The Philippines offer an exhilarating breadth of vacation activities and destinations ranging from the exciting to the exotic.

1. Beaches

With 7,107 islands, and a coastline twice the length of that of the United States, the Philippines can claim to be Asia's Beach Capital. Enjoy the warm crystal blue waters of both the China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Mention the Philippines and images of long, white sand beaches and bodies of water blessed with a variety of marine life come to mind. The Philippines simply offer spectacular beaches that offer many unique qualities and recreational possibilities for any taste. Beach characteristics range from some of the most beautiful seascapes (El Nido), tropical resort paradises (Pearl Farm), exquisite, sugary white sand and azure blue waters (Boracay), curling waves perfect for surfing (Siargao), strong winds perfect for wind surfing.

2. Diving

Discover the Philippines' expansive underwater paradise. Consisting of more than 7,000 lush, tropical islands ringed with unspoiled beaches, the Philippines offer about 40,000 square kilometers of coral reefs teeming with a wide variety of marine life. Diving opportunities include recreational, wreck, and technical diving from multiple locations.

Multiple popular diving destinations are found in: Luzon, Visayas, Palawan and Mindano.

3. Golf

Tee off and experience the beautiful settings of the Philippines¡ unique golfing enclaves, from lush valleys to mountaintops, seaside resorts, or just within the cityscapes. The courses have been designed by golf's premier architects, radiating the strategic brilliance of such greats as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Robert Trent Jones, Jr., among others. Play at over 17 venues that have been proud sites of some of the most prestigious international and local tournaments, like the Johnnie Walker Classic, the World Amateur Golf Championships, the World Cup, The Asian PGA, and the Philippine Open.

4. Heritage

The Philippines' have a rich heritage comprised of natural resources, such as the Tubbataha Marine and the St. Paul Subterranean Parks, historic architecture seen in churches and missions and the entire heritage village of Vigan, combined agricultural and architectural wonders, such as the Ifugao Rice Terraces, and the associated epic HUDHUD chants, museums and the living cultural heritage of the Batak and Tagbanuwa ethnic groups.

 

5. Wildlife

The Philippines offer a rich plethora of wildlife and provide multiple venues from game preserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural land and underwater parks and protected islands to experience this wonderful diversity. The breadth and scope of Philippine wildlife includes: rare and exotic fauna such as the tarsier, the smallest monkey in the world and the Philippine sea eagle; marine life that includes whale sharks, dolphins, green and hawksbill turtles, (sea cows) and the famous Sulu pearls; a wide variety of birds and butterflies, and tropical flora from the 2,443 trees found in Philippine forests, fruit trees, orchids, to flowering plants.

6. Wind Surfing & Sailing

The tropical seas and consistent winds of the Philippines make the country a paradise for wind surfers and sailors. The two main wind patterns in the Philippines are the "Habagat", or southwest monsoon, which blows from June to September, and the "Amihan", or northeast monsoon, which prevails from October through April. The Amihan draws sailors from all over Asia: the steady 12-30 knot winds and warm weather create ideal sailing and wind surfing conditions.

Popular destinations include: Caliraya, Boracay, Anilao, Subic Bay and Pagudpod.

7. Aerial Sports

If you've ever dreamed of flying, the Philippines is a great place to realize your dream. Skydiving, ultra light aircraft, and hot-air balloons are ready and waiting for you a few hours outside Manila. The quality of instruction is high, and the safety records are good. From the air, the green land and blue seas of the islands make a spectacular sight. So stop dreaming, head for the Philippines, and take to the sky!

Destinations: Angeles City, Pampanga and Tanauan, Batangas

8. Hiking

The best treasures in the Philippines are reserved for those who go beyond the end of the road. It is only by trekking that you can reach places where crystal rivers plunge over dizzying falls and tattooed tribesmen live as they have for centuries. You will also see cliffs that tower above crashing surfs, virgin forests, clear rivers, mossy jungles, and cool mountain ridges. Only trekkers experience the exhilaration of conquering the heights of Mt. Apo or passing through the eerie moonscape of Mt. Pinatubo. These experiences, and many others, await those who leave the road behind, heft their packs, and trek the Philippines.

