Palawan is a pristine island province in the western Philippines, often called the Philippines' Last Frontier for its untouched natural beauty. Home to the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and the stunning limestone karst landscapes of El Nido and Coron, Palawan offers some of Southeast Asia's most dramatic scenery. Its turquoise lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and white-sand beaches consistently earn it recognition as one of the world's best island destinations.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Palawan.
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- Uncrowded, natural, and stunning — the most beautiful long beach in El Nido
- Small beach bars
- Coconut vendors
- Hammocks
- Simple food stalls
Nacpan Beach
A 4-kilometer crescent of white sand backed by swaying coconut palms with few facilities and a fraction of the tourist crowds of the main El Nido beach. At low tide, it connects to Calitang Beach to the north creating a 7km continuous sand strip. The sunsets here are extraordinary.
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- Wild and undeveloped — the Philippines' longest beach still largely free of tourists
- Growing number of basic resorts
- Simple food stalls
- Boat rentals
Long Beach San Vicente
At 14.7 kilometers, Long Beach is the longest white-sand beach in the Philippines. The shallow, warm turquoise water extends for hundreds of meters at low tide. Development is underway but the beach remains largely pristine and practically empty compared to El Nido. Sunrise over the Sulu Sea from the northern end is spectacular.
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- Classic tropical beach — white sand, clear water, and beach bar
- Beach bar
- Coconut vendors
- Sunbeds (fee)
- Restrooms
Seven Commandos Beach
A postcard-perfect crescent of brilliant white sand named after seven Filipino soldiers who hid here in WWII. Part of the popular Tour A island-hopping circuit, the beach features calm, shallow water excellent for swimming and a small beach bar serving coconuts. Best visited in the morning before the crowds arrive.
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- Adventurous beach bar with stunning sunset views and a zipline
- Beach bar
- Zip-line (₱150/ride)
- Kayak rental
- Paddle board rental
- Food stalls
Las Cabanas Beach
A beautiful bay with golden sand, clear water, and one of the most dramatic sunset backdrops in El Nido — limestone karst islands silhouetted against vivid orange skies. The beach features the only sunset zip-line in El Nido, running from a clifftop across the sea to a sandbar.
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- Local beach with superb sunset views and low-key beach bar scene
- Multiple beach restaurants and bars
- Hammocks
- Guesthouses on beachfront
Corong-Corong Beach
A gentle bay beach popular with locals and budget travelers staying at the beachside guesthouses. The sunsets from here — with limestone karst islands forming the backdrop — are among the most beautiful in the Philippines and best enjoyed from one of the beachside hammocks.
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- Wild and sacred — dramatic limestone beaches in indigenous tribal territory
- Minimal — preserve-style management
Coron Island Beaches (Coron Island)
The beaches of Coron Island proper are among the most dramatic in Palawan, with stark white sand framed by towering limestone karst cliffs. Access is regulated by the Tagbanua indigenous community and requires a fee. The beaches adjacent to Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon are the most visited.
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- Tranquil fishing village beach with excellent snorkeling
- Guesthouses on beachfront
- Simple restaurants
- Boat rentals for islands
Port Barton Beaches
The beaches around Port Barton village are clean, uncrowded, and backed by coconut palms with good fringing reef for snorkeling. Several uninhabited islands accessible by bangka offer even more pristine sand with no day-trip crowds from major tourist centers.
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- Day-trip islands with clear water and good snorkeling close to Puerto Princesa
- Some basic food stalls on Pandan Island
- Rental equipment available at pier
Honda Bay Beaches (Starfish Island, Luli Island)
Honda Bay contains a cluster of small, sandy islands with excellent snorkeling over coral gardens. Starfish Island is famous for its resident starfish, Luli Island disappears at high tide, and Pandan Island has the best forest. Ideal for families and day-trippers.
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- Remote and dramatic with shrine views and turquoise coves
- No permanent facilities
Matinloc Beach
A beautiful beach on Matinloc Island surrounded by dramatic limestone karst and a small cove with intense turquoise water. The Matinloc Shrine sits above the beach and a viewpoint above the shrine offers panoramic archipelago views. Included in Tour C.
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- Snorkeling-focused beach in a protected marine sanctuary
- No facilities
Siete Pecados Beach (Coron)
Siete Pecados (Seven Sins) is a cluster of seven tiny limestone karst islets in a marine sanctuary near Coron with exceptional snorkeling over colorful coral gardens. The islets have tiny strips of beach but the main attraction is the underwater world.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Long Beach San Vicente, Nacpan Beach (weekdays), and Port Barton beaches offer peaceful retreats far from tourist crowds
Family
Family-friendly
Honda Bay's Starfish Island and Seven Commandos Beach have calm, shallow water and good facilities for families with children
Sport
Active & sporty
Las Cabanas Beach with its zipline and kayaks, and the beaches around Coron for diving and snorkeling, cater to active travelers
Social
Lively scene
El Nido's main beach strip and Corong-Corong are the most social beaches with beach bars and a gathering traveler community
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Palawan memorable.
Snorkeling
World-class snorkeling throughout Palawan over coral reefs, alongside WWII wrecks, and in crystal-clear lagoons. Equipment rental available at most beach areas.
Siete Pecados Coron, Honda Bay (Pandan Island), Shimizu Island El Nido
Island-Hopping
The quintessential Palawan activity — joining a bangka tour to visit multiple beaches, lagoons, and snorkel sites in a single day.
El Nido (Tours A-D), Honda Bay (Puerto Princesa), Coron island tours
Kayaking
Sea kayaking to secluded coves and through limestone cave passages. Available for rent at Las Cabanas Beach and El Nido lagoons.
El Nido Small Lagoon, Las Cabanas Beach, Port Barton
Scuba Diving
World-class diving from Coron's WWII wrecks to El Nido's reef dives to Tubbataha's pristine walls. Dive shops in El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa.
Coron Bay wrecks, El Nido reef sites, Tubbataha (liveaboard)
Sunset Zip-lining
A unique activity available only at Las Cabanas Beach — zipline over the sea at sunset for an unforgettable experience.
Las Cabanas Beach, El Nido
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
November to May for swimming and island-hopping; December to February is peak season; June to September has rough seas
Getting there
Public beaches are free; island beaches charge ₱50-200 environmental fees; Coron Island beaches require Tagbanua entry permits
On-beach facilities
El Nido town beach and Las Cabanas have good facilities; most island beaches have basic or no permanent facilities
Costs to budget
Island-hopping tours ₱1,200-2,000 per person; beach resort sunbeds ₱200-500/day at resort beaches; public beaches free to access
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.