After the 6-month rehabilitation of Boracay in 2018, the island is now back to its glorious condition. With new policies to rebrand the island, you can now enjoy Boracay’s ambiguous but irresistible appeal. Some parts of Boracay are already overdeveloped, defeating its original paradise appeal, but it still attracts many tourists from different countries and parts of the Philippines.

Boracay simply caters to all kinds of tourists—backpackers, honeymooners, luxury travelers, budget travelers, solo wanderers, families, friends, etc. The island warmly welcomes all its visitors with its different attractions, such as exhilarating water sports, island hopping trips, and fun nightlife. There’s just something for everyone. 

You could be visiting Boracay alone, and it’ll give you that despite its notoriety for wild parties. You just have to book that trip and read this ultimate guide to ensure a memorable stay on this beautiful island. 

How to Get to Boracay

Manila to Boracay

If you’re coming from Manila, you have two options to go to Boracay: by plane or by ferry. You can book a flight from Manila to either of the major airports on the island, Kalibo or Caticlan. You can also book a ferry ride from Batangas to Caticlan. Each option has its pros and cons. 

By Plane

Of course, the fastest way to Boracay from Manila is by plane. If you’re flying to Kalibo Airport, you’ll get much cheaper flight rates, but travel time to the island could take up to 2 hours. Flight costs to Caticlan Airport are way more expensive, but at least you’ll be much closer to the island, just about 15-30 minutes away. 

If you book your flights five months ahead, a flight to Kalibo can be as low as 3247 PHP/ 6997 JPY/ 64 USD, whereas flights to Caticlan are not that different from Manila-Kalibo flights, going as low as 3724 PHP/ 7960 JPY/ 73 USD. 

If you land at the Caticlan Airport, you can ride a tricycle to the Caticlan Jetty Port for 50-75 PHP/ 107-161 JPY/ 1-2 USD per person. 

By Ferry

If you want to save big time and don’t mind being on the sea for 13 hours, here’s a nice alternative: Boracay from Manila. You just have to ride a bus in Buendia, Pasay bound to Batangas Port or Batangas Pier. Bus lines like Jam Terminal have buses leaving and coming every 30 minutes. 

2GO is the company that operates ferries heading to Boracay from Batangas port. Here is how low their rates (with tax) can get per accommodation:

• Super Value Class: 868 PHP/ 1855 JPY/ 17 USD
• Tourist Class: 1602 PHP/ 3424 JPY/ 32 USD
• Cabin for 4: 1880 PHP/ 4018 JPY/ 37 USD
• Cabin for 6: 1880 PHP/ 4018 JPY/ 37 USD
• Suite Room for 2: 4688 PHP/ 10,019 JPY/ 92 USD

The trips begin at 9 PM so you’ll arrive at the Caticlan Jetty Port at around 6 AM. 

Kalibo to Caticlan

You have to travel from Kalibo to Caticlan Jetty Port for around 1.5 to 2 hours. You have different options on how to get there without spending too much. Here are as follows:

• Take the local bus: You can take a tricycle from the airport to the bus terminal. Board a Cered bound for Caticlan. The bus fare is 120 PHP/ 258 JPY/ 3 USD, and it is the cheapest way to reach Caticlan from Kalibo airport. 
• Via tourist bus/van: “Non-packaged” vans or buses at the Kalibo airport will take you straight to Caticlan Jetty Port. The fare should only be 200 PHP/ 429 JPY/ 4 USD. 
• Via transfer service: These are the packaged buses and vans. You can always book this transfer service yourself. Your hotel might also offer it. It’s convenient as you won’t only be taken to the Caticlan Jetty Port with the fees; boat crossing, terminal fee, environmental fee, and direct hotel transfer are also covered in this package. 

You’ll also be assisted throughout the process. Klook offers this service for 490 PHP/ 1050 JPY/ 10 USD for the van transfer and 480 PHP/ 1028 JPY/ 10 USD for the bus transfer.

Caticlan to Boracay

Once you arrive at Caticlan Jetty Port, here’s what you have to do:

• Look for the registration area in the tents set up outside the terminal. There, you’ll have to write your name on a logbook. They use this record to track the number of tourists coming to the island. 
• Move on to the verification section where you have to show proof of your accommodations. It’s required that you have a hotel booking or any accommodations if you’re spending at least one night in Boracay. 
• Proceed to the payment windows where you’ll be paying for the following fees
• • Terminal fee: 100 PHP/ 214 JPY/ 2 USD
  • Environmental fee: 75 PHP/ 161 JPY/ 2 USD 
  • Boat fare: Pump boat; 25-30 PHP/ 54-65 JPY/ 0.5-0.6 USD or Oyster ferry; 100 PHP/ 214 JPY/ 2 USD
• Go in the port building where you’ll go through a security check. Wait for your boarding in the waiting area. 
• Find your boat when it’s time for boarding and line up. Travel time will only take 10 minutes. 
• Take a tricycle to your accommodations. There are a bunch of trikes lined up at the port. You only have to pay 150 PHP/ 321 JPY/ 3 USD per ride.

