Boracay

Understand

Orientation

There are dozens of beaches on the island, and White Beach being the longest and the most popular of them, where all life goes on, it occupies roughly all western part of the island. On the opposite side of the island (eastern) there is a main kitesurfer's beach - Bulabog. Other beaches are much smaller and tranquil. All parts of Boracay are interconnected with the help of the Main Boracay road which runs from South to North through all island. White Beach is several kilometers long and thus it's divided into three parts (from north to south): Station 1, Station 2, Station 3.

Climate

During the dry season (November-April; the northeast monsoon or amihan blows from December to March), White Beach is calm and very suitable for swimming, etc. The other side of the island has large winds and waves making it suitable for wind surfing, wave running, etc. During the rainy season (June-October), when the southwest monsoon (habagat) blows, this is reversed, with a risk of typhoons. White Beach often gets large winds and waves which sometimes makes it unsuitable for swimming. Current weather conditions can be found online.

Getting there

Whether you go by plane or by boat, the port of entry for Boracay Island is the small barangay Caticlan on the mainland. Outrigger boats (banca) leave every few minutes from 1 Caticlan's jetty port. The short boat trip to 2 Boracay's jetty port at Cagban costs ₱25. There are two jetty ports in Caticlan (Caticlan and Tabon) and two jetty ports on Boracay (Cagban and Tambisaan). Because of the wind during September (or low season months), the jetty port furthest from the airport (Tabon) will be used to take you to Tambisaan port. Tourists have to pay a terminal fee of ₱100 and an environmental fee of ₱75. E-trikes are available at Cagban to bring passengers to their hotels. E-trike fare is from ₱20 per person up to ₱150 per trip depending where your resort is.

By plane

There are two airports serving Boracay. 3 Caticlan or Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (MPH IATA), ☏ +63 36 288 7111. Much smaller and closer airport, only a few kilometers away from Caticlan Jetty Port and Tabon Port. It now handles jet flights to Manila operated by Philippines Airlines and Cebu Pacific, as well as turboprop aircraft from Cebu operated by Cebgo, PAL Express and SkyJet. The airline will drop you off at the east side of the airport. After exiting the airport on at east side, find the tricycle stand across the street, past the various resort offerings. A tricycle from the airport to the Tabon jetty is ₱50 per person. Ground transportation. From the Caticlan airport, you can either take a tricycle (₱50) or walk (10 minutes) to Caticlan Jetty Port. Besides, Cebu Pacific offers hotel transfer for ₱350 per person. (updated Jul 2016) 4 Kalibo International Airport (KLO IATA), 2 km away from Kalibo and 70 km away from Caticlan Jetty, ☏ +63 36 262 3264. This airport can handle larger aircraft such as Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, however it is much farther from Boracay than Caticlan airport. Its international destinations include Beijing, Busan, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Singapore, Shanghai and Seoul, operated by Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, Philippine Airlines and AirAsia. Domestic flights are from both Cebu and Manila. There is a ₱200 terminal fee for domestic flights and ₱700 for international (2016).Ground transportation. There are vans, minibus shuttles and buses that serve travellers between Kalibo International Airport and Caticlan Jetty Port. A van and ferry ride takes 1½-2 hours and costs ₱250, and ₱300 for an AC bus. Additionally you will be asked to pay environmental taxes and terminal fees of ₱175 on top of the fare. Besides, AirAsia offers hotel transfers for ₱520 per person. (updated Jul 2016)

