Beautiful beaches in Philippines

Fine, fine sand, colors so vivid the place feels unreal. See locations in Siargao, Palawan, Quezon, and more

Photo by Rhea Claire Madarang

Aside from enjoying the view and taking a dip in the waters of beautiful beaches, do you like walking barefoot and feeling the sand on your toes? Not all amazing beaches are equally amazing for your feet, so below is a list of some beautiful and barefoot-friendly beaches.

Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas, Vinzons, Camarines Norte

SURREAL COLORS. Go to Calaguas and see these colors yourself to believe. Photo by Rhea Claire Madarang

Over one kilometer of powder-fine white sand hemmed in by bright green hills, and waters so clear and blues and so vivid they almost look unreal – you have to see it to believe it.

Pitch a tent, dig your toes into the soft sand, and drink in the view of whites, greens, and blues. Walk the entire length of sand barefoot to take in the entire view. And, if you want the beach to yourself or would at least prefer to avoid the crowds, go on a weekday.

How to get there: Take a bus to Daet from Cubao or Pasay. Get off at Talobatib Junction and take a tricycle to the town of Paracale. Travel time from Manila is 7-8 hours. From Paracale, you can charter a boat to Calaguas, though it is best to make arrangements ahead. Boat ride can take one hour or more.

WHITES, GREENS, AND BLUES. Treat yourself to a visual feast at Mahabang Buhangin beach, Calaguas. Photo by Rhea Claire Madarang

FOOTPRINTS ON THE SAND. Watch your feet easily leave marks on Calaguas’ soft sand. Photo by Rhea Claire Madarang

7 Commandos Beach, Papaya Beach, and Entalula Island, El Nido, Palawan

ENTALULA. Part of El Nido’s Tour B, Entalula’s beach is beautifully framed by rocks. Photo by Jherson Jaya

These three beaches all have clear waters, and all with a spectacular backdrop of gray limestone cliffs dotted with greenery. 7 Commandos and Entalula have powdery sand with the consistency of polvoron, while Papaya Beach has some parts where the sand is so soft and powdery that, when washed by waves, it becomes like ice cream.

of mostly lagoons and beaches, but some tours opt for the neighboring Papaya Beach as a quieter alternative especially when 7 Commandos is crowded.

Entalula Island, meanwhile, is part of Tour B’s itinerary of caves and beaches. Entalula’s stretch of white sand is framed and walled by limestone cliffs. (

How to get there: Take a flight to Puerto Princesa. From the airport, take a tricycle to the van and bus terminal. Ride a van or bus to El Nido (usually 5-6 hours), then take a tricycle to town. You may arrange island hopping Tour A and B with tour agencies in El Nido or with the accommodation where you are checked in.

7 COMMANDOS. Part of El Nido’s Tour A, this powdery beach is surrounded by limestone cliffs. Photo by Jherson Jaya