Known as the world’s “best island,” Palawan brims with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Among other natural wonders, the island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world—from El Nido, Coron, and Port Barton to more remote areas like Linapacan, Culion and Balabac. Whether you visit these pristine white-sand shores as an adventurer or simply to relax and unwind for a day, they are truly unforgettable. Let’s dive in and discover the best beaches in Palawan!
1. Nacpan Beach (El Nido)
This stunning beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in El Nido. Located around 45 minutes away from town, Nacpan beach stretches over 4 kilometers of pristine white sand. It offers a breathtaking view, facing an island reportedly owned by the famous boxer Manny Pacquiao. The beach is home to a variety of local bars and restaurants, offering a balance between relaxation and entertainment.
Getting to Nacpan is easy: lots of visitors opt to rent a scooter for a scenic ride along the coastal road, but for those who prefer not to drive there are also shuttle services available from Lio, Coron-Coron or El Nido town. The journey itself offers stunning views of the Philippine countryside around El Nido, making transportation part of the adventure. You can also stop along the way to other tourist spots such as Nagkalit-Kalit Falls or the Makinit Hot Springs.
How to get to Nacpan Beach?
2. Duli Beach (El Nido)
We stay in the surroundings of El Nido with Duli Beach, a more remote and authentic beach located about an hour from town. This unspoiled paradise is famous among surfers for its big waves, especially during the surfing season from November to April. The beach is quite raw and offers only basic amenities. A surf shops usually offers boards for rental and surf lessons. Unlike Nacpan Beach or Vanilla Beach, Duli maintains its wild coastline, towering palm trees, and golden sand stretching for about 2 kilometers.
Getting there requires some effort – the road is partly unpaved and can sometimes be challenging, especially during rainy season. That being said, one can easily argue that the journey to get to Duli Beach is part of the adventure! You can reach it by motorcycle or 4×4, but in both case it’s recommended to have some off-road driving experience.
How to get to Duli Beach?
3. Nagtabon Beach (Puerto Princesa)
Located in the surroundings of Puerto Princesa, Nagtabon Beach offers another slice of untouched paradise. This pristine stretch of white sand extends for 2 kilometers, bordered by palm trees and scenic cliffs. There are basic amenities available with bamboo huts that you can rent, which are perfect for relaxation. A bar and a few small shops are also available, but overall the beach has kept its natural charm. Note that it can get a bit crowded during weekends, as it’s a favorite weekend getaway for people living in Puerto Princesa.
Getting to Nagtabon Beach is part of the adventure. The road is well-maintained until the final approach, but there’s a quite steep descent leading to the beach — so just make sure your brakes are working! The beach is accessible by both scooter and car, and the trip takes about 1 hour from Puerto Princesa. For the best experience, try to visit on weekdays when you can have this hidden gem almost to yourself. You can also visit Talaudyong Beach, which is located around 10 minutes farther up north.
4. Talaudyong Beach (Puerto Princesa)
Located just north of Nagtabon Beach, Taludyong Beach is home to several private beach resorts where you can rent a hut, use BBQ facilities, and enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this white-sand paradise. The beach stretches for about 1.5 kilometers and is surrounded by lush tropical forest. This secluded location offers breathtaking views and a perfectly peaceful atmosphere.
Pakpak-Lauin stands out among the resorts with its complete facilities, including overnight huts, some being equipped with aircon and proper showers. For a more adventurous experience, Tala Beach Resort offers camping facilities where you can sleep under the starlit sky.
Getting there is straightforward: instead of turning left for Nagtabon Beach, simply continue on the main road. While the road is generally in good condition, be cautious of occasional landslides and obstacles. The journey from Puerto Princesa takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, but the stunning destination makes the trip well worth the effort!
How to get to Talaudyong Beach?
5. Saint Paul Beach (Sabang)
Saint Paul Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in Palawan, and the journey to reach it plays a huge part in its magnificence. Located at the entrance of the Underground River National Park, this beach serves as the gateway to one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, where visitors can experience the famous underground river tour.
Most visitors arrive at the beach by boat from Sabang Port, typically at the start of their Underground River Tour. The boat ride takes about 20 minutes through crystal-clear waters along dramatic limestone cliffs that rise majestically from the sea like ancient guardians. These towering rock formations, weathered by time and elements, create an atmosphere straight out of a 19th-century adventure novel, making you feel like you’re discovering a hidden treasure island.
For the more adventurous, there’s also the option to hike from Sabang through lush jungle trails, making for an unforgettable trek. Whichever way you choose to arrive, you’ll be greeted by the breathtaking sight of pristine white sand meeting turquoise waters, framed by these impressive limestone cliffs. Their rugged beauty adds to the beach’s mysterious charm, creating a landscape that seems almost too perfect to be real. The beach and Underground River are absolute must-see attractions when staying in Puerto Princesa.
