MANILA, Philippines — For beach lovers who are still undecided on where to go this summer, the ranking of two Philippine beaches among the “Top 100 beaches on Earth 2023” might help.
The worldbeachguide.com – a website based in England that rates beach spots around the world – placed in its list the Hidden Beach in El Nido, Palawan in fourth spot and Boracay’s White Beach in 19th.
It described El Nido as “(comprising) around 50 beaches,” including Hidden Beach, “set among a series of small islands, towering marble cliffs, lush tropical vegetation, ancient caves and enchanting lagoons.”
“Hidden Beach takes its name from the fact its soft pale sands are all but invisible to passing boats. Situated within a small cove guarded by sheer cliffs, this tropical idyll provides a fantastic contrast to streets that roar with motorbike engines,” it wrote.
Visitors that avail themselves of El Nido’s island-hopping tours can reach Hidden Beach by a “quick swim, some of it over corals, adding to the feeling of
arriving somewhere truly special,” it added.
As for Boracay’s White Beach, the website said it “still has plenty of charm.”
Although a number of tourists claimed Boracay has been “spoiled” because it is the country’s most popular beach destination, the website simply disagreed.
The whole island was ordered closed to tourists in 2018 by former president Rodrigo Duterte, who described it then as a cesspool due to its poor sewerage and overdevelopment.
Divided into three stations, visitors can enjoy various activities in Boracay like snorkeling, wind surfing, and watching the sunset by the shore filled with white powdery sand.
Koh Kradan in Thailand was declared tops among 100 beach destinations by worldbeachguide.com.
The municipal tourism offices of El Nido, Palawan and Malay in Aklan, which hosts Boracay, posted on their Facebook pages the recognition given by the website.