You feel summer around, yeah? Get ready with your sunblock, slippers, sunglasses. Wait. Pagasa predicts it’s gonna be a rainy summer for us this year. But so what. We want beach beach beach!

So here’s our top ten pick.

10. Laiya Beach Resort, Batangas

It wasn’t very easy going to Laiya, they would say. But once you get there, you can have your picture-perfect Batangas beach. Coarse to fine sands (middle/medium). Some jellyfish, check. Some peace and quiet, check check!

9. Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Aka “Puerto Gaylera.” This is because many gay men couples escape to Galera Beaches, especially the White Beach. It’s the cheap Boracay, where partying never stops. But there are quiet beaches a few kilometers from the “main party beach”. You may ride a boat, or a tricycle up the hills and down the slopes.

8. Black Beach, Capiz

Brown beach is common; white beach, drool-worthy. But have you heard of “black beach”? If you’re just plain weirdo, and certified lakwatchero, put the Black Beach (fine sands and lots of seafoods in stalls around!) in your Beach List Before You Turn 50.

7. La Union/ Aurora surf beaches

If you’re bored with the thought of sitting and walking on the beach, head to La Union (which faces the China Sea) or Aurora province (which faces the Pacific Ocean). We tell you. Surfing is not impossible. Anyone can do it. Some resorts offer affordable surfing lessons, from basic to insane level.

6. Camiguin

Camiguin is an entire package of fun. It has underwater cemetery, tropical volcanoes, beautiful dive spots, yummy lanzones… wait, wer’re talking about beaches. Well, they’re impossibly perfect.

5. Pagudpud, Ilocos Sur

It’s far. You may ride a bus or plane straight to Ilocos Norte. We assure you though, that the long wait is worth it. Ilocos has one of the best sands in the country. Its fine sands are next to Boracay.

4. Boracay.

The rich and the famous stay in Station 1.

The middle class in Station 3.

Bars, restos, malls, and shopping stalls are in Station 2.

You can walk from Station 1 to 3. It’s gonna be tough, but your eyes will feast on bikinis and abs, we mean, beaches and sand castles. Oh, and there’s a lot of water sports to choose from.

3. Palawan (Coron or Puerto Princesa, or why not, Amanpulo)

This is a holy place. We respect it. No to mining. Yes to beach bumming.

2. Bantayan Island, Cebu

This is Boracay sans the partying. From Cebu City you need to take a bus or van then a ferry then a tricycle to your beach resort of choice. We recommend the Sugar Beach and island hop-hop-hopping.

Upon your return to Cebu City you might want to take a ferry to Bohol to experience its beaches in Panglao.

1. Caramoan, Camarines Sur

It looks exotic. It’s like THE paradise. It’s virginal. We almost don’t want you to go there, so not to spoil its perfection, but we love you, beach lovers. But take our word, it’s difficult  going there. As you may know, it’s not very easy getting to heaven’s paradise. (we’ll elaborate on this on our 2nd issue)

Our ranking may be different from yours, and we understand it, because after all, what makes a beach experience perfect is the person or group you’re with.

by Aileen Macalintal

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Post Published: 28 February 2011
Author: Lakwatcha Editor-in-chief
Found in section: Travel

Tags: Aileen Macalintal, beach philippines, beaches in the Philippines, best beaches in the Philippines, bohol beach, boracay, boracay philippines, boracay station 1, boracay station 2, boracay station 3, boracay stations, cam sur beaches, cam sur caramoan, camiguin philippines, capiz beach, cebu beach, ilocos beach, la union beach, la union surfing, mindoro beach, palawan beach philippines, palawan beaches, Philippine beaches, philippines, philippines beach, puerto galera beach, surfing beaches philippines, surfing in aurora, surfing in la union, surfing in the Philippines

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