The Brilliant Boracay Top 10—Places to go, Things to Do

This beautiful little tropical island has it all — from flying like Iron Man to swimming like a mermaid

By David Dalton

Boracay, a small bone-shaped island 300 km south of Manila, fringed by the Sulu Sea to the west and the Sibuyan Sea to the east, is one of the most popular beach destinations in Asia. Let’s make that the World. It’s not hard to see why. It has one of the world’s most beautiful milky white sand beaches, crystal clear waters for snorkeling and scuba diving, activities ranging from parasailing to mountain biking and some of the buzziest cafes, restaurants and nightlife in the region.

Boracay's White Beach

Photo by Laurentiu/Pixabay

THE TOP 10

1 GET AWAY FROM IT ALL AT PUKA AND DINIWID BEACHES

TIRED OF WHITE BEACH? Boracay has a dozen beaches and coves, with Puka Beach — on the northern coast — a real gem in its own right, named after the translucent seashells found in the area. Puka has a raw, unspoiled beauty and is the perfect place to escape and enjoy another side of Boracay. It was originally named Yapak Beach after the barangay (village) where it is located. The name Puka has become more widely used because of the abundance of crushed puka seashells mixed in within the white sand. There’s not much to do at Puka Beach except snooze and swim, which is what makes it such a beauty. You’ll find a few stalls and restaurants on the beach that sell drinks, snacks, souvenirs, and fresh coconut. Puka shell bracelets, necklaces and anklets are a bargain. Bring a book and forget about the world for a while. You can reach Puka easily by tricycle. Diniwid Beach — more of a sleepy cove than a beach — is connected by footpath to its brasher cousin, White Beach, a short walk to the north. It’s the perfect place to swim and chill for the day before heading back to White Beach for the nightlife. You won’t go hungry. The rustic Dinibeach Bar and Restaurant has good breakfasts, pasta, salads, fruit shakes, lassis and cocktails.

2 DO NOTHING

Laze on White Beach

Photo by Pixmike/Unsplash

YOU DESERVE IT. Grab a patch of white sand, perhaps in the shade of a coconut palm, and settle in for a day of ultimate relaxation. The southern end of the beach is the quietest, but around Boat Station 2 there are welcoming little cafes where you can take a break from doing nothing with a drink and a snack. Try the beachfront Epic Boracay (after dark it’s a nightclub) for a healthy cucumber slam (Php180) or detox mint (Php170), or the Aria Italian restaurant for pasta, tuna carpaccio (Php400), Caesar’s salad (Php400) and a ripe mango or papaya juice (Php140).

Boracay’s Bulabog Beach gets onshore summer winds making it perfect for water sports.

Photo by Herces John Capitanea/Pixabay

3 GET HIGH AT MOUNT LUHO

MOUNT LUHO, north of Bulabog Beach in the island’s northeast quarter, is the island’s highest peak at about 100 meters above sea level and has a lookout point offering magnificent and sweeping 360-degree views of the island. It’s another good place to watch the sun start setting, although it closes at 5pm so you won’t be able to stay for sunset itself (if you’re looking for special photos, you will be able to take advantage of the magically soft late afternoon light). Entrance to the viewing deck is Php100. You can get to Mount Luho by walking from Bulabog Beach or, if you don’t fancy the walk, hiring a tricycle or vehicle from around Boat Station 2.

4 GET ACTIVE AT BULABOG

THE 2.5-KM BULABOG BEACH (also known as Back Beach) is on Boracay’s eastern coast and gets onshore summer winds, making it a perfect location for kiteboarding and windsurfing. This is the place for kiteboarding. Some say it’s the best kiteboarding location in Asia because of its flat, shallow waters and guaranteed breezy conditions.

Bulabog is a 10-minute walk from the Main Road (by the D’Mall of Boracay shops near Boat Station 2).

5 LEARN TO FLY LIKE IRON MAN

Soar to a height of 50m parasailing at Bulabog

Photo courtesy of Boracay Water Sports Association

FOR THE ULTIMATE YOLO experience try flyboarding, hoverboarding or flybiking, the fastest growing new watersports to hit the waters of Boracay. You’ll learn to use water-jet propelled equipment, which allows propulsion in the air and under the water. Feel the thrill of flying over the waves, or the rush of streaming under them. Once you’re on it nothing can stop you, not even gravity. Xtreme Fun (inland from Le Solei de Boracay near Boat Station 2) will take you to its “flyboard launch platform” just off the coast. On average, you can learn to fly in less than five minutes, although some will take longer. A session is usually 30 minutes and will cost around Php4,000. Boracay Water Sports Association (BWSA) president Russell Cruz offers parasailing at Bulabog Beach during the season (June to October). You’ll soar to a height of about 50m and stay up for at least 15 minutes.

