Biggest and very beautiful islands in the Philippines
The Philippines consists of over 7,600 islands. Until recently there were only ca. 7100 identified islands, but the number of islands miraculously seems to be growing “all the time”. The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) has discovered previously unknown islands that have increased the count to 7641, only ca. 2,000 of which are permanently inhabited. While many of these islands are not considered much more than an atoll, you may visit, but study the island first, a few of these islands are among some of the largest on Earth.
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Most visitors to the Philippines arrive in Manila Airport, the capital located on the island of Luzon with more than 16 Mio. people. From here, travelers can use inter-island flights and boats to other areas of the country, like paradise like Boracay and Palawan, where you’ll find spectacular beaches.
Let´s dig in. Smallest islands to biggest, 1o in all out of the 7600 plus island in total:
Bohol (10) 4832 km2
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of the island itself and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran. With a land area of 4,821 km2 (1,861 sq mi) and a coastline 261 km (162 mi) long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines. The province is a popular tourist destination with pristine beaches and resorts. The Chocolate Hills, numerous mounds of brown-colored limestone formations, is the most popular attraction. The formations can be seen by land (climbing the highest point). Panglao Island, located just southwest of Tagbilaran, is famous for its diving locations and is routinely listed as one of the top ten diving locations in the world. Numerous tourist resorts and dive centers dot the southern beaches.
Located within the province of the same name, the oval-shaped Bohol Island is a picturesque isle characterized by picturesque coral reefs, quaint stone churches, indigenous (and mischievous) tarsier monkeys, and thousands of brown-hued limestone formations known collectively as the Chocolate Hills.
The Island of Bohol has a picturesque landscape and rich culture which leaves visitors wishing they had more time on the island. Bohol is among the world’s most popular tourist destinations because of the diversity in its main attractions. The landscape, the culture, the people, the buildings, and the activities are just the tip of the iceberg.
Visit Bohol, tours for inspiration
Pagoda and dragon sculpture of the Taoist Temple in Cebu, Philippines.
Cebu. 4,468 km2
Cebu is an island surrounded by over 100 other smaller islands and a province and a capital of the province.
Cebu Island is the 126th largest island in the world. Cebu Island itself is long and narrow, stretching 196 kilometers (122 mi) from north to south and 32 kilometers (20 mi) across at its widest point. It has narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains. It also has rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges traversing the northern and southern lengths of the island.
Cebu’s highest mountains are over 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) high. Flat tracts of land can be found in the city of Bogo and in the towns of San Remigio, Medellin, and Daanbantayan in the northern region of the province.
The island’s area is 4,468 square kilometers (1,725 sq mi), making it the 9th largest island in the Philippines. It supports over 3.5 million people, of which 2.3 million live in Metro Cebu.
The San Juanico Bridge, view from Leyte, towards Samar. Philippines
Leyte 7,367.6 km2
This Eastern-Visayan island might not have the international reputation like Boracay and Palawan. However, it stills features a host of fascinating sites. Lake Danao welcomes outdoor-lovers year-round with its natural ambiance and entertaining activities. Kalanggaman Island rates as one of the Philippines’ most pristine virgin islands. In addition, the overall charm of this quiet and chilled-out provincial island is absolutely addictive.
Transportation to and from Leyte-Ormoc is pretty easy. Flights from Manila to Tacloban Airport come in and out three times daily, and ferry routes between the Philippine capital and Tacloban are offered three times a week. Traveling by van or coach is also possible. Once in Leyte, transportation around the island can be somewhat unreliable, so patience is certainly a benefit for travelers.
Puerto Galera, Mindoro. The Philippines. The many dive resorts are open for business and attract scuba divers from all over the world
Mindoro 10,571 km2
Mindoro is pretty easy to reach: Located just a few hours from Manila, the island of Mindoro is a popular tourist destination for many city dwellers in Manila seeking the sun, sea, and sand. The mango fruit-shaped island is divided into two provinces: Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro. Mindoro Island is an unspoiled island that’s within easy reach from Manila. The town of Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro province is a popular tourist destination with many beaches and entertainment facilities.
Very beautiful lagoon in the islands of Palawan, Philippines
Palawan 12,188.6 km2
Palawan is one the largest of the Philippine islands and offers unlimited possibilities for any kind of a tropical vacation, including a superb diving holiday. Let´s sketch a portrait of Palawan, which is more an island in a province. It has more than 1780 islands. About half of the island consists of untouched areas, truly nature of beauty. Internationally recognized for its beauty and as the most important ecological frontier in the Philippines.
Palawan Front beach with longtail boats in El Nido
In this tropical paradise, you can enjoy the pristine rainforests, the captivating mountains, and of course, the white sandy beaches like in el Nido, which offer a myriad of scuba diving and snorkeling adventures. An amazing underwater world is just one of the main attractions in Palawan. In 2007, National Geographic Traveler Magazine awarded Palawan Best Island Destination in the Southeast Asian region, while landing a 13th place worldwide title.
Waterfall in Dumaguete, Negros, Philippines.
Negros 13.309,60 km²
Road bridge on the island of Samar, Philippines.Town on the river bank and road bridge, top view. Bridge over the river, tropical landscape in the afternoon.
Occupying a central location in the Visayas, Negros is one of the largest land masses in the Philippines and an important agricultural centre, dominated by the sugar industry.
Negros Oriental enjoys some of the island’s best natural scenery and places of adventure, with plenty of waterfalls and volcanic lakes to trek to. Mount Talinis and Canlaon Mountain both offer trips to hidden calderas, through outstanding tropical forest, with rewarding views. Then there are the waterfalls that are just east from Dumaguete. La Libertad is a good base for nature-based tourism also.
Samar 13.429 km²
The region is the caving capital of the Philippines, being home to many cave systems. Interspersed with its cave systems are waterfalls, rivers and underground rivers inside caves. Hence, the region is a destination for extreme mountaineering adventures such as spelunking and trekking.
On the Pacific coast of Eastern Samar, the island of Calicoan is home to an international surfing circuit held every year.
White beach Camiguin island Mindanao, Philippines.
Mindanao 97,530 km2
19th biggest island in the world.
Many people already have enjoyed visiting Mindanao, and with current prices, when we travel again, so affordable your money will stretch so much further than other destinations, allowing you to do the things you want to do. Remember that Mindanao’s climate has 2 seasons… wet and dry, or Amihan and Habagat. The coolest month is January with 25.5°C temperature… warmest is May at 28.3°Celsius. Highland areas are cooler than the lowlands.
But no matter the weather, Mindanao has one big advantage over other destinations in Asia, the scenery and the warmth of the people So come enjoy your next tropical holiday in Mindanao the island with a thousand wonderful experiences or so and take home memories for a lifetime. Relaxation, superior accommodation options, breathtaking tours, beautiful tropical destinations and scenery, friendly helpful locals and guides.
Elevated, night view of Makati, the business district of Metro Manila. Luzon.
Luzon 109,965 km2
15th largest island and 4th most populated island in the world.
North Luzon in the Philippines offers some of the country’s most spectacular mountain areas. Just a few hours away from the busy urban streets of the capital city of Manila lie destinations where visitors can be one with nature and the climate is much cooler.
The Igorots in Cordillera, the Phillippines
Trek to world-famous rice terraces and experience the rich tribal customs and culture of the Cordillera people.
Manila
Map overview
