Ariara Island

Hidden in the Palawan province in the south west of the Calamian Islands, Ariara Island is available for exclusive use. It takes a helicopter ride, short plane ride or boat journey from Manila to arrive at your destination cradled by 600m of icing sugar white beach, pristine coral reef and acres of tropical forest.

The private island retreat is contemporary in style with low-impact design allowing for flourishing tropical vegetation. Choose from Beach Cottages, Jungle Villas and The Lodge, all with four poster beds, marble bathrooms, cooling ceiling fans and wide verandas with views looking out towards the sea.

The dedicated cook is on hand to prepare a personalised menu using fruit and vegetables picked from the island and local fish fresh from the morning catch.

The infinity pool overlooking the beach is the perfect place to idle the time away with a cocktail and we can even arrange for a masseuse or yoga instructor for you. Otherwise explore the island at your own pace. The more active can enjoy water sports from wind surfing and wakeboarding to jet skiing or island hopping on the Ariara's 33ft speedboat. If a slower pace sounds more appealing, then snorkelling in the private coral reef is utterly mesmerising.

For adventures afield, Ariara's 100ft trimaran is ideal for scuba diving trips with the PADI dive master to some of the world's finest dive sites including barely explored virgin reefs and shipwrecks. Venture to the stunning hidden lakes, limestone rock formations and emerald lagoon waters of Coron and Bacuit Bay. Stop off at uninhabited islands on the way for picnics in the sand or canoeing past exotic terrain without another soul in sight. The natural surroundings are a sanctuary for rare wildlife.