By boat

Ferry from Batangas City to Caticlan port. Operated by 2GO travel. Departs Batangas port at 9PM and gets to Caticlan port at 6AM. Departs Caticlan port at 8AM and gets to Batangas port at 6PM. One way fares from ₱995. Ferry from Batangas City port to Caticlan port. Another option is to start your journey with Philtranco, Alps, Dimple, Ceres or Rodastco coaches which leave at regular intervals throughout the day from Cubao, serving the Manila-Caticlan route for ₱1200. Rodastco also offers a door-to-door service with pick-ups anywhere in Metro Manila. The contact numbers for trip booking are +63 2-7326891 or +63 917-3820426, or +63 919-3820426. The more challenging do-it-yourself version goes as follows: The easiest way would be to book a straight trip that allows you to purchase just one ticket from Cubao terminal to Caticlan Port. The cost is ₱1000-1200. But if you really want to save money, you can also commute from Cubao bus terminal station (near Alimall). There is really no difference except for the fact that you need to purchase tickets at every stop. Cubao-Batangas: best leave between 7-8PM so you arrive in Batangas Port before 10PM. Batangas-Calapan: the trip takes 2 hours via cargo ship or an hour to one hour and a half via supercat. Do not purchase tickets for the Calapan to Roxas van as this can either be a scam or you end up squeezed in one van along with several other passengers with tickets. Calapan-Roxas: takes about 4 hours. Make sure you leave early so you arrive before 4AM. In the morning, the ship to Caticlan usually leaves at 2AM and 4AM and the next trip won't be until 10AM. The 10AM trip usually leaves late. This is the best time to leave travel via Cubao to Roxas. You arrive in Caticlan at 8AM and you are left to enjoy the rest of your day in Boracay. 7107 Islands Cruise offers a cruises from Boracay to Puerto Galera to Boracay, prices range from ₱2000-10000, children below than 3 years old are free to travel who is accompanied by 2 adults, children from 5 to 12 years old are given a 50% discount, who are accompanied also by 2 adults while senior citizens can avail a 20% discount. The cruise will tour around the Philippines in islands such as Boracay and Coron Island.

Getting around

Most visitors opt for electric tricycles, which act as the island's taxis and make up most of its traffic. Rides are usually no more than ₱150 for individual (per tricycle, not shared with other people) ride to any point on the island, and can be found almost anywhere along the main road.

From Cagban Port to Station 1, the most that you should pay is ₱25 per head. That is, if you don't mind sharing the tricycle with other tourists. If you don't want to rent the tricycle and allow the driver to pick up other passengers along the way, say you just want the "Individual" price and not "Special". Short rides on busy routes, say from D'Mall to Station 3 or from Station 1 to Station 3, are a standard rate of ₱20 per passenger, but expect the tricycle driver to ask for ₱40 or more if you look like a foreigner. Long rides, like Puka beach to D'Mall, should cost around ₱40. Drivers waiting near beaches, hotels, etc., generally ask higher price like ₱150-200, even if you're alone. It may be worth bargaining if there are a few people with you and you want an individual ride - otherwise, better catch a passing tricycle on the main road. From Tambisaan jetty port to Station 2 D'Mall, the most that you should pay is ₱20 per head on the solar bus.

Scooters provide the best flexibility at a reasonable price. The downside is having to deal with island traffic which can be unnerving for visitors unused to the aggressive tricycle drivers. Prices are exorbitant, starting at ₱1200 per day rental (2016). Mountain bikes are also available for rent at several locations along White Beach, which is off limits to motorized vehicles. To explore around the island, rent a native sailboat (paraw) or motorized outrigger (banca) and visit the many beaches of Boracay.

See

1 White Beach. This is what most people are here for, but there are environmental rules and the beach is a challenge for people with disabilities. It is a lovely stretch of powdery white sand against azure water, it's also the commercial center of the island. The long beach is divided into three sections, Station 1, Station 2, and Station 3. Station 1 is the northernmost and has the widest beachfront, where prime hotels and resorts are located. Accommodations are pricier, but quality is generally the best as well. Station 2 is the commercial and geographical center of white beach. This is the center of it all for shopping, eating, and partying. That said, the beach here is also the most crowded, and the area the nosiest. Station 3 is the southernmost section; quieter than station 2, it is the least developed, and also the lowest priced. All of White Beach from the northernmost tip of Station 1 to the southernmost of Station 3 (~4 km) is open to the public, so one can relax and/or swim wherever they like, regardless of hotel location.In every station, there are two lifeguards patrolling on foot equipped with whistle, life buoy and hand-held radio. The boat station 2 is the lifeguard and rescue command center.

