Boracay

Boracay Island: World-Famous White Sand and Unforgettable Sunsets

Boracay has a special place in my heart. I first visited in 1997, on my very first trip to the Philippines, as a matter of fact, I hadn’t even been out of Australia before. When we rolled into Boracay on the boat, I was absolutely blown away. I’d never seen sand so white and powdery, water so clear, or coconut palms lining a beach quite like it. It was unbelievable.

Boracay is a small island in the Visayas. It doesn’t have its own airport, so most people fly from Manila to Caticlan, about an hour, and then take a short boat ride across.

On this trip, we stayed at a resort called Club Panoly, which has since been redeveloped into what is now Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay. That first trip made a massive impression on me and was part of what made me fall in love with the Philippines.

I’ve been back to Boracay several times since, most recently in October 2025, and the place has certainly changed. What was once a relatively laid-back island has become one of the Philippines’ biggest tourist destinations, with resorts, restaurants and bars everywhere.

Has it become a victim of its own success? To some extent, absolutely. Yet despite all the development, Boracay remains one of the most beautiful beach destinations I’ve visited.

It’s also still a favourite with travellers around the world. Condé Nast Traveler readers named Boracay the top island in the world in 2016, and White Beach took the readers’ choice for best beach in the world in 2025. Tripadvisor also ranked it sixth among the best beaches in Asia for 2026. Awards are only one measure, of course, but after all these years I’m not surprised.

For me, the real trick is knowing when to go, where to stay and what you’re looking for.

Best Time to Visit Boracay

February and March are my picks for visiting Boracay. The weather is generally dry and sunny, the sea along White Beach is usually calmer, and you avoid some of the biggest holiday crowds.

• November to April: Generally the best weather, with drier conditions and excellent beach days. Also the main season for kitesurfing at Bulabog Beach.
• February to March: My preferred months for enjoying the beaches without the biggest holiday crowds.
• April to May: Hotter weather, with particularly busy periods around Easter and other holidays.
• June to October: The wetter southwest monsoon season, bringing more rain, stronger winds and rougher conditions along White Beach.

I visited Boracay in October 2025, partly because it was outside the main tourist season. It was a good opportunity to experience a quieter side of Boracay.

Christmas, New Year and Easter can get absolutely packed. If you’re after a lively holiday atmosphere, that might suit you perfectly. Personally, I’d rather visit when there’s a bit more room to move.

Things to Do in Boracay

Boracay is primarily somewhere to relax, enjoy the beach and soak up the atmosphere. There’s plenty to keep you entertained, although I wouldn’t put it in the same adventure category as Palawan.

Here are some of the main attractions and activities.

• White Beach: Boracay’s famous four-kilometre stretch of powdery white sand, divided into Stations 1, 2 and 3.
• Bulabog Beach: A quieter beach on the eastern side, popular for kitesurfing and windsurfing during the windy season.
• Puka Shell Beach: A beach at the northern end of the island, away from the busiest White Beach areas.
• Diniwid Beach: A smaller cove just north of White Beach, ideal for a change of scenery.
• D’Mall: The main shopping and dining area around Station 2.
• Sunset sailing: Take a traditional paraw sailboat out along White Beach and enjoy the sunset.
• Boat trips: Explore nearby beaches and snorkelling spots, with some excursions visiting Crystal Cove and Crocodile Island.
• Sunset party boat: Usually departs around 4pm to catch the sunset and then the party really begins.

For me, though, the best activity in Boracay is often the simplest: finding somewhere comfortable along White Beach, ordering a cocktail and watching the sunset. Absolutely awesome.

Sample 3-Day Boracay Itinerary

Having been to Boracay several times over the years, I don’t really plan too much ahead. I’ve seen most of the island, and I’m generally happy just chilling on the beach, enjoying a few cocktails and watching those unbelievable sunsets.

If you’re visiting for the first time, though, here’s how I’d suggest spending three days.

Day 1: White Beach and Sunset

• Morning: Arrive in Boracay, transfer to your accommodation and settle in.
• Afternoon: Explore White Beach, walking between Stations 1, 2 and 3. Stop for a swim or a drink along the way.
• Evening: Find a beachfront bar around Station 2, enjoy the sunset, then check out D’Mall for dinner and nightlife.

