Goodbye Bali, So Long Maldives: This Philippines Secluded Island Sanctuary Is A New Hotspot For Pristine Beaches

Over the last decade, Indian Ocean beauties like Bali and the Maldives have carved out a space for themselves as some of the world's premier beach destinations. Each place welcomes millions of tourists every year, eager to swim in the area's characteristic crystal-clear water and sunbathe on the beach. However, following a year-long renovation, an old hidden-gem island in the Philippines has reopened its doors to prospective visitors in 2026 and re-emerged as a new hotspot for secluded, stunning beaches and nature-based stays: Lagen Island.

Lagen Island is a privately owned island in the Palawan province of the Philippines. The province consists of nearly 2,000 islands, with Palawan Island as its main hub. Lagen Island lies off the northwestern edge of Palawan Island in Bacuit Bay, near the town of El Nido, which is particularly famous for limestone karst cliffs, vibrant turquoise waters, and island-hopping tours. However, since Lagen Island is owned by its namesake resort, only guests of the resort are allowed onto the island.

The journey to Lagen Island Resort begins with a plane ride to El Nido Airport. From there, the resort arranges private, approximately 30-minute speedboat rides to the island, where you get your first glimpse of Lagen Island's tranquil, sandy beaches set in a quiet cove, framed by the island's looming, dark green, rainforest-covered mountains. Visitors can choose from four accommodation options at Lagen Island Resort. Water Villas provide that quintessential luxury island experience with overwater villas and decks that lead straight into the sea. The Forest Rooms, Forest Deluxe Rooms, and Forest Suites offer a similarly immersive experience of the surrounding land, set in tranquil woods toward the back of the resort.

Lagen Island Resort's renovation centered on the idea of providing luxury without harming the surrounding ecosystem, so the resort only occupies about 15 acres of the island, with the remaining land left completely untouched. The resort sits in a secluded cove, with a serene white-sand beach leading to shallow waters perfect for playing and splashing around in. With only 42 rooms, guests at Lagen Island Resort can look forward to the feeling of a private island experience complete with the island-hopping tours that characterize the dreamy, tropical tourist area of El Nido. Aside from the main beach in front of the resort, a trek through the island's rainforest leads to another, even more secluded private beach.

The resort organizes island-hopping tours for those who want to explore similarly beautiful beaches in nearby islands. These tours allow visitors to explore vibrant lagoons and limestone caves, and enjoy activities like snorkeling at Shimizu Island or swimming at Entalula Island, voted Asia's best beach in 2025. You can even go on a night kayaking adventure in search of bioluminescence similar to the famous "Sea of Stars" of Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives.

While "luxury" has long been considered the antithesis of "eco-friendly," the kind of luxury offered at Lagen Island relies heavily on its untouched natural state. The resort offers spa services, customized tours, and air-conditioned rooms, but offsets that by having a firm no-plastic policy and ensuring its waste doesn't end up polluting the island. The real luxury on offer here is the experience of a serene, tropical beach paradise nestled away from the noise of popular tourist destinations.