5 Things About Boracay Island, Philippines

5 Things about Boracay Island, Philippines

Listed here are things you need to know about Boracay Island of Malay, Aklan. 

Basically, the island is the place:

1. Where summer never ends

The island is visited by local and foreign tourists daily but more day-trippers and vacationers gather at the island chiefly during summer, extending from June solstice to the September equinox. Since Boracay is known internationally for its white floury sand and clear waters, more and more people visit this popular beach destination making it hard to point out to when off-peak season really starts here. Some people hate the photobombing troop so visiting the island after summer was their option.

There were more foreign tourists than local visitors during our visit last March 2017. I saw more Koreans and Americans than Filipino locals.

2. Where activities are not the typical challenge

You will never enjoy your vacation without experiencing some adrenaline rush challenges at the island. This could be one of your ‘living life to the fullest’ bucket list. One must at least set aside some budget and try the water activities at the island, as follows: 

Please Read: Fun Things To Do in Boracay

Fly Fish and Banana Boat Ride

Photo Credits: Boracay.Travel and My Boracay Guide

Parasailing and Helmet Diving

Photos Property of Dyaryo De Byahe

Zipline Adventure and ATV Ride

Photo Credits: TripAdvisor and Throw Caution to the Wind

3. Where island hopping is a must-do

Never leave Boracay without exploring the nearby islets. Complete your island tour by visiting the famous Puka Beach, the Magic Island, and the Crystal Cove. Grab an island hopping tour package with buffet lunch for a hassle-free island journey. As for our island hopping tour, we took our lunch of barbecues and veggies at a resort across Magic Island.

Puka Beach (also called Puka Shell Beach or Yapak Beach) – named after the puka shells and its location, Barangay Yapak. Visiting Puka Beach was the first part of our island hopping itinerary. The island was uninhabited and the powdery white sand was so enticing to walk barefoot at the beach. The pale blue waters, however, was deeper even in nearby shore. There are locals selling bracelets and souvenirs made up of puka shells for as low as P25.00 each.

Magic Island – A must visit for cliff diving aficionados. You may start diving from 3 to 5 meters cliff height, or if you’re a fighter and brave enough, crack the 10-meter cliff dive at this island. However, please be reminded not to do dangerous diving stunts unless you’re professional. One mistake could end your life in the water. We saw one man mistakenly pulled out a risky stunt which made him unconscious for seconds in the water. Glad the lifeguard was vigilant; threw a lifejacket and jump off the ridge to help him. The man’s nose was bleeding after he was pulled out from the water. I’m not discouraging you to try this but please make sure not to do perilous diving acts to avoid injury and death.

Crystal Cove Island – located across Magic Island; where the two caves are situated. One with pool and the other is by going inside a tunnel which leads you to coral shores and the waters.

(2) Photo Credits: My Boracay Guide

4. Where parties become a nocturnal hobby

People like to party to ease the stress from work, to meet new acquaintances, and to enjoy the evening breeze with friends filled with beers, lights, and music. In Boracay, most beachfront establishment were restaurants and disco bars, from Station 1 to Station 3 and to other parts of the island. Foreigners love to party, making Boracay as one of their fave spot for night life.

When you go to Boracay, you’ll observe most people are out during the night. Lovers at the beach; tourists at the bar; and people exploring and watching the fire dance. Restaurants close at 10 or so, but beach counters which serve alcoholic beverages are available ‘til dawn.

Try dining at a seafood restaurant. We actually took our dinner at Paradiso Grill and I love the butter-filled shellfish and scallops and barbecues marinated in highly seasoned vinegar sauce. Yum!

 

5. Where budget is necessary

When you’re planning to go to Boracay, consider enough budget for your trip. But how to actually spend less at the island? First is to wait for the airline’s piso and promo fare so you can avail cheap flight tickets. You may also dine at inexpensive restaurants and book a hostel which offers cheap rooms, or you may not avail the tours and activities at the island. There of course you can spend less, but I guess one will stake some cash for the activities. I don’t think you will enjoy your vacation without even trying some of those. Remember that you’re visiting the island to relax and enjoy, so planning a good budget for your trip is essential and necessary to fully enjoy your Boracay day spree. 

