Philippines With Kids: Our Island-Hopping Itinerary

Warm tropical weather, friendly locals, snorkelling with sea turtles and some of the most beautiful islands we've ever seen — the Philippines quickly became one of our favourite family destinations

I travelled through the Philippines with my two daughters on my first solo-parent trip and was really surprised by how easy it was to explore.

English is widely spoken, domestic flights are very affordable and the locals are incredibly welcoming towards families.

From island hopping and snorkelling with turtles to chasing waterfalls and exploring surf towns, every destination felt completely different from the last.

We kind of zigzagged our way through the Philippines, and if we were doing it again, we'd probably make a few small changes. But overall, it was an incredible adventure and a trip we'll never forget.

At a Glance

Duration: Approximately 2-3 weeks

Route: Cebu → El Nido → Coron → Moalboal → Siargao

Best for: Families who love beaches, snorkelling, wildlife, island hopping and outdoor adventures.

When we travelled: March–April

Cebu City

After flying direct from Brisbane, we spent our first night in Cebu City before catching a domestic flight the following morning.

For us, Cebu was mainly a transit stop, but it was an easy introduction to the Philippines and a convenient hub for onward travel.

El Nido

The following morning we flew to El Nido, located on the northern tip of Palawan.

The flight itself was incredibly scenic and gave us our first glimpse of the islands, turquoise water and dramatic limestone landscapes that Palawan is famous for.

We spent three nights exploring El Nido, relaxing on the beaches and preparing for one of the highlights of our entire trip - the 3 day/2 night boat trip through the Palawan Islands.

El Nido is a fantastic base for island hopping and there is plenty to keep families busy for several days.

El Nido to Coron Expedition

One of the highlights of our Philippines adventure was a 3 day/2 night island-hopping expedition from El Nido to Coron.

Travelling through remote islands, swimming in crystal-clear water and sleeping on small islands along the way made this one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.

If you're travelling between El Nido and Coron, this is something I would highly recommend.

Coron

After arriving in Coron, we spent one night exploring the town before flying back to Cebu.

While our time here was short, Coron immediately felt like a destination that deserved more time. Like El Nido, it's a fantastic base for exploring the surrounding islands and lagoons. There is lots of amazing day trips to surrounding islands.

Moalboal

Moalboal ended up being one of the biggest surprises of our trip.

Before arriving, I didn't know quite what to expect, but it quickly became one of our favourite stops.

The town itself is small and just offshore you'll find one of the Philippines' most famous wildlife experiences — the sardine run. We spent several days snorkelling amongst huge schools of sardines and spotting sea turtles straight off the beach.

We also spent time exploring nearby beaches and waterfalls, which was our highlight of our trip.

Siargao

After returning to Cebu, we flew to Siargao for the final stop of our Philippines adventure.

Siargao felt completely different from anywhere else we'd visited.

The best way I can describe it is a mix between Hawaii, Bali and the Philippines all rolled into one.

Known for its surf culture, laid-back atmosphere and beautiful beaches, Siargao was the perfect place to slow down and unwind after several busy weeks of travelling.

Even as non-surfers, we loved the relaxed vibe and could easily have spent longer here.

What We'd Do Differently Next Time

One of the things we've learnt through years of family travel is that no itinerary is ever perfect.

If we were planning this trip again, we'd probably spend an extra night in Coron and booked an extra day of waterfall adventures in Moalboal.

We'd also slightly adjust the route to reduce some backtracking through Cebu.

That said, every stop offered something completely different and we're so glad we experienced them all.

Why We Loved Travelling the Philippines as a Family

The Philippines exceeded our expectations as a family destination.

The locals were welcoming, communication was easy, the food was affordable and the variety of experiences was incredible.

One day we were swimming with sardines and sea turtles, the next we were exploring remote islands or watching surfers carve through waves at sunset.

For families looking for an affordable tropical adventure that combines beautiful beaches, outdoor activities and genuine local hospitality, the Philippines is hard to beat.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you book or buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting Wanderers at Heart — it helps us keep creating free family travel guides and inspiration.

🤍