Sumilon Island is a coral island off the coast of Bancogon, Oslob, Cebu. It is the first marine protected area in the Philippines and is famous for its diving sites.

528530650

Sumilon Island is a coral island off the coast of Bancogon, Oslob, Cebu. It is the first marine protected area in the Philippines and is famous for its diving sites.

Photo by: Jacob Maentz

Jacob Maentz

4 Wonders of the Philippines

The Philippines is an island country in Southeast Asia, consisting of over 7,000 islands and islets. From rolling chocolate hills to caves and beaches for exploration, the Philippines has many places to explore and learn about!

August 03, 2022

Sagada is a relaxed town within the Mountain Province, known for its hanging coffins. Sagada’s terrain is known to be quite remote and steep but boasts beautiful views of rice terraces, limestone caves to explore, and rich indigenous history. For thousands of years, Sagada locals have been following a unique burial ritual, where their burial coffins are hung inside mountainous caves or on the face of cliffs.

Photo taken in Sagada, Philippines

1267329623

Main town in Sagad

Photo by: Jumer Gorospe / EyeEm

Jumer Gorospe / EyeEm

In addition, Sagada is well known for Sumaguing Cave or the “Big Cave”. This cave houses impressive natural pools as well as stalactites and stalagmites. Commonly, locals and tourists visit these caves to experience spelunking or exploring caves.

Luzon, Philippines

187140606

Caves in Sagada.

Photo by: Sean White / Design Pics

Sean White / Design Pics

Caves in Sagada.

El Nido is a part of Palawan island and houses everything from secret lagoons and idyllic cliffs to hidden beaches and waterfalls. Miniloc Island is known as Small and Secret Lagoons, where visitors can kayak and swim in the turquoise waters. The surrounding limestone cliffs and greenery make the waters serene and calm. El Nido is estimated to have some of the oldest rock formations and fossils in the Philippines. The oldest rock in El Nido called “Bacuit” is estimated to be around 270 million years old.

A tropical lagoon on the island of Coron in Palawan in the Philippines. Taken from the trail to Kayangan Lake

906778428

A tropical lagoon on the island of Coron in Palawan in the Philippines. Taken from the trail to Kayangan Lake

Photo by: Kevin Boutwell

Kevin Boutwell

A tropical lagoon on the island of Coron in Palawan in the Philippines. Taken from the trail to Kayangan Lake

Bohol is known for its Chocolate Hills, which are unique and wondrous views of rolling “chocolate” hills. This beautiful landscape is made up of thousands of hills within the towns of Carmen, Batuan, and Sagbayan. These almost symmetrical hills look so perfect that one would have guessed they were man-made. But, these chocolate hills don’t always look chocolatey. In their off-season, these hills are covered in green vegetation and grass that begins to turn into chocolatey brown during the Philippine dry season.

The Chocolate Hills are a unique geological formation in the Bohol, Philippines. Taken during sunset.

505179506

The Chocolate Hills are a unique geological formation in the Bohol, Philippines. Taken during sunset.

Photo by: Afriandi

Afriandi

The Chocolate Hills are a unique geological formation in the Bohol, Philippines. Taken during sunset.

The Philippines is home to about 2,000 whale sharks and has the second-largest whale shark population in the world. Whale sharks or known locally as butanding, are most prominent in the Donsol, Sogod Bay, Oslob, and Palawan areas. Local organizations like LAMAVE, are working to create awareness for sustainable tourism and environmental practices that allow whale sharks to thrive. These majestic fish are easy to spot in the hotstop areas between November and May during their migration.

723496643

Whale shark swimming in the Cebu waters.

Photo by: Kit Korzun

Kit Korzun

Whale shark swimming in the Cebu waters.

Next Up

A Spanish Sunken Galleon Has a $17B Bounty Onboard - and Now You Can See It

Way back in 1708, when the War of Spanish Succession was waging across Europe and Latin America to decide who should be the next King of Spain, three Spanish galleons set sail from Panama. They were loaded to the brim with gold, silver, emeralds, and other jewels that had been extracted from the mines of Bolivia – and were vital in financing Spain’s costly war against its enemies.

Discovering Europe’s Last Wild Rivers

Rivers in the Balkans are largely free-flowing, unlike other bodies of water on the continent. They are home to endemic species of fish, provide habitats for birds, and a playground for watersport daredevils.

This Little-Known Hiking Path Explores One of the Deepest Gorges in the World

A trek through China's Tiger Leaping Gorge is a journey into the country's most ethnically diverse region, where beauty and fear hang intoxicatingly in the air.

Unforgettable International Hiking Vacations

We've selected 5 unforgettable hiking vacations sure to lead you into the thick of your destination.

Historic Adventures Along Italy’s Mediterranean Coast

Perched on the dramatic coast of Italy, just north of Pisa, there are five small hamlets, known collectively as “The Cinque Terre”.

Climb England’s Stomach-Churning Iron Way

Adventure into Victorian England with rickety bridges and vertical climbs across a 19th-century mine.

Every Year, Thousands of Glass Orbs Are Hidden on This Oregon Beach

When you think of treasure hunters, it's typically Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones that come to mind. But modern-day treasure hunters do exist. In the coastal town of Lincoln City, Oregon, beachcombers flock to the sand in hopes of finding one very specific treasure: glass fishing floats.

You Can Hike to a 1950s Plane Wreck in Alaska's Talkeetna Mountains

A US Airforce bomber crashed in the mountains of Alaska during a training mission. Today, adventurous hikers can make the climb to bomber glacier to see what remains of the fuselage.

Nankoweap Trail: Hiking the Grand Canyon's Most Difficult Trail

With 11 miles of waterless exposure and trails just inches from deadly drops, Nankoweap Trail requires skill and nerve to hike. Here are some details about completing this beautiful yet challenging trail within Grand Canyon National Park.

900-Year-Old Crusader Sword Found by Scuba Diver

The sword was discovered off the coast of Israel and likely belonged to a knight who lost the weapon in battle or fell overboard sailing to the Holy Land.