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9 Island Destinations in Leyte

9 Island Destinations in Leyte

For beach aficionados, here are some island destinations in Leyte that would suffice your sea lust. Satisfy that appetency by visiting the beautiful island beaches around the province. 

Listed here:

1. Kalanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte

Kalanggaman is undeniably Palompon’s best beach destination. Do not forget to take pictures on its long and snowy sandbar, and dip on its pellucid, luminous waters. Be sure to stay at the island overnight so you won’t miss the evident descent of the sun below the horizon; the blinking stars at night; and the aurora’s illustrious rays that lights up the island the next day.

ALSO READ: Palompon’s Best: Kalanggaman Island

2. Canigao Island, Matalom, Leyte

Canigao is an islet located just 15 minutes away from the port of Matalom, Southern Leyte via passenger or pumpboat. Canigao island brags its floury white sand and clear waters with beautiful tropical sea creatures. You can actually tour around this small island just for thirty (30) minutes. The island was often called as the “Little Boracay” of Matalom, Leyte by the locals. 

ALSO READ: Southern Paradise: Canigao Island

3. Cuatro Islas, Inopacan, Leyte

Cuatro Islas (Four Islands) are the four island destinations in Leyte which is very popular among local tourists. The three islands namely Digyo, Apid, and Mahaba Islands are situated an hour boat ride off the coast of Inopacan, Leyte. The fourth island which is the Himokilan, however, was part of the next town, Hindang, Leyte.

ALSO READ: Cuatro Islas: Leyte’s Four Island Destinations

4. San Pedro Island, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

The twin islands of Hinunangan namely San Pablo and San Pedro Island were locally popular in Leyte. If by chance you’ve been to Sambawan Island in Biliran or the famous Kalangggaman Island of Palompon but had cost you so much penny, I am sure you’ll surely enjoy the clear and virgin waters here the way you enjoy your stay at those islands too, but in cheap and discounted prices.

ALSO READ: San Pedro Island, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

5. San Pablo Island, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

The clear and cool waters’ enticing and will surely tempt you to jump off the ridge and enjoy the sea! And talking about clear waters, well yes it was very clear. You’ll see different fish species and other aquatic craniate vertebrates – fish capable of gliding flights through their large pectoral wings; scombroid fishes; school of anchovies swimming underneath the beach cottage; big fishes best for aquarium display, and many more. Marine life is so abundant here.

ALSO READ: Unspoiled San Pablo Island,Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

6. Canuay Island, Babatngon, Leyte

Coral bits make up the white sand of the island and mangroves set rest on the other side. You can stroll and walk around this islet and swim on its clear waters but only on specific portions where waves won’t crush you down at the shore. 

ALSO READ: Exploring Babatngon, Leyte

7. Sinapdan Island, Tacloban City

Sinapdan Island is an agreeable destination for picnics and other recreational activities. It is an idyllic setting for holiday or weekend getaways; a soothing place for your kind of easy street vacation; and a relaxing place for your beer and skittles.

ALSO READ: Sinapdan Island

8. Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte

Limawasa is an island municipality in Southern Leyte where the first Christian Mass in the Philippines (and in Asia) was held. Make sure to capture the beautiful sunset which is so visible at the island.

(2) Photo Source: Viggatintourism

9. Dio Island, Tacloban City

Dio Island is just minutes away off the coast of San Jose, Tacloban City. However, this white sand island is now a private island destination. Consent is needed from the owner.

Photo Source: Panoramio

Photo Source: Choose Philippines

Other nearby island destinations: 

ALSO READ:

Higatangan and Sambawan Island, Biliran

Camotes Island, Cebu

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Unspoiled San Pablo Island, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

Most of the island destinations we like to visit have been developed to provide tourists their wants and needs – e.g. hotel rooms, fancy restaurants, pool resorts, etc. However, commercializing such islands for profit use by establishing buildings and other business structures will cause the island’s fresh ambiance and rural atmosphere to fade. ‘Though the island’s marketplace is good for the economy, this somehow is unfavorable for other people just like me, who love the fresh island breeze, the pristine setting, and a virgin locale – emphasizing having no tall edifices photobombing the island view.

