The Philippines
A holiday to the Philippines offers the chance to discover dazzling white sand beaches, gorgeous bays, azure seas, some of the world’s best diving and an extraordinary country with a unique environment and culture.
With over 7,000 idyllic islands, some of the world’s best scuba diving and surfing, a rich and diverse cultural history as well as some of the world’s most famously friendly locals, it is rather surprising that the Philippines remains a relatively undiscovered holiday destination.
The vast archipelago of the Philippines is characterised by lush, jungle-clad mountains, exquisite beaches and crystal-clear waters.
With easy accessibility from most Asian gateways, a holiday to the Philippines makes a great combination with a city stopover in Asia. There is a handful of great luxury and boutique resorts in the Philippines and we have featured our favourite ones here.
Fast Facts
Flying Time: 14.5 hours +
Ideal time to go: Nov-Mar
Time: 5 hours behind NZ
What's to Love? Beaches, luxury hotels, jeepneys, Palawan, El Nido, Mayon Volcano, whale sharks, diving, bangka, smiles, Banue rice terraces.
Visit beautiful and unspoiled El Nido
The northern part of Palawan province is blessed with crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and a wealth of flora and fauna. It is here that El Nido and Taytay, home of the lovely El Nido Resorts, are located.
Spectacular limestone cliffs tower over marine sanctuaries teeming with innumerable species of tropical fish and coral, as well as five species of endangered sea turtles. .
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Lush forests abound with more than 100 species of birds. It is a truly exotic destination. We highly recommend a stay at one of the four superb El Nido Resorts.
El Nido Apulit
El Nido Miniloc
7 nights from $7,150 pp
7 nights from $7,450 pp
El Nido Lagen Island
7 nights from $7,750 pp
"Eco-Adventure Island, in an idyllic tropical island paradise in El Nido. Flight inclusive".
50 cottages in a superb location in Apulit Bay. Great value and lots of activities on offer.
El Nido’s Apulit Island Resort is an idyllic getaway for those looking for a low-key, exotic tropical hideaway resort.
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"Eco-Discovery Island, in El Nido. Ideal boutique resort for the young at heart. Flight inclusive".
A boutique resort ideal for a family holiday to the Philippines or a holiday with plenty of activities.
Snorkelling, kayaking, lagoon excursions and much more are on offer on a daily basis – most are included.
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"Eco-Sanctuary Island, Lagen in El Nido - private, tranquil island resort. Flight inclusive".
Stunningly located boutique hideaway in El Nido, Palawan. Lots of activities, Full Board included.
A resort blessed with a pristine and dramatic natural setting. Great snorkelling and plenty of activities on land and water.
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El Nido Pangulasian - 7 nights from $8,995 pp
El Nido Pangulasian Island is El Nido Resorts’ luxury island hideaway in Bacuit Bay, El Nido; the most luxurious resort by El Nido Resorts in Palawan.
The resort fronts onto a pristine 750-metre stretch of white sand beach set against a backdrop of tropical forest.
El Nido Pangulasian Island Resort offers just 42 villas built with contemporary Filipino cutting edge ‘green’ design.
Just off the beach, the Marine Sanctuary's vibrant coral reefs will delight snorkellers.
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Three Boutique Palawan & Coron Beauties
Pristine white sand beaches, dramatic rock formations, superb diving and a handful of stunning boutique resorts make Palawan one of the finest destinations in South East Asia.
At its widest, the main island of Palawan is only 40 km, with a spine of tall mountain ranges indented by caves and coves of sweeping white powder sand.
Visitors to Palawan are drawn by the lure of an under-water world and a natural beauty hard to match anywhere in the world.
Two Seasons Coron
Cauayan Island Resort
Qi Palawan
7 nights from $4,995 pp
7 nights from $5,250 pp
7 nights from $5,850 pp
"A beautiful 5-star eco-friendly resort, just a scenic boat ride from Coron Town."
42 high-ceiling bungalows have a distinct contemporary Filipino tropical design..
A sandbar connects to an islet, a vibrant house reef, lush tropical gardens and two long white sand beaches.
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"A luxury resort embodying the pristine beauty of its natural surroundings in El Nido."
The resort offers 23 intricately designed and defined villas, with 5 different types.
Facilities and activities at Cauayan Island include kayaking, diving, island hopping, trekking and a popular resort spa.
"An 8-room hideaway by a pristine beach and virgin forest in an undiscovered corner of Palawan."
Beachfront resort with a swimming pool, open-air restaurant and seasonal water sports activities.
Each rustic cottage comes with a thatched roof and wood furnishings. This is the place to really get away and experience the real Palawan.
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Call us about Offers
Amanpulo - 7 nights from $10,595 pp
Blissfully marooned in the Cuyo Archipelago of northern Palawan in the Philippines, Amanpulo lies on Pamalican Island, a private island fringed with white sand beaches and pristine reefs.
Offering a back to nature experience in supreme comfort and privacy, this tropical paradise is lapped by calm clear seas ideal for water sports, while sandy tracks lead to deserted coves and jungle-clad lookouts.
Each of the expansive Villas and the 42 beachfront, treetop and hillside Casitas, reflect their island home both inside and out.
