This 15-day itinerary offers the perfect combination of adventurous and relaxing activities. You will snorkel shipwrecks and aquamarine lagoons, visit secluded beaches, and climb and rappel slippery trails. Enjoy the Philippines as you island hop your way across the country, ending on the white sandy beaches of Boracay.

Highlights

  • Hike Mount Tapyas for an encompassing view of Coron Bay
  • Snorkel a World War II shipwreck in the warm waters of Coron
  • Enjoy a day of climbing, rappelling, and cliff jumping at Kawasan Falls
  • Relax on the neverending white-sand beaches of Boracay

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Manila Manila
Day 2 Transfer to Coron, Hike Mount Tapyas Coron
Day 3 Coron Island Hopping Tour Coron
Day 4 Explore Coron's Shipwrecks & Coral Reefs Coron
Days 5-6 Transfer to Busuanga, Explore Busuanga
Day 7 Fly to El Nido El Nido
Day 8 El Nido Island Hopping El Nido
Day 9 Free day in El Nido El Nido
Day 10 Fly to Cebu Cebu
Day 11 Canyoneering Kawasan Falls Cebu
Day 12 Fly to Boracay Boracay
Days 13-14 Relax on Boracay Boracay
Day 15 Return to Manila, Depart  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Manila

Sunset view of the Manila skyline
Sunset view of the Manila skyline

Welcome to Manila. Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation to settle in and relax after your long international flight.

If you're up for a little exploration, there are a number of shopping malls close to your hotel as well as a variety of bars and nightclubs that are a short driving distance away.

Day 2: Transfer to Coron, Hike Mount Tapyas

Coron's Kayangan Lake
Coron's Kayangan Lake

This morning you will catch a flight to Coron. Upon arrival in the early afternoon, meet your driver and transfer to your accommodation, settle in before taking the rest of the afternoon to explore Coron as you choose.

Wander Coron Town and work your way to Mount Tapyas for a short hike up to its top for a panoramic view of Coron Bay. If you prefer a little more relaxation, there's the option to take a shuttle to Maquinint Hotsprings for a leisurely soak.

Day 3: Coron Island Hopping Tour

Kayangan Lake and Coron islands
Aerial view of Kayangan Lake and surrounding islands

After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your resort for a full day of touring the nearby islands that surround Coron. You'll visit the most iconic spots in Coron, including Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Siete Pecados, and Calachuchi Beach. 

Return to your resort in the late afternoon for a rest before enjoying the evening in Coron town for dinner and drinks.

Day 4: Explore Coron's Shipwrecks & Coral Reefs

Coron, the Philippines
Snorkel the pristine Coron waters 

If yesterday's tour was all about Coron's beautiful islands, islets, lakes, and lagoons, today's tour is all about discovering its underwater sights.

Meet your driver after breakfast and transfer to your boat for a day of snorkeling. You'll have the opportunity to visit two shipwrecks: Lusong and Sangat, a Japanese gunboat from World War II, and a Chinese cargo ship. Next, you will snorkel Coron's Coral Garden as well as explore the healthier coral reefs of Pass Island before coming ashore for lunch and enjoying a walk along its sandbar.

Return to your resort in the late afternoon. Spend the evening as you choose.

Days 5-6: Transfer to Busuanga, Explore

Busuanga coconut plantation, the Philippines
Busuanga coconut plantation

After a thrilling start to your vacation, you'll travel up the coast to Busuanga, the northern tip of the Palawan archipelago. Stay at a private island resort for two blissful days. As the area is far less frequented by tourists, there's an excellent chance you'll have it all to yourselves.

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Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Day 7: Transfer to El Nido

Mangrove of Bacuit Bay
View from a mangrove of Bacuit Bay

In the afternoon, catch your flight to El Nido and transfer directly to your accommodation. You'll then have the evening free to enjoy dinner in town, or if you're staying at an island resort, you might wish to stay locally.

El Nido offers incredible views wherever you turn. There's an endless amount of lagoons, hidden beaches, and small remote islands for you to explore.

Retire for the evening early, as tomorrow will be a full day.

Day 8: El Nido Island Hopping

Philippine boat and the limestone karst cliffs of El Nido
Philippine boat and the limestone karst cliffs of El Nido

Wake up bright and early today for a full day of island hopping. You'll visit all the popular spots in El Nido, including Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, Helicopter Island, Star Beach, and Matinloc Shrine.

It is possible to take the tour as part of a group (using a pump boat) or as a private tour with a speedboat. Though the latter is more costly, it offers a much richer experience as you'll be able to reach all locations ahead of the crowds. It also allows you to have full control over your tour's itinerary.

Enjoy the day traveling between the islands, stopping to swim and snorkel whenever the mood strikes.

Day 9: Free Day in El Nido

Morning in the harbor of a fishing village
Morning in the harbor of a fishing village

Today you have a free day to enjoy El Nido as you please.

Rent a motorbike and explore El Nido's interior or catch a ride to Nacpan and Calitang Twin Beach. If you prefer something more organized, there is an option to book a day tour of the countryside where experienced guides will take you to secluded beaches and waterfalls. 

Day 10: Fly to Cebu

Aerial view of Cebu City, Philippines
Aerial view of Cebu City

Catch your morning flight to the island of Cebu and stay in Cebu City. You'll have the afternoon free for you to enjoy some of the city's shopping malls, nightlife, and restaurants and bars. 

Day 11: Kawasan Falls Canyoneering

Climb your way to Kawasan Falls
Climb your way to Kawasan Falls

This morning you will meet your driver and transfer to Kawasan Falls, located two and a half hours south of Cebu City.

You will then meet your tour guide —a local who designed all the trails in and around the falls—to begin your trek. A moderate to difficult hike, the trail involves climbing, crawling, rappelling, and cliff jumping your way down the river's stream until you reach the beautiful Kawasan Falls at the end of the trail. Celebrate the day's efforts with a barbecue lunch before making your way back to Cebu City.

Trekking time: 4 hours

Day 12: Fly to Boracay

Enjoy the fine white sand of Boracay's beaches
Enjoy the fine white sand of Boracay's beaches

Today you will fly northwest to the island of Panay and be transferred to the beautiful beaches of Boracay. 

As Boracay is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines, it is home to world-class resorts, great restaurants, and an active nightlife scene as a result.

Take the rest of the day to lounge ocean-side, resting from the previous day's activities.

Days 13-14: Relax on Boracay

Boracay, Philippines
The stunning Boracay coastline

You'll have the next couple of days for yourself to enjoy the island as you please.

Catch up on your reading, sipping on a cocktail as you wait for your massage to begin, or complete some last-minute souvenir shopping at the nearby open-air mall. Or, if you're up for activities that get your heart beating a little faster, why not go parasailing or jet skiing. Alternatively, diving, island hopping, and fishing tours are also available for the more adventurous.

Day 15: Return to Manila, Depart

Aerial view of Manila, the Philippines
Aerial view of Manila

Today your Philippine adventure comes to an end. Return to Manila in time for your international flight home.

More Great Philippines Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Philippines? Check out these other Philippines itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights. 

Map

Map of Philippines Beaches, Waterfalls & Lagoons - 15 Days
Map of Philippines Beaches, Waterfalls & Lagoons - 15 Days