Best Philippine Islands – Nogas Island
For the adventurous traveler who is in search of a slice of paradise here on earth, there is Nogas Island, part of the province of Antique, Philippines that would tickle their fancy. Nogas Island is a 24-hectare government naval reservation surrounded with flourishing mangrove, beautiful white sand beaches and the perfect vacation place for water loving vacationers. Nogas Island also has astonishing marine life and a wide variety of fish species as well as amazing and colorful coral reefs even at shallow waters.
Nogas Island is a haven for scuba divers, shell hunters and snorkelers plus of course for those whose only desire is to laze around in the sun and swim in the placid crystal blue waters surrounding the island. It is also a favorite haunt of bird enthusiasts because of the 32 bird species that are said to inhabit the island. The underwater “garden” off Nogas island is incomparable in beauty and in its pristine condition.
Photo by Cutterpillow
The only “concrete” structure in the island is a light house that can be reached by passing through a pathwalk lined with fragrant frangipanis tress or kalachuchi, its local name, a beautiful and sweet unforgettable experience. The view from the lighthouse is also a breathtaking and a one-in-a-million panorama, a canopy of trees topped with white frangipanis, a wide vista of pure white sand that slopes down to crystal blue waters and the distant shores of lovely coastline of the town of Anini-y, Antique.
From across Nogas Island is the beautiful and interesting town of Anini-y. This town has a charm all its own, with natural beauty spots such as green covered mountains, rich mangroves and hot springs. Anini-y is a great place for trekking and along the forest trail are cool and refreshing places to rest and cool down.
Nogas Island can be reached from Iloilo City by a bus that goes all the way to Anini-y from the Antique Transport Terminal in San Pedro, Molo, Iloilo City. From the Sirian Hot Spring in Anini-y a pump boat can be rented to bring visitors to Nogas Island.
Best Beach Vacations in the Philippines
With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is considered one of the world’s beach vacation capital in this part of the world. This “Pearl of the Orient” with crystal clear waters of the China Sea, strong vigorous waves of the Pacific Ocean and placid waters of the inland seas plus the finest white sand has been endowed by Mother Nature with everything it needs to produce the most breathtaking beaches.
Boracay
Boracay Beach with its very fine white sand beaches and crystal blue waters is hyped as the “finest beach in the world”
Pagudpud Beach
Photo by purploony
Pagudpud Beach in the northern part of the Philippines has a bluer than blue seas and whiter than white sugary sand and combine it with a surging surf that is ideal for surfing whether wave or wind surfing, and you have a most exciting beach vacation ahead of you.
Panglao Island
Photo by jaker.
Bohol’s pride is a small island in the Central Visayas blessed with several islets with the most beautiful beaches one can ever imagine including Balicasag Island, Pontod and Gak-ang among others. It is also world famous for its amazing dive spots and fantastic coral formations.
Siargao Island
Photo by smallislander
Siargao Island is a haven for sun, sea and surf lovers. This tear shaped island in the southern tip of Mindanao boasts of white sand beaches, colorful reefs and magnificent waves. It is considered the leading surfing destination in the country.
Samal Island
Photo by kitakitts
Samal Island is an archipelago made up of nine islands found in the Davao Gulf that boasts of thick mangroves, magnificent coral reefs and beautiful white sands.
Bohol
Bohol is a province in the Philippines with numerous islands and islets famous for its powdery white sand beaches and exceptional dive spots that include the islands of Pamilican, Panglao, Cabilao, Mahanay, Lapinipin and Jao.
Palawan
Photo by chooyutshing
Last but not the least is Palawan with more than a thousand islands and islets that are famous for its magnificent rock formations, mysterious underwater rivers and caves and beautiful white sand beaches.
These are just some of the best beaches Philippines has to offer. There are more equally beautiful beaches that visitors will delight in discovering since some of them are mostly uninhabited and virgin island destinations.
Philippines Tablas Island Review
Tablas Island is the largest of the three main islands of the province of Romblon, Philippines. The other two are Sibuyan Island and Romblon Island. Tablas is only ten miles away from Boracay, the most famous beach resort in the country. This lovely island offers its visitors perfect wide expanses of palm-lined beaches and secluded coves.
Tablas Island’s countryside is a stunning panorama of rainforest hills and valleys lined with rice paddies that rolls gently down to unspoiled white sand beaches and serene blue waters. One of the pleasures open to visitors of Tablas Island is a pleasing meandering among the lush flora and exotic fauna that can be found in the island while taking pleasure in the majestic view of cascading waterfalls such as the “Mainit Falls,” and the serene beauty of natural springs that wind through the beautiful landscape.
