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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Fun Things To Do in Boracay

Boracay Island Activities

Listed below are some fun activities in Boracay Island, Philippines:

A. Fly Fish Ride – one of the thrilling water activities in Boracay where one will hold and ride to an inflatable fish as the speed boat speed up and fly you up in the air. Wearing life jacket is mandatory. The activity is literally an adrenaline rush challenge for people seeking adventures like this, separating your soul from the body in a brief moment. Woah! 

Photo Credits: Boracay.Travel

B. Parasailing – a sport activity where one wears a parachute and heaved behind a motorboat, sailing through the air. Tried this! ‘Exciting panoramic view from top, overlooking the neighboring islands. I also love how the wind sways the parachute, swinging us slowly side to side. Capture this kind of experience 150 degrees by using your sport cameras or gopros. You may use ordinary shutters but I doubt you’ll bring it there for fear of dropping it to the water, well unless it is securely tied to you. 

C. Helmet Diving – fish interaction with the use of helmet attached to an oxygen tank, enabling you to breath underwater. Who wouldn’t love the beautiful creatures down there? Befriend these various multi-coloured fishes underneath and interact with them closely by feeding them.

This one is a must try! You’ll surely enjoy seeing various kinds of fish creatures down at 15 feet below and walk on the ocean floor feeling like you’re an astronaut walk-hopping on the moon. By the way, do not forget to take pictures of you with the tropical fishes for souvenir and documentation, ok?

D. Banana Boat Ride – riding in an inflatable banana boat with a group while being pulled by a speedboat. If you’re afraid of riding an inflatable boat that launches you up in the air, this could be your alternative option. Still a rousing experience and surely you and your family and friends will enjoy the ride. Take some videos to capture everyone’s reaction while riding the banana boat. I know you’ll all be laughing about everyone’s faces right after.

Photo Credits: My Boracay Guide

E. Jet Ski – A small motor-powered recreational watercraft. Love riding a motorbike? How about trying one like this on the water? You may explore the island by riding this motorized vessel with other jet ski riders. Riding on the water is surely a different adventure than on land. Playing with the waves is somewhat thrilling but an exciting experience. Try it!

Photo Credits: My Boracay Guide

F. Scuba Diving – underwater diving with the use of an apparatus that utilizes a portable supply of compressed gas provided at a controlled pressure. The instrument is used for breathing and swimming underneath. This