Day 2: Island Hopping and Sunset Party Cruise

• Morning: Join a half-day island-hopping tour, typically visiting places like Crystal Cove, Crocodile Island and Puka Shell Beach, depending on sea conditions.
• Afternoon: Return to your accommodation, relax and freshen up before heading out again.
• Late afternoon: Take a sunset party boat cruise along Boracay’s coastline. These usually run for around 2-3 hours, with music, drinks and basic food, and sometimes swimming or snorkelling stops.
• Evening: Head back to White Beach for a night cap.

I’ve done the party boat cruise myself, and it’s definitely something I’d recommend, particularly if you’re travelling with friends.

Day 3: Bulabog Beach and Relaxation

• Morning: Head across to Bulabog Beach on the eastern side of the island. If you’re visiting during the windy season, you might catch the kitesurfers and windsurfers in action.
• Afternoon: Explore Diniwid Beach or simply enjoy one last swim and a relaxed lunch before departing.
• Alternative: If you’ve got a later departure, spend a few more hours on White Beach doing absolutely nothing!

That’s the beauty of Boracay. You don’t need to fill every hour with activities. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just chill out and enjoy it.

How Many Days Do You Need in Boracay?

I’d recommend three to four days for most visitors.

That’s enough time to enjoy White Beach, explore other parts of the island, take a boat trip and experience the restaurants and nightlife.

If you’re simply looking to chill out by the beach, you could easily stay a week.

Boracay isn’t a particularly big island, so you don’t need a lot of time to explore it. If you’re after a holiday packed with different attractions and adventures, I’d consider somewhere like Palawan instead.

Where to Stay in Boracay

Most visitors choose accommodation around White Beach, which is divided into three stations running from north to south.

• Station 1: The northern end of White Beach, known for its wider beachfront, quieter atmosphere and more upmarket resorts.
• Station 2: The centre of the action, with D’Mall, restaurants, shops, bars and nightlife. Great if you want everything close by.
• Station 3: The southern end, close to Boracay Jetty Port, where boats from Caticlan arrive. Generally more laid-back, with a good range of affordable accommodation.

My Pick: Bulabog Beach

Personally, I prefer staying on the eastern side of the island around Bulabog Beach.

I stayed there for the first time in October 2025, and it reminded me a little of how Boracay used to be. It’s quieter, less crowded and has some nice little cafés, bars and restaurants.

The beauty of Bulabog is that you’re only about a 10 – 15 minute walk across the island to White Beach and D’Mall.

That’s exactly what we did. We’d spend time around Bulabog during the day, then wander across to White Beach in the evening for dinner, drinks and the sunset.

You get the best of both worlds without having to stay right in the middle of the crowds.

One thing worth knowing is that Bulabog faces east, so you won’t get those famous White Beach sunsets from there. Also, during the windy season, conditions are better suited to kitesurfing than relaxed swimming.

Where I Stayed: The Lazy Dog Bed and Breakfast

During my October 2025 visit, I stayed at The Lazy Dog Bed and Breakfast, a small, relaxed property near Bulabog Beach.

A friend recommended it, and I’m glad he did.

The place has a bit of a Balinese feel, with pleasant gardens and a laid-back restaurant area. The rooms aren’t glamorous, but mine was clean, comfortable and had everything I needed.

Breakfast was included and was very good with plenty of options. I didn’t try the other meals because we were always out exploring or eating elsewhere.

What I particularly liked was the peaceful ambience. It felt tucked away from the busier tourist areas, yet everything was within easy walking distance.

If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, there are plenty of other options such as 7 Stones or Levantin. If you want somewhere comfortable, reasonably priced and quiet, The Lazy Dog is worth considering.

I’d definitely stay there again.

Boracay 1997: Where It All Began

Looking back at these photos from 1997 brings back some fantastic memories. We stayed at Club Panoly, a beautiful resort tucked away at Punta Bunga Beach on the northern side of Boracay.

Back then, Boracay was a very different place. There weren’t nearly as many resorts, restaurants or tourists, and the whole island had a much more laid-back feel.

I remember being absolutely blown away by the beaches, the coconut palms and the crystal-clear water. Having never travelled outside Australia before, it was quite an introduction to the Philippines!

Club Panoly is long gone, having been redeveloped into what is now Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay. Fortunately, I’ve still got these old photos to remind me of what the place looked like nearly 30 years ago.

It’s amazing how much Boracay has changed, although looking at these photos, it’s not hard to understand why I fell in love with the place.

How to Get to Boracay

Boracay doesn’t have its own airport. You’ll need to fly to neighbouring Panay Island before taking a short boat ride across.

Flying to Caticlan

Caticlan Airport (Godofredo P. Ramos Airport) is the most convenient option.

