Being the top destination for the past years, Boracay has grown to accommodate many must-dos and must-visits as compared to some years back. There are laid-back things to do and also there are activities that rev up the adrenalin of the adventurous ones.
1. Willy’s Rock – remains to be the most photographed structure in the entire White Beach length. It has a grotto on top of the rock formation accessible through the stairs built at the front-end. It is located at Boat Station 1 where most of high-end resorts are in. It also is one of the best sites for sunset photography.
2. Paraw Sailing – this is the eco-friendly version of travelling by motorboats because it runs on natural power which is the wind. It is also suggested for small groups of up to 4 persons. We personally suggest that you take a paraw to sail around the island just to have a different perspective of it. And of course, the sunset paraw sail is just so romantic. Perfect way to end a beautiful day.
3. White Beach – strolling the entire length of the White Beach and snapping away at different resorts and their distinct themes and architecture. What i suggest is to divide it into 2 days as it really is a long stretch of sand from end to end. Best done early morning when the sun’s heat is still tolerable.
4. D’Mall – your stroll’s rest point should always be D’Mall where you can eat and rest at the same time. It is where you do the all the shopping that you can handle. There’s just no better way to rejuvenate the ladies out there than shopping.
5. Sunset Watching – the Boracay sunset rivals that of Manila’s sunset. The skies just illuminate with breathtaking colors from orange to fire red and slowly turning into cobalt blue skies.
6. Island Hop / Boating – for bigger groups of around 6-10 persons, motor boats are more advisable since it is also more economical because you get to half the bill with the other passengers. It is also faster than the paraw sail so transfer between islands are shorter. This activity will include trips to several snorkelling sites and also a trip to another tourist attraction, the Crystal Cove and Puka Beach.
7. Puka Beach – is on the other side of the island. If you’re wondering how Boracay looked like before discovery then Puka Beach gives you a glimpse of it. It usually is the lunch stop for island hopping since a couple of native restaurants offering seafood are found here. Vendors will also approach you to buy accessories made from Puka shells harvested by the beach. The sand here is not as fine as that of White Beach.
8. Massage by the Beach – having a massage with the sound of waves approaching the shore is just perfect. Price is standard for all the masseuses along White Beach.
9. Swimming – sometimes tourists are so pre-occupied with the itinerary they prepared that they forget to take a swim on the crystal waters of Boracay. We tend to be engrossed in the other things the island has to offer, forgetting that this is what enthralled the very first visitors and it is the reason why Boracay is what it is now, a truly world-class site.
Water Sports:
1. Parasailing – it’s the ultimate experience. Exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time, these emotions will ensure a great sense of satisfaction after the activity. Good conversation a must while hovering over. P1,500/person.
2. Jetski – for the speed junkies, this one’s for you. Imagine yourself in a motorcycle on a bumpy road with hundreds splashing water on you, well that’s how it feels. P1,500/30minutes
3. Banana Boat – you ride a banana shaped tube attached to a speedboat where you are dragged along in different speeds that’s an enjoyable, wet and bumpy ride. A sudden turn can tip over the rubber boat and will usually throw the passengers in to the water. Others try to hang on to the boat while fighting momentum but then again, you’re supposed to be thrown in to the water.
4. Flyfish – same concept as banana boat but different in vessel shape. With flyfish the boat is much lighter than the banana counterpart, so the winds will lift the front end of the boat and you hang for dear life.
5. Reef Walking a.k.a. Helmet Diving – an air compressed helmet is placed on top of your shoulder to serve as your breathing apparatus. Your ear becomes uncomfortable as you descend due to the pressure but after that initial discomfort, it’s quite amazing to interact with the marine world. It’s like scuba diving, only walking and with simpler equipments. P400.00/dive (comes with a Photo and Video CD)
6. Skimboard – is a boardsport used to ride shallow water. It usually begins on the beach, with the skimboarder running and dropping their board onto the thin wash of previous waves. It may look easy but a lot of flexibility and balance is needed to get the hang of it. Boards can be rented out at P100/hour.
7. Scuba Diving – if you want to experience the parallel world, then this one’s for you. There are interesting diving spots around the island so you won’t be shortchanged acquiring this adventure.
