Philippines Small Group Holidays
The Philippines is divided into three geographical island groups. To the north are the islands of Luzon, where the country’s economic hub and hectic capital city, ... (Read more...)
One of the world’s mega-diverse countries, the Philippines is home to an astounding array of bird, animal and plant life. Its mountainous islands are draped in lush rainforest, and of the abundant waterways that thread through the islands, Cagayan River on Luzon Island is the longest.
However, such natural beauty can at times prove hazardous; located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippine islands are prone to significant seismic activity, and the tropical climate gives rise to frequent summer typhoons. These unpredictable weather patterns are dictated by monsoon winds; from May to October the habagat brings a southwest monsoon, and is followed in November by the amihan (northeast monsoon), which prevails until early May.
The dry season, (January to early May) brings the most comfortable weather, which is cooler, less humid and more predictable than other months. The sweltering early-summer temperatures and June to October wet season are best avoided.
Kitesurfing
A short flight from Manila or Cebu, the island of Boracay in the western Visayas receives constant year round breezes, with over 70% of days blowing 17knots (bft 4) and above between November and April. For the most consistent winds and comfortable temperatures (25-32 oc) visit between November and May. The flat waters of Bulango Bay (east coast) provide the perfect launching and learning ground, with greater challenge found beyond the protective reef. Down-winders and freestyle clinics are offered by kite-schools for more competent riders. Run by IKO qualified instructors, schools are well equipped with kites ranging from 2m2 to 16m2.
Windsurfing
Windsurfing doesn’t get much better than the paradise island of Boracay (Visayas group). Head to Bulango Bay’s two kilometre long sandy beach on Boracay’s east coast, where the prevailing north-east winds blow cross-onshore all year. . From November to April the Amihan winds blow, and temperatures hover around 28C. Expect water temperatures from 24 to 27C, and waves waist-high within the sheltered bay – perfect for learning or blasting. At high tide the waves beyond the protective reef are perfect for jumping and freestyle. Well-equipped schools and hire shops stock the latest boards and sails, ranging from 3.4m2 to 7.5m2. Many offer storage if you bring your own kit.
Scuba Diving
With more than 40,000 square kilometres of coral reefs bursting with marine life, wherever you travel in the Philippines, you will not be disappointed. The consistently warm waters (27-31C) mean that diving is a year round indulgence, but December to April is the often the best time to visit, avoiding the heavy monsoons and searing summer heat.
Luzon Island has plenty of dive sites to choose from but the Anilao peninsula -a couple of hours south of Manila - is where it all started. As the birthplace of scuba-diving in the Philippines, Anilao is still a popular destination today, renowned for its colourful reefs. Or, if you’ve come to the Philippines for whale sharks, head to the small fishing town of Donsol in south east Luzon Island, 600Km south of Manila - November to June is the best time to spot these curious seafarers.
In the southern Visayas group, the UNESCO world heritage site at Apo Reef is the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world and boasts excellent macro photography opportunities. In the far western Visayas, Busuanga Island is a favourite amongst wreck divers, where you’ll find more than ten sunken WWII Japanese ships just off the shoreline near the town of Coron. Further east, the popular tourist island of Boracay offers the opportunity to explore extensive corals and dive with shark, tuna and rays
Surfing
Surfing is popular in the Philippines, but unpredictable weather can lead to temperamental conditions. Beginners should try the west coast breaks on Luzon Island, such as La Union (north west of Manila). Here, clean waves and warm waters offer excellent learning conditions and from November to March the coastline is awash with surf schools and hire centres.
Consistent, but tricky breaks can be found along the east coast of the Philippines, with November to April bringing the best swells. In the north eastern Mindanao group, laid back Siargao island has been a top destination since the 1980s, with ‘Cloud Nine’ reputed to be the best break in the country. Board rental shops are found in resorts around the island but bring booties for the punishing reef break. Visit between August and November for the best swells, or from May to July for less challenging conditions.
Trekking
Almost every Philippine island is rich in hiking trails, which steer trekkers away from the popular tourist spots to access spectacular waterfalls and primeval forests, and guided treks to Philippine villages and hill tribes offer a candid view of typical Philippine life. The rice terraces of North Luzon around Bontoc and Kalinga are a must for many visitors, as is summiting at least one volcanic peak - guided tours of the country’s highest mountain, Mount Apo (2954m) in Mandanao, and the legendary Mount Pinatubo (1450m), a short drive from Manila, are particularly popular. Expect a significant drop in temperature with increasing altitude and always seek advice before ascending any volcano.
Classic Itineraries
Many visitors choose to base themselves on Luzon Island, and with good reason; from world-class scuba-diving in Anilao and spectacular surf in La Union, to trekking on Mount Pinatubo, there’s plenty to keep even the most restless visitor occupied. For beach life and water-sports, Boracay Island in the Visayas group is a must, and is often the sole destination for many travellers. But there’s a lot more to the Philippines than just Luzon and Boracay – many of the the Philippines’ remaining 36,287 islands are well worth exploring, if time allows.
Other Activities
From fly-fishing to horse riding, the natural landscape supports a huge diversity of land-based sports and, with the ocean as your play-ground, almost every water-sport is possible here.
The rugged inlands are ideal for mountain biking, particularly in the Cordillera Mountains (north Luzon), where off-road tracks weave throughout the landscape. Rafting and kayaking are also popular and challenging rapids can be found on the upper Chico River (north Luzon) between June and December, or try white-water rafting on the Tibiao River near Boracay.