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Boutique Hotels on Panglao Island, Bohol
Scenic Bohol offers the unique Chocolate Hills, the tiniest primate in the world (the Tarsier), 16th century Watchtowers, Baroque Jesuit mission churches, the Loboc River and above all, palm-fringed coastlines which are blessed with a myriad of white sand beaches and sheltering coves.
Bohol in a sense is a little bit of Cebu, Palawan and Boracay all rolled into one – rich history, lush flora, unusual fauna, white sandy beaches and a resort atmosphere.
Added together, Bohol offers a great Philippine Island holiday experience. Tiny Panglao Island offers the best beaches.
Amorita
Amun Ini
Eskaya
7 nights from $5,440 pp
7 nights from $6,050 pp
7 nights from $6,125 pp
"Gorgeous boutique resort overlooking Alona Beach - great for divers and non-divers alike."
Reached by regular flights from Manila, Amorita is ideal for a romantic Philippines holiday.
Amorita offers a place to relax and recharge, but also a base from which to explore some of the delights of this region of the Philippines.
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"Charming boutique hotel in Bohol. Great value hotel for snorkellers and divers."
Set amidst lush vegetation by a lovely beach, Amun Ini is an idyllic 15-room boutique hotel in Bohol.
Enjoy a choice of water activities ranging from scuba diving and snorkelling to kayaking and paddle boarding.
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"24 thatched-roof villas in Bohol, individually designed in contemporary, Filipino style".
Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa is an exclusive boutique hotel, named after the indigenous people of Bohol.
The resort offers warm Filipino hospitality with touches of modern luxury in the resort and each of its 24 villas.
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Atmosphere Resort, Dumaguette - 7 nights from $5,995 pp
Located within a 7-acre coconut plantation on the island of Negros, Atmosphere is a Philippines boutique resort, which enjoys a spectacular beachfront setting alongside the warm coastal waters of the Philippines.
Atmosphere Resort & Spa is opposite the famous Apo Island Marine Sanctuary and is a great choice for couples looking for a relaxing beach resort with access to excellent diving.
The world-renowned Apo Island with its walls, stunning coral, turtles and schooling fish is just a short boat ride away. The English owners are dive instructors, so the resort is well set up.
Diving and Non-Diving Packages Available
Undiscovered Philippines and Indonesia - 15 nts from $10,995 pp
Discover the untouched, unspoiled island paradises of the Philippines and Indonesia aboard Heritage Adventurer.
The remote islands of Indonesia and the Philippines' archipelagos, which are spread across the equator like pearls, are the picture-perfect image of paradise, with impossibly blue waters lapping at their shores, white sand beaches, and hospitable natives welcoming into their culture.
Explore the pristine beauty of the Philippines and Indonesia's uncharted islands by ship and Zodiac. Set sail where few have gone before. This amazing journey will take you to places few have been.
The Farm at San Benito
Ticao Island Resort
Shangri-la Boracay
7 nights from $7,350 pp
7 nights from $4,850 pp
7 nights from $6,150 pp
"The Farm aims for an ideal, balanced state and holistic optimum wellness for all guests".
The Farm at San Benito is a relaxing, private retreat unlike any other in the Philippine archipelago.
Tucked away within a 48-hectare lush garden, The Farm at San Benito is a 5-star resort focused on holistic wellness programs.
"A great little hotel for divers looking for a few days diving in search of pelagics."
The accommodation is fairly basic here and facilities are limited but it's a great option for divers.
One of the best dive sites is at the manta ray capital of the Philipines: Manta Bowl. Look out for Hammerheads and Tiger Sharks.
"Secluded luxury resort in northern Boracay, ideal for couples or familes."
The 219-room Shangri-La Boracay exudes tropical luxury in a sheltered bay on Boracay’s northern shore.
The resort’s layout offers spectacular vistas of lush green scenery and azure ocean views from every vantage point.
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Call us about Offers
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Other Philippines Holidays
The Philippines is a great destination to combine with other Asian gateways such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. We’ve included a few suggestions for multi-centre Asia and Philippines holidays below which we recommend.
One of the most unusual but exciting multi-centre Asia holidays is to combine a tour of Borneo with a stay in the Philippines at El Nido, making use of the direct flight between Kota Kinabalu and Manila.
There are direct flights between Manila and Hanoi, Saigon and Danang in Vietnam and between Manila and Bali, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Osaka and Kuala Lumpur.
Singapore, Cebu & Bohol
3 nights Singapore, 3 nights Cebu, 6 nights Amorita Bohol. City, Beach, Dive!
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Hanoi, Halong Bay and El Nido
3 nights Hanoi, Halong Bay Cruise, 7 nights El Nido. City, Culture, Scenery, Beach!
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Borneo & El Nido
6 night Borneo wildlife tour, 6 nights in idyllic El Nido. Unforgettable Asia holiday.
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Wakatobi & Coron
Divers heaven! A week in Wakatobi, Indonesia and a week in Coron (wrecks).
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Bohol & Dumaguette
Twin-centre Philippines dive holiday. A week each in Dumaguette and Bohol.
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Bangkok, Manila & Amanpulo
3 nts Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, 7 nts Amanpulo. Ultra-luxe Holiday.
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Donsol & Dumaguette
Combine great diving at Donsol and Dumaguette in one great trip.
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Japan Tour & El Nido
Extend your Japan Tour with a week in luxury at El Nido Resorts.
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