10 Best Resorts & Beaches Around Manila

Best beaches near Manila

Now that you’ve understood the Philippine geography a bit better, we can move on to the beaches you can visit while you’re in Manila.

Laiya Beach (San Juan, South)

Laiya is the nicest beach we’ve been to in Batangas. It’s got that white sand a ton of foreigners love and is only a two-hour drive from the metro. 

Everyone—and I mean everyone from families to corporate teams—goes here, so it’s often crowded. The good news is that there are a ton of resorts along the beachline. If you choose a pricier one that’s more private, you don’t have to share the water with too many people. 

You just need to be very careful about the resort you choose. Laiya Beach is wonderful, but there are parts of its shoreline that are a bit rocky. Always read the reviews of guests who’ve been to a resort to see what they have to say about the beach itself.

Best resorts along Laiya:

• Blue Coral 
• Acuaverde
• Sabangan Beach Resort

Tali Beach (Nasugbu, South)

Tali is one of the lesser-known beaches in Batangas/south of Manila, though no less scenic and pristine. Hidden inside a gated community in Nasugbu, you’ll find long ocean stretches for miles. There isn’t much sand, but I enjoy the absence of the crowd. 

Of course, just because there isn’t much sand doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do—the deeper waters make Tali a pretty good place to scuba dive.

Since the beach is tucked in a private community, there aren’t a lot of resorts in the area. More often, tourists rent Airbnbs and bike or walk to the seaside.

Where to stay when you’re in Tali:

• Tali Beach Resort
• Jo & Johnny’s Beach and Dive Inn
• Community Airbnbs

Anilao (Mabini, South)

Since we’re already on the topic of scuba diving, Anilao’s the one you want for this activity. It’s a corporate team-building getaway site, too, which means it’s near and the facilities are good. 

Anilao has over 30 dive spots for you to explore. If you only have time to visit a couple, remember to tell your boat captain to at least take you to Eagle Point and Secret Bay to see the reefs. 

There isn’t much sand in Anilao, but you can island/beach hop to explore its different shores. Just be wary of the tiny jellyfish in the deeper areas. Their strings don’t hurt, but those dots WILL appear on your skin when you get out of the water. Bring topical cream, just in case!

Where to stay when you’re in Anilao:

• Atlantis Dive Resort
• Blue Crystal
• Acuatico

Hundred Islands (Alaminos, North)

If Anilao is for diving, then Hundred Islands is for island hopping. 

Stay in one of the nearby resorts (which also have beaches of their own) and rent a boat to take you to those islands. There are—literally—more than a hundred islands for you to explore.

Not all of the islands have beaches, but those that do are surrounded by blue waters and graced with white sands. We even visited a couple with slides built into the islands’ cliffsides. A lot of them are built with stairs and railings, so you’re safe as long as you’re careful on your way up. 

There are a couple of islands perfect for shallow snorkeling. Some areas are so shallow that the reefs are just inches below your surface-floating body. I know it’s tempting, but do NOT touch the reefs while you snorkel. They’re brittle and house families of sea creatures. 

If you’re not feeling adventurous, there are four commercialized islands for communal swimming (like Governor’s Island). 

Ocean lovers are going to have a blast, though. All of the experiences I just mentioned often come in one package tour.

Where to stay when you’re in Hundred Islands or Alaminos:

• Puerto Del Sol Beach Resort
• Treasures of Bolinao
• Casas and villa Airbnbs around the area

Burot Beach (Calatagan, South)

Calatagan is a bit further south than Laiya, but the extra distance is worth it. Its location is more remote (so you’ll definitely need a car) but also more quiet. Rather than white, the sands here are a beautiful golden color.

Local celebrities frequent this beach. It’s not impossible that you’ll run into one or two of them.

Most of the resorts along Burot Beach are private cabins. They’re more expensive but also more comfortable than regular rooms. The best one my family has been to is Crusoe Cabins… and I’m not just saying that because of the food and alcohol (which were great).

Crusoe Cabins features repurposed trailers turned into cabins. You don’t share a communal space with other guests, and most of the cabins are very close to the beach!

Best resorts along Burot:

• Stilts
• Crusoe Cabins
• Cocoons Casobe

White Beach (Puerto Galera, South)

Even further south than Calatagan is Puerto Galera. If you truly want the white beach experience, it’s this place you want to visit… and not Boracay, which is always overcrowded.

