Boracay Island Is A True Paradise
Boracay Island Philippines – well, what can I say about this amazing place? I don’t need to say much as the place sells itself.
Boracay is a seven-kilometre-long island and is the absolute epitome of a tropical paradise with its powdery white sand beaches, unbelievable sunsets, swaying coconut palms and turquoise blue water.
It is one of the most romantic places in the Philippines. Boracay’s location is just 2 km’s off the northwest tip of Panay Island. It’s much easier to get to than years gone by, which means Boracay tourism is now at an all-time high.
The tiny island has received a multitude of awards from a number of travel publications. In 2016, Boracay Island Philippines was awarded as the best island in the world in the readers’ choice awards, an annual award from the highly respected international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler. Boracay just pipped Palawan, who came in second place. Some of the best resorts in the Philippines can be found in Boracay.
Boracay White Beach: Voted The Best In The World
White Beach, on the western side of the island, is the main tourist beach. It is approximately four kilometres long and is where most of the action happens.
White Beach hotels and resorts offer a wide variety of places to stay in. Everyone is catered to, from five-star hotels through to backpackers. If you go in the low season, you can find some great rates.
There are a number of other Boracay hotels that offer options aside from the White Beach area: Cagban Beach, Diniwid Beach, and Puka Shell Beach. Cagban is fairly popular as it’s close to the jetty when you come across on the boat from Caticlan. Diniwid Beach and Puka Shell Beach are both at the northern end of the island and offer more privacy. They’re also close to the golf course for the keen golfers.
On the eastern side of the island you’ll find Bulabog Beach. It isn’t quite as popular with tourists. Being on the east coast, it’s a little more exposed to the elements, so the seas aren’t as serene and there’s less tourism activity. That makes it a nice private getaway if that’s what you’re after. Although the beaches in this area aren’t quite as pristine as White Beach, they’re still among the best in the country.
Dezza’s Pick: Bulabog Beach (East Side)
I personally prefer staying on the east side, at Bulabog, over the busier White Beach strip. It’s only a five-to-ten-minute walk through the interior roads to cross over to White Beach and D’Mall, so you’re never actually cut off from the nightlife and restaurants, you just get to choose when you’re in the middle of it.
Bulabog has its own beach volleyball courts, powdery white sand, and a noticeably quieter, more local vibe. It’s also the kiteboarding and windsurfing hub of the island, so if you’re visiting in kite season (roughly November to April), this is where you want to be based.
I stayed at The Lazy Dog Bed & Breakfast, right on Bulabog, genuinely one of my favourite stays in Boracay. Laid-back, simple island living, good coffee, none of the White Beach noise. Recommended if you want Boracay without the crowds.
If you’re there for the kiting specifically, Hangin Kite Resort (hangin means “wind” in Tagalog) sits right on the beach next to the kite school. No-frills, but you can’t beat rolling out of bed onto the water.
Things To Do In Boracay
There are numerous activities in Boracay, ranging from water sports like kitesurfing and windsurfing, through to golf, island hopping, sunset sailing on a traditional paraw boat, or of course just chillaxing on the beach with a cocktail (my favourite activity).
- Island hopping: a half-day boat trip to Crystal Cove, Crocodile Island, and Puka Shell Beach is the classic Boracay day trip
- Sunset sailing: a paraw (traditional outrigger sailboat) trip along White Beach at sunset is one of the most photographed things to do on the island
- Water sports at Bulabog Beach: kitesurfing and windsurfing season runs roughly November to April when the amihan winds pick up
- D’Mall and Station 2: the main strip for shopping, restaurants, and nightlife
- Nightlife: bars and nightclubs including Club Paraw (party central)
- Sunset cruise: a sailing/catamaran trip along the coast at sunset with music and drinks on board, more chilled-out booze cruise than nightclub. Several operators run near-identical trips, and availability on the day tends to decide which one you end up on, so it’s worth just searching and booking whichever has space rather than fixating on a specific company
- Weddings and honeymoons: see below
I have several expat friends who have been married in Boracay who say it’s the best place for weddings in the Philippines, and I’ve seen many locals say the same via social media. It really is an ideal location, with resorts that are more than accommodating when it comes to hosting weddings, and needless to say, if you have a wedding there, you don’t have far to go for a Philippines honeymoon. There are plenty of honeymoon resorts to choose from, and no reason to leave in a hurry. Even if you don’t get married in Boracay, it’s still one of the best places for honeymoons.
