Top Boracay (Aklan) Hotels

The major draw of the island is White Beach, a beautiful 4-km stretch of gently sloping white sand. The powdery sand and serene, clear blue waters are hard to match anywhere else in the country. The beachfront is semi-screened by coconut trees and windbreaks and lined with casual beach bars and restaurants. White Beach comprises virtually all of the islands action and nightlife but still retains its relaxed beach bum appeal.

Close to White Beach and separated by a rocky outcrop is Diniwid Beach. It is small, rocky and private and is a quiet retreat from White Beach. A little further around the island takes you to Balinghai Beach and Punta Bunga Beach. Both pleasant beaches are quiet with only a few sunbathers.

The second longest beach is Puka Beach, famous for its puka shells which allegedly brought the first tourists to the island. It has suffered from intense sand quarrying and shell harvesting and looks a little weathered. Close to the shell museum is Ilig-Iligan Beach, a rather isolated stretch that tends to have rather rough waters - unsuitable for weak swimmers or children. The rocky Manoc-Manoc beach at the far end of Boracay involves hopping through boulders to reach the white sands.

Bulabog Beach is a little shallow for swimming but ideal for windsurfing or parasailing. A reef effectively shields the beach from the sea swell forming a calm, shallow lagoon. Located on the rearside of the island, it experiences reliable on-shore winds in fine weather. Winsurfing equipment and lessons are available.

Although there are around 25 dive shops on Boracay, dive sites here are fair at best and incomparable to other superb Filipino destinations. Courses on Boracay however are quite cheap. Yapak 1, a wall dive a few minutes from White Beach, is considered the best site. Bel-At Beach provides the best chance to see larger marine life such as turtles and sharks but strong currents make this suitable only for more experienced divers.

Boracay offers a broad range of watersports. The popular banana boat rides and paddleboats are on offer pretty much everywhere with jetskiing and waterskiing easy to find.

The other attractions Boracay are no competition whatsoever for the beaches. There are no historical attractions of any kind, beach culture prevails over local traditions and the attractions on offer are merely pleasant diversions from days of relaxation. Those unable to peel themselves from the beaches have missed nothing of note.

The Caves around the island are accessible by road or boat. Boat access occurs only during high season, November to May. The Bat Caves contain fruit bats and are worth seeing, but hold your nose. The other caves arent really worth the time.

The Shell Museum is in dire need of maintenance and upkeep and barely worth the visit.

The Mount Luho View Deck is Boracays highest point at only 60m! From the observation deck the views are fine but hardly spectacular - only recommended to those who fancy a change of scenery.

Within walking distance of Boat Station 3 is the Preserved Dead Forest. This features twisted dead branches and tree trunks jutting from inland waters which may please those with an artistic eye.

Since just about the whole island is geared towards tourism, information is available from almost anywhere. The Boracay Tourist Centre located near Boat Station 2 gives official unbiased advice.

This little island offers an extensive choice of great cuisine that rivals many large cities in the country. 150 multinational restaurants offer a fine diversity culinary fare - Indian, Caribbean, Japanese, French and Italian to name a few. Superb seafood is plucked fresh from the sea. Dining is reasonably priced and casual, often set in relaxed open-air beachfronts strung along the shores.

A stroll on White Beach is a pleasure for the gastronomic window shopper. Great dining diversions include Stables Real Coffee kiosk, serving reasonably priced, excellent coffee and home-baked cakes, Ice Rock Cafs homemade ice cream and pizza, Gorios crepe and Banzas grilled lobster. Boracay nightlife thrives by beach bars and discos, lasting into the wee hours. Entertainment includes live jazz music at the Nigi Nigi Nu Noos and Jazzed Up Club during the high season.

Fairways and Bluewater is a large 18-hole par 72 golf course. The course is stunning but needs investment, so enjoy the scenery but be aware that your buggy might not make it round. Other sports on the island include tennis at Club Panoly Tennis Courts and bowling at either TNT Eagle Bowling or Datus Bowling.

