Overview

The tiny island of Boracay is located in the central Philippines. A fantastic tropical destination known for its beautiful resorts and award-winning beaches such as the famed White Beach. It is one of the top destinations in the world for relaxation, with long stretches of powdery white sand, crystal clear waters,  luxurious resorts, and upscale amenities. It is the perfect place to unwind in pure tranquility and adjust to island time. Boracay is a great base for exploring nearby islands like Crystal Cove Island. It offers some exhilarating activities like cliff diving at Ariel’s Point and abundant watersports like paddle boarding and snorkeling. The island is emerging as one of the top destinations for nightlife, the island offers visitors an experience like no other. 

Things to see and do

Spend the day at one of the island’s breathtaking beaches. White Beach is the most famous and popular beach on Boracay, with its powdery white sand stretching for just over 2 miles with palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze. The crystal-clear turquoise waters here are perfect for a refreshing swim. Relax on the sand and do some sunbathing, read a book in the shade, snorkel in the waters, see the tropical marine life, and take in the soothing sounds of the beach and waters. White Beach is home to the famous landmark of Willy’s Rock, a rocky outcrop that forms a tidal island with some steps made from volcanic rock. It boasts a statue of the Virgin Mary and is the most photographed rock in Boracay, an iconic place to see during sunset. 

Puka Beach is another beautiful beach on the island, named after the ‘Puka’ shells that cover the sand. These shells are used to make a lot of the unique local jewelry found on the island. This gorgeous beach is very secluded and peaceful; it's the perfect place to take a soothing stroll or spend some time sunbathing or reading. 

Head out on the waters via a boat tour. There are plenty of opportunities to do some "island hopping", and tours are offered all over Boracay. There are classic catamaran tours, speed boats, and even luxury yachts available for hire. Some of the popular offshore islands include Crystal Cove, Crocodile Island, and Magic Island. Crocodile Island is an inhabited island known for its marine life and world-class diving spots. It gets its name from its distinctive shape. Crystal Cove is a private island boasting two secluded coves that are home to stunning white sand beaches and the bluest of blue waters, ideal for snorkeling. There are hidden caves to explore, and a small museum on the island, as well as a small aviary. 

Check out some of the watersports on Boracay Island. Bulabog Beach is the number one kiteboarding beach in Asia! If you are not familiar with the sport, you can simply sit back and watch the experts at sea or get out there and try it for yourself. There are plenty of shops that offer lessons in kiteboarding and windsurfing. Competitions are held here every year from November to April when the onshore winds vary between 12-30 knots.

Stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking are two other excellent activities to enjoy on the calm waters. Rental shops are available at the beaches. Test your stability on a stand-up paddle tour or simply sit and row in a kayak with an abundance of marine life below you.

The calm waters around Boracay are the perfect spot for diving and snorkeling and a great spot for beginners to take their open-water diving course. There are a plethora of dive shops located on the island that offer packages that normally include rental equipment and instructors. There are some 25-30 dive sites situated within a 15-minute boat ride from the beaches. If you're visiting between April and June, this is the best time to dive with warm waters and visibility extending from 98-165 feet.

Parasailing is another great way to get up high above the waters and get a fantastic vantage point of the island. There is no need to book a parasail trip days in advance, as there are multiple boats ready to go all day. Simply walk down to the beach, and someone will offer you a tour before you can even ask.

Take a Marine Walk, this underwater activity lets you walk on the seafloor wearing a 66 lb helmet to keep you submerged. These customary packages are offered around the island and usually come with underwater photographs and bread to feed the fishes.

Mermaiding is a thing on the island of Boracay and consists of joining a mermaid swimming course with a professional teacher. Participants wear a fabric mermaid tail and learn how to swim with the fins and take photos.

Head to Ariel`s Point, where you can go cliff diving from several different levels situated as high as 10, 25, and 50 feet high. The area is an eco-tourism, adventure destination where plenty of watersports are offered, including kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, and swimming in the pristine tropical sea environment.

Visit Mount Luho, the highest point on the island of Boracay, standing at 328 feet above sea level. The stunning lookout point boasts unparalleled views over the island and its spectacular beaches. Hike along the trails leading to the top of the mountain through lush, verdant surroundings with the possibility to see Macaques and other animals. The wooden viewing platform at the top offers expansive panoramic views. This is a terrific place to watch the sunset.

Shopping

Dining

There is an incredible variety of delicious food available in Boracay. One of the highlights of visiting this amazing island is the incredible cuisine, there is something for everyone from fresh caught fish and seafood to international fare, including Indian, Italian, Thai, French, and Western-style food. The main cuisines found on Boracay, include Korean and Filipino, and there are plenty of places to taste these mouth-watering dishes. The island is home to many beachside restaurants and bars that not only offer diners some of the best food, but stunning views too.

White Beach features an abundance of beachside eateries along the sandy pedestrian path, there are local snack bars, as well as smoothie and seafood joints. The food court at the popular D’Mall offers some excellent dining options with all kinds of different cuisines to choose from. A great concept in Boracay is visiting the unique D’Talipapa seafood market, where you can shop for a wide variety of freshly caught fish and seafood. The best part is you can purchase said fish or seafood and take your purchase to one of the nearby restaurants, where they will cook them for you. Many of Boracay’s fantastic restaurants are located within the island’s exclusive resorts, and hotels with very fancy ambiance and terrace seating. The island boasts an eclectic selection of dining venues with charming settings and some sensational tropical island views.

Nightlife

Boracay is one of the up-and-coming nightlife destinations in Asia. The tiny island has a surprisingly large and lively nightlife scene with numerous bars and clubs and a vibrant nighttime atmosphere. The beachfront is the place to be for those looking to party, the seafront is lined by beachfront restaurants and bars offering delicious food, tropical drinks, drink specials, live music, and entertainment. There are happy hours offered at the beach bars, which are especially popular along the famous White Beach. Most happy hours start at 4 pm and end at 9 pm with a buy one get one free special. There are beach parties on the island with fire dancing shows put on along the shores, especially around Station 2 (White Beach). White Beach offers the perfect setup to watch a breathtaking Boracay sunset with beanbags and sun loungers set upon the sand. Boracay offers partygoers some memorable nights out, such as the Boracay Pub Crawl. Boracay is one of the most exciting nightlife destinations in the Philippines.