Heading to the Philippines Capital is an excellent opportunity to explore the best beaches near Manila for your slice of paradise.
If you’re looking for paradise, look no further than the beaches near Manila. The Philippines Capital is home to some of the best beaches, and with many to choose from, it can be challenging to know where to start.
The Philippines is an incredibly stunning archipelago where hundreds of beautiful tropical islands take centre stage. You’ll never run out of coastlines to explore this beautiful country from the north to the south.
While the most popular destinations are often a quiet plane ride away, you can’t discount the Philippines Capital with so many beautiful beaches near Manila, offering plenty for the visiting tourist in the Southeast Asia country.
Usually, a stunning Manila beach is no further than three or four hours away by car, bus, or ferry, with a few great choices of beach resorts close to Manila that are worth visiting for an extended stay. There are luxury resorts to divulge in, as well as mid-range and budget accommodations that cater to travellers of varying tastes and preferences.
Whether you require a romantic beach getaway, quality time with family and friends, or some solo R&R, which we all appreciate, you can check out these places to visit near Manila, Philippines.
That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to the best beaches near Manila – so you can find the perfect spot for your next vacation!
Find excellent hotels in and around Manila at Booking.com!
Top Beaches Near Manila for Your Next Philippine Adventure
If you’re looking for a break from the busy city life in Manila and searching for some of the best beaches in the area, you won’t be disappointed. With so many options, it can be challenging to decide where to go. There’s something for everyone, from serene and secluded coves to bustling and vibrant beaches. Here are our top picks to help you plan your perfect beach getaway.
Batangas
Batangas is known for its stunning beaches located near Manila. These beaches offer clear water, white sand beaches, and fantastic coral reefs, making Batangas one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. If you’re looking for a peaceful and relaxing beach vacation, we suggest visiting the following beaches close to Manila in Batangas.
Batangas is a large province with several beaches, and the most popular and accessible beach areas are located near Manila. There are areas with privately owned houses, but there are also plenty of hotels to choose from in Batangas.
The beaches here have something to offer everyone:
Anilao Beach: with crystal-clear water and abundant marine life, it’s perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Punta Fuego: a luxurious private beach resort with white sand beaches and dramatic cliffs.
Matabungkay Beach: known for its annual bamboo rafting festival, this is a great spot to try something new.
Bicol: The beaches in Bicol are some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches near Manila. With its dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, and white sand beaches, it’s no wonder that this region is a popular tourist destination.
If you’re looking for an adventure-filled beach vacation, we recommend heading to the following beaches close to Manila in Bicol.
Naga Beach: With its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear water, Naga Beach is perfect for cliff jumping and swimming.
Donsol Beach: Donsol is known for its whale sharks, making it the perfect spot for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Legazpi Beach: Legazpi is an excellent spot for surfing, with its strong waves and beautiful beaches.
Look for excellent hotels in Batangas at great prices on Booking.com!
Zambales
The beaches in Zambales are among the most stunning and untouched beaches near Manila. With its impressive cliffs, turquoise waters, and white sand beaches, it’s no surprise that this area is a favourite tourist destination. If you’re seeking an exciting beach vacation, we recommend visiting the following beaches near Manila in Zambales.
Subic Beach: With its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear water, Subic Beach is perfect for cliff jumping and swimming.
San Narciso: San Narciso is known for its beautiful beaches, making it the perfect spot for relaxing and unwinding.
Iba Beach: Iba is an excellent spot for surfing, with its strong waves and beautiful beaches.
Pundaquit Beach: With its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear water, Pundaquit Beach is perfect for cliff jumping and swimming.
Potipot Beach: If you’re looking for a quiet beach getaway to relax and unwind, we recommend Potipot Beach. This secluded beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.
Pangasinan
The beaches located in Pangasinan are among the most beautiful and pristine beaches near Manila. With its stunning cliffs, turquoise-coloured water, and white sandy beaches, it’s no surprise that this area is a well-liked tourist spot.
If you’re searching for a beach vacation filled with adventure, we highly recommend visiting the following beaches near Manila in Pangasinan.
Bolinao Beach: With its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear water, Bolinao Beach is perfect for cliff jumping and swimming.
Patar Beach: Patar is known for its beautiful beaches, making it the perfect spot for relaxing and unwinding.
Puerto Galera Beach
Puerto Galera is one of the most popular beaches near Manila, and it’s no wonder why. With its crystal-clear water, beautiful beaches, and abundant marine life, Puerto Galera is perfect for snorkelling, scuba diving, and swimming.
If you’re looking for a quiet beach getaway to relax and unwind, we recommend Puerto Galera. This secluded beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.
