The Philippines' Resorts and Beaches: Watch Whales & Dolphins at Pamilacan Island, Bohol

The small island of Pamilacan is nestled in the heart of the Bohol Sea, the Visayas Archipelagos in the Philippines. Its name is derived from the word pilak, which is a large hooked implement made and used by the islanders to capture manta rays, whale sharks and bryde's whale.

The Bohol Sea is said to be a breeding ground of these mysterious but beautiful creatures. The island in previous times, served as a watch station against the intrusion of pirates and enemies of the Spanish colony as evidenced by the 200-year-old Spanish fort on the northeast side of the island.

Today, 235 families live in the island. The people used to hunt dolphins, whales, whale sharks and manta rays but these animals are now fully protected by law in the Philippines.

The attractions on the island that may catch your interest is the ancient Spanish fort, the Santa Cruz at the chapel's altar, the life within the marine sanctuary and the white beaches around the island. Pamilacan is a coral island and fossilised seashells can be seen on the island's rocky hill.

At present, the jaws and bones of marine mammals and whale sharks still adorn a number of homes of the village. The blue waters surrounding the island teem with lush and colorful marinelife.

Go watch whales and dolphins in the Bohol Sea with the locals of Pamilacan. Ex-whale-hunting boats called canter have been refitted specifically for a safe and comfortable trip. The boats, measuring 15 to 20 meters in length, can accommodate up to seven passengers. Each of these crafts is furnished with seats and roofing, and equipped with life vests. You will be accompanied by skilled spotters whose familiarity with the area also makes them excellent guides. The best season is the months from March to June, but resident dolphins and small whales can be found all year round. Tours are dependent on weather and sea conditions.

The Philippines' Resorts and Beaches: Eskaya Resort & Spa in Panglao Island, Bohol

Peacefully nestled in a private yet accessible spot in Panglao Island in Bohol, Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa has its own 600-meter white beachfront and sprawling 16-hectare lot. The Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa breathes life into you with its awe-inspiring mountain and superb sea views, exclusive resort-spa amenities, good food and excellent services.

The name Eskaya refers to the only known indigenous people of Bohol. The resort is in Panglao Island which is at the southernmost tip of Bohol. It is located halfway through Panglao along its coast facing Mindanao Sea. It is a sprawling property which covers 16 hectares. Topography of the resort is varied. It has a gradually ascending cliff, flat land, a ravine, caves and has a commanding view of the sea. On the higher ground of the resort, you can view a mountain with lush vegetation. Down the beach is a long stretch of white, powdery sand up to 5 kilometers, 600 meters of which is part of Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa.

The resort is boutique-style which accounts for its exclusivity. Architecture of the building is decidedly Filipino with a splash of modern amenities. The thatched villas or "balai" in the dialect, are single-detached. These are built with sturdy construction materials, but the ample use of indigenous materials for finishing like bamboo, cogon, and wood is emphasized.

The center of attraction of the resort is the infinity swimming pool which definitely blends with the sea at its bluest. The spacious restaurant has a cool feeling, yet with a warm ambience and plenty of sea view and swimming pool view. Dining can also be at the beach al fresco, at the poolside, and in the garden.

Dining is a pleasure at Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa. The cuisine offers a selection of Filipino best-sellers. You can dine under the moon and the stars, al fresco, or simply enjoy the warm ambience of Lantawan Restaurant. Refresh yourself with coolers by the poolside while gazing at the sunset, or into each other's eyes.

The Philippines' Resorts and Beaches: Amanpulo

Amanpulo (which means “peaceful island” and opened in 1993) is set on a secluded, private island. Pamalican is part of the Quiniluban group, which makes up the northern half of the Cuyo Islands and is one of nearly 1,800 islands in Palawan, the largest province in the Philippines. A low-lying coral island, Pamalican is rimmed by seven square kilometres of pristine reef.

The five Hillside Casitas have unimpeded sea views and the resort's two Deluxe Hillside Casitas feature spectacular prospects of the Sulu Sea and neighbouring islands with both sunrise and sunset views.

The Restaurant, located in a wing at one end of the clubhouse, spills out onto a terrace, with views to Manamoc island across the channel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here. The menu features Asian and Continental cuisine and fresh seafood is a specialty.

The abundant and beautiful reef waters that surround Pamalican and neighbouring islands are tailor-made for snorkelling and diving. A complimentary snorkelling and fish-feeding trip is scheduled daily. For novice scuba divers, Amanpulo is a welcoming retreat, with mirror-smooth seas in front of the Beach Club and a gentle drop-off to deeper water. For certified divers, there are a number of fine sites on both sides of Pamalican, all within easy reach by dive boat. Aquaventure, Amanpulo’s dive company, is a five-star PADI operation offering courses ranging from introductory to advanced. All equipment is provided by Amanpulo’s Dive Shop. Underwater lights are also available. Divers must be at least 10 years of age.

For guests in need of something even more exclusive, there are two private villas on the island. The Nature Villa (Casa Kalikasan) is a spacious retreat that can accommodate up to eight guests. It has four freestanding bedrooms, a separate living room, kitchen, and open-air dining pavilion, all set around a garden courtyard. It is only a few metres back from what amounts to a private beach in the northwest corner of the island. There are two golf carts available for the exclusive use of villa guests and three permanently assigned villa attendants. The West Villa (Casa Kanluran) lies within a 5.6 hectare complex, stretching from the hillside down to the sea. This secluded enclave features three private casitas (identical to the resort casitas), a separate villa ideal for children and nannies, a kitchen and private beach club. There are four golf carts available for the exclusive use of villa guests, and three permanently assigned villa attendants. Villa guests have the use of all resort facilities and services.

The Philippines' Resorts and Beaches: El Nido in Palawan

El Nido is a municipality located at the northwestern tip of the province of Palawan, Philippines. It is 430 kilometers southwest of Manila, and 238 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan's capital. El Nido is bordered by the Linapacan Strait in the North, the Sulu Sea in the east, and the South China Sea in the west.

The Municipality of El Nido is composed of 18 barangays (villages) covering a total land area of 50,000 hectares. Its population of 27,000 people, is a mix of native Palaweños, with a heavy presence of migrants from other parts of the Philippines.

Edible-nest Swiftlets (Collocalia fuciphaga) abound in El Nido. The nests of these birds are found in the crevices of the limestone cliffs and are the main ingredient of the health enhancing bird's nest or nido soup. It is these nests that gave the place its Spanish name, El Nido.

El Nido is considered a showcase of Palawan's geology and diverse wildlife It is one of the most important sites for biological diversity in the country and has been declared by the Philippine government as a protected area.