Entalula Beach named world's No. 1 best beach for 2026

Palawan's Entalula Beach named world's No. 1 best beach for 2026

Melanie Uson
Philstar.com
29 April 2026

Entalula Beach in El Nido, Palawan, has been named this year’s No. 1 beach in the world.

The pristine destination topped this year’s World’s 50 Best Beaches list, as selected by the judges, beach ambassadors, and the World’s 50 Beaches team.

“Entalula Beach in Palawan is one of those places you have to see to believe. It is set apart by its towering limestone cliffs that rise sharply behind a stretch of soft white sand, creating one of the most visually striking settings in the region and the world,” the media company described in the caption.

It also underscored the beach’s distinctive surrounding landscape, crystal-clear waters, and relatively uncrowded atmosphere compared with nearby beaches.

“With access only by boat, it remains quieter and helps preserve its more natural feel. It’s the contrast of majestic cliffs, clear water, and amazing seclusion that gives Entalula its edge as a place that feels both dramatic and calm at the same time,” it added.

This year’s top ranking comes after the beach landed at No. 2 on last year’s list.

Leyte’s Kalanggaman Island also made it to the list at No. 25, known for its clear waters and narrow sandbar.

Following Entalula, Fteri Beach in Greece ranked second, followed by Australia’s Wharton Beach, Nosy Iranja in Madagascar, and East Beach on Vomo Island in Fiji.

The nominations were based on eight key criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched nature, natural soundtrack, ease of water entry, frequency of calm conditions, lack of overcrowding, and the idyllic scenes it offers.

Completing the top 10 beaches are Shoal Bay East in Anguilla, Dhigurah in the Maldives, Playa Balandra in Mexico, Koh Rong in Cambodia, and Donald Duck Bay in Thailand.

El Nido, Palawan, was also recently recognized by BBC as one of the eight best destinations in the world.

PH got the world's best beaches in 2025

El Nido's Entalula, Romblon's Bon Bon named among world's 50 best beaches anew

GMA Integrated News
01 May 2025

Entalula Beach in El Nido, Palawan and Romblon Island's Bon Bon Beach were once again named among the world's top 50 beaches.

Entalula Beach ranked second on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2025, two notches higher from its fourth-place ranking in 2024.

Entalula Beach, Palawan

Bon Bon Beach also went up the list, landing on 38th this 2025 from last year's 45th ranking.

Entalula Beach joins Cala Goloritze in Italy, Bang Bao Beach in Thailand, Fteri Beach in Greece, and PK 9 Beach in the French Polynesia to make up the world's top five beaches this 2025.

Entalula Beach is known for its limestone cliffs, white sand, and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The beach isn't as frequented compared to other famous beaches in El Nido thanks to its secluded location, making it the perfect spot for those who want to steer clear of crowds.

Meanwhile, Bon Bon Beach boasts a natural sandbar that extends to Bangug Island. Known for its powdery white sand and clear waters absent of huge waves, the undeveloped beach is the quintessential serene paradise.

Bon Bon Beach, Romblon

The World's 50 Best Beaches list gathers thousands of experienced travel professionals and travel journalists to vote for what they believe is the best beach in the world. An in-house team of travel experts also works with beach ambassadors known for their experiences on the world's top beaches to review each submission.

The final list is chosen based on eight criteria: a beach's uniqueness, likelihood of beachgoers to encounter wildlife, a beach's untouched nature, soundtrack of nature, ease of entry, calm waters, crowds, and idyllic condition.

—CDC, GMA Integrated News

US News & World Report named Palawan as the world’s top island to visit in 2025

Palawan named world’s top island to visit in 2025

Story by Ghio Ong
Philstar Global
27 April 2025

MANILA, Philippines — An online news outlet based in the United States has named Palawan the world’s top island destination for 2025.

In an article published on April 22, US News & World Report ranked the Philippine archipelagic province first in its list of the “World’s Best Islands to Visit for 2025.”

“Here, island hoppers can swim in the exceptionally clear Kayangan Lake in Coron, tour the lagoons of Bacuit Bay in El Nido and kayak through caves on the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River,” the article stated.