And talking about unspoiled island spots, I would like to introduce you to one of the two unsullied island destinations of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, the San Pablo Island.

SAN PABLO ISLAND, HINUNANGAN, SOUTHERN LEYTE

The twin islands of Hinunangan namely San Pablo and San Pedro Island were locally popular in Leyte. If by chance you’ve been to Sambawan Island in Biliran or the famous Kalangggaman Island of Palompon but had cost you so much penny, I am sure you’ll surely enjoy the clear and virgin waters here the way you enjoy your stay at those islands too, but in cheap and discounted prices. Some famous island destinations cost a pretty penny but of course the management will do everything to surely meet your expectations – a more developed place – for you to say that the amount you took from your wallet was worth it.

For now, let’s talk about our trip to San Pablo Island!

More or less than twenty (20) minutes from the shore of Brgy. Canipaan, Hinunangan, we then arrived at Del Rosario Beach Resort in San Pablo Island by taking a passenger boat from the port area.

Del Rosario Resort offers two (2) cottages which were situated at the sea - well yes, not at the beachfront, but at the sea. We booked one of these beach huts. The shack was big, consists of a table and benches linked on walls, and an elevated mini room where one can sleep for awhile. We put our things together and changed our garments for a swim. We were actually glad there were no guests other than us who visited the resort. We enjoyed owning the island for the meantime.

The sun’s shining blazingly and it feels like summer already but the island offers cold beach waters. I don’t think you'll mind the sunburn while you’re there. The clear and cool waters’ enticing and will surely tempt you to jump off the ridge and enjoy the sea! And talking about clear waters, well yes it was very pellucid. We actually saw different fish species and other aquatic craniate vertebrates – fish capable of gliding flights through their large pectoral wings; scombroid fishes swimming through the waters with its swordlike beak; school of anchovies swimming underneath the beach cottage; big fishes best for aquarium display, and etc. I can actually say that marine life is so abundant at the island.

Our day trip was so worth it with just P1,000 budget for the boat, P300 for the beach cottage, and no entrance fee. We brought our own snacks and there was no corkage fee. Can’t actually imagine our kind of day spree was so enjoyable just like how we used to enjoy the other islands of Leyte before, but this time 'twas cheaper and still worth a getaway! Economical but worth it!

TRAVEL GUIDE

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA OR CEBU:

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service.

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• CebGo
• AirAsia
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for vans or buses which transports to St. Bernard, or Hinundayan, Southern Leyte. Land travel to Hinunangan takes about three (3) hours from the city. You'll have to tell the driver to drop you off at Brgy. Canipaan. There is actually a signboard at the left side of the road that looks like the pic below:

Note: Make sure that the PUVs pass by Silago or Hinunangan. There are buses which head to St. Bernard via Sogod, Southern Leyte.

CEBU CITY VIA ORMOC CITY

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Ormoc route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via large transports or fast crafts). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships and just three (3) hours for fast crafts. The city’s bus terminal is just beside the port area so you can directly go to the terminal and ask drivers which vans and buses go or pass by Hinunangan, Southern Leyte. 

For promo fares and other details:
OceanJet
Roble Shipping
SuperCat

Weesam Express

Note: There are also Cebu-Leyte routes via Maasin, Baybay, and Hilongos, Leyte. 

If you are going to San Pablo Island, you may contact our service boat Kuya Kenneth – 09055934539 or you may contact the resort.

• If you are going to San Pedro Island too, you may stay at Vista Beach Resort.
• San Pablo island is inhabited so there are mini stores at the island for your immediate needs. But please know that the resources are just limited.
• Boat rate depends on number of passengers.
• For overnight stay, you may bring tent. There are no hotel rooms at the island.
• If this blog was helpful, do tell me by posting your comment at the comment box and please do share to your friends. Just share the link on any social media accounts you have like facebook or twitter. Hoping by sharing this blog we can help the locals there. 

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:

Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without permission, authorization, or written consent from the author or proprietor is strictly forbidden and firmly prohibited. Always provide full and clear credit to DyaryoDeByahe with the appropriate direction to the original content.