Philippines Holidays - Eco-Tourism in the Philippines

Chocolate Hills, Bohol

Ecotourism in the Philippines

Ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area, involving the management of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge and practices.

Olango Island mangroves

Economic benefits are fostered and pursued for both the enrichment of host communities, and the satisfaction of visitors.

Ecotourism is a significant tool in sustainable development as it advocates protection of natural resources, the base from which the ecotourism industry thrives.

Ecotourism seeks to put in place mechanisms that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially equitable in order to bring about development that will benefit local communities.

It could be argued that pretty much all of the Philippines can be considered Ecotourism destinations, such is the diversity of both the country and the activities it has to offer, plus the importance of tourism to local communities!

Main Philippines Eco-Tourism Sites & Destinations

Apo Island Marine and Fish Sanctuary

fish Apo Island Marine and Fish Sanctuary is a small wildlife sanctuary off the coast of Negros Oriental, with a pristine shoreline and sparkling blue waters.

Make your way here on a native outrigger boat. Bring out the flippers, snorkel and scuba gear, and prepare for an exciting round of seaside adventures. Apo Island is home to eight hundred plus people, of whom three hundred and fifty (and increasing) are children.

The Apo people are simple fisher folk mostly dependant on fishing and the fishing way of life for their income food and life style.

Apo Reef

Part of Occidental Mindoro, Apo Reef was declared a protected area in 1996. It has three islands: Apo Island, Apo Menor and Cayos del Bajo, with white sandy beaches ideal for recreation and sporting holidays.

Apo Reef is one of the largest coral atolls in the Philippines with a wide variety of habitat types.

The reef waters abound with 385 species of marine fishes including families of sharks, sting rays, mantas, schools of jacks and snappers, and 500 species of corals which include soft corals and branching type of hard corals. Moreover, the presence of shipwrecks in the area makes this dive site popular among diving enthusiasts. It is also be a fishing ground for the local community and visiting fishermen.

Batanes

Batanes Islands

The province of Batanes is a fabled land of stunning landscapes, quite distinct from other Philippine provinces due to the steep cliffs, rolling hills, deep canyons and boulder-lined shores. These natural characteristics make Batanes a very exciting place to visit, and a place to be at one with nature.

The Batanes Group of Islands, a rugged, rocky home to the friendly Ivatans lie 180 kilometers to the north of the Luzon mainland. More...

Hanging bridge ove the Loboc river

Bohol

Bohol may be a small island but it ranks high on the ecotourism scale. Be it deep jungle, lush lowland or high seas, there is something in Bohol for every ecotourist’s mood and preference. Nature lovers would do well to visit the famous Chocolate Hills, then head on to a Loboc River Safari, as well as explore many other destinations.

For the offshore enthusiasts, Bohol has a virtual treasure trove of dive sites.

The beautifully peaceful Isla Hayahay Beach Resort, on Pangangan Island, Bohol, has created an eco-tour (more information here), which includes birdwatching at all the major sites on Bohol and Olango island. More about Bohol...

Camiguin

Camiguin is a small, sun-kissed island blessed with idyllic landscapes, a cozy lifestyle and gentle people. Camiguin lies off the coast of Misamis Oriental, and has proven itself worthy of a place among the Philippines’ top destinations, due to its white-sand beaches, scenic waterfalls and therapeutic springs. The province is also home to seven volcanoes - more than enough reason to visit this charming province.|

Apart from simply lounging on the island's beaches and enjoying the clear blue skies, the most tropical pastime is diving. Coral life is not only spectacular but abundant, while marine life is exotic and always surprising. There are thirteen dive spots in the island with diving equipments available at the resort and experienced dive guides.

Other water sports include swimming, windsurfing, parasailing, and fishing. All types of boats are available for charter from many beach resorts. Experience a natural hot water massage in the hot spring spa of Ardent or Mainit hot spring. Simply go underneath the Katibwasan waterfalls and swim in its clear cold waters.

Take a trek to one of it's seven volcanoes and be rewarded with fantastic views from the top. Camiguin is also a great place to go camping.

Hire a motorbike or a bicycle and go around the island's beautiful circling road in around 2 hours, passing coastlines with quaint fishing villages.

