Boracay Island

Boracay Island is a pacific paradise roughly 185 miles from Manila on the mainland of Luzon. It’s one of the most popular islands in the Philippines, drawing a large number of annual visitors. The amazing Philippines beaches are the strongest tourist enticement, famed for ivory sands reaching out to crystal clear water. Though regional weather varies, one of the best times to visit can be between January and May. International arrivals peak between January and March and June through September is called the rainy season, though that is hardly always the case making this the most economical time to visit.

At little more than four miles long, Boracay Island features several villages connected by locally carved jungle pathways networked together to form convenient, if not a little confusing, access routes. Manoc-Manoc is the main town, linked to Balabag and Yapak.

For quick access to Boracay, several airlines offer regular flights between Manila and the island. Travel by bus is another option accomplished easily and directly from the airport via tickets that include boat transfers. Most boats run route alongside White Beach, also known as Boracay Beach, on the west island side. Several boat stations are situated along the beach and boats can be boarded when intermittently docked from 6 a.m. on. They travel to Caticlan Airport on nearby Panay Island. The southwest monsoons make traversing the west side near impossible from June through November. Boats then travel from the east side along Bulabog Beach. Expect to wade through shallow waters when boarding and debarking.

The largest and most popular island beach is White Beach, or Boracay Beach, in Balabag. It occupies a large majority of the west coast and affords the largest variety of options in lodging, dining, and activities. To the north are several smaller beaches including Puka Beach, Banugan Beach, and Diniwid Beach, which enjoys the closest proximity to White Beach without large crowds. Puka Beach, the second largest Boracay beach, spans most of the northern tip, is characterized by gentle surf and enveloped by reefs. Quiet and solitude is the preference of those visiting Balinghai Beach on the northwest and Cagban Beach on the southwest. Bulabog Beach and a half-dozen other options afford visitors several backdrops from which to soak in the island life.

The number of things to do available to visitors is excellent, with a large variety of adventure sports and leisure activities to choose from. Snorkeling around Ilig-Iligan Beach in the northeast and also southeast by Crocodile Island is highly recommended. Windsurfing lessons and board rentals are readily available on most beaches. Sailing trips can be pricey yet completely worth it for the views. Regular boat trips on outriggers are the less expensive and more casual way to go, stopping at attractions like the Bat Caves on Yapak’s east coast.. Diving trips are readily available too but be sure to shop around for the best price—they can vary greatly—and be certain equipment is new. Boracay Horse Riding Stables offers one-hour rides near Bulabag along the beach.

Few attractions compare to Boracay Island beaches, but there are some interesting day trips to consider. The Bat Caves house massive fruit bats with wings spanning an incredible four feet or more. Scenic jungle paths lead the way to the smelly albeit fascinating caverns. Iligan’s Kar-Tir Shell Museum offers a good look at island shells and local arts and crafts. The collection of dead trees on the island’s south end is another big attraction. Named the Dead Forest, the trees jut out from the water, creating an eerie landscape many visit at sundown for the full effect.