Philippines Family Holidays 2024/2025

If you simply want to find a beach for your little ones to dig in the sand, then pretty much every island has soft white sand and crystal clear waters with a gentle gradient perfect for safe swimming. The Shangri La on Boracay immediately springs to mind with a huge pool, kids and teen’s club and two gorgeous beaches. However if like us you like to get out and explore and inject an element of adventure into your family holiday to the Philippines, then islands such a Bohol are a fantastic choice. Bohol is a beautiful natural island, covered with jungle clad mountains, rice paddies and scattered with charming local villages. At its heart are the famous Chocolate Hills, a unique collection of hills so called as in the dry season they turn brown and resemble Hershey’s Kisses! Enjoy a day tour to see the smallest primates in the world – Tarsiers, cute little creatures about the size of a squirrel with huge eyes – the kids will just love them. You can take a cruise down the river observing local life along its banks, see the local kids swimming through the trees and jumping into the water and see how rice is grown and walk amongst the chocolate hills. You’ll stay in nearby Panglao, linked by a short bridge from Bohol and home to two resorts, both family friendly. South Palms has a long wide beach, perfect for sandcastles and Amorita Resort has a kid’s playground and great kids pool.

El Nido – either Lagen Island or Pangulasian Island also stand out for adventurous families – the two resorts are surrounded by an aquatic paradise – hundreds of limestone cliffs, castaway islands and hidden lagoons are waiting to be explored by foot, kayak, boat or snorkel and the two resorts are ideally set up to take up to four in one room. Nay Palad Hideaway, is one of those special resorts that only a privileged few have a chance of visiting. Hidden on the island of Siagaro in the east of the Philippines this boutique resort is surrounded by pristine, quiet beaches, exotic wildlife, coral reefs, secluded natural pools, and underground caves - this really is an under-the-radar nature lover’s paradise with loads to offer families. This place is truly magical and with only nine villas, four of which have two bedrooms, ideal for families, it really is an intimate experience and a place where you arrive as strangers but leave as friends. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in everything the island offers and when travelling as a family they will create an itinerary totally tailored to your interests – doing as much or as little as you wish.

With so many islands, covering 300,000 square kilometres weather patterns do vary depending on the island group you are visiting but in general the dry season falls between November and April. The temperatures are at their highest between March and April and the cooler months (we are not talking cold here, just not quite as hot!) are December to February – the most popular time to travel. The wet season does fall between May and October when you’ll still enjoy hot sunny days but should expect the odd shower, however during this time you will get more for your money as the hotel prices are far lower. The locals tell us that May is one of the most wonderful times to visit as it is in a shoulder season so you may have the odd shower but in general the weather is beautiful and there are so fewer visitors you’ll have it almost to yourselves. August and September would be the wettest months and best to avoid, unless you are heading to Dedon Island in the east for surfing which is at its best when the swells are higher!

The Philippines is made up of 7640 islands, spread over 300,000 km2 with many different weather patterns. As a general rule the weather is better in our winter, between October and May, however on the eastern coast, islands like Siquijor, where Nay Palad Hideaway is located, are better in our summer.

For the majority of the beach resorts and locations that a Turquoise guest would visit, Malaria is not required. However, if you are exploring off the beaten track, in some of the more dense jungle areas on some islands, it may be necessary.

We can offer advice, but as medical information is constantly being updated by both the destination you are visiting and the Department of Health, we also recommend consulting your doctor for professional medical advice as soon as possible. Typhoid, polio, Hepatitis A and tetanus are usually recommended.

It does depend on where you are staying as some hotels have their own water purification plants, however generally, it is not recommended to drink from the tap and we would suggest always sticking to bottled water.