It added, “Those who prefer to vacation at a slower pace can lounge on serene beaches overlooking limestone formations or catch a glimpse of marine life on a snorkeling tour.”

Described as one that “entices adventure seekers and beach bums alike,” the report encouraged travelers to plan their accommodations and tours ahead of time, especially if visiting during the dry season from November to May, described as the “best time to visit and most popular.”

Other islands that made it to US News & World Report’s “World’s Best Islands to Visit for 2025” list include Sardinia (Italy), Mauritius, Santorini (Greece), the Faroe Islands, Cyprus, Tahiti, the Whitsunday Islands, South Island (New Zealand), Bora Bora (French Polynesia), the Galápagos Islands, Bermuda, the Azores, Capri, Madagascar, Zanzibar, the Bahamas, Fiji, Bali (Indonesia), St. Lucia, Maui, Corfu, the Maldives and Hvar (Croatia).

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco welcomed the recognition, saying, “This incredible honor affirms what we Filipinos have always known: that Palawan, with its pristine turquoise waters, towering limestone cliffs, majestic underground rivers and rich biodiversity, is truly a paradise unlike any other.”

Philippines stands to become the next shipping and maritime investment destination

Philippines seen as maritime investment hub

Story by Pia Lee-Brago 

Philstar Global

12 July 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines stands to become the next investment destination in the shipping and maritime industry, an official said at a maritime forum hosted by the embassy in Greece.

Image by Alexandre Gonçalves da Rocha from Pixabay

The Philippine embassy in Athens led by Ambassador Giovanni Palec recently organized the Philippine Maritime Forum to promote the Philippines as an investment destination in the sector.

In attendance were shipowners and representatives from various ship management companies, maritime law firms and manning agencies that had representative offices in the Philippines.

Palec highlighted the longstanding bilateral relations between the Philippines and Greece with the two countries celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2025.

He noted that both the Philippines and Greece are maritime nations and this common ground has been a significant factor in their close relationship with the Philippines providing a huge number of skilled seafarers around the world, with Greece owning the biggest number of fleets globally and employing many Filipino workers.

He also encouraged the representatives to form an association so that as a group they could convey their positions on certain issues related to their field as this would be beneficial to both parties.

Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) administrator Sonia Malaluan gave a briefing on the Philippines’ thriving maritime industry, highlighting the latest trends and developments in the sector, the huge number of seafarers deployed by the country internationally and the Philippines’ shipbuilding industry which ranks as the fourth biggest worldwide.

Department of Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary for sea-based OFW concerns Jerome Pampolina presented the various programs of the DMW aimed at upskilling and making Filipino workers more competitive globally, including in shipping and maritime-related services.

Slovenia, Philippines head to Olympic qualifying semis

Slovenia, Philippines head to Olympic qualifying semis

Manila Times

Story by Associated Press

05 July 2024

Luka Doncic and Slovenia still have Olympic hopes. And so does the Philippines, much to its own surprise.

Doncic had 36 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and Slovenia beat New Zealand 104-78 on Thursday to clinch a semifinal spot in the Olympic qualifying tournament at Piraeus, Greece. Slovenia needed to win by at least 10 points to make the semifinals.

Slovenia's opponent on Saturday is Greece, meaning it'll be Doncic and fellow NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo leading their squads — with the winner advancing to Sunday's final with a berth in the Paris Olympics at stake, and the loser eliminated.

Josh Nebo had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Slovenia. Shea Ili led New Zealand with 28 points.

Semifinal Matchups

The matchups for Saturday's semifinals are taking shape.

At Valencia, Spain — Finland vs. Spain; Bahamas vs. Lebanon.

At Piraeus, Greece — Slovenia vs. Greece; Croatia vs. Dominican Republic.

At Riga, Latvia — Brazil vs. Philippines; Cameroon vs. Latvia.

At San Juan, Puerto Rico — Lithuania vs. Italy or Puerto Rico; Italy or Puerto Rico vs. Mexico.

The finals at all four sites are Sunday, and those four winners go to the Paris Olympics.

Georgia 96, Philippines 94

The Philippines lost but advanced to Saturday's semifinals of their tournament in Riga, Latvia, anyway. That created a bit of an issue; the team had flights home scheduled for Friday.