By The Beach Activities:
1. Henna Tattoo – for those who want to get inked but is afraid of the pain then this is for you. It's a great, artistic addition to that already great body.
Real Tattoo – many tattoo artists set up shop here in Boracay so if you want a mark from paradise then try looking for them in those hard to find corners around D’ Mall.
2. Braids/Cornrows – if you have ample amount of hair and want to look Rasta like our Jamaican brothers then try this fashion. Hairbraiding is very intricate and can take hours depending on hair volume.
3. Sandcastles – 2 versions of it can be found in the island, one version in the daytime and another in the evening. Be sure to catch both as they are really some work of art, both are magnificent in their own ways. With the daytime version, it highlights the structure and serves as a good subject in your photographs. With the evening ones, the artists are able to illuminate it by creating holes in the sandcastles and putting some lamps inside them, giving subtle luminance.
4. Volleyball Games – there are a couple of volleyball nets set up along the beach so all you have to do is gather enough players and rent out a volleyball if you don’t have one. The feeling of sand sticking to your body due to sweat may seem yucky but how often do you get to play beach volleyball in a decade if you think about it.
5. Frisbee – another favourite pasttime by some since you only have to bring your own Frisbee or disc and can be played anywhere along the beach or by the shore for a wet and wild version.
Nightlife:
1. Happy Hour – several resorts set up lounges by the beach and offer their food and drinks a little cheaper while enjoying the sun setting by their lounges.
2. Bar Hopping – there are several nightclubs offering different environments from disco dancing, to acoustic bands. Order a drink in one bar, order the next drink on another bar until you have your limit for the night. But maybe you can sober up in another bar yet again. Club Paraw, Obama Grill, Hey Jude, Bombom, Summer Place, Red Pirates, Pier 1, Hobbit House are some of the bars at your disposal.
3. Cocomangas – the party place to be for more than a decade now. The place and the owner are both legends in the island. They’ve existed even when there was no electricity yet so they are pioneers in the island’s party scene. Try out their Illusion Shaker, their pizzas and the Still Standing After 15 shots. All of which, deserves to be a subject on their own.
4. Fire Poi Dance – evenings offer the best backdrop to these eye-catching dances. Poi originates from the Māori people of New Zealand, and has since been enjoyed worldwide as a hobby, exercise, or performance art. With correct camera settings (slow shutter), photographs from these performances are truly breathtaking.
5. Chori Burger – chorizo in a bun and barbequed innards and sausages on sticks stalls are strategically located near where the party places are. It can serve as the perfect beer buddy of the party-goer. But even without liquor the chori burger can satisfy that hunger within.
Other Activities:
1. Kite Boarding - a surface water sport that uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard or wakeboard. This is pretty challenging since i haven’t seen anyone be successful in their first try. Having a background in wakeboarding may help.
2. Windsurfing - another surface water sport using a windsurf board usually two to four meters long and powered by the effect of the wind on a sail. Another very challenging sport since a lot of eye-hand coordination and a lot of balance is required.
3. Zorbing - is the newest adventure to hit the island. It is the recreation of rolling downhill in a sphere, generally made of transparent plastic, usually for fun. Sphereing is generally performed on a gentle slope. Zorbing is "a sport in which a participant is secured inside an inner capsule in a large, transparent ball which is then rolled along the ground or down hills".
4. ATV – or called All Terrain Vehicle is a three-wheeled motorbike that can run in any surface as its name suggests but is used best in rough terrains. In Boracay, they usually use it to climb up Mt. Luho and back.
5. Mt. Luho Viewdeck – is the highest point in the island. It gives a 360degree perspective of the entire island though White Beach cannot be seen from the deck. It has numerous viewing decks that give guests many opportunities for picture-taking.
6. Biking – another great form of exercise is hiring a mountain bike to navigate the inner parts of the island. You can leisurely roam around the island at your own pace and try to visit the places where the locals live.
7. DO NOTHING – as much as we encourage everyone to try all the above-mentioned activities, we also encourage everyone to just chill out and relax, do nothing and for once truly experience what it’s like to be in such an island paradise. But this is easier said than done, right?
