Asia · March to April 2024
Our trip round the Philippines
Twenty-seven days in 2024: Siargao, canyoneering and the sardine run in Cebu, the Chocolate Hills and whale sharks in Bohol, then island tours in El Nido.
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Day by day
Every day of the trip in order. Click any day to read the full diary: where we went, how we got there and where we stayed.
Arrival in Manila
The first day of our Philippines trip: landing at Manila International Airport, with island hopping in Siargao and a week in Bohol still ahead of us.
Arrival in Siargao
Landing in Siargao in the Philippines, checking into Camanolo Homestay, wandering the local area over a coffee and booking a trip for the next day.
Land Tour of Siargao
Our Siargao land tour took in the Coconut View Deck, the Maasin River and the Magpupungko Rock Pools, and finished at the lovely Sugba Lagoon.
Sohoton Cove
A day trip by boat from Siargao to Sohoton Cove: the jellyfish lagoon, Snoring Cave, Cliff Diving Cave, Tiktikan Lagoon, Corregidor and Naked Island.
Exploring on Scooters
We hired scooters in Siargao and rode to Secret Beach, stopped for a local lunch, returned to the Coconut View Deck and had dinner at Kermit Restaurant.
Relaxation at Kermit Resort
A slow day in Siargao spent by the pool at Kermit Resort, where the staff went out of their way to look after us during our Philippines trip.
Three Island Tour
Siargao's Three Island Tour: snorkelling at palm-covered Guyam Island, the white sand of Naked Island, and fresh seafood and coconuts on Daku Island.
Farewell to Siargao
Saying goodbye to Siargao after six days at Camanolo Homestay and catching a CebuGo flight to Cebu Island for the next part of our Philippines trip.
Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls
Canyoneering in Cebu through jungle, turquoise pools and slippery rocks past waterfall after waterfall, finishing with a swim at Kawasan Falls.
The Sardine Run
Snorkelling the Moalboal sardine run off Panagsama Beach in Cebu, with millions of sardines beneath us and sea turtles gliding through the shoals.
Fun in Oslob
Moving from Moalboal to Oslob in Cebu, checking into New Village Lodge, joining the locals for karaoke and ending the day with a Thai massage.
Journey to Bohol
Crossing from Oslob to Bohol by ferry, landing at Momo Beach and travelling to Loboc to stay at The Stefanie Grace Paradise Inn on the Loboc River.
Sightseeing in Bohol
A Bohol sightseeing day: the Man-Made Forest, the Tarsier Conservation Area and the Chocolate Hills, then a Loboc River Cruise with food and live music.
Whale Shark Watching
An early start at Taug Whale Shark Watching in Bohol, snorkelling alongside whale sharks, then an evening firefly-watching tour on the Loboc River.
Relaxation Day
A quiet day by the pool and the Loboc River in Bohol, and a fantastic farewell dinner at the Fox and Firefly Restaurant before heading to the coast.
Arrival in Panglao
Moving from Loboc to Panglao in Bohol, checking into Bohol Cattleya Resort, a dip in the pool and an excellent dinner at Moonlit restaurant in town.
Unwinding in Panglao
A few slow days on the beaches of Panglao in Bohol, with a swim in the turquoise underground water of Hinagdanan Cave as the highlight.
Journey to El Nido
Flying Air Swift from Bohol to El Nido in Palawan and spending our first evening at the Cuna Hotel's rooftop bar and restaurant, looking over the town.
Tour A in El Nido
El Nido Tour A with Leatherback Tours: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, snorkelling at Shimizu Island and a beachside feast at Seven Commandos Beach.
El Nido Town
A slow day in El Nido town, starting at our hotel's rooftop bar and wandering the little shops, busy street markets and beach bars along the front.
Tour C in El Nido
El Nido Tour C: Helicopter Island, swimming in to Secret Beach, the viewpoint at Matinloc Shrine, Hidden Beach, and a feast on Talisay Beach.
Ziplining in El Nido
Ziplining in El Nido, Palawan: a real adrenaline rush high above the green hills and clear sea, and something we'd tell anyone visiting to try.
Nacpan Beach
A day at Nacpan Beach near El Nido, lying on the soft white sand by turquoise water, then hiking up to a viewpoint looking along the coast.
Farewell to the Philippines
Our last day in the Philippines: flying back to Manila and on home to London Heathrow, still talking about the places we'd seen and the people we met.
Planning your own?
Everything we wish we'd known before we went, written from this trip.
Before you go
Things to Know
Entry rules, getting between islands and money, from our trip.
Philippines weather this week