Most Instagrammable Spots in the Philippines: 25 Perfect Photo Locations
The Philippines is one of the worlds most photographed travel destinations -- and for good reason. From limestone karst lagoons to candy-coloured villages and volcanic landscape backgrounds, the visual variety is extraordinary. This guide maps the 25 most photogenic spots with practical details for getting the best shot.
Palawan: The Visual Benchmark
- Big Lagoon, El Nido -- the quintessential Philippines shot. Turquoise water enclosed by dramatic limestone karst cliffs. Best light: 10am-1pm when sun is high enough to illuminate the water colour. Drone shots are restricted by CADT area rules -- check with your tour operator.
- Secret Beach, El Nido (Tour C) -- swimming through a cave entrance into a hidden cove. The light streaming through the cave creates extraordinary photos of people emerging from the water.
- Kayangan Lake, Coron -- the cleanest lake in Asia according to one much-cited study. Crystal-clear turquoise water with limestone cliffs on all sides. The overlook viewpoint from the hill above the lake entry is iconic. Best light: 9-11am.
- Nacpan Beach, El Nido -- one of the Philippines most beautiful stretches of white sand. The twin beach (Calitang Beach is adjacent) and the palm-lined shore at golden hour are extraordinary. Best light: 5-6pm.
Cebu: Dramatic and Diverse
- Kawasan Falls (canyoneering), Badian -- jumping off waterfall ledges into turquoise pools. The blue-green water colour is extraordinary. GoPro or waterproof housing essential.
- Malapascua thresher shark dive -- underwater photography at Monad Shoal at dawn. The thresher shark with its extraordinarily long tail in open blue water. A technically challenging but stunning shot.
- Oslob whale shark snorkelling -- controversial for ethical reasons, but the whale shark-in-turquoise-water photos from Oslob are among the most shared in all of Philippine travel photography.
- Chocolate Hills viewpoint, Bohol -- the most photographed landscape in the Philippines. The panoramic view from Sagbayan Peak or the original Carmen viewpoint shows the 1268 conical hills best in morning or late afternoon light.
Siargao: Surf and Island Aesthetic
- Cloud 9 surfing shots -- the iconic boardwalk over the reef where surfers launch, and the wave itself. Long lens photography from the boardwalk during peak surf season (September-November).
- Sugba Lagoon, Siargao -- a paddle or kayak into a dramatic lagoon. The blue water against karst cliffs with people jumping from the diving platform makes excellent photos.
- Naked Island sandbar, Siargao -- a thin strip of pure white sand with no trees, surrounded by turquoise water. Best in morning light before the crowds arrive by 10am.
Luzon: Northern Philippines
- Batad Rice Terraces, Ifugao -- an amphitheatre of UNESCO World Heritage rice terraces. Best light: golden hour (5:30-6:30pm). The hike to Batad from Banaue takes 1-2 hours.
- Mayon Volcano, Albay -- the worlds most perfect volcanic cone. Photo from Cagsawa Ruins (partially buried church from the 1814 eruption) with Mayon looming behind. Best in early morning before clouds build.
- Pagudpud beaches, Ilocos Norte -- Bangui windmill beach with windmills in the background, and Saud Beach with turquoise water comparable to Boracay.
- Intramuros at night, Manila -- the illuminated walls of the Spanish colonial fort city. Fort Santiago at dusk is particularly dramatic.
Mindanao and the Visayas
- Hinatuan Enchanted River, Surigao -- a river of impossibly blue water emerging from underground springs into the sea. The colour is almost unreal in photographs.
- Tinago Falls, Iligan -- a 75-metre waterfall into an enclosed blue-green lagoon reached via 220 steps. The surrounded-by-cliffs composition is extraordinary.
- Asik-Asik Falls, Cotabato -- water flowing from a 70-metre wide cliff face draped entirely in ferns. Unlike any other waterfall in the Philippines.
- Camiguin White Island sandbar -- a white sand bank rising from the sea with Camiguin volcano in the background. Best at low tide with no crowds in the early morning.
- Vigan Calle Crisologo at dawn -- the cobblestoned street of Ilocos heritage buildings before the tourist calesas arrive. No other street in the Philippines looks like this.
Underwater Photography
- Apo Island sea turtles (Negros Oriental) -- green sea turtles at close range in clear water
- Balicasag Island coral gardens (Bohol) -- near-vertical walls covered in sea fans
- Anilao nudibranchs (Batangas) -- macro photography paradise, 2 hours from Manila
- Monad Shoal at dawn (Malapascua) -- thresher sharks with sun rays streaming down
- Tubbataha reef walls -- pristine hard coral with schooling fish in crystal visibility
For photography tour packages with drone and underwater photography support, see our tours directory.