Five years married. Five island stops. One unforgettable return to adventure.
We wanted to wake up somewhere new every few days. We wanted crystal-clear water, island hopping, incredible food, luxury stays mixed with local experiences, and enough adventure to come home feeling like we had truly lived something together.
The Philippines delivered all of it.
For fifteen unforgettable days, we island-hopped through Boracay, El Nido, Coron, Cebu, and Siargao. We snorkelled through lagoons, rode ATVs, swam near massive schools of sardines, explored beaches accessible by boat, watched sunsets from resort pools, and spent our anniversary on a private island.
Looking back, this was not just another vacation. It became one of our most memorable travel experiences.
One ambitious route — five completely different experiences
Vancouver → Manila → Boracay → El Nido → Coron → Cebu → Siargao → Manila → Vancouver
The Philippines is larger and more complex to move through than many first-time visitors expect. Flying between islands helped us protect valuable trip time and fit five distinct destinations into one itinerary.
Stop 1: Boracay
White sand, resort life, and an easy introduction to the islands
Highlight: Island Hopping, Helmet Diving, and ATV
Our first full adventure day combined island hopping, snorkelling, lunch, helmet diving, and an ATV ride.
What We Would Do Differently
We would give Boracay more breathing room. The resort day and activity day worked well, but another unplanned beach day would have made the opening stop feel less compressed.
Stop 2: El Nido
The most dramatic scenery of the trip
Highlight: Tour A
Tour A was the essential El Nido day.
Why the Free Days Mattered
We kept time open for local beaches, a massage, bike rental, island exploration, and the possibility of a sunset cruise. Those unscheduled blocks stopped the itinerary from becoming a checklist and gave us time to enjoy El Nido at our own pace.
Stop 3: Coron
The anniversary centrepiece
Highlight: Coron Super Ultimate Tour
The tour brought together lakes, lagoons, coral, beaches, and a wreck stop in one long day on the water. Coron delivered some of the most varied scenery and swimming experiences of the itinerary.
Our Anniversary Dinner
The anniversary dinner on the beach was simple and memorable
Stop 4: Cebu
The adventure-heavy stop
Highlight: Moalboal Sardine Run and Kawasan Canyoneering
This was one of the biggest days of the trip.
Field Note for Future Travellers
Treat this as a long, physical day. Pack light, wear secure water footwear, confirm pickup logistics the night before, and leave the evening free for recovery.
Stop 5: Siargao
The laid-back finish we did not want to rush
Highlight: Trio Island Tour
The day linked three very different island stops and included the kind of open-water, white-sand scenery that makes Siargao easy to photograph and hard to leave.
Exploring by Scooter
Renting a scooter gave us a flexible day away from the tour schedule.
What We Loved Most
The variety
Luxury resort time, boat days, lagoons, snorkelling, canyoneering, scooter exploration, and surfing all fit inside one trip.
The freedom to mix booked and unbooked days
The tours gave us access to the signature places, while the free days gave the trip personality.
The water-based experiences
Each destination offered a different water experience, from helmet diving and lagoons to lakes, wrecks, sardines, and waterfalls.
The anniversary pacing
Placing Coron near the middle gave us a natural point to slow down and celebrate before the more physical Cebu stop.
What the trip actually cost
All trip costs below are our actual costs per person, shown in Canadian dollars (CAD). Travel insurance was not included in the supplied trip-cost figures.
| Category | Per Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| International flights | $2,377 | Actual trip cost |
| Inter-island flights | $265 | Actual trip cost |
| Hotels | $2,200 | Actual trip cost |
| Tours and activities | $390 | Actual trip cost |
| Food and drinks | $400 | Actual trip cost |
| Transportation | $150 | Actual trip cost |
| Nightlife | $500 | Actual trip cost |
Total: CAD $6,282 per person · CAD $12,564 for two travelers.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a trip that combines romance, movement, beach time, and genuine adventure, the Philippines works beautifully as an island-hopping destination.
Our route was ambitious, but each stop had a clear purpose. Boracay eased us in. El Nido delivered the iconic lagoons. Coron became the anniversary centrepiece. Cebu pushed the adventure level. Siargao let us finish with freedom and a slower pace.
Our second honeymoon gave us exactly what we hoped for: time together, stories we will keep retelling, and a reminder that the best trips are not only about where you go. They are about how the experience fits together.
Five years married. Five island stops. One unforgettable return to adventure.