2 Puka Beach. A quiet stretch of white sand along the northern tip of the island, Puka Beach is an image of what most people expect on a tropical island: white sand, azure water, and relatively empty. This is where locals gather the small puka shells for some of the jewelry that is sold on the island so expect the sand to be more coarse than on White Beach. The water tends to be a little rougher on this side of the island but it is much quieter. Similarly, there are fewer services—there are only a couple of restaurants, but you likely won't have a problem getting a cold drink or an ice cream as there are a few vendors that patrol the beach. The main road in Boracay terminates at Puka Beach therefore you'll be able to hire a tricycle to get there in less than 10–15 minutes from central White Beach. Make sure you arrange a pickup if it is a quiet day and no tricycles are hanging around the beach. Most people experience Puka as one of their sailboat or banca stops during a day trip. This is a good spot for a picnic, but be sure to bring your trash home with you. 3 Baling Hai Beach. This is a quiet little cove just north of Diniwid Beach, where you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling and dining in a relaxed, peaceful environment. There are some fantastic views from the clifftop restaurant. Baling Hai is often included as a stop-off on an island boat tour. 4 Bulabog Beach. Come there on a windy days to see kiteboarders doing high jumps and crazy tricks. The Bat Cave. You will see in several tour guides and maps of Boracay something called the Bat Cave, which houses many small insectivorous bats (the larger fruit bats roost in the trees on the hillside above Punta Bunga Beach), and locals will be more than happy to accompany you there for a fee, or "tip". The cave is on the western-end of the island and down several dirt roads. The guide will then take you on a short hike through the forest to the mouth of a cave, which drops down at a very steep angle. The mouth of the cave is littered with large boulders, and is extremely difficult to enter and walk down. There is no visible path, no handrail, and the stones are extremely slippery with slime and bat guano, as well as extremely dangerous, since the cave is at such an extreme angle. Also, the air inside the cave is very warm and humid, and in addition to the amount of guano, is very difficult to breathe. Additionally, several snakes live inside the cave. Caution should be taken by those visiting and entering the cave. There are bats in the cave, but down at the bottom of it in the dark, and unless you have a flashlight or are there at dusk, you won't see them. The ceiling of the cave is interesting, however, with multiple, small stalactites. Just nearby, you can find another cave, called "crystal" cave which has a lot of stalactites and a hole on the opposite site of the entrance, from which you can watch out to the sea if you dare to climb up to it. You will have to pay ₱50 entry-fee to visit both caves for the family that owns the land, in addition to paying your guide. Visiting both caves can cost up to ₱2500 for the guide, but this is the "rich tourist price", so try to bargain if you like.

Do

Scuba diving

For those interested in scuba diving, there are dozens of dive centers along White Beach. Cost is typically ₱1600 per dive for certified divers which includes rental of all equipment. The dive centers, under the Boracay Business Administration of Scuba Schools (BBASS), have agreed on standard prices amongst themselves so prices will be the same at all centers. This is to ensure that dive centers could focus on quality and scuba diving safety rather than price wars. There are 25-30 dive sites within 10–20 minutes boat ride from the beach, suitable for beginners up to advanced level. Dives range from 'Angol Point' (10m), through 'Crocodile Island' (22-25m), a straightforward wall dive, up to 'Yapak'- a deep wall dive suitable for only the most experienced divers due to strong currents, although there is the possibility of seeing sharks and stingrays.

Boat tours

The best way to see the beauty of Boracay and its various beaches is by Paraw (native outrigger sailboat). You will be constantly asked if you want to take a boat trip, as there are literally dozens of companies offering this service. It is better to go with a reputable and established group such as Allen Fun Tours (motorized banca boat tours) or Red Pirates (paraw sailing) to ensure your safety and avoid being overcharged.