There are plenty of other watersports on the island. They include kiteboarding (from about Php3,300 for an introductory course); windsurfing, (from Php750 per hour for equipment rental and Php2,250 for a two-hour beginner course); kayaking (from Php1,000 per hour); standup paddle boarding (from Php300 for a half hour); jet skiing (from Php2,000 for 15 minutes; banana boat rides (from Php350 per person); parasailing (from Php2,000 per person; UFO ride (Php600 per person, 15 minutes); speed boat rental (from Php5,400 an hour, minimum five people); scuba diving and snorkeling (from Php3,000 for an intro or discover dive). For details of water sports and how to book with accredited operators ask at the Department of Tourism — Boracay Field Office near Boat Station 2. All water sports are regulated and every activity on the island is assigned its own areas to preserve marine biodiversity.

Email Russell Cruz At russellcrw@yahoo.com, tel +63 917 998 0016. Contact Boracay Water Sports Association, Balabag, Boracay, tel +63 288 9330, email bwsa2017 @gmail.com.

6 CATCH THE SUNSET

Boracay sunset

Photo by Bambi Corro/Unsplash

MAKE SURE YOU’RE ON WHITE BEACH for sunset, around 6pm. White Beach faces west and watching the sun go down is something of a tradition. When it’s over, it’s time to get warmed up for the night. Head to Exit Bar (beachfront, north of Boat Station 2), where the drinks are cheap — and strong — and you can order native snacks including kilawin (cold fish mixed with vinegar and citrus), calamares and sisig (pig's face and belly, and chicken liver). Other good bars in the area are Summer Place, Kasbar, OM Bar, and Epic Boracay. (See page 72 for more on night life on the island). Many beachfront bars have special sunset happy hour rates.

7 SWIM LIKE A MERMAID — TAIL INCLUDED

MERMAID SWIMMING has gained a following in Boracay, with fans as young as eight, all wanting to learn how to be Disney’s Ariel. The Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy (PMSA) can make your fantasy come true and help you escape into the mysterious mythical world of mermaids. The PMSA teaches young and old alike how to mermaid swim, with mermaid tail fitting and costumes included in the price. Courses include an introduction to mermaid swimming for Php2,000 in a pre-scheduled class for 90 minutes. A private intro class is from Php2,200 for three or more people to Php3,200 for one. Mermaid lessons will see you learn the four basic swim strokes and breathing techniques. Freestyle sessions are an opportunity to practice your new skills

Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy, through watersports company Kite Asia, at D’Mall of Boracay (Boat Station 2), tel +63 917 324 3947 or see them on Facebook.

8 GO BATTY

Flying Foxes

Photo by Bill Yates, courtesy of the FFF

BORACAY’S BAT POPULATION is declining, but if you’re patient and know where to look, you can still catch sight of majestic bats in flight at places including Balinghai Beach, a roosting site for the little mammals. Friends of the Flying Foxes (FFF), a group of wildlife enthusiasts comprising of Boracay residents, says bats on the island include flying foxes (Pteropus hypomelanus), short-nosed fruit bats, musky fruit bats and, if you’re lucky enough to see one, the golden crowned flying fox — the largest flying mammals in the world and endemic to Boracay and Philippine forests. The bats are crucial to the island’s ecosystem, if nothing else because they keep the insect population under control — one bat can eat up to 2,000 mosquitoes a night. They roost on the cliffside hills and mountain ridges of Barangay Yapak and in the trees at Puka Beach (during the amihan season, approximately from November-June) and Ilig Iligan Beach (during the rainy habagat season that starts around July). Your best chance of catching fruit bats in flight is to head to these areas at dusk.

For more information see the FFF on Facebook (Tel: +63 917 328 0540).

9 GET SOME PEDAL POWER

Explore Boracay on two wheels

Photo courtesy of Unisikad Boracay Association

SEE RURAL LIFE and shake off a few pounds on a bike ride with a guide, stopping at locations including Willy’s Rock, Bulabog Beach, the Ati Tribal Village community project, the Lugutan Mangrove Park and Puka Beach. The tour is flexible so you can go where you want — as long as it’s accessible on two wheels — and see the island from a different perspective. Choose from an easy ride, mainly on flat roads, or moderate and hard rides, including climbs and scenic routes. You can build in some time for swimming and souvenir shopping along the way. A stop at Puka Beach means you can pick up puka shell bracelets, necklaces, and anklets from local sellers. Easy rides for two hours cost Php1,000 per person, including bike and helmet rental, Department of Tourism-accredited tour guide, souvenir items from the Ati tribal community, personal accident insurance, and a bottle of mineral water.

Book with Unisikad Boracay Association. Tel +63 920 982 9840, or on Facebook @unisikadboracay.

10 ROCK THE BOAT!

THERE’S NO BETTER WAY to enjoy Boracay than from the sea. Hop aboard a paraw, a smallish, wooden native outrigger boat with a triangular mainsail and nets that serve as hammocks — just the trick for some serious relaxation as your captain heads around the island or offshore along White Beach where you can watch those famous sunsets.

Book a sailing tour with Red Pirates Pub & Sailing Tours, tel +63 995 151 6738. Or get in touch with MASBOI Sailboat Service Cooperative at tel +6336 272 4102 or www.boracayactivities.ph. They offer a day trip from P1,800 an hour for two people and a sunset cruise, from P2,000 for two, for half an hour.