Rice terraces

Cordillera Rice Terraces

The Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras, often referred to as "stairways to Heaven", were included in UNESCO's World Heritage List, in the cultural landscapes category.

A vast area of mountainous terrain in northern Luzon, the Gran Central Cordillera Mountains capture the imagination with cool foggy weather and majestic rice terraces.

The cultivation of highland rice varieties by mountain terracing is practiced throughout Asia, but the Cordillera terraces are said to be the most extensive, unique and outstanding because of their altutude and steep slopes.

For 2,000 years, these high rice fields have followed the contours of the mountains. The fruit of knowledge handed down from one generation to the next, has helped to create a landscape of great beauty that expresses the harmony between man and the environment.

The rice terraces have survived as a "living" cultural landscape because the indigenous peoples have preserved and maintained their own cultural heritage - a culture deeply rooted in the land and nature and creation.

There are five major rice terraces in the Cordilleras which are similar yet distinct from one another:

BANAUE. This is the most famous of all the sites. It is the artistic center of the Ifugao carvers and the Ikat weavers.

BATAD. Located also in Banaue, it is home to the spectacular tiered, amphitheater-shaped terraces.

MAYOYAO. Located in Banaue. The organic Ifugao rice, Tinawon, in red and white variety, is harvested here in abundance.

HAPAO. Its stone-walled rice terraces date back to 650 AD and is located in Hungduan. Mt. Napulawan is located here.

KIANGAN. It is home to two famous rice terraces sites known for their size and visual impact: Nagacadan and Julungan.

Activities to be enjoyed in the Cordilleras area include Trekking & Mountain Biking.

Donsol Whale Shark Interaction

Whaleshark off Donsol

For decades, the seafaring natives of Donsol, Sorsogon have been living in the company of the butanding - huge, gentle whale sharks that live in great numbers offshore. In a still unexplained natural phenomena, droves of these animals congregate in the waters of this town during summer months, forming the main attractions in a bustling ecotourism.

The whale shark is the world's largest fish, and appear in Donsol waters in considerable numbers between December and May of each year, taking advantage of dense food concentration. Donsol is the seasonal feeding ground for whale sharks, and their arrival prompts the local community to provide interaction tours. Visitors even have the chance to swim alongside these majestic creatures.

Other activities to enjoy include RIVER CRUISING, and FIREFLY WATCHING. Hundreds if these nocturnal insects inhabit the rivers and provide a glow around the mangroves.

Firefly watching is becoming an important tourist activity in Donsol. The Philippines is one of only three countries in Asia to offer this kind of friendly tour.

See more on our Donsol page...

Cliffs of El Nido

El Nido

Named after the nests made by rare birds (which is the main ingredient for a tasty delicacy!), the paradise that is El Nido boasts steep limestone cliffs, lush vegetation, hidden lagoons and serene forests, as well as white sand beaches, and coral reefs. It is the sanctuary of various forms of wildlife. Blessed with extraordinary natural scenery, El Nido is now one of the country’s popular tourist destinations.

Activities to enjoy include Trekking, Mountaineering, Scuba Diving, Snorkling, Kayaking, Rafting, and Bird Watching.

More on El Nido and Palawan...

Hundred Islands National Park

The Hundred Islands National Park is a small archipelago off the coast of Alaminos.

Unexplored coves and islets await seekers of solitude.

This National Park covers a land area of 1,884 hectares and 123 islands, however only 3 islands have been developed for tourists.

Crossing the Bugtong river

Mindoro

The Bugtong River drains the mountains of the interior of Mindoro Island down to the sea. It is an area only accessible by boat from Puerto Galera to the east, or Abra de Ilog to the west. The lower reaches of the river are broad and shallow, fringed by extensive rice paddies. These give way to mature, but still active, coconut palm plantations, before the valley narrows into sections of rapids, deep pools and narrow gorges. The area is populated by the indigenous Iraya Mangyans who live in small communities in the lower valley, alongside their Tagalog speaking, lowlander neighbours.

Read how you can join one of our treks in the area here...

