Boracay – A Guide for First-time Visitors

Photography by Iza Sanchez

Boracay Island is a top-rated beach destination in the Philippines. It was named as the best island by Conde Nast Traveler a few years ago. Its main draw is White Beach, located south west of the island, an exquisite stretch of fine sand and sea.

The island is littered with many hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and bars. If you’re traveling here for the first time, here’s a 3-minute guide on costs, activities, accommodation and more.

Water Sports & Recreational Activities

Water sports like Kite Boarding are popular here. Training courses and equipment for kite boarding or wind surfing are offered at Bulabog Beach on the east side of the island.

From White Beach, you may take a tricycle or walk to Bulabog Beach. Other well-loved activities are snorkeling, diving, jet skiing, sand boarding, helmet diving and island hopping.

Kiteboarding at Bulabog Beach

Restaurants

Food enthusiasts will love the variety of restaurants in Boracay, from Mediterranean to Asian cuisine, you’ll find it all here. “Eat All You Can” restaurants are plentiful and they offer a variety of breakfast, lunch or dinner packages.

In the evenings, entertainment like live bands and fire dancing are often scheduled. The poi dancers gather the most crowds, shows begin at 8 pm and run until midnight.

Dining at a buffet resto at station 2

For accommodation, same adage, ‘’there is something for everyone.’’ There are numerous budget inns, mid-range and posh hotels along the Beach. There are 3 areas, Stations 1, 2 and 3. Most budget and mid-range hostels are found at stations 2 and 3. Whereas, Station 1 is more high end.

The D’Mall shopping center, tiangge and fresh market are located at Station 2. S2 is the heart of White Beach, if you’re looking to party and sample all kinds of cuisine, this is where to go. The more subdued side of the beach is at the southern end, Station 3, this area is ideal for travelers who prefer a quieter ambiance.

Nightlife at Boracay

Boat Tours

Boat tours are a quick and inexpensive way to explore the island. You’ll need to book your ticket one day in advance. Your hotel may arrange this for you or you can approach the tour stalls along the beach. If you are traveling solo you’ll be joined with other tourists. The boats can accommodate 15 to 20 people.

Boat tour briefing at boat station 3.

The tours run from 8am to 3pm. I joined a boat tour on my third day at the beach. Our first stop was the snorkeling area near Crocodile Island. There is an abundance of corals and vibrant fish beneath the surface here and the coral reef was captivating.

We were given about 45 minutes for snorkeling and from there we proceeded to an island called Crystal Cove, there’s an extra admission fee for this stop. The island offers exquisite sightseeing of the beach and surrounding islets.

Coconut vendor near Crocodile Island

By lunchtime our boatmen took us to a restaurant at Diniwid beach, a lovely secluded shore at the northern end of White beach walled off by some tall rocks. You can get there by foot through a cemented walkway.

We had a delectable buffet lunch here which was included in the tour fee. After lunch, the final stop was Puka Shell beach, a paradisal beach tucked away on another hidden side of the island.

Check out these Travel Guides for more info on the coolest beaches to visit in the Philippines. 

Diniwid Beach

Puka Shell Beach

Like many, I was easily mesmerized by Boracay. This little island despite its size, offers a unique adventure for every traveler and as cliche as it sounds, it certainly is one of those places you’ll promise to return to at the end of your holiday.

Crystal Cove Island

If you found this article useful, please like or share it with the links below