Plus, Boracay is only accessible via plane, even if you say it is in its home region (Visayas). Granted, you do need to take the ferry at Batangas Pier, but the experience is totally worth it. Stay for a week in one of its resorts.

White Beach is a shoreline that circles around the island of Puerto Galera. Despite its remoteness, the crowd is festive and party-like, and most resorts host concerts and festivals year-round.

Since you’re in Puerto Galera, don’t forget to try the Mindoro Sling, a fantastic fruit cocktail made with apples, oranges, mangoes, and more. Say what you want about local cuisine, but our fruits are amazingly sweet and juicy. 

In fact, if you have the option to try desserts or drinks in every place you eat or stay at, always opt for those with fruits in them.

Some resorts along White Beach (there are a ton):

• White Beach Resort
• Amami
• Blue Crystal

Patar Beach (Bolinao, North)

Ever since they built this particular shortcut in the North Luzon Expressway, what used to be a five-hour drive to Bolinao has now been cut to three. 

And when you visit Bolinao, it’s the resorts along Patar Beach where you want to stay.

Known as the “Golden Beach of Pangasinan,” the sands are more breathtaking to look at compared to Burot (sorry Calatagan). The sunsets here are also better since the beachline is located on the west side of the Philippines.

My favorite part about Patar is the waves. They’re not quite big enough for surfing, but the water is moderately deep that those big lumps feel like they’re about to swallow you whole (and I say that affectionately—beaches with shallow waters are no fun). Bring floaters, and you’ll never leave the waters.

Resorts along Burot:

• Puerto Del Sol Beach Resort and Hotel Club
• Patar Beach Resort
• Villa Soledad

Urbiztondo Beach (La Union, North)

If you’re looking to surf, Urbiztondo is your destination. Note that La Union has a lot of beaches with big waves, but the variety of the waves in Urbiztondo makes it good for every type of surfer. 

The waves are also very consistent all year round, so you never have to time your visit during the summer. Just avoid the stormy months (May to October)!

And the bars. Can’t forget the bars…

If surfing is too extreme for you, this beach also offers stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking. You can also skimboard and jet ski nearby.

Some hotels and resorts along Urbiztondo:

• Kabaleyan Cove Resort
• Monarch Hotel
• The Little Surfmaid Resort

Nagsasa Cove (Zambales, North)

Even further north, around a six-hour drive, is Zambales. It’s not exactly close to Manila, but it’s still drivable—and worth the trip to discover this slice of paradise.

Nagsasa Beach is probably one of the most breathtaking ones out there. The water is clear and not as salty as most northern beaches, and the sand is white and fine. It’s surrounded by mountains and coves so the water will always be calm.

The only catch is the fact that it’s remote. This means no WiFi… and electricity. However, it’s an AMAZING place to bond with close friends or to go off the grid. The only better “off the grid” location in the Philippines is Palawan, but reaching it from Manila requires a plane ride.

Where to stay when you’re in Nagsasa:

• Airbnb vacation rentals
• Onsite tent rentals

Nagbalayong Beach (Bataan, East)

As a final recommendation, let me tell you where Manila people and other locals vacation on a casual, non-celebratory day: Nagbalayong Beach in Bataan.

Rather than north or south, Bataan is located east of Manila, though you do have to take the northern roads to get to it.

Visually, Nagbalayong isn’t as stunning as other beaches. The sand is a bit ashier in color, for example—which is actually common for many beaches in the Philippines. However, the waters are just as clear. This was the only place I could ever build sandcastles in. The sand just has the consistency for it.

Nagbalayong is a fishing area, making it a favorite for families. You can often find fishermen selling their catch along the coast. Then, depending on the resort, you can actually smoke/grill these in designated areas.

Morong (the area where Nagbalayong is in Bataan) also happens to be the nesting grounds for sea turtles. While you won’t see them while swimming, there’s a nearby conservation center you can visit. 

Before the pandemic, there were even resorts that collaborated with the conservation center to see these baby turtles released into the ocean during November. It’s worth checking if they still offer this experience.

Resorts along Nagbalayong (there are a lot):

• The Bataan White Corals
• Verde Azul
• Anbaya Cove Beach