Mount Apo

Near to Davao City, on Mindanao, and rising to 9,691 feet, Mount Apo is the Philippines’ highest peak. Its base is larger than the island of Singapore, and it has been named as an ASEAN Heritage Site.

The views from Mount Apo are spectacular, and for the climber, the rewards from reaching the summit are worth the effort.

It is regarded as the last stronghold of the rare and endangered Philippine eagle, which, aside from being the symbol of environmental preservation in the country, has been declared as the national bird. This majestic raptor, mates for life and can live for half a century.

Mount Bulusan Natural Park

Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon is one of the three active volcanoes in the Bicol region. The crater is located at its highest peak - 1,550 meters above sea level. Completely surrounded by forest, park visitors can enjoy wildlife watching, hiking, swimming, canoeing and camping. Wildlife includes the Philippine Brown Deer and Luzon bleeding heart pigeon.

Mount Makiling

Towering between the provinces of Laguna and Batangas, south of Manila, Mount Makiling is home to more than 2,000 species of flowering plants, 291 species of ferns, 211 species of mosses, 45 species of mammals, 181 species of birds, 65 species of reptiles, 22 species of amphibians and thousand insects and other arthropods.

Mount Mayon

Mount Mayon is a near perfect cone volcano. Its summit measures 2,421 meters above sea level while its circular base has a radius of about 48 kilometers.

Located at the foot of Mayon in Lidong, is the DENR-managed campsite and ecopark, which is only a 20 minute ride from Legazpi City.

Olango Island

Wetlands guide helps with species identification

Way before the ecotourists arrived here, the flat muddy plains of Olango Island were already host to a set of visitors. Every year, from February to April, thousands of migratory birds arrive to make a stopover at the wildlife reserve, which serves as a resting place for a variety of water birds including Chinese egrets, Asiatic dowitchers, Eastern curlews, plovers, and sandpipers.

Olango Island supports the largest concentration of migratory birds found in the Philippines. Migration starts from Siberia, Northern China and Japan. Anticipating the scarcity of food and winter cold, these birds fly as far as Australia and New Zealand from late July until late November. These birds return to their breeding grounds in the reverse Northward Migration between February and May.

Olango Island is a diverse coastal ecosystem consisting of extensive coralline sandflats, mangroves, seagrass beds, and offshore coral reefs. The island's mangroves are extensive, and its offshore corals are home to a large variety of marine species. The island is virtually flat, and it is surrounded by warm seas. It is partly sheltered from monsoons and strong trade winds.

The unique biodiversity of life on and around Olango has made it onto the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. www.ramsar.org

Peñablanca Protected Landscape

Peñablanca, Cagayan, Located at the north-eastern tip of Luzon, the Peñablanca Protected Landscape & Seascape is known for its countless caves and lush, fertile land. It is verdant junction to some of the region's greatest landscape - the Cordillera and Sierra Madre Mountains lie on its western and eastern borders, providing for some perfect setting for some truly intense eco-adventures.

Try your hand at caving in some of the best preserved caves in the country. Get your feet wet, literally, in a white water expedition. Other activities include Trekking, Mountaineering, Wildlife Watching, & Kayaking.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

Palawan's famous river is one of the island's most visited sites. A UNESCO world heritage site, this natural wonder features an 8.2 kilometer navigable underground river that winds through a spectacular cave before emerging in the South China Sea. Visitors can glide through awesome caverns, taking in the cool air and the calm, quiet darkness. The National Park allows quiet treks, scenic boat rides and many more caves to explore.

Sangat island

Sangat Island, Palawan

Sangat Island remains an exquisite and unspoiled safe haven to the indigenous plant and animal life which has called this island home for hundreds of years, and is the reason why nature trekking has become a favourite activity for visitors.

Some of the amazing sights to be witnessed include ancient craggy limestone cliffs, densely forested valleys, and thick, tropical jungle areas which nurture countless species of flora and fauna including dozens of tropical bird species, monkeys, monitor lizards and more.

Sangat Island also offers a wide variety of rock climbing adventures for those with the proper degree of physical conditioning and expertise.

For those that love watersports, Sangat island has facilities for kayaking, windsurfing, jet-ski, snorkelling, as well as diving amongst the wrecks, for which it is famous.