Located in Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Galera’s stunning coastlines have long attracted tourists who want to escape from Manila.
To get to Peurto Galera, you’ll need to drive to the Batangas pier and take a 2-hour boat trip, which will drop you off at various points along the island.
Hiking, waterfalls, relaxation, nightlife, beaches, islands, and much more are happening here: Puerto Galera has it all! This hidden paradise near Manila is big on the experience factor, with most of the activities and accommodations, and this incredible location is also affordable.
The aptly named White Beach is the #1 beach in Puerto Galera. The coast is dotted with restaurants and hotels, and at night, it turns into one big beach party with fire dancers and music blasting.
Puerto Galera is the best beach for booking water sports, including banana boats, snorkelling, jet skis, parasailing, and island hopping tours. If you prefer an off-the-beaten-track experience, check out Aninuan Beach, Tamaraw Beach, and Talipanan Beach. Puerto Galera also has many luxury and high-end resorts tucked into its beaches.
It may not be a beach near Manila, but it won’t take long to get to Peurto Galera, who is staying in the Philippines Capital.
Find impressive beach resorts in Puerto Galera on Booking.com.
Bataan
Bataan is a province located in Central Luzon. It’s known for its beaches, mountains, and history.
The beaches in Bataan are some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches near Manila. With its dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, and white sand beaches, it’s no wonder that this region is a popular tourist destination.
Bataan is best known for its rich history and cultural attractions, but it’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for an uncrowded beach near Manila.
Historically speaking, this is where the famous Battle of Bataan took place. It also served as one of the last stops of Filipino and American soldiers before the Japanese took them during World War II. Bataan is highly recommended for travellers looking to integrate sightseeing and history into a beach trip.
You’ll find beautiful beach resorts near Manila in this stunning location with lots of opportunities for adventure, and it’s also home to Mt. Mariveles and Mt. Natib, two renowned destinations for hiking and mountain biking.
Bataan also has turtle sanctuaries, waterfalls, and bird-watching sites to occupy you. You won’t run out of beach and nature experiences while holidaying in Bataan.
If you’re looking for an adventure-filled beach vacation, we recommend heading to the following beaches close to Manila in Bataan.
Morong Beach: With its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear water, Morong Beach is perfect for cliff jumping and swimming.
Balanga Beach: Balanga is known for its beautiful beaches, making it the perfect spot for relaxing and unwinding.
Hundred Islands National Park
The Hundred Islands National Park is a protected area in Alaminos, Pangasinan, around 4-5 hours north of Manila. The district covers about 123 islets and islands scattered throughout the stunning Lingayen Gulf, which is believed to have formed over 2 million years ago.
Travellers can opt to camp or book a hotel on Governor’s Island, Quezon Island, Children’s Island, and Marcos Islands: the only islands in the Hundred Islands with any tourist infrastructure.
This destination is ideal for sun-seekers looking to immerse in Pangasinan’s pristine, natural beauty. The beaches feature majestic limestone cliffs and rocks, vibrant marine life, and white sand beaches: it essentially has all the trimmings of the perfect beach escape not too far from Manila.
Banana boating, kayaking, island hopping, snorkelling, jet skiing, and parasailing can all be enjoyed cheaply in the Hundred Islands of the Philippines. If you get lucky, you might even get to spot one of the giant clams while snorkelling in the Hundred Islands. Travellers on a budget will be pleased to know that your money will go a long way here.
Since these destinations are so near Manila, they make great choices for relaxing weekend trips for those who are hard-pressed for time. However, remember that these exotic destinations are best explored over several days to get a feel for the local area and immense culture.
In conclusion, the best beaches near Manila
If you’re in Manila and looking for a beach to visit, there are several options to choose from, depending on what you’re interested in. Bataan is an excellent choice for a beach with plenty of activities. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in nature, consider visiting Hundred Islands National Park. And if you want to relax and unwind, Puerto Galera is the perfect destination. No matter what you’re looking for, a beach near Manila is ideal.
Why wait? Start planning your trip to the Philippines now and enjoy the fun and adventure of the beaches near Manila!
Hi,
Thanks for your informative article!! i really like it.
I have never been ther but i will choose for the hundred island National park. I think it will reconnect me to nature by the camping style and the scenery would be unique and spectacular. Am i correct?
Experiencing the marine life sounds great for me, i expect to spot some beautiful creatures and it would be an unforgettable experience.
Could you give any further information about accomodation fees, meals, prestations,….. about that places?
Thanks,
Best regards,
Greeting from Madagascar
Wow awesome post about beaches near Manila loved you post feeling to explore gorgeous images too!