El Nido's Entalula, Leyte's Kalanggaman among world's 50 best beaches this 2026

Entalula Beach in El Nido, Palawan and Kalamanggan Island off the coast of Palompon, Leyte were named among the 50 best beaches in the world.

Entalula Beach topped the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026, up from its second-place ranking in 2025 and fourth place in 2024. 

Meanwhile, this the first time Kalamanggan Island was included in the list, placing 25th. 

Entalula Beach is joined by Fteri Beach in Greece, Wharton Beach in Australia, Nosy Iranja in Madagascar, and East Beach on Vomo Island, Fiji, to make up the world's top five beaches this year. 

Described as "Palawan's overlooked slice of heaven," Entalula Beach is known for its limestone cliffs, white sand, and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The beach is not as frequented compared to other famous beaches in El Nido thanks to its secluded location that can only be accessed by boat. 

Kalanggaman Island, on the other hand, is a long and narrow sandbar that extends into the waters at both ends, offering beautiful, unobstructed views of the ocean. It is known for its calm conditions, making it ideal for swimming by the shore. 

"Accessible only by boat and with limited infrastructure, visitor numbers are naturally kept in check, helping preserve the nature," said the World's 50 Best Beaches. 

The World's 50 Best Beaches list gathers thousands of experienced and vetted travel professionals to vote for what they believe is the best beach in the world. An in-house team of travel experts also works with beach ambassadors known for their experiences on the world's top beaches to review each submission.

The final list is chosen based on eight criteria: a beach's uniqueness, likelihood of beachgoers to encounter wildlife, a beach's untouched nature, soundtrack of nature, ease of entry, calm waters, crowds, and idyllic condition. —CDC, GMA News