A few days ago, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued an important notice. Starting from February 6, 2023, a pilot program will resume allowing travel agencies and online travel enterprises nationwide to operate outbound group tours and “flight + hotel” packages to certain countries for Chinese citizens.
The first batch of countries includes: Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, UAE, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Russia, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Fiji, Cuba, and Argentina.
So, it’s time to start planning our outbound travel strategies again. Let’s begin with the countries listed in the first batch.
Today, we’ll start with a guide to selecting islands in the Philippines.
Why the Philippines? Personally, I think it has the best sea water in Southeast Asia. Additionally, the cost of living in the Philippines is low, and obtaining a visa is straightforward (you can get a 7-day visa exemption with a US or Canadian visa), making it an ideal first stop for your travels abroad.
I have been to the Philippines about 6 or 7 times, mostly when I was younger.
Back then, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia would often offer 1 PHP (Philippine Peso) promotions, occasionally waiving fuel surcharges as well.
I remember my cheapest trip, flying from Shanghai to Manila and then transferring to Cebu, cost just over a hundred RMB for a round trip. Of course, flying budget airlines does have its discomforts.
Currently, flights to the Philippines have not fully resumed. Before the pandemic, there were multiple routes to Boracay (Kalibo) and Cebu. Now, only flights to Manila are available, and you will likely need to transfer.
Flights are gradually being restored, and it’s expected to improve after March 31st.
First, here’s a map showing the locations of the major islands in the Philippines.
You can click on the image to enlarge it.
Best for Relaxation – Boracay Island
Boracay is probably the most famous island in the Philippines. I’ve been to Phuket in Thailand, Bali in Indonesia, and Boracay in the Philippines. Out of these three, Boracay is my favorite.
Mainly, Boracay is very comfortable. It has great sea water, beautiful beaches, and good hotels, perfect for a relaxing vacation.
The coastline of Boracay is about 7 kilometers long, with 4 kilometers of it featuring fine white sand, which is the main reason for Boracay’s global fame.
For a while, Boracay’s beaches were very dirty, with trash everywhere. But after a six-month closure for rehabilitation in 2018 and three years of reduced tourism due to the pandemic, things have greatly improved.
My friends in the Philippines tell me that the crystal-clear waters and fine white sand of Boracay are back.
Another highlight of Boracay is the sunset sailing. As the sun sets and paints the sky, you can take a sailboat out to enjoy the view.
Although many places offer views of the sunset over the ocean, Boracay is indeed quite special.
Furthermore, Boracay has a spot where you can jump directly into the sea. On the other side behind the beach, the waves and wind are stronger, making it ideal for kite surfing.
Speaking of Boracay’s downsides, there are two.
Firstly, the transportation can be a bit of a hassle. Most people used to take direct flights to Kalibo, which means that getting to Boracay involved experiencing all modes of transport: air (plane), land (bus), and sea (ferry).
Secondly, there aren’t many high-quality international brand hotels in Boracay (though it already has the most among the major islands of the Philippines), and there won’t be many new hotels built in the foreseeable future. The main reason being that Boracay is small and the good spots are already taken.
Most Enjoyable — Bohol Island
I also quite like Bohol. You can explore mountains and oceans, and there are some cultural attractions (though they aren’t very exciting).
Typically, to get to Bohol from within the country, you would travel from a local destination to Manila, then to Tagbilaran. Another option is to fly to Cebu first and then take a boat, which is relatively more cumbersome.
Bohol is best known for Balicasag Island, which is depicted in the image below.
Balicasag is often called a terrestrial paradise and an underwater heaven. If you look closely, there is a ring of coral reefs around the island, beyond which lies the deep blue sea. This indicates the presence of an underwater drop-off, with a cliff that plunges a full 1,000 meters!
Whether for snorkeling or deep diving, this place is superb.
Typically, tours to Balicasag start from Alona Beach on Bohol Island. Participants engage in dolphin chasing, visit the Virgin Island to experience its long trailing sandbar, and finally arrive at Balicasag to snorkel.