Kiteboarding

Boracay's Bulabog beach claims to be the best kitesurfing destination in Asia. The season runs from November through to April with onshore winds varying between 12-30 knots. A small lagoon (2 km wide) is protected from waves by a coral reef. The water becomes almost flat at low tide, making it easy to start learning kitesurfing and continue with freestyle tricks. Because of its nice conditions, the spot becomes overcrowded with riders in high season. A serious disadvantage is sewage pollution of the lagoon, so smell from water and infections from even small injuries are common.

Shopping

Along White Beach, especially around Station 2, there is a wide variety of gift shops and boutiques along the beach path. In addition to the crowded stalls that you expect in Asia, Boracay also has several high-end stores including clothing, art and household items. Some places will permit you to haggle, others have a fixed pricing system with price tags. Shop around as prices vary. Outside of White Beach, the shopping becomes sparse or non-existent. D'Mall at Station 2 and D'Talipapa at Station 3, between the main road and White Beach, have many shops. D'Mall is larger but D'Talipapa features a number of shops, vegetable merchants and a large meat market also selling a large selection of live seafood. Prices at D'Talipapa (including those for basic necessities such as milk, vegetables and meat) are about 25% below those of D'Mall. While walking or laying on the sand, anywhere on Boracay, you'll be approached to buy a variety of items including jewelry made of shells, fresh fruit, ice cream, sunglasses or a nice massage.

Shell jewelry — similar to what you can find elsewhere in the world, the jewelry made of shells is popular as for the most part it is made locally from shells found on Puka Beach. Paulo Collection BodyWear, D'Mall, Bamboo Beach Resort, PC Main, ☏ +63 36 288 3448. Variety of beach wear and other souvenir items. (updated Feb 2023)

Malls and supermarkets

CityMall Boracay, Tambisaan Jetty Port Road. 8AM-10PM. A new shopping mall with a big Savemore supermarket and many fast food outlets. (updated Feb 2016)

Eat

Because of its wide draw of international travelers, Boracay has a wide variety of places to eat, including a surprising number of bakeries. The majority of the restaurants are located on the White beach and a short pedestrian street called 1 D'Mall, nearly all of these places are quite expensive (average meal costing ₱300-500). Cheaper options can be found near D'Talipapa Market, at the 2 D'Mall Palenke (street run parallel to D'Mall in 50 m of it), and perhaps about half of the restaurants along the Main road. As a side note, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy one of the best mangoes in the world. The climate in Philippines is perfect for mangoes, so you always get them mellow and sweet.

Budget

3 Kolai Mangyan Fudhaus, Main Road. Good local cafe serving Filipino cuisine. Excellent value and quality. Good reviews. Majority of meals ₱60-120. (updated Jul 2016) Andok's. Andok's, which has 5 locations, sells rotisserie and fried chicken as well as favorite Filipino dishes. ₱50-300. (updated Jul 2016) Sunset View Restaurant and Hotel, near Station 3, serves a 3-5PM snack buffet (soup, ham and cheese sliders, fried fish, pasta, meatballs, pancit, and macaroons) for ₱189 per person in a relaxed beachfront setting.

Mid-range

4 D'Talipapa Market. Fresh seafood market with relatively cheap prices. Around the place are a variety of food stores that offer to cook for you. You can buy fresh seafood, etc., right near the stores, then have the stores cook it for you however you like. For example, you can get crabs for ₱400 for 1 kg opposed to buying in restaurants that charge ₱200 per 100 grams. However, most of the seller are quite pushy and anyone buying needs to be prepared to bargain hard to get a good deal. scallops ₱300/kg, lobster ₱1000, fish steak ₱150. Cooking prices ₱100-200. (updated Jul 2016) Bamboo Bar Buffet, near Station 3, serves a 6-9PM Filipino buffet with pineapple juice for ₱295 per person in a relaxed beachfront setting. 5 Smoke, down one of the alleys opposite Lemon cafe in D'Mall. A very good budget eatery. Local dishes, meat and seafood dishes, omeletes and excellent sandwiches are on offer. Most meals cost around ₱120 and are all cooked fresh. If you are around between 11AM and 2PM you get a free drink of iced lemon tea with every rice meal. ₱120-180. (updated Jul 2016) 6 Jammers, on the front beach of D'Mall. Open 24/7. Up and running for more than 8 years, amazing burgers, hotdogs, fruit shakes, etc. A lot of negative reviews, people say it's overrated. Food ₱150-250, shakes ₱50-70. (updated Jul 2016)

