DOT pushes studied development of 2 new ‘jewel beaches’
TACLOBAN CITY—Two more beaches joined the ranks of the world’s best after Lagen Island in El Nido, Palawan, was named among the top in 2013, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).
The new “jewel beaches” are Entalula Beach in El Nido, Palawan, named among the best for three years running, and Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte.
Recent visitors praised the islands as being as pristine as they can be, but Entalula Beach is much less accessible since the town itself is almost 270 kilometers from Puerto Princesa and takes four hours to reach by land. Plus 30 to 45 more minutes to get to the island itself.
There are no roads, toilets or other facilities on the island except those operated by Ayala Land-owned El Nido Resorts on the western side, but there are day trips to the eastern side from El Nido, where there are tourist accommodations.
Kalanggaman Island is more accessible, being only 20 kilometers from Ormoc City, and there are tourist facilities in Palompon town where visitors can pay fees and arrange boat rentals or private charters.
This year’s 25th-place listing in the “World’s 50 Best Beaches” is the first time for Kalanggaman Island and will likely boost tourism investments and revenues in the area, according to Eastern Visayas regional tourism director Karina Rosa Tiopes.
Tiopes said Kalanggaman Island’s inclusion in the World’s Best list is a “proud and happy moment” for Leyte and Eastern Visayas, but she also underscored the need to sustain the island’s clean, peaceful and natural state through proper visitor management, adequate facilities and environmental protection.
“Our goal is not only to welcome more visitors, but to make sure that every visit respects the island, supports the local community, and helps preserve its beauty for future generations,” Tiopes said in an earlier interview.
She added that being included alongside globally known destinations, including Palawan’s Entalula Beach, which topped the list, highlights the growing international appeal of Philippine destinations.
She said the listing of Entatula and Kalanggaman islands followed that of Lagen Island, which was ranked among the top 10 islands in the world by the lifestyle magazine Condé Nast in 2013, which boosted arrivals from high-end travelers and honeymooners.
Entalula Beach was first included in the list in 2024 and rose to No. 2 in 2025, becoming No. 1 this year. Tiopes said this should encourage local governments and other stakeholders to work together to ensure that increased tourism does not compromise the island’s condition.