This beautiful tropical island is blessed with light trade winds and tropical sunny weather giving Tablas Island a comfortable year round average temperature of 30⁰ C or 86⁰. Highest temperature during the summer montthings to seehs (March to May) is around 34⁰C and the coolest at 31⁰ between the months of November to February. A cool sea breeze allows the visitors of Tablas Island to enjoy beach activities at day time in a cool and relaxing atmosphere and affords them pleasurable evenings enjoying the island’s nightlife and amazing sunset.
Tablas Island boasts of the world renowned Looc Fish Sanctuary. The sanctuary can be found at the center of Looc Bay and it is host to a wide variety of tropical reef fishes, soft and hard corals, marine turtles, sea grass beds, eels, octopuses and seabirds. There are 500 species of naturally regenerating giant clams that can be found in the sanctuary. Diving, snorkeling and fishing are supervised activities that visitors can enjoy at the Looc Fish Sanctuary. Photo by Romblon Philippines Tourism & Investments Pictures
Polilio Group of Islands in the Philippines
Polilio Group of Islands is located off the north eastern coast of Quezon Province separated from the rest of the Luzon Island, Philippines, by the Polilio Strait. Polilio Island, the biggest island in the group is the second biggest island of the Pacific coast Luzon and roughly 110 kilometers away from Manila. Polilio Island can be reached by a three-hour boat ride from Real, Quezon, a town which is around three hours away by bus from Manila. Polilio is made up of several islands with stunning fine beaches, a bird sanctuary and a game refuge. It has been recognized as one of the most important areas for conservation of biodiversity since it is home to no less than seven species and sub-species of animals and many other important living species.
Photo by ClintJr2011
Polilio Island is a perfect island destination for those who are looking for a peaceful and tranquil vacation away from the madding crowd and amidst an almost perfect work of nature. It prides itself of golden sand beaches framed by low-lying mountains lush with tropical foliage. Bigyan beach, one of the numerous beaches in the island has a remarkable coral formation and ringed with lush mangroves. Polilio Island is also surrounded ny a rich fishing ground, making game fishing an exciting and worthwhile water activity.
One town in Polilio Island worth mentioning is Bordeous, the gateway to the surrounding smaller islands and islets and a town with a very rich history. Bordeous has expansive lovely beaches, clear blue waters, remarkable sand bars, wooded areas, game refuge and bird sanctuaries.
Another destination worthy of note is Jomalig, It is an unspoiled paradise recognized for its blue coral beaches, rich wildlife and plentiful seafoods, such as lobster, that are available all year round. This jewel of an island is a favorite destination of young business executives from Manila who prefer spending their vacation amidst the splendor of nature free from the stress and noise of urban life.
Philippines Islands Reviews, Romblon Island
Romblon Island is one of the twenty islands comprising the province of Romblon in the Philippines. The other two biggest islands of the province are Tablas Island and Sibuyan Island. Romblon Island is known as “The Diamond of the Visayas”, a dream of a perfect island destination with picture-perfect beaches, excellent diving and snorkeling, cozy and relaxing accommodations and an abundance of fresh and delicious food at affordable prices plus friendly and welcoming locals and lush tropical vegetation. What more could you ask for? There is more, Romblon Island is also called “Marble Island” since it is the Philippines’ leading source of exquisite marble comparable to that found in Italy. Some of the most beautiful beaches and islets found in Romblon Island are :
Photo by wwjane
• Bonbon Beach – A half kilometer stretch of fine white sand beach with a gently sloping ocean floor free of sharp stones and sea grass with a tiny islet with a secluded swimming area right across it that can be reached by foot during low tide.
• Alad – a tranquil islet that is virtually pristine and unspoiled with several wide white sand beaches that are ideal for swimming because of side shorefronts and clean, warm crystalline waters.
• Cobrador – Known as the biggest and best islet around Romblon Island with the biggest deposit of rare black, green and gold marbles, Cobrador also boasts of beautiful fine white sand and crushed coral beaches and the sweetest sweetsop and papaya.
• San Andres Beach – is the perfect wind surfing beach during the months of June to December
• Liwanyag Beach – a secluded cove with a beautiful shoreline covered with crushed coral and white sand and the perfect site for family picnics
• Binaywe Beach – a secluded cove with immaculate white sand and crush coral beach cut off from the prying eyes by huge boulders.
• Poctoy Beach – a white sand beach with a wide shoreline stretching for around 3 kilometers.
These are only a few of the beautiful beaches Romblon Island is proud of. But gorgeous beaches are not all that Romblon Island has to offer its visitors. The Looc Bay Marine Sanctuary is home to the most beautiful flora and fauna. It has a wide variety of multi-colored tropical reef fish, soft and hard coral formations, giant clams, sponges, turtles, eels, sponges, octopus, rare pelagic and graceful sea birds.