Drink

If you like to party, there are plenty of places to choose from. The livelier bars are situated near Stations 1 and 2. There are plenty of places to party all night! Station 3 has a more laid back and relaxed atmosphere, with small local bars and restaurants popular with backpackers.

1 Bom Bom Bar, near D 'Mall. A native-style beach bar that often has live music. It's a popular hang out for artists and musicians. (updated Jul 2011) 2 Charlie's Steakhouse & Diner Restaurant, Station 2 (Right in the middle of the beach). This bar is a long-time favorite on Boracay with live bands that play covers. Customers are invited to sing with the bands. (updated Jul 2011) 3 Cocoloco Beach Resort, near boat station 3. An attractive beach bar and restaurant that also serves tasty food. You can enjoy your drink by the beach, under the coconut trees, and there's a pool table in the bar too. Several years ago it started offering bungalows for rent as well. (updated Jul 2011) Juice Bar, right between Boracay Regency and Boat Station 2. Offers top notch cocktails and a variety of "sneaky smoothies". with a wide open courtyard opening up to the beach it tends to fill up by around 11PM but still very comfortable. The crowd is a nice mix of locals and foreigners. Great staff and charming bartenders. There was a report in 2016 that it was closed. (updated Jul 2016) Bei Kurt und Magz Restaurant, station 3. Run by friendly Bavarian Kurt and his wife Mags. It's a very popular spot to meet and chat, and one of the few places on the island serving draft beer. Serve German and Filipino food. (updated Jul 2016) 4 Nigi Nigi Nu Noos, between boat stations 2 and 3, three minutes walk north of the tourist center. A popular, centrally located spot to have a cool drink and enjoy a little people-watching. The manager is an expat. It is a hotel as well. (updated Jul 2016) 5 Red Pirates Pub. A native style beach bar (Angol, near boat station 3) with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and good selection of fruity cocktails as well as affordable ice cold beer. It's a good place to meet other travelers and chat, and on weekends, selected weekdays and full moon nights there is live music and an all-you-can-eat beach BBQ and buffet (Fridays). (updated Jul 2016) 6 Shantal's Resto Bar, Station 3 at the pathway to Dave's Straw Hat Inn, Morenos, and Escurel. Revered, family-owned cantina on the beach with great value homemade food. The menu offers a bit of everything and the friendly staff will go out of their way to make you feel right at home. Has a popular Happy Hour from 2PM-8PM, offers one of the best beachside and sunset views on the island, and bumps a non-stop soundtrack of the best in electronic, hip-hop, R&B/soul, and reggae music. (updated Jul 2016)

Sleep

Accommodation varies from top-of-the-line hotels and resorts to a simple bed rented from a resident. Whatever your budget, you can easily find a suitable place to stay. During peak periods such as Holy Week, Christmas and New Year, rooms are more difficult to find and more expensive, so book in advance. Staying along White Beach gets you closer to the bars, lounging and food, while staying closer to Bulabog beach gives you better access to the popular wind and kiteboarding areas. Boracay is notorious for travel agents (many in Manila) passing themselves off as the resorts, often through websites. When you call them to get a room rate or make a reservation, you will be quoted much more than if you called the resort itself. The travel agents simply take your request, call the hotel and make reservations and charge you extra for the service, up to double the original rate. Meanwhile, the traveler has no idea he wasn't talking to the resort. This can often lead to frustration, as the traveler will show up at his hotel or resort and see he was charged double the rate that the hotel is listing, even though the hotel had nothing to do with it! So the advice is, try your best to ignore the many travel agencies and make your reservation with the resort or hotel directly. Better yet, don't make advance reservations in the low season. Just go to White Beach or the region you want to stay and negotiate deals with the places you want to stay at. Many street touts will offer to show you the rooms first and then you can negotiate.