The long trailing sandbar of Bohol’s Virgin Island is also a marvel.
Bohol Island has numerous excellent diving spots where you can easily see Jackfish storms and sea turtles.
For land activities, you can visit the tarsiers, the Chocolate Hills, and enjoy the scenic tropical rainforest along the Loboc River.
These three attractions are usually part of a tour that takes an entire day.
Diving with Thresher Sharks — Malapascua Island
Malapascua Island is actually a play on words. This island is located north of Cebu, requiring a flight to Cebu followed by a car and boat ride.
One advantage of Malapascua is that it has very few tourists, allowing you to practically have an entire beach to yourself.
At the same time, this place is a dream destination for diving enthusiasts because it offers a stable likelihood of seeing thresher sharks.
Apart from Malapascua Island, divers around the world can only encounter thresher sharks by chance, which is extremely rare.
However, it’s important to note that thresher sharks are typically found at depths of around 30 meters. Only divers with AOW certification or those with deep diving specialty certification will be able to see them. Ordinary OW divers or snorkelers will likely miss out.
Island hopping tours in Malapascua are fantastic. One of the tours takes you to Kalanggaman Island to the east. It’s an uninhabited island, but the long, trailing sandbar is incredibly enticing.
Another island hopping option is Gato Island, which features an underwater cave that crosses the island, a favorite among divers.
My pick for the best in the Philippines—Palawan Island.
Palawan is a secluded island in the southwestern part of the Philippines, surrounded by over a thousand islands of varying sizes. I must speak highly of Palawan because the best seawater, beaches, and exclusive island resorts in the Philippines are found here.
It hasn’t been ruined by commercial development, making it the last untouched ecological haven in the Philippines.
The capital of Palawan is Puerto Princesa, but it’s not an essential stopover. Even if you’re heading to El Nido from Puerto Princesa, it’s a six-hour drive with no attractions worth visiting along the way.
The only activity in Puerto Princesa is spelunking in one of its caves.
If you’re affluent enough, the Amanpulo resort on its own private island is perfect for you. It’s the best hotel in the entire Philippines, without a doubt.
When Nicholas Tse and Cecilia Cheung got married, they booked the entire Amanpulo for their ceremony.
Amanpulo has its private plane to the island. After landing at Manila Airport, Aman staff will greet you and arrange a flight directly to the island.
This place rivals the Maldives in every way.
If you’re looking for cost-efficiency, El Nido and Coron are ideal choices.
El Nido now has its air service, eliminating the need to transfer through Puerto Princesa, though this route is somewhat monopolized and can be pricey.
Tourists often participate in one of the four famous island hopping tours (A, B, C, or D, with A, B, and C being more popular). Each tour takes a full day.
For a trip to El Nido, I recommend allocating at least three full days to cover three of these island hopping tours.
Coron is similar to El Nido, with the distinction that Coron itself has a major airport, making flights to and from Manila operated by Cebu Pacific and Philippines AirAsia more convenient.
The downside to Coron is that the island lacks beaches, making island hopping necessary.
Coron is also famous for its island hopping, with four lines named A, B, C, and D.
The Twin Lagoon on Line A is a must-see; it’s incredibly beautiful.
Kayangan Lake is known as the Philippines’ national lake. Its crystal-clear, mirror-like surface is nestled among towering cliffs, resembling a brilliant diamond.
Line B features Brog Island, which boasts a long sandbar.
There’s also Tropical Beach, which is so stunning it’s almost unreal.
If you enjoy diving, one of Coron’s unique attractions is wreck diving. These dives typically involve ships sunk during World War II—there are nearly 10 wrecks to explore.
Moreover, Coron’s got a zoo with animals like giraffes and zebras. It almost feels like being on the African continent.
Coron also has hotels that occupy their own private islands, but overall, while these hotels offer great environments, they’re not on par with the luxury of Amanpulo.
