Sir Philip remained in Barbados as parts of northern England, Wales and Scotland were deluged by record rainfall over the festive period.
The EA had said he was at home - but when it later emerged he was in Barbados, it was claimed his wife was from the island.
However, as news of his resignation from the £100,000-a-year part-time role emerged, it was revealed that Sir Philip's wife is actually from Jamaica.
In a statement, Sir Philip said: "My reason for resigning is that the expectations of the role have expanded to require the chairman to be available at short notice throughout the year, irrespective of routine arrangements for deputy and executive cover.
"In my view this is inappropriate in a part-time non-executive position, and this is something I am unable to deliver.
"Furthermore the media scrutiny focused on me is diverting attention from the real issue of helping those whose homes and businesses have flooded, as well as the important matter of delivering a long-term flood defence strategy.
"This same media attention has also affected and intruded on my immediate family, which I find unacceptable.
"I want to be clear that I have not made any untrue or misleading statements, apart from approving the statement about my location over Christmas that in hindsight could have been clearer."
Environment Secretary Liz Truss, who accepted Sir Philip's resignation, said: "He has ably led the Environment Agency through some challenging times and leaves it a much better organisation, as shown in its excellent response to the recent flooding which saw staff working around the clock to protect and help thousands of people across the country.
"It is important that the Environment Agency continues to have a strong leadership team and its chief executive Sir James Bevan will continue his excellent work heading up the operational and day-to-day running of the organisation."
Current deputy chairman Emma Howard Boyd will act up as chairman with immediate effect, Ms Truss added.
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