Sample 3-Day Boracay Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and White Beach
Fly into Caticlan (recommended over Kalibo, see “How To Get There” below), transfer to your hotel, and spend the afternoon settling in and walking White Beach end to end: Station 1 through Station 3 each have a distinct feel. Catch sunset from a beach bar around Station 2.
Day 2: Island Hopping
Full-day island hopping tour: Crystal Cove, Crocodile Island, and Puka Shell Beach, typically with lunch included. Evening: sunset paraw sailing, then dinner and nightlife at D’Mall or Club Paraw.
Day 3: Choose your pace
Either water sports at Bulabog Beach (if you’re visiting in kite/windsurf season) or a quieter day at Diniwid or Puka Shell Beach for those wanting to escape the White Beach crowds. Depart via Caticlan.
Budget Breakdown: Getting There
Verified current fees as of 2026:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Terminal fee (Caticlan Jetty Port) | ₱150 |
| Environmental fee: foreign tourists | ₱300 |
| Environmental fee: local tourists | ₱150 |
| Boat/ferry ticket (Caticlan–Boracay) | ₱50–₱100 |
| Tricycle, airport to jetty (private) | ₱150 |
| Tricycle, airport to jetty (shared) | ₱50–₱80 per person |
| E-tricycle, port to hotel (shared) | ₱25–₱50 per person |
| Pre-booked all-in transfer package | ₱950–₱1,050 per person |
DIY total (fees only, foreign tourist): roughly ₱500–₱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, Caticlan to Boracay 2026 fares.
How To Get There
There are two ways to get to Boracay: via Kalibo International Airport or Caticlan Airport.
Philippine Airlines flies to Kalibo from Manila three times daily and to Caticlan from Manila ten times daily. The flight takes approximately one hour. You can compare and book flights via Agoda Flights.
From Kalibo, it’s approximately 70 km (roughly a two-hour bus ride) to Caticlan Jetty Port in Malay. From Caticlan Airport, it’s less than one kilometre to the jetty port, just a few minutes by tricycle.
Boracay Island is approximately 2 km (less than thirty minutes) from Caticlan Jetty Port, reached by boat. Boats travel regularly across the strait.
Dezza’s tip: it’s much better to fly into Caticlan if possible, since it saves the two-hour bus transfer from Kalibo entirely.
Choose Your Time Of Year Carefully
Boracay Island has changed a lot from when I first went there in 1997. There’s been an explosion of not just tourists but businesses too, mostly resorts and hotels.
You’ll find plenty of places catering to entertainment: restaurants, bars, nightclubs such as Club Paraw, and other tourism businesses. Personally, I find White Beach overcrowded with party-goers at certain times of year. Easter and Christmas can get very crowded, which can be a little overwhelming, but otherwise it’s fine. Boracay is a great place for everyone: singles, couples, and families.
There’s no disputing that the four-kilometre stretch of White Beach is unrivalled for splendour, not just in the Philippines but almost any country in the world. The people have voted.
Dezza’s Tip
Depending on what you’re looking for, there are two times of year when Boracay is absolutely packed with local and foreign tourists during Easter and Christmas. If you want to party into the night and share the beach with literally thousands of people, that’s the time to go. If you’d rather chill out and relax, consider February or March, also the best time of year weather-wise.
One last thing: it’s much better to fly into Caticlan if possible.
Where To Stay (By Budget)
- Budget: hostels and guesthouses around Station 1–3, off the beachfront (specific pick to be added)
- Mid-range: beachfront hotels around Station 2, close to D’Mall. Boracay Beach Club is a solid example right on White Beach
- Luxury: resorts at the quieter northern end near Diniwid Beach, or all-inclusive properties near Puka Shell Beach (specific pick to be added)