The rainy season has officially been declared in the Philippines, and the summer season has thus ended, but that doesn’t mean that travelling to the country is not possible. The Philippines is considered an all-year round tourist destination where if other sites may not be feasible for a season, another place will surely welcome guests wholeheartedly. This month, we feature some of the “off-peak” destinations that one may enjoy:

Photo retrieved from Sea Explorers

Cabilao Island

A small island in the province of Bohol, Cabilao Island offers one of the best snorkeling and diving sites in the region. Crystal clear waters and a white sand beach can also be seen in the shores of the island, similar to the Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol. Cabilao Island is famous for scuba divers because of its three dive sites featuring hard and soft corals, critters, barracudas, and more. The island also has a natural saltwater lake that is  ideal for bird watching. 

Photo from Southwest Tours

Tibiao, Antique

Helmed as an adventure tourist spot, Tibiao in Antique may be underrated for some but is surely packed with activities for its guests. Just a few hours away from Iloilo, Boracay, or Kalibo, Tibiao offers whitewater rafting or river tubing along the waters of Bugtong Bato River. A trek to the Bugtong Bato Waterfalls may also be done so one may be refreshed with the cool waters of the falls. Afterwards, prepare to be “cooked” in a huge wok or kawa. The perfect way to relax after a day’s worth of activities, a kawa hot bath will help alleviate the sore or tense muscles after the adventure.

Photo from Danjugan Island

Danjugan Island

A lush sanctuary for marine and wildlife, Danjugan Island is located in the southern part of Negros Occidental, reachable from either Bacolod, Sipalay, or Dumaguete. The island may be small in size but it is a diverse habitat for the aquatic animals and birds in the region. Danjugan Island is home to mangroves, a beach forest, white sand-beaches, and five lagoons. As it is primarily a wildlife and marine sanctuary, the management is conscious of the impact of tourists in the island, hence, the island is never dubbed as a resort especially since it was once a threatened and over-fished area. 

Photo from Balay Cuyunon Heritage

Farm Experience with Cuyunon cultural immersion

Palawan is not just about its award-winning beaches, but it also boasts of the rich cultural heritage of the destination’s indigenous people. Catch a glimpse of the lives of one of the natives of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, the Cuyunons. Dance along with the tribesmen and listen to their music as they perform it through native musical instruments. Get to see their way of living as guests immerse in the Cuyunons’ livelihood like cashew nuts processing, rice cakes cooking, and rice grains pounding. Guests may also take part in the farm experience with the Cuyunons, and be able to have hands-on experience with farming.