This Secluded El Nido Gem Tops the World’s Best Beach Rankings 2026
Leyte’s Kalanggaman also makes the top 50 list.
Published on Apr 30, 2026
(SPOT.ph) Summer is in full scorching swing, so there’s no better time for that much-deserved beach trip. And honestly, why look elsewhere when the world’s best beach is a quick flight away? Travel experts just named two Philippine beaches among the World’s 50 Best Beaches 2026, even crowning a hidden El Nido gem with the top spot. No visa applications or grueling layovers required—just you, turquoise waters, and limestone cliffs keeping the rest of the world at bay.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2026
We already know our shores are elite, but now it’s official: Entalula Beach in El Nido, Palawan, is officially the best beach in the world this year. The idyllic paradise jumped to the top spot after landing at number two last year and number four in 2024. To clinch the gold, Entalula managed to beat famous shorelines in Greece, Australia, Fiji, and the Maldives. And as if topping the list weren’t enough, Palawan isn’t even our only contender this year. Kalanggaman Island in Leyte, a popular white-sandbar, also makes the list, securing the 25th spot.
To build the 2026 list, the World’s 50 Best Beaches team tapped over 1,000 travel professionals to nominate their top beach pick based on personal experience. Those nominations were then rigorously reviewed and ranked by an internal team and a group of “Beach Ambassadors” across eight specific criteria: uniqueness, wildlife, untouched state, natural soundtrack, ease of entry, calm water conditions, lack of crowds, and your odds of getting the “perfect beach day.”
In the official ranking, Entalula is described as “Palawan’s overlooked slice of heaven,” and it’s easy to see why. Its biggest draw here is the genuine seclusion; because it is only accessible by boat, you’ll rarely encounter heavy crowds on the sand. (For now, at least.)
Dramatic limestone cliffs rise from the ocean to shield this tiny cove, protecting a stretch of powder-fine white sand and water so clear it almost looks too good to be true. These calm turquoise waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, while the natural tree line provides a cozy canopy for shade. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to stay all day.
Meanwhile, floating between the Visayan islands of Cebu and Leyte, Kalanggaman is a boat-only destination off the coast of Palompon. The uninhabited isle originally rose to fame after aerial photographs of its long, winding sandbar made their way online—and as we all know, Filipinos love a good sandbar.
Up close, Kalanggaman is just as pretty. While the island center offers coconut trees and some greenery, the main feature is definitely the strip of stark white sand extending out into the sea. Shallow waters lap gently on either side. The world’s 25th best beach is a fantastic spot for swimming, kayaking, and even snorkeling and diving.
Even though the Philippines has long been praised for its picture-perfect islands, there is something special about seeing our more remote coastal gems get their flowers. Whether you’re heading to the cliffs or the sandbars, these rankings offer a great reminder that paradise is right here at home.
For more information, visit the World's 50 Best Beaches website.
Celia Nachura writes to pay for plane tickets, tennis classes, and a pile of books she’ll never have the time to read. She is also the emotional support human to two dogs, Daisy and Nacho.