Coron (Palawan)

The only freshwater option on this list is Kayangan Lake in Coron, Palawan, said to be the cleanest and clearest body of water in the country. Photo: Stanley See

The municipality of Coron in Busuanga and Palawan’s capital city, Puerto Princesa may not instantly cross people’s minds as beach destinations but are still deserve consideration on this list. Malcapuya Island, located two hours away from Coron town proper by boat, boast fantastic white, powdery sand beaches while the waters in Kayangan Lake are said to be the cleanest and clearest anywhere in the Philippines.

After you schedule your visit to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, make sure you allot another day for island hopping, snorkelling, and swimming. Must-visits within Honda Bay include Pandan, Snake, Starfish, Luli, and Cowrie islands. Great take-home products from Coron are bags of cashews while a must-try in Puerto Princesa is kinilaw na tamilok or woodworms.

Pagudpud (Ilocos Norte)

Long drives are part of the allure of Pagudpud and its Blue Lagoon. Aside having good quality sand along its shores, the area also boasts of a couple of kilometer-long ziplines. Photo : Stanley See

If you don’t mind the long journey in addition to the destination, then Pagudpud, located at the tip of Luzon is your beach of choice. It’s a 560+ kilometer drive from Metro Manila, and even if you choose to go via plane, Pagudpud is still an 84.5km drive from the nearest airport, Laoag International.

Similar to Camiguin’s White Island, the quality of sand along the shores of Blue Lagoon (name derived from the water’s bluish hue) is a notch below Boracay’s. There are several resorts and accommodations within the vicinity; there’s even a zipline that lasts from one and a half minutes for those daring enough.

There are more Ilocos Region attractions on the way back including: Kapurpurawan Rock Formations, the towering Bangui Windmills, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Paoay Sand Dunes, Paoay Church, and the historic city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur.

Siquijor (Siquijor)

 

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For the stressed out city mouse in need of a quiet time on the beach, Siquijor is for you. The Island of Fire, accessible by boat from Dumaguete, boasts of fine white sand, clear blue waters, a calm and slow pace of life, and bombastically beautiful sunsets.   

Off Siquijor are more sights to behold such as Apo Island and its fabulous underwater scenes. Want to see more but don't feel like getting off the island? There are a number of waterfalls the most popular of which is Cambughay, the famous centuries old Balete tree and the Lazi church.

Sugar Beach (Negros Occidental)

Sugar Beach's real name is Langub. Photo: Lou Albano

Sugar Beach is not really its name. But in 2003, German writer Jens Peter swung by, thought Langub's sand was as fine as sugar, called it Sugar Beach and the name stuck. 

Sugar Beach is located a few hours away from Bacolod, in Sipalay, Negros Occidental. It's a sleepy stretch of fine sand populated only by a handful of resorts. Low-key and inconspicuous, Sugar Beach is almost like a secret little destination among knowledgeable beach bums who like the simplicity of island life. 

Lolling at the beach are mostly Europeans who are at the tail-end of their Southeast Asian backpacking trip, or those just warming up for it. 

Honorable mention goes to Cebu whose beaches and resorts deserve a separate article on their own, and the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte. — LA, GMA News