Palaui Island

Philippines, Philippines

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Palaui Island is a small, rugged island off the northeastern tip of Luzon in the Philippines, lying under the jurisdiction of Santa Ana town in Cagayan province and separated from the mainland by the San Vicente promontory.

It is roughly 10 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide, with a mix of grassy hills, rocky cliffs, and narrow sandy coves that give it a remote, windswept look often compared to a miniature version of Batanes. The entire island is protected as the Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape, a national marine reserve declared in 1994, so it is largely uninhabited except for a small fishing community and a few caretakers near the famous Cape Engaño Lighthouse, a Spanish‑era structure that offers sweeping views of the sea and the nearby Dos Hermanas islets.

Visitors usually come from Santa Ana by boat to enjoy its pristine beaches, clear waters for snorkeling, and coastal hikes, with strict rules aimed at preserving its ecosystems, limiting overnight stays, and keeping the island as an untouched, eco‑tourism destination.