Top 15 Islands in Luzon
Luzon is the largest and most populous island in the Philippines. It is ranked 15th largest in the world by land area. Located in the northern portion of the archipelago, it is the economic and political center of the nation, being home to the country’s capital city, Manila, as well as Quezon City, the country’s most populous city. With a population of 53 million as of 2015, it is the fourth most populous island in the world, containing 52.5% of the country’s total population.
Here is the list of the top 15 Islands in Luzon.
Matukad Island – Caramoan
Matukad Island is one of the small tropical islands that make up Caramoan. Its fine white sands and deep blue waters are irresistible to the eyes and perfect for swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling. Also on the island is a steep rock formation that is home to the Hidden Lagoon. The lagoon is a small body of water with clear freshwater where strange milkfish are said to inhabit, with many legends surrounding their existence.
A stop at Matukad Island will definitely be a worthwhile trip full of challenge and adventure.
Hundred Island – Alaminos
The Hundred Islands National Park is the first national park and a protected area located in Alaminos, Pangasinan in the northern Philippines. The islands, totaling 124 at low tide and 123 at high tide, are scattered in the Lingayen Gulf covering an area of 16.76 square kilometers (6.47 sq mi). Only three of them have been developed for tourism: Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children’s Island.
The islands are believed to be about two million years old. There are actually ancient corals that extend well inland, in an area previously comprising the seabed of an ancient sea. The lowering of the sea level has exposed them to the surface. The peculiar “mushroom-like” shapes of some of the islands were caused by the eroding action of the ocean waves.
Palaui Island – Cagayan
The Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape is a protected area and national park in the town of Santa Ana in Cagayan, Philippines. It is located off the northeastern extremity of Luzon Island, the largest island in the country.
The island was declared as a National Marine Reserve in August 28, 1994 encompassing an area of 7,145 hectares (17,660 acres). The waters around the island boast of 21 commercial species of fishes with about 50 hectares (120 acres) of undisturbed corals.
Among the destinations in the Palaui is the northern point of the island is the Cape Engaño Lighthouse which is situated at Cape Engaño the northern point of the island and its beaches. The island is the 10th entry in CNN’s World’s 100 Best Beaches list which was published on May 2013, which remarked the island’s “raw beauty”
Palaui Island lies off the northwestern part of a large promontory in San Vicente, in the municipality of Santa Ana, Cagayan province. It is 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) at its longest and about 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) at its widest and moderately high. The western shore of the island appears bold, but on the eastern side, a reef projects from its side for 2.4 kilometers (1.5 mi), the edge of it being 0.8 kilometers (0.50 mi) from and extending around the small islet of Escucha, east of Palaui. The Dos Hermanos rocky islets lie off Cape Engaño, in the northern point of Palaui, and there are some rocks off the northeast point of the island, about 1.6 kilometers (0.99 mi) eastward of the cape. Gran Laja island, a low rock islet surrounded by breakers, is one of the rocks located northeast off Palaui.
At the southwest end of Palaui Island is Puerto Point, a high, wooded bluff. East of the point and south of Palaui is Rona Island, a low, wooded island with a white base of sand and rocks. Escucha Island is a high and wooded islet east of Palaui, and beyond Rona Island when seen from southwestward through the channel between Palaui Island and the mainland, where a few more islets are located.
Lahos Island – Caramoan
Among the extensive and majestic coastline and numerous wondrous islands, Lahos Island still stands out like a rare pearl in Caramoan. A journey to Caramoan Island will never be complete if you don’t get the chance to visit Lahos. It is said that it is named as such because its white sandy beach disappears with the high tide, the word “laho” in the vernacular, or “disappear” or “vanish” in English.
Lahos Island boasts of spectacular stretches of white sand beaches amongst striking and unique rock formations that partition areas of the island. Lush vegetation can be seen in various parts of the island. The aquamarine waters around the island are picturesque and ideal for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Many tourists stop over at Lahos Island during their island-hopping at Caramoan.
Cagbalete Island – Mauban
Cagbalete is an island off the east coast of Luzon, the Philippines on Lamon Bay. It is part of Quezon Province and administered by the municipality of Mauban.
In 11 February 1859, three Pansacola brothers namely Benedicto, Jose, and Manuel purchased the island from the Spanish government. Then, in 11 April 1868, the brothers agreed to give a quarter of the island to the children of their deceased brother, Eustaquio. Since no actual measurements on how the island would be divided at the time, disputes came in later years. As of a Philippine Supreme Court Decision dated 1 December 1987, all titles on the island have been declared invalid.
Cagbalete Island now hosts two barangays, namely Barangay Cagbalete Uno and Barangay Cagabelete Dos. The land originally owned by Benedicto Pansacola and the descendants of Eustaquio Pansacola comprise the first barangay. The second barangay comprises the land originally owned by Jose Pansacola and Manuel Pansacola.