Hiking destinations: Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Olongapo, Batanes, Baguio, Mt. Province, Abra, Kalinga, Romblon, Marinduque, Naga, Iriga, Albay, Sorsogon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Leyte.

9. Mountain Biking

From the mountains of Baguio to the beaches of Boracay, the Philippines is a perfect place for two-wheeled travel. The fat-tired bike is a great way to explore remote areas where few vehicles go. There are endless routes available, on roads and on trails, from easy day rides to grueling week-long mountain adventures. Biking is a rapidly growing sport here: clubs of dedicated mountain bikers are springing up in many popular areas, and competitions are common. The local bikers are friendly and accommodating, and always willing to share information and rides along their favorite routes.

Mountain biking destinations: Baguio, Boracay, Davao, Iloilo, Sagada, The Cordillera, Banaue, Cagayan de Oro City, Guimaras, Mt. Apo, Samal Island

10. Caving

Some of the most spectacular sceneries in the Philippines lie deep underground. Almost every island has cave systems, some accessible to the casual tourist, others challenging the skilled spelunker. Beneath the earth lie rivers and waterfalls, narrow passages, and vaulted chambers filled with a surreal array of limestone and crystal formations. Many caves are totally unexplored, presenting the ultimate thrill in adventure travel: the chance to walk where no human has ever been.

Caving destinations, include: St. Paul Subterranean National Park, Peèablanca, Cagayan, Sagada, and Bukidnon.

11. Surfing

The Philippines offers surf for all levels. La Union on the northwest coast of Luzon, four hours north of Manila, is easy to get to, has good accommodation and food, and offers gentle beach breaks perfect for beginners. Baler and Infanta in Quezon, and Daet in Camarines Norte offer a more adventurous experience, with longer travel and bigger waves. For surfers seeking the extreme edge, the wild east coast is the place to be.

Destinations: Baler (Quezon), Infanta (Quezon), Daet (Camarines Norte), Catanduanes, Siargao, Tandag (Surigao del Sur)

12. Whitewater Rafting

White water rafting and kayaking are the newest action sports in the Philippines. For decades, while adventure-hungry travelers flocked to the rivers of Nepal and Borneo, the superb rapids of the Philippines lay undiscovered. But that's changing fast: white water action is now available on half a dozen rivers in the Visayas and Mindanao, and more are being explored.

Whitewater rafting opportunities: Bubunawan/Cagayan River, Mindanao, Tibiao River, Panay, Calbiga River, Samar, Tacloban

13. Sea Kayaking

Sea kayaking is a new sport in the Philippines, but with 7,107 islands offering every conceivable variety of tropical seascape, it is one that is sure to expand quickly. The islands offer thousands of kilometers of superb paddling on crystal-clear water, taking in exotic villages, pristine beaches, coral reefs, and mangrove swamps along the way. The kayak, silent and unobtrusive, is the perfect way to explore these delicate ecosystems without disturbing wildlife or the peace of nature.

For those seeking more extreme hills, the rugged east coast provides monster waves and fine rough-water kayaking.

Sea kayaking destinations, include: Caramoan, Palawan, Samar, Siargao

14. Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is a relatively new sport to the Philippines, but it's spreading fast. There are already active climbing scenes in Manila and other major cities. Quality equipment are available in many outdoor shops, and there are excellent climbing sites only hours from the city of Manila itself.

Manila has three gyms with indoor artificial climbing walls: Power Up Gym in Quezon City, Planet Rock in Makati, and Gravity Gym in Paraèaque. All are excellent places to meet the friendly and helpful local climbers, who are your best guides to the outdoor climbing sites. Because the sport is so new, only a few major climbing areas have been developed, and most of these are close to the cities. This leaves enormous potential for exploration, and there are hundreds of sites and thousands of routes waiting for the brave and intrepid climber.

Rock climbing opportunities: Atimonan (Quezon), Apo Island, El Nido (Palawan), Puting Bato "White Rock" (Cogeo), Wawa Gorge (Montalban).