Best for Surfing—Siargao
Siargao in the Philippines has become the surfing mecca of Southeast Asia, though it’s still relatively unknown among Chinese travelers. Even if you don’t surf, this place will not disappoint.
Siargao offers an abundance of activities.
Currently, there are no direct flights from China to Siargao; you need to transfer in Manila.
However, I highly recommend visiting. The place is still under the radar, offering good value for money and a great travel experience.
Apart from surfing, you can also go island hopping in Siargao. For instance, in the afternoon, there’s Guyam Island, a small island surrounded by coral reefs and lagoons, ideal for snorkeling.
There’s also Tropical Beach, featuring a long white sandbar extending into the sea—absolutely breathtaking.
Sugba Lagoon in Siargao feels similar to Palau. There’s a lot of water sports activities, including diving, which can keep you entertained for half a day.
Siargao also has a tidal pool. When the tide goes out, a natural seawater pool appears on one side of the beach, perfect for snorkeling.
Additionally, Siargao has vast coconut groves. The island is pretty popular on Instagram; everything here is incredibly photogenic.
Transit Hub—Dumaguete
Honestly, I don’t really recommend it. Dumaguete has become a surprise social media hit, but it’s a classic example of a place that has been hyped up. It lacks beautiful beaches and clear waters. This city is more suitable as a transit hub rather than a travel destination.
You can travel from Dumaguete to Sumilon Island, which hosts only one hotel (the Bluewater Hotel), making it a perfect place for a laid-back vacation.
The waters around Sumilon are incredibly clear, filled with coral reefs, and it boasts a long, trailing sandbar. However, one downside is that if the island, which accommodates only one hotel, also starts allowing other visitors, then…
Go to Oslob to See Whale Sharks
Although Oslob is located in Cebu, it is nearest to Dumaguete.
In Oslob, you are guaranteed to see whale sharks, and you can even snorkel and dive with them because these whale sharks are kept in captivity. Local guides feed them regularly, altering their natural habits.
Therefore, I don’t strongly recommend visiting Oslob to see whale sharks. In the Philippines, Donsol is another place where you can see whale sharks. Although the chances aren’t as high as in Oslob, the whale sharks in Donsol are wild and natural, which is more eco-friendly.
Additionally, Apo Island near Dumaguete is a diving paradise.
Here, the diving mainly involves wall dives, where you can see vast, beautiful coral reefs, schools of jackfish, countless sea turtles, and colorful coral fish everywhere.
Near Dumaguete, there’s also a small, isolated island called Siquijor. It boasts beautiful scenery and offers high value for money. Intriguingly, there are mysterious legends about this place, often referred to as the land of witches and demons. Locals frequently seek shamans to cure ailments.
This place is also definitely worth a visit.
Offbeat, High Value—Camiguin
Camiguin is not easily accessible, as only Cebu has flights to Camiguin, with none from Manila. However, it is still worth visiting.
Camiguin Island itself is a volcanic island with seven dormant volcanoes and fifteen marine protected areas. Its beaches are as beautiful as those in Boracay.
The sunken cemetery is a landmark of Camiguin Island and also the best spot on the island to watch the sunset.
A Mix of Fire and Water—Legazpi
Legazpi is a city half engulfed in fire and half surrounded by sea. The Mayon Volcano here is one of the world’s most perfectly symmetrical volcanoes, and it’s still active, occasionally spouting fire and smoke.
Legazpi is close to Donsol (DONSOL), where you can go out to sea to see whale sharks, which are not kept in captivity here.
Closest to Manila—Puerto Galera (PG)
Puerto Galera’s Dolphin Bay is one of the beaches closest to Manila. If you are short on time, you can fly to Manila and then reach here after a few hours’ drive to enjoy the water.
Of course, PG is primarily known for diving. Here, diving mainly involves looking at small marine creatures. PG has relatively high diving standards due to the presence of some underwater currents.
For traveling to the Philippines and domestic flights within the Philippines, I highly recommend Cebu Pacific. With 36 domestic destinations, Cebu Pacific covers a wide range.