Flights operate from Manila and Cebu, with other routes depending on airline schedules.

From the airport, it’s a short tricycle or vehicle transfer to Caticlan Jetty Port, followed by a boat crossing of roughly 15–20 minutes to Boracay.

Once you arrive on the island, you’ll need another transfer to your accommodation.

Flying to Kalibo

Kalibo International Airport is another option, with flights from Manila and selected other destinations.

From Kalibo, allow approximately 1.5–2 hours by road to reach Caticlan, followed by the boat crossing.

Unless there’s a significant difference in airfare, I’d choose Caticlan for convenience.

Getting Through the Ferry Terminal

This is something worth knowing before you arrive.

When I returned in October 2025, the terminal arrangements had changed since my previous visit. There were separate processing arrangements for foreign and local travellers, and I found the whole thing a little confusing.

Fortunately, I was travelling with a friend who understood the system.

You’ll generally need to arrange your boat ticket and pay the applicable terminal and environmental fees before boarding. The arrival and departure ports can also change depending on seasonal sea conditions. When I arrived in October 2025, we landed at Boracay Jetty Port at the southern end of the island, which puts you close to Station 3. It’s a busy, properly set up port, not just a small jetty.

If you’d rather avoid sorting everything out yourself, consider booking an airport-to-hotel transfer package. It can make the journey considerably easier, especially if it’s your first visit.

Budget Breakdown: Getting There

• Terminal fee (Caticlan Jetty Port): ₱150
• Environmental fee, foreign tourists: ₱300
• Environmental fee, local tourists: ₱150
• Boat or ferry ticket (Caticlan to Boracay): ₱50 to ₱100
• Tricycle, airport to jetty (private): ₱150
• Tricycle, airport to jetty (shared): ₱50 to ₱80 per person
• E-tricycle, port to hotel (shared): ₱25 to ₱50 per person
• Pre-booked all-in transfer package: ₱950 to ₱1,050 per person

DIY total (fees only, foreign tourist): roughly ₱500 to ₱550, plus transport. Pre-booked transfer packages bundle all of this into one payment and are worth it for anyone who’d rather not juggle three separate fee windows on arrival.

Source: myboracayguide.com and tripwis.com, fees confirmed current as of 5 October 2026.

Good to Know Before You Go

• Book early for holidays: Christmas, New Year and Easter attract particularly large crowds.
• Choose your location carefully: White Beach is livelier, while Bulabog offers a quieter alternative.
• Check the season: Monsoon winds can affect swimming, boating and beach conditions.
• Allow time for transfers: Reaching Boracay involves road transport, port formalities and a boat.
• Don’t overplan: Boracay is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, especially around sunset.

Dezza’s Tip

Boracay is one of those places where your expectations make a massive difference.

If you want to chill on an unbelievable white sand beach, swim in beautiful water and enjoy cocktails while watching the sunset, it’s hard to beat.

If you’re looking for maximum adventure and lots of different attractions, I’d probably steer you towards Palawan.

And if you want to experience Boracay without being surrounded by crowds all day, have a look at staying around Bulabog Beach.

Boracay FAQs

When is the best time to visit Boracay?

February and March are my picks. The weather is generally dry and sunny, the sea along White Beach is usually calmer, and you avoid some of the biggest holiday crowds. November to April is generally the best weather overall, while June to October is the wetter southwest monsoon season with stronger winds and rougher conditions.

How do you get to Boracay?

Boracay doesn’t have its own airport, so you fly to neighbouring Panay Island and take a short boat ride across. Caticlan Airport is the most convenient option, followed by a quick transfer to Caticlan Jetty Port and a boat crossing of roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Kalibo is another option, but allow around 1.5 to 2 hours by road to Caticlan before the boat.

How much does it cost to get from Caticlan to Boracay?

The fees add up to roughly ₱500 to ₱550 for a foreign tourist, made up of the terminal fee (₱150), the environmental fee (₱300 for foreigners, ₱150 for locals) and the boat ticket (₱50 to ₱100), plus your transport. A tricycle from the airport to the jetty is about ₱150 private or ₱50 to ₱80 shared. Pre-booked all-in transfer packages run about ₱950 to ₱1,050 per person. Fees can change, so check before you go.

How many days do you need in Boracay?

Three to four days is enough for most visitors, which covers White Beach, a boat trip, the restaurants and the nightlife. If you just want to chill out by the beach, you could easily stay a week.

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Where Is Boracay?