Top six islands for nature lovers in the Philippines

Home to countless beautiful destinations for nature lovers, the Philippines is a Southeast Asian archipelago comprising thousands of stunningly beautiful islands.

With a total of 7,641 islands and biodiversity galore, nature lovers are spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring the Philippines. The sweeping archipelago is a haven for marine wildlife and is world-renowned for its Scuba diving and snorkelling spots. There are plenty of terrestrial nature spots, too, including forests and mountains. While some islands have become popular with tourists, many aren’t overrun with visitors and there are tonnes of more rural areas to explore if you are looking for a quieter escape.

Choosing six islands for nature lovers in the Philippines is no easy task. The list includes (in no particular order) islands of various sizes and with a range of nature experiences to offer. The focus is on nature and biodiversity, so it doesn’t include some of the stunning white-sand beach destinations that are popular with tourists – but you can be sure to find breathtaking beaches on many of the best islands for nature lovers, too!

1. Bohol

The Philippines is home to more than 100 mammals that are endemic to the country (and so found nowhere else on the planet). Perhaps the most well-known Filipino mammal, the nocturnal tarsier is one of the world’s smallest primates with huge bulging eyes; it can be spotted sleeping in the trees around Bohol’s famous Chocolate Hills. In the Bohol Sea marine sanctuary, you can spot whales, dolphins and manta rays, among other incredible marine life. The island also has some wonderfully scenic rivers, which are bursting with biodiversity. Cruising the Loboc River through the jungle, you will see lots of native flora and fauna; you might even spot the endemic red-keeled flowerpecker – a tiny bird with a memorable call.

2. Palawan

Often described as one of the planet’s most beautiful islands, Palawan is home to nature reserves both in the sea and on land. It is the largest province in the Philippines and is rich in endemic species – both plants and animals. The island is known for its limestone cliffs and crystal blue lagoons; it is home to a great range of wildlife, including 600 species of butterfly! In Mount Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve, visitors can encounter countless endemic species, including the Palawan hornbill, Palawan bearcat and the Palawan flying squirrel. There are stunning coral reefs and seagrass meadows to explore off the coasts, as well as biodiversity-rich mangrove forests. If you’re lucky, you might even spot dugongs in the waters around Palawan!

3. Siquijor

A magical island with magnificent waterfalls and beautiful views all around, Siquijor is a small island – much smaller than Palawan – with lush landscapes surrounded by the characteristic Philippine blue sea. There is a drive to implement eco-friendly tourism on the island, which is much less developed than others in the Philippines, and it has been declared the country’s first zero-waste province. Nature and healing are at the island’s heart and it is impossible to leave the island’s forests and marine havens without feeling more connected with the wonders of our natural world.

4. Luzon

Representing a third of the total land area of the Philippines, Luzon is a large island with a variety of landscapes. It is on this list for its majestic mountains and dense rainforests (not for being home to the country’s highly populated and bustling capital, Manila – I wouldn’t recommend adding that one to your nature break itinerary). Away from the city, there are myriad mountainous hikes, including Mt Pinatubo in the west, Taal Volcano (the world’s smallest active volcano!) in the south, and the highest mountain in the Philippines – Mt Pulag – north of Manila.

5. Danjugan

Home to mangroves, lagoons, seagrass habitats, coral reefs, forests and oodles of aquatic and terrestrial life, Danjugan is a 43-hectare island sanctuary in Cauayan, Negros Occidental. The little island is an ecotourism destination, managed by The Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation. The preservation model involves local communities while welcoming tourists in a sustainable way. A stay on Danjugan involves going back to basics and immersing yourself in nature. It has no fresh water supply; their water is delivered from the mainland – they use compost toilets and solar-powered lighting. Visitors help fund the valuable conservation work and can immerse themselves in all the natural wonders the island has to offer, from incredible treks to magnificent dive spots.

6. Coron

With lakes, lagoons and spectacular limestone rock formations, Coron Island is a nature lover’s paradise. It is a rugged island composed mostly of rocky cliffs, which make valuable habitats for seabirds, like the island’s cliff-nesting swiflets. It has several areas of mangrove forest and is renowned for its large blue lagoons set among the scenic rocky cliffs.

Coron is a stunning destination that is in the ancestral domain of the Tagbanua indigenous group: around 2,000 Tagbanua people live on the island, mostly as fishers and gatherers of edible swiflet nests. To protect the island from tourism, the community has limited visitor access to a small number of beautiful sites. Beyond these open lakes and lagoons, the main attractions in Coron are in the surrounding waters. The island is popular with divers thanks to the amazing offshore biodiversity, as well as various shipwreck dive sites.

Final takeaway

There are countless beautiful top islands in the Philippines, and every single one has stunning natural sights thanks to the geology of the archipelago and biodiversity in the surrounding ocean. The country has a huge amount to offer for nature lovers – both in the water and on land. It is home to lots of endemic plants and animals and an incredible range of habitats and ecosystems, from mountains to mangroves. The Philippines is an emerging market and newly industrialised country; it is important to consider ways to travel ethically and sustainably when hopping around the country’s magnificent islands.