If you prefer peace and quiet, avoid accommodation at the center of White Beach, as this is the most crowded area. Head further north or south instead. The area south of Stations 1 & 3 has a more relaxed and peaceful vibe - no pounding disco till 4AM. Accommodation is more reasonably priced, and there are some friendly little bars and restaurants where you can meet people and chat. North of Station 1 you'll find many of the more luxurious (and expensive) establishments. The beach is at its widest here, and the area is usually relatively peaceful.

Budget

W Hostel Boracay, 2nd floor Gill & Park Bldg Zone 5 Bolabag Road (D mall is 350 yards from the W hostel.). Check-out: noon. Backpackers' hostel with 4- to 6-bed dorms. Free breakfast and free Wifi. Dorm bed from ₱350 per person. 1 Escurel Inn, Station 3, ☏ +63-36288-3611, +63-999-551-2335. Amidst the vast complex of station 3 accommodations tucked behind the pathway next to Arwana's cafe, this is a friendly Filipino-owned establishment. Spacious, private rooms with fan, Hot and cold shower, cable TV, kitchenette, fridge, and unlimited free Wifi close to the beach access. All rooms have a nice balcony to lounge out and laze on; the fan-only huts also each have a nice hammock out front. Rooms are priced according to season; either peak or off-peak. from ₱800. Little Corner of Italy (Da Mario's), Station 3 (Just across Red Pirates Bar). Better known as "Da Mario's" as it is owned and run by an Italian businessman. The hotel offers budget common rooms which can be shared by a maximum of 4 persons which have a fan and common shower and toilet, while rooms with bungalows are slightly expensive and can be shared by a minimum of 2 persons and a maximum of 4 persons. Rooms are priced according to stay and per person. If you don't plan to sleep there, consider trying their lasagna. from ₱300 pp. Moreno's Place. Run by a different owner of the same family as Escurel's, one will find similar accommodations and friendliness here. Prices are roughly similar to Escurel better publicized (read: Lonely Planet listed) accommodations. It's a 15-second walk to the beach. 2 Dive Gurus Boracay Beach Resort, Angol Station 3 (Southern part of white Beach.), ☏ +63 36 288 3809. Dormitory (sleeps 1-2 people in bunk beds) ₱200/₱250/₱300 for low season/mid season/high season. 3 Treffpunkt, Station 3 (along the same pathway to Dave's Straw Hat Inn, Morenos, and Escurel). One of the best budget options on the island. Clean, simple, quiet rooms with television, A/C, private bathroom and shower, and patio. There is also a boarding house upstairs, a general store, a treehouse kitchen, and the cheapest breakfast and sandwiches in Boracay. Friendly, accommodating staff. Rates range from ₱500 a night. (updated Jul 2016) Villa Romero Boracay, Station 3, Manoc Manoc, ☏ +63 36 288 4421. Villa Romero Boracay is a 26-room hotel located just a few steps from the front beach of Boracay Island. The hotel also has a restaurant, guest lounge, coffee shop and a convenience store. It is far from the hustle and bustle of central Boracay but at the same time, close to the beachfront bars, souvenir shops, the market, restaurants, and dive shops. From ₱600. Dormitels Boracay (Boat Station 1), ☏ +63 36-2282198. Check-out: noon. Fan single/double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. Has 20 rooms. From ₱320 a night. (updated Jul 2016)

Stay safe

Sewage water pollution is one of the biggest problems in Boracay: raw sewage is piped directly into the sea. Some areas, like Bulabog beach, have been made completely unswimmable due to this problem. However, it puts the swimming safety of the entire island under serious threat. Power outages still happen often (2016) and can last from several minutes to several hours. On the bright side however, many resorts have back-up generators which solve the problem almost entirely.

Go next

Kalibo — the closest major airport is in this town Iloilo City — largest city on Panay

More pictures of Boracay

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.