1. Willy’s Rock – remains to be the most photographed structure in the entire White Beach length. It has a grotto on top of the rock formation accessible through the stairs built at the front-end. It is located at Boat Station 1 where most of high-end resorts are in. It also is one of the best sites for sunset photography.
2. Paraw Sailing – this is the eco-friendly version of travelling by motorboats because it runs on natural power which is the wind. It is also suggested for small groups of up to 4 persons. We personally suggest that you take a paraw to sail around the island just to have a different perspective of it. And of course, the sunset paraw sail is just so romantic. Perfect way to end a beautiful day.
3. White Beach – strolling the entire length of the White Beach and snapping away at different resorts and their distinct themes and architecture. What i suggest is to divide it into 2 days as it really is a long stretch of sand from end to end. Best done early morning when the sun’s heat is still tolerable.
4. D’Mall – your stroll’s rest point should always be D’Mall where you can eat and rest at the same time. It is where you do the all the shopping that you can handle. There’s just no better way to rejuvenate the ladies out there than shopping.
5. Sunset Watching – the Boracay sunset rivals that of Manila’s sunset. The skies just illuminate with breathtaking colors from orange to fire red and slowly turning into cobalt blue skies.
6. Island Hop / Boating – for bigger groups of around 6-10 persons, motor boats are more advisable since it is also more economical because you get to half the bill with the other passengers. It is also faster than the paraw sail so transfer between islands are shorter. This activity will include trips to several snorkelling sites and also a trip to another tourist attraction, the Crystal Cove and Puka Beach.
7. Puka Beach – is on the other side of the island. If you’re wondering how Boracay looked like before discovery then Puka Beach gives you a glimpse of it. It usually is the lunch stop for island hopping since a couple of native restaurants offering seafood are found here. Vendors will also approach you to buy accessories made from Puka shells harvested by the beach. The sand here is not as fine as that of White Beach.
8. Massage by the Beach – having a massage with the sound of waves approaching the shore is just perfect. Price is standard for all the masseuses along White Beach.
9. Swimming – sometimes tourists are so pre-occupied with the itinerary they prepared that they forget to take a swim on the crystal waters of Boracay. We tend to be engrossed in the other things the island has to offer, forgetting that this is what enthralled the very first visitors and it is the reason why Boracay is what it is now, a truly world-class site.
Water Sports:
1. Parasailing – it’s the ultimate experience. Exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time, these emotions will ensure a great sense of satisfaction after the activity. Good conversation a must while hovering over. P1,500/person.
2. Jetski – for the speed junkies, this one’s for you. Imagine yourself in a motorcycle on a bumpy road with hundreds splashing water on you, well that’s how it feels. P1,500/30minutes
3. Banana Boat – you ride a banana shaped tube attached to a speedboat where you are dragged along in different speeds that’s an enjoyable, wet and bumpy ride. A sudden turn can tip over the rubber boat and will usually throw the passengers in to the water. Others try to hang on to the boat while fighting momentum but then again, you’re supposed to be thrown in to the water.
4. Flyfish – same concept as banana boat but different in vessel shape. With flyfish the boat is much lighter than the banana counterpart, so the winds will lift the front end of the boat and you hang for dear life.
5. Reef Walking a.k.a. Helmet Diving – an air compressed helmet is placed on top of your shoulder to serve as your breathing apparatus. Your ear becomes uncomfortable as you descend due to the pressure but after that initial discomfort, it’s quite amazing to interact with the marine world. It’s like scuba diving, only walking and with simpler equipments. P400.00/dive (comes with a Photo and Video CD)
6. Skimboard – is a boardsport used to ride shallow water. It usually begins on the beach, with the skimboarder running and dropping their board onto the thin wash of previous waves. It may look easy but a lot of flexibility and balance is needed to get the hang of it. Boards can be rented out at P100/hour.
7. Scuba Diving – if you want to experience the parallel world, then this one’s for you. There are interesting diving spots around the island so you won’t be shortchanged acquiring this adventure.
By The Beach Activities:
1. Henna Tattoo – for those who want to get inked but is afraid of the pain then this is for you. It's a great, artistic addition to that already great body.
Real Tattoo – many tattoo artists set up shop here in Boracay so if you want a mark from paradise then try looking for them in those hard to find corners around D’ Mall.
