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These 8 White-sand Beaches Are Your Great Alternatives to Boracay
Check out these other underrated beach spots for your summer trip!
By: Patricia Marie Prado | May 11, 2022
Looking for great alternatives other than Boracay? This list will help you!
Images: Pexels
Many regular visitors and tourists were disappointed when Boracay was closed for months due to overhaul rehabilitation. For most, summer is best spent with a trip to Boracay. It wouldn’t be summer without lying down on the island’s powdery white sand and having a fantastic time raving at night.
The Philippines still has many white sand beaches other than Boracay that can hold their own ground. So reroute your flights, rethink your itineraries, and pack your bags as you can still have a great summer even if it’s not in Boracay.
1. Bohol may not be known for its energetic party ambiance compared to the stations in Boracay, but it’s one of the best options if you’re craving that hyped nightlife might be in Panglao Island.
You can still enjoy the great waters and trademark fabulous parties of Bohol.
Image: Valeria Fuori
For an equally beautiful white sand beach experience, you can head to Alona Beach. It is just one of many beautiful beaches in Panglao, but Alona is the most popular of them all, as it is surrounded by bars and restaurants that come alive at night.
Panglao is also the starting point for great water adventures. You can head to Balicasag Island, enjoy scuba diving activities, or go to Pamilacan Island and see dolphins splashing in the wild.
2. For residents of Northern Luzon, there’s also a Boracay-like paradise in Ilocos Norte known to many as Pagudpud. The quiet town might be hard to reach, but the long travel time is well worth it.
This treasure, nestled up north, is also a favorite summer getaway.
Image: Cin Gomez
For those who love to have sun-kissed skins, Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center is one of the most popular resorts in the province where you can stay and swim until nighttime or just make a quick visit during the day and stroll on its sandy shores.
Pagudpud is also home to the majestic Bangui Wind Farm, where you can see gigantic wind turbines. You can also drive by the famous Patapat Viaduct and marvel at the fantastic sight of the coastal town.
3. Tingloy Island may not be a familiar name to many, but this lovely beach in Batangas is slowly gaining popularity for its clear waters and beautiful pale sand.
No need to go too far from Manila to enjoy this scenic view.
Image: Patrick Roldan
Masasa Beach is the island’s most popular attraction, where you would often see day campers set up their little tents to enjoy the sun and the sea.
Other activities around Tingloy Island include island hopping to visit the nearby Sepoc Point, Oscar Island, and Sombrero Island. If you’re up for some challenge, you can also enjoy a day hike at Mt. Mag Asawang Bato or Mt. Gulugod Baboy in Anilao.
4. It’s no secret that Cebu is home to some of the country’s best beaches and summer destinations, but one particular island worth exploring is Malapascua Island.
Malapascua Island boasts beauty above and beneath its shores.
Image: Steph Robinson
Located at the northernmost tip of Cebu, Malapascua has been attracting more and more visitors because of the humble beauty of its beach and its fantastic dive sites.
If you’re a budding diver, Malapascua Island’s Monad Shoal should be your destination because it is the only site regularly where thresher sharks can be found. The large but gentle creatures stop by the shoal every morning to take a bath and clean themselves. And if your timing is just right, you might even catch some manta rays swimming around.
5. If you’ve been accustomed to the enthusiastic energy in Boracay and would want to enjoy your beach time minus the noise, one great option is White Island in Camiguin.
It’s just you and the beach here at White Island.
Image: Mireia Mercadal Galera
Located in the Municipality of Mambajao, White Island became famous because it’s literally just a sandbar in the middle of the ocean.
No establishments, no stores, and not even trees can be found on White Island, but you’ll get all the solace and private time that you need, even for just a few hours. Although you might share the island with other tourists from time to time, it’s still a great place to sit back and just enjoy the quiet company of Mother Nature.
6. Another hidden gem in the Visayas region is the island of Guimaras. The island province may be known for its lovely mangoes, but it also has its own magnificent beaches to boot.
Guimaras is another Visayan jewel waiting to be explored.
Image: Vianne Labagnao
Some of the beaches worth exploring in Guimaras this summer include Alubihod Bay and Guisi Beach, where you can sit back on the white-sand beach while being lulled by the calm waters beneath the shade of the tall coconut trees around.
After enjoying a day at Guimaras’ beach, you can also explore the island province by riding a tricycle. Hire one tricycle for a full day of touring around Guimaras and visit tourist spots like the Roca Encantadia summerhouse, the San Isidro Labrador Church, and the Guisi Point Lighthouse, among others.
7. The 15-hour travel time from Manila to reach Caramoan may be too long of a ride, but it will all be worth it once you get to the island.
Surely you won’t mind getting lost while exploring the many riches of this island.
Image: Mary Joy Vigilancia
Caramoan in Camarines Sur became famous in 2012 when the international reality show Survivor chose the island to be the location of its 25th season. With the island’s humongous rock formations, dust-like white beaches, excellent resorts, and pristine waters, it’s no surprise that they chose Caramoan.
After exploring the various islands that makeup Caramoan, you can also enjoy a day hike at Mt. Cagalgo or visit the brick church of St. Michael Parish.
8. Located in San Pablo, Romblon, Carabao Island is a hidden paradise that can be the next Boracay, as its water is so immaculately cerulean and sand so perfectly white.
Reroute your flights to Romblon and enjoy the picturesque Carabao Island.
Image: Bhevz Caparas
A few years ago, spending a vacation at Romblon might not have crossed your mind. But get to know Carabao Island through its many previous visitors, and you just might have a change of heart. Usually, tourists only spend a day trip in Carabao Island coming from Boracay, but a direct flight to Romblon was permitted when the latter shut down.
Boracay is a true gem, but it’s not the only diamond in the rough in this rich country! Which of these beaches you will visit soon?
Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more exciting travel destinations in the Philippines this summer!
Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions. For now, keep safe!
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About Patricia Marie Prado
Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.
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