For those looking for some pampering in a serene environment, the recently opened Mandala Spa is the place to go, just south of Talipapa Market. Therapists have been thoroughly trained by a US coach and the emphasis is on overall wellness. The spa offers yoga, body wraps, scrubs and a range of massages and beauty treatments in separate villas. Its a good alternative to White Beach with reasonable prices.

Shopping on Boracay is laid back and low-key. There are no plazas or big stores and goods are typically artistic and low priced. Batiks, beaded jewellery and T-shirts adorn casual shopfronts up and down the beach. Boracay is famous for puka shells from Puka Beach, which are made into necklaces and bracelets.

Talipapa, the central market, leads inland from near Boat Station 3 on White Beach to the main road. It offers the widest range of beachwear, trinkets and souvenirs at better prices. Haggling is expected.

A new version of the Talipapa has been recently built nearby. D mall D Boracay is located close to Boat Station 2, but is more expensive and less charming than the original.

Second hand bookshops offer a good choice of reading material for lazy days in the sun.

Visitors can surf the web from most accommodations and several shops along White Beach and the main road. However, connections are often slow and erratic and power failure is still common and disruptive. Rates are higher on Boracay but reasonable.

Getting From A to B

Part of Boracays appeal is that there are no buses, jeepneys, cars, taxis or planes on the island. None are really required the whole island is only 7km long. White Sand Beach provides for most needs with facilities within easy walking distance.

The closest things to taxis are the tricycles that nip back and forth along the main road of the island. Wisely, theyve been banned from the beachfronts.

Pedicabs, the bicycle equivalent, take guests anywhere on the island and are handy way for the really lethargic visitor to saunter along White Beach. Both tricycles and pedicabs tend to charge much higher rates for longer distances or at night. Hiring a bicycle is a useful way to traverse Boracay if you have the energy. Horseback riding is available at the stables located near white beach. Motorbikes can be hired but are only worth it if you really want to explore Boracay in depth. Rates vary with the season and bargaining is suggested.

Boracay is a 20-minute ride by outrigger boat or banca from the Caticlan jetty on Panay. During high season, boats stop at 3 boat stations along White Beach. The boat stations have no piers and involve wading ashore or paying a porter for a piggyback. From here its a walk or quick ride to the hotel. Getting to Boracay takes longer off-season as rough waters prevent mooring at White Beach - bancas stop at on the other side of the island.

Note : touts pounce on guests boarding or leaving Bancas, snatch their luggage and aggressively charge for 10 seconds porterage refuse firmly if you dont require their services.

Most visitors arrive nearby at Kalibo Airport, a 50-minute flight from Manila. A 2-hour transfer by coach or jeepney takes passengers to the Caticlan jetty before banca to Boracay.

The pricier and quicker alternative is an 80-minute flight from Manila directly to the Caticlan Airstrip. The jetty is minutes from the airstrip.

Tours

Half-day boat tours skip around Boracay, typically stopping at the nearby islands and caves, with a little snorkeling followed by lunch at Puka Beach. Tours are widely available and the itinerary is flexible - picnicking, diving and snorkeling can all be slotted in.

Island hopping can also be arranged to suit individual needs. Unspoilt Carabao Island featuring deserted beautiful white sand beaches is close by.

Events

Boracay has only one church and a small local population. Religious festivals are celebrated quietly on the island and any events are usually tourist driven beach parties or sports competitions.

The International Funboard Cup is now a well-established sporting event on Boracay attracting media attention and occurring every January. The popular windsurfing competition is open to both local and foreign windsurfers.

The Ati-atihan festival is celebrated in the 3rd week of January, but not on Boracay itself. Kalibo, two hours away in Panay features the spectacular local Mardi Gras. Participants dressed in colourful warrior costumes darken their skins with charcoal in a pageant honouring the Sto Nino.

Several other sporting events take place with flexible dates throughout the year. One regular feature is the International Beach Volleyball Competition, which occurs in the summer, drawing volleyball fans to White Beach.