2. Braids/Cornrows – if you have ample amount of hair and want to look Rasta like our Jamaican brothers then try this fashion. Hairbraiding is very intricate and can take hours depending on hair volume.
3. Sandcastles – 2 versions of it can be found in the island, one version in the daytime and another in the evening. Be sure to catch both as they are really some work of art, both are magnificent in their own ways. With the daytime version, it highlights the structure and serves as a good subject in your photographs. With the evening ones, the artists are able to illuminate it by creating holes in the sandcastles and putting some lamps inside them, giving subtle luminance.
4. Volleyball Games – there are a couple of volleyball nets set up along the beach so all you have to do is gather enough players and rent out a volleyball if you don’t have one. The feeling of sand sticking to your body due to sweat may seem yucky but how often do you get to play beach volleyball in a decade if you think about it.
5. Frisbee – another favourite pasttime by some since you only have to bring your own Frisbee or disc and can be played anywhere along the beach or by the shore for a wet and wild version.
Nightlife:
1. Happy Hour – several resorts set up lounges by the beach and offer their food and drinks a little cheaper while enjoying the sun setting by their lounges.
2. Bar Hopping – there are several nightclubs offering different environments from disco dancing, to acoustic bands. Order a drink in one bar, order the next drink on another bar until you have your limit for the night. But maybe you can sober up in another bar yet again. Club Paraw, Obama Grill, Hey Jude, Bombom, Summer Place, Red Pirates, Pier 1, Hobbit House are some of the bars at your disposal.
3. Cocomangas – the party place to be for more than a decade now. The place and the owner are both legends in the island. They’ve existed even when there was no electricity yet so they are pioneers in the island’s party scene. Try out their Illusion Shaker, their pizzas and the Still Standing After 15 shots. All of which, deserves to be a subject on their own.
4. Fire Poi Dance – evenings offer the best backdrop to these eye-catching dances. Poi originates from the Māori people of New Zealand, and has since been enjoyed worldwide as a hobby, exercise, or performance art. With correct camera settings (slow shutter), photographs from these performances are truly breathtaking.
5. Chori Burger – chorizo in a bun and barbequed innards and sausages on sticks stalls are strategically located near where the party places are. It can serve as the perfect beer buddy of the party-goer. But even without liquor the chori burger can satisfy that hunger within.
Other Activities:
1. Kite Boarding - a surface water sport that uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard or wakeboard. This is pretty challenging since i haven’t seen anyone be successful in their first try. Having a background in wakeboarding may help.
2. Windsurfing - another surface water sport using a windsurf board usually two to four meters long and powered by the effect of the wind on a sail. Another very challenging sport since a lot of eye-hand coordination and a lot of balance is required.
3. Zorbing - is the newest adventure to hit the island. It is the recreation of rolling downhill in a sphere, generally made of transparent plastic, usually for fun. Sphereing is generally performed on a gentle slope. Zorbing is "a sport in which a participant is secured inside an inner capsule in a large, transparent ball which is then rolled along the ground or down hills".
4. ATV – or called All Terrain Vehicle is a three-wheeled motorbike that can run in any surface as its name suggests but is used best in rough terrains. In Boracay, they usually use it to climb up Mt. Luho and back.
5. Mt. Luho Viewdeck – is the highest point in the island. It gives a 360degree perspective of the entire island though White Beach cannot be seen from the deck. It has numerous viewing decks that give guests many opportunities for picture-taking.
6. Biking – another great form of exercise is hiring a mountain bike to navigate the inner parts of the island. You can leisurely roam around the island at your own pace and try to visit the places where the locals live.
7. DO NOTHING – as much as we encourage everyone to try all the above-mentioned activities, we also encourage everyone to just chill out and relax, do nothing and for once truly experience what it’s like to be in such an island paradise. But this is easier said than done, right?
For your Boracay travel needs, contact Green Hearts Travel Services at +632 9529429; +632 5464689; +63918 9062824 or email us at iluvboracaycom@yahoo.com or rsvn@iluvboracay.com for your travel inquiries, we will be glad to help you arrange your vacation in Boracay.You deserve this paradise.