How to get to Saint Paul’s Beach?
6. Long Beach (San Vicente)
Located in the central eastern part of the island, San Vicente is a small town that, while having fewer attractions than its neighbor Port Barton, is home to the longest white sand beach in the Philippines. This stunning stretch of untouched beauty extends over 14 kilometers, offering visitors a truly remarkable sight. Bordered by palm trees and dotted with small fishing boats, Long Beach (as it’s commonly known) is often deserted, creating an overwhelming sense of serenity and isolation that leaves a lasting impression.
Close your eyes and feel the gentle breeze running on your skin while listening to the rhythmic sound of waves – the experience is almost mesmerizing! While the journey to San Vicente requires some effort, it’s well worth it for those seeking solitude. The best way to explore this remote part of the island is by motorbike or, even better, by rental car. Several resorts are now emerging in the area, making it an excellent option for those looking for a peaceful retreat away from Palawan’s more touristy destinations.
How to get to Long Beach?
7. Ditaytayan Sandbar (Culion)
Ditaytayan Beach in Culion is more than just a beach – it’s a beautiful sandbar that appears and disappears with the tides, creating a landscape of pristine white sand surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters. This spectacular natural phenomenon is one of the magnificent spots you can discover during an Ultimate Adventure Tour expedition. One glance at this paradise is enough to understand why it’s considered a must-see destination in Palawan!
The best way to experience Ditaytayan Sandbar and its nearby beach is through a multi-day expedition trip between El Nido and Coron. The journey typically lasts at least 3 days and 2 nights and will take you through the stunning archipelagos of Linapacan and Culion, where each stop reveals new breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. While it’s possible to visit via a day tour from Coron, the long journey makes it less practical. Instead, the sandbar is best enjoyed as part of a larger expedition, where it becomes just one of many incredible destinations in this island paradise.
8. Ipil Beach (El Nido)
Pinagbuyutan Island embodies the beauty of El Nido and the Bacuit Bay. A solitary limestone formation rising dramatically from the sea, and at its base lies Ipil Beach, a stunning sugar-white stretch of sand, with swaying palm trees and natural rock formations under which you can relax in the crystal-clear waters. This is one of the most memorable experiences you can have while going on a tour in El Nido! The panoramic views, the untouched nature, and the vibrant snorkeling areas combine to create a perfect island hopping experience.
Unfortunately, while the best way to explore this beautiful beach was traditionally through island hopping tours, at the time of this writing, the beach has become private and will only be accessible to guests of a resort planned for construction in the near future. You can still admire its beauty and take pictures from your boat during tours, and visitors can experience equally stunning beaches in the area, such as those at Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach… or the next destination on our list.
How to get to Pinagbuyutan Beach?
9. Entalula Beach (El Nido)
Part of El Nido Tour B, Entalula Island is one of the most beautiful gems in the Bacuit Bay. This stretch of pure tropical paradise charms visitors with its powder-white sand beach, towering limestone cliffs, and lush vegetation. The very instagrammable rock standing on the beach makes it a perfect spot for both photography and relaxation.
The best way to experience this natural wonder is through a private island hopping tour. Tour B, which includes Entalula Island, also takes you to other stunning destinations such as Snake Island (a unique sandbar connecting two islands), Cathedral Cave and Cudugnon Cave. Each stop offers its own unique charm, from snorkeling in coral gardens to exploring historic caves.
How to get to Entalula Island?
10. Onok Island (Balabac)
To conclude this top 10 of the best beaches in Palawan, it’s simply impossible to ignore Balabac and its stunning landscapes. Despite being remote and relatively untouched by tourism, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the ‘World’s Best Island’, and Onok Island is probably one of its most stunning pieces of paradise. This small island hosts a pristine white sand beach with crystal-clear waters that rival the Maldives, complete with vibrant coral reefs perfect for snorkeling.
Getting to Balabac is part of the adventure… From Puerto Princesa, it takes about 8 hours by van to Rio Tuba, followed by a 4-hour boat ride to Balabac proper. Accommodation options are limited, with mostly basic amenities available. This is truly a destination for adventurous travelers, though its picturesque nature is attracting more visitors each year. While some might find the basic infrastructure challenging, the raw beauty of this untouched paradise leaves no one indifferent.
How to get to Onok Island?
As you’ve surely realized by now, Palawan is an endless treasure trove of absolutely amazing landscapes and scenery, and it truly is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, if not the most beautiful ones, period. The list of stunning stretches of sand on the island could go on and on, as it’s scattered with hidden gems waiting to be discovered. The most remote parts of the island are where you’ll witness beauty in its most raw form, especially during expeditions between El Nido and Coron.
We hope this guide will help you discover the best beaches Palawan has to offer and make the most of your time in this tropical paradise! If you have any questions about activities on the island, don’t hesitate to contact us – our team will be happy to help you organize the perfect stay in Palawan.
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