Capones Island – San Antonio
Capones Island, also known as Grand Capon or Capon Grande Island (Spanish: Isla de Capon Grande) is a small island approximately 1.9 kilometers (1.2 mi) long by 0.4 kilometers (0.25 mi) wide, at its widest point, lying some 3.8 kilometers (2.4 mi) off the coast of the province of Zambales on western Luzon island in the Philippines. It is the largest of the Capones Islands (Islotes de los Capones), a group of three small islands that also includes nearby Camara Island and another islet connected to it by a sand bar. The island is administratively part of barangay Pundaquit of the Zambales municipality of San Antonio.
The island is characterized by huge rock formations and steep cliffs surrounded by white sand and coral beaches. The Capones Island Lighthouse is located on the hillside near the western end of the island.
Alibijaban Island – San Andres
Alibijaban is a small island located off the southeastern coast of the Bondoc Peninsula in the Philippines. It belongs administratively to the municipality of San Andres, Quezon province, and is coterminous with the barangay of the same name. With a population of 1,643 inhabitants in 2015, it is the smallest of seven barangays in San Andres.
The island is known for its pristine mangrove forest and coral reefs. It is also visited for its white sandy beaches and rich birdlife. Its mangrove forest which covers approximately 140 hectares (350 acres) of the island’s central and northern portions is protected under the National Integrated Protected Areas System as a wilderness area called the Alibijaban Island Wilderness Area. 225 hectares (560 acres) of waters surrounding it have also been declared a marine protected area is known as the Alibijaban Fish Sanctuary.
Alibijaban is an emerging backpacker destination. It’s fine white sand beach and mangrove forest are few of the reasons why backpackers visit the island. The activities to do include: beach bumming, camping, boating, and snorkeling.
Camara Island – Pundaquit
Camara Island is the closest island from the shores of Pundaquit Zambales. The island, like its close neighbor Capones, is also a big lump of rock with very little soil. Trees aren’t that many but because of the rock formations and angle of the island, it’s not hard to find shade and scenic spots for a great photoshoot.
The island has a great view of the open ocean. It has two sides separated by a white sandbar that becomes visible during the low tide and disappears during the high tide. Big rocks that dwarf tourists are plenty on this island and it won’t be long till you find yourself taking photos next to one and just be astonished by their size and weight.
Cagbalinad Island – Caramoan
Cagbalinad is actually an islet with a small beach that is swallowed by water during high tide. The sand was very fine and white and compact. This place should be on everyone’s list because the scenery was just superb. The color of the water, the rich marine life, and the blue sky just took your breath away
Paguriran Island – Sorsogon
Sorsogon is a land of breathtaking scenery as it is blessed with the bounties of nature. The province is home to many world-class islands and beaches where visitors both local and foreign have enjoyed throughout the years, like the scenic island of Paguriran.
Nested in the Sawangga Bacon District of Sorsogon, the island of Paguriran has long been a favorite destination for many visitors who want to spend their vacations at the heart of pristine nature. The island is surrounded by unique rock formations that resemble the remains of an extinct volcano. A stretch of white sand-cast against the clear blue water of the island is perfect for sunbathing and a long, refreshing swim. One can enjoy snorkeling and explore the island’s diverse marine wildlife and unique ecosystem.
Animasola Island – Burias Island
Animasola Island features breathtaking rock formations together with its crystal clear and sparkling waters.
Dos Hermanos Island – Pagudpud
The Dos Hermanos Islands are two rock formations located off the northern coast of Maira-ira Point in Pagupud, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines. The twin islands are often visited by tourists and are a natural landmark of Pagudpud.
Minalahos Island – Caramoan
Crocodile Island – Santa Ana
Crocodile Island, as it is famously known by the locals and tourists of Sta. Ana, Cagayan at the northeastern tip of the Philippines is a lone island cliff situated in the middle of Balintang Channel just off the shore of Barangay San Vicente of the main town. The island is a must-visit as it is blocking the way to Palaui’s main village, Punta Verde. The waters to it are shallow and can be used as a snorkeling spot as well.
From afar, the island resembles a crocodile resting on top of a sandbar, thus the island is fondly called Crocodile Island. Official called Manidad Island (or Rona Island), it is located between the main island of Luzon and the island of Palaui, about 2km from San Vicente Port.
Most of the islet’s area is submerged in water whether high or low tide except for its marble cliff feature that is shaped liked a sleeping crocodile, hence its popular name.
The island has no crocodiles instead it is a thriving habitat for oysters and small fishes trapped along the creases of the marble.
Borawan Island – Padre Burgos
The resort is the perfect destination for your beach cravings. This famous beach located in Padre Burgos, Quezon Province coined its name from the two famous beaches in the Philippines namely Boracay and Palawan because of the resemblance in white sand and limestone rock formations.
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