Boracay
Boracay, only about 9km long and only 1km wide at its narrow midriff, is an intoxicating mix of sun, sand, surf and tropical drinks. A typical day includes tropical cocktails, fruit shakes, tanning, the occasional beach game and a lot of relaxation. Boracay offers fabulous resorts, sun kissed beaches, amazing diving, snorkeling, and seafood. It’s considered one of the finest islands in Southeast Asia and Filipinos take a lot of pride in the island. A trip here and one
Quick Facts About Boracay
Capital: —- Population: 12,003
Size: 10.32 km2
Power Outlets: 220V 60Hz Official Languages: Tagalog, English
Currency: Philippine Peso
Time Zone: GMT +8
Religion: Catholic
Calling Code: +63
Weather: March to June are the summer months in Boracay, temperatures range from 28 to 38 degrees Celsius. The rainy season is between July and October and November to February has pleasant winds, cool nights, and occasional rain showers.
Cost and Budgeting for Boracay
Boracay is a very cheap island and you can get by on a budget of about $20 USD per day.
Boracay History
Boracay is part of Aklan Province, which became an independent province on April 25, 1956. Formerly undiscovered, it wasn’t till the 1970s that tourism began to develop in Boracay, and the island became popular with backpackers in the 1980s. Over the last decade, the island has become a spot for package tourists and Boracay has been developed into what it is today.
Things to See and Do in Boracay
White Beach- This is what most people are here for. Not only is it a lovely stretch of powdery white sand, it’s also the commercial center of the island. There is lots of room to on the beach. You can rent a reclining chair from one of the vendors who are happy to keep you filled with food and drinks.
Puka Beach- On the northern tip of the island, Puka Beach is what most people expect of a tropical island: white sand, azure water, and emptiness. This is where locals gather the small puka shells for some of the jewelry. The sand is 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.
Baling Hai Beach- This is a quiet little cove just north of Diniwid Beach and 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.
The Bat Cave- The Bat Cave is home to many giant fruit bats and locals will be more than happy to accompany you there for a fee. To get there, you go on a short hike through the forest to the mouth of a cave, which drops down at a very steep angle. 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.
Hire a Motorbike- Hire a motorbike to explore the other side of the island for better snorkeling and fewer people. If you hire them for a few days, you will get a discount.
Take a Boat Tour- Take a boat around the island for only a couple of hundred pesos for the afternoon. Lunch is usually included.
Ride a Horse – Get off the beaten path and experience native villages and scenery. All levels of experience are catered to.
Scuba diving- For those interested in diving, there are approximately 20 Dive Centers along White Sands beach. Cost is typically $33 per dive which includes hire of all equipment. There are 25-30 dive sites within 10-15 minutes speed 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. If you can’t dive, you can always go snorkeling!
Kiteboarding- Boracay’s Bulabog beach is known as the best kitesurf destination in Asia. The season runs from November through to March with onshore winds varying between 18-30 knots.
Massage/Spa- Get pampered at the resort spas or get a massage by one of the many people offering them on the beach.
Boracay Geography
Boracay Island is located in the Western Visayas island-group of the Philippines. The island is approximately seven kilometers long, dog-bone shaped with the narrowest spot being less than one kilometer wide, and has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers. Boracay is a typical tropical island in that it has white sand beaches, palm trees, and a bit of interior jungle. The uniqueness of Boracay comes from it’s long beaches. Well, maybe that is not really unique but Boracay is still beautiful and shares many similarities to other tropical islands in Southeast Asia.
