How can anyone choose from the more than 7,000 islands that make up the archipelago of the Philippines? Though the domestic ferry system is extensive and cheap, there are so many options that many visitors may worry, justifiably, about wasting time trying to find just the right place to spend most of their beach time in the Philippines.

Palawan Island is the absolute jewel of the Philippines. It is named year in and year out as the best set of beach islands in the entire Southeast Asian region and the white sands and crystal clear waters are the worst kept secret in the Philippines. There are a number of very expensive five star resorts in the Palawan group but backpackers and budget travellers are well catered for also.

There is even regular work available on the Palawan Islands with ecotourism and environmental protection. These efforts continue to preserve the pristine beauty of the area and have also created a mini industry of their own. Apart from their beauty and great beach life, the green power of the Palawan Islands has seen the area win several international prizes and awards.

Puraran Beach is on Catanduanes Island which also hosts an annual jazz festival and as such has a very well established infrastructure of hotels, restaurants and internet cafés. This is primarily a budget island and the backpacker scene here is especially vibrant.

Mindoro island is close to Manila and has some of the finest beaches and island life in the Philippines. Puerto Galera Beach and Sabang Beach are two of them, and the former especially is very inviting. The hotel scene here is a diverse offering and vacancies are common all year round despite the area’s popularity.

Cebu is a popular island that is based around transportation and travel as it is a major ferry hub due to its central location. Malapascua Island off Cebu is increasingly becoming an international travel favourite. Alona Beach is near Cebu too, at Panglao Island and this beach is known as one of the picks of the Philippines.

Minanao is the large southern island of the Philippines. The thermal springs here are world famous and advanced hydrotherapy options operate here in health resorts and a number of other five star outfits that are popular with local and international celebrities.

Boracay Island’s celebrated White Beach is gorgeous and inviting and the low budget travel scene at Boracay is laidback and easy to access. Beers by the beach is the main form of relaxation and nightlife here. Visitors should remember that Boracay has been a centre of tourism in the Philippines for decades and so it is not quite as pristine as other parts of the archipelago.

Muelle Bay at Mindoro Island is a great budget island also and like all islands in the Philippines it is easily reachable by ferry and very easy to secure a room on arrival. Many say that this is the heart of the backpacking scene in the Philippines and the surfing is superb here, too.

Many visitors to the Philippines save time, and in some cases money, by flying with no-frills air carriers to the island of their choice rather than taking the domestic ferry system. Days of travel time can be saved if visitors know where they want to head to when they arrive in Manila.

Carlo Gomez moved to the Philippines from his native Brazil in 1993 and currently works in the ecotourism industry.