The Geography of Boracay

You must understand the geography of Boracay, so you know where to go and where to book your stay. Boracay is a bone-shaped island with three barangays or villages: Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak. The jetties are in the southernmost barangay, Manoc-Manoc. 

When booking your accommodations, you’ll see these barangay names, although the best way to divide the island is by beach. In case you didn’t know yet, Boracay comprises more than 12 beaches. It’s just that White Beach, or the main stretch, is the most featured in the media. 

Here’s what you should know about the four main beaches in Boracay:

White Beach

Since it is the main stretch, it is also the busiest beach on the island. It is the longest beach in Boracay that’s split into three stations. Station 1 and 2 are still within the Barangay Balabag territory. Station 1 is in the north end of the beach where you can expect peace and quiet.

Station 2 is the center of shops, bars, and restaurants. It’s also where D’Mall is located.  Station 3 is mostly part of Manoc-Manoc already where most bars and shops can also be found. 

Overall, White Beach is where all the happenings are, and I don’t just mean the parties. It’s also the best spot to watch the majestic sunset on the island. 

Bulabog Beach

Also known as the back beach, this part of the island isn’t really for swimming. The sand here isn’t as fine as the sand at the White Beach. However, this is the spot for different watersports such as kite boarding and windsurfing.

It will only take you 10 minutes to get to White Beach from here too, so it’s not that far off. D’Mall is also just a 5-minute walk away from here. 

If you’re going to Boracay for the said watersports or you’re simply looking for much cheaper accommodations, this is the best place to book your stay. It’s also much more peaceful in this area since it’s less commercialized.

If you’re looking for that good old beach life, then here’s the piece of Boracay for you. 

Diniwid Beach

Diniwid is a smaller white sand beach just a 10-minute walk away from the White Beach. This beach is much more isolated with just several hotels and resorts mostly situated on top of a hill overlooking the Diniwid shores and the White Beach.

The beachfront villas here are just gorgeous as well. This is another quiet just like Bulabog Beach, minus the water activities.

Staying in Diniwid guarantees you peace, but it’s also not so far to the main beach in case you suddenly want to party or interact with more people. A cemented walking path along Diniwid beach keeps it connected to White Beach. 

Off White Beach

 

This is where luxury travelers stay in Boracay. Top luxury hotels, such as the Shangri-la’s Boracay Resort And Spa, can be found here. Various kinds of villas and private resorts are in this high-end part of the island. 

This is where you’re absolutely taken away from the influx of tourists and busier beaches. All the hotels here also have shuttle services that take you to and from White Beach.

You won’t have to worry about getting stuff from the shops, exploring more restaurant choices, or joining the nightlife.

How to Get Around Boracay

The primary mode of transportation in Boracay is the tricycle or trike. These tricycles work like taxis, only they obviously don’t have meters and that you can share a trike with other passengers headed towards the same destination. Like jeepneys work, trikes are also allowed to pick up or drop off passengers along the way. 

You can charter the entire trike for a special trip, though. That way, your driver won’t make any other stop except for yours. Of course, you’ll be paying for all the seats in the tricycle instead of just paying for yourself. 

That’s about 100-200 PHP/ 214-429 JPY/ 2-4 USD per trike. This is clearly not the most economical option to get around Boracay, especially if you’ll be going around the island a lot.

Here are the fare estimates for tricycle rides on the island: 

• From one station to another: (per head) 10 PHP/ 22 JPY/ 0.2 USD 
• To areas outside the stations like Bulabog Beach: (per head) 20-30 PHP/ 43-65 JPY/ 0.4-0.6 USD 
• To Puka Beach or Yapak: (per head) 40 PHP/ 86 JPY/ 0.8 USD 
• To Diniwid Beach: (per head) 35 PHP/ 75 JPY/ 0.7 USD 
• To Cagban Port or Tambisaan Port: (per trike ) 120 PHP/ 257 JPY/ 3 USD
• To an area away from the main road: (per trike) 150-200 PHP/ 322-429 JPY/ 3-4 USD

If you want to go island hopping, you’ll have to book tours for that. There are people offering them on White Beach, although they have ridiculous rates. Coordinate with your hotel or look for packages on Klook instead for much more affordable prices. 

11 Things to Do in Boracay

Boracay offers plenty of activities for all kinds of tourists. Aside from basking in the sun and getting that golden tan, the island is home to various water activities, trips, and parties that are all guaranteed to make your stay unforgettable, regardless if you try them all or just a couple of them. So here are the hottest things to do in Boracay you might be interested in:

Go Island Hopping

When you’re in Boracay, it’s mandatory to go island hopping. Most of these tours last 6 hours during the day. You’ll be guided on a catamaran by a professional captain and a dependable guide.

The usual stops in these island hopping packages are Puka Beach, Balinghai Beach, Crystal Cove, Crocodile Island, and Magic Island West Cove. You’ll have enough time to take pictures on each destination, as well as take a dip in the waters and go snorkeling. 

These tours also come with a lunch buffet. You’ll have barbecued chicken, fresh mangos, some more side dishes, and beverages to get you through the whole day of exploring different beaches.

As mentioned above, you can ask your hotel or the guys offering these tours on the beach to join. However, we really recommend you book your island hopping on Klook, which is way cheaper. 

Parasail

You can spot these big parachutes pulled behind swerving speedboats on White Beach. They may look dreamy, but it’s actually a thrilling activity where you’re not just brought all the way up in the air, but also hanging there to travel at high speeds. It’s a fun way to see the island from above, though. 

The good thing about booking parasail trips is that you don’t have to do it in advance. There are always boats ready to take you all day. You’ll see a lot of guys holding out flyers and offering parasailing trips. You’ll be taken to Bulabog Beach, where the speedboats are. 

You’ll also spot some shops offering activities right near the back beach. All you have to prepare is your camera or phone, as the staff is more likely than not skilled at capturing Instagram-worthy photos. 

Remember that the regular price for parasailing is only 2500 PHP/ 5354 JPY/ 50 USD per person. Online rates are also the same. However, it’s possible to get discounts on Klook. So check online before dealing with those offering the trip on the beach. Note that you can also haggle if you’re going as a group. 

Kitesurf on Bulabog Beach

Boracay is known for being an excellent place to kitesurf, so expect primarily foreign professionals as instructors. The wind strength on this beach is ideal for kitesurfing, and many kitesurfers from around the world stay here for long periods.

Kitesurfers are always out there on the sea all day long. Between their gear parked on the shores of Bulabog are kitesurfing shops that’ll arrange for your lessons and gear. The regular price for a 30-minute lesson is 3000 PHP/ 6431 JPY/ 59 USD. 

Even if you’re not planning to try this activity, you can just hang out at Bulabog Beach to watch kitesurfers dance against the wind. It could be therapeutic, too, especially after a long day of island hopping. 

Experience Paraw Sailing

Paraw sailing is basically old-school sailing. Paraw is a two-sail outrigger boat that is a famous Boracay icon. Here, you’ll learn how to sail with the sails rather than with any motor.

You might think it’s just a chill activity, but depending on the intensity of the waves, it could actually become exciting. 

I recommend that you book your activity late in the afternoon so you can watch the sunset while you’re on the boat for half an hour. If you’re new to parasailing, you have nothing to worry about, as the boats stay close to the shore anyway. 

Here are the rates for each 30-minute lesson:

• For 2 persons: 3000 PHP/ 6431 JPY/ 59 USD
• For 3 persons: 3400 PHP/ 7288 JPY/ 67 USD
• For 4 persons: 3800 PHP/ 8146 JPY/ 75 USD

You can also arrange for longer and more extensive private lessons here. 

Cliff Dive at Ariel’s Point

If you’re looking for a real adrenaline rush, you must go cliff diving at Ariel’s Point. There are three diving planks there, each with a different height. The highest one is 13 meters high, whereas the lower ones are 7 meters, 6 meters, 5 meters, and even 3 meters. 

 If you’re too afraid to dive into the cliff, there’s also a bamboo ladder that’ll take you down the cliff. Cliff diving is the main activity you’ll get when signing up for Ariel’s day pass. 

This pass includes other activities such as snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking. You also get a lunch buffet, an open bar, and afternoon snacks to energize you enough to jump off the cliff instead of taking the ladder.

The tour begins with a longtail boat taking you with other travelers to the location where you have to climb up some rocky steps to reach the main deck where the dive boards are. You can check Ariel’s Point’s official website to book a day pass. It’s only 2800 PHP/ 6001 JPY / 56 USD per person for the whole package.

Go on Banana Boat and UFO Rides

Okay, you don’t have to jump off a cliff to have some thrilling experience in Boracay. You also have inflatable vessels pulled along by speedboats at really fast speeds to get your heart raising. You have the banana boat and the UFO ride. 

The banana boat cruises at a speed of 30 kph, which’ll make you hold on for dear life with your friends or family. Don’t worry; you’ll be given proper safety gear and assistance throughout the 15-minute activity. Klook offers only 370 PHP/ 794 JPY/ 8 USD package. 

In case you’re wondering what a UFO ride is, it works the same as the banana boat, only that the inflatable vessel is shaped like a disk that could spin you on the water for more thrills. The speedboat also drags the UFO vessel at 30 kph.

You can book this 15-minute activity on Klook for only 555 PHP/ 1191 JPY/ 11 USD. However, both activities are not allowed for anyone under 18 years old. 

Try Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Stand-Up Paddleboarding or Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) is one of the activities you can still do on the busy White Beach. Here, you’ll only need five minutes with the instructor and you can just paddle on your own for the rest of this 30-minute activity. 

You can also sit or even lie on your back on the paddleboard. Make the most of it–glide on the waters or just chill on the board and get some tan. Kids and adults alike can enjoy SUP. Book your activity here for a much cheaper deal. It’s just 694 PHP/ 1489 JPY/ 14 USD per person.

Learn How to Freedive

Up to learn how to swim like you’re one of the fish under the sea? That is basically diving deep into the water and holding your breath for long periods. It does sound scary, but let freediving instructors change your perception of all that. 

Boracay has plenty of these professional and passionate freediving instructors, so you’ll be in good hands. They’ll let you develop your unexplored capabilities to swim deeply into the water like real fish for just a short period. 

There are several shops all over the island, offering freediving courses. You can take different levels of courses from beginners to advanced.

Go Scuba Diving

Of course, this list of water activities is not really complete without scuba diving. If you’re just trying this activity for the first time, you’ll be instructed by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified dive masters. 

You’ll be taught how to learn about the equipment and the proper way to breathe underwater with the gear. Also, of course, you get to see different colorful things under the waters of Boracay such as corals and some marine life. Take note that you don’t need any experience to learn. You don’t even need to know how to swim. 

You can book your lesson here. It’s just 3000 PHP/ 6431 JPY/ 59 USD per person for a 3-hour course. If you have previous experience in scuba diving already, you can also just get advanced courses or get acquainted with these professional divers to join high-level dives.

Go on a Pub Crawl

Experience the infamous nightlife in Boracay by going on a pub crawl. Start with 3 of the most popular bars on the island:

• Exit Bar: During the day, this bar looks like a laidback watering hole. At night, it gets crowded with locals and foreigners alike. The bar has a bamboo bar and native oriental exterior and interior designs, keeping that simple island vibe. It’s also the kitesurfing crowd’s go-to bar.
• Epic: This upscale bar-grill has a happy hour lasting up to 10 PM every day. Here, you can get quality food during the early hours and have a good time on the dancefloor when it’s late. This place turns into a club at night with great DJs and legendary drinks. When you go here, order a Frooze. It’s a build-your-own-drink where you have gin, whiskey, vodka, and rum to choose from as base liquor. You can mix it with any fresh fruit of your choice.
• Paraw Beach Club: This looks like an ordinary chill beach club during the day but transforms into a lively nightclub after sunset. It’s right on Station 1 where the major happenings are. Expect groovy summer tunes, as well as delicious cocktails and food here. 

Join a Boat Party

Combine the booze and the beach views by joining the legendary Mad Monkey Boat Party. Hosted by the Mad Monkey Hostel, enjoy unlimited drinks the entire tour from 12:30 PM-6 PM. You’ll be given not just a good time with a private DJ onboard but also snorkeling gear to enjoy the underwater sceneries while probably drunk.

You can check out the schedules here. It only costs 1800 PHP/ 3860 JPY/ 36 USD per person to be part of this most amazing party on the island. 

A Few Last Tips

All I can say is that you make the most of your vacation in Boracay whether you’re there to just hibernate and get away from any noise or get wasted and make bad decisions for good stories. Just make sure that you throw your trash at proper garbage bins. 

The island already had to go through a half-year rehabilitation before from all the carelessness of its visitors. Be a good tourist and help keep Boracay clean. Then just make sure to follow this guide if you don’t want to be scammed by some local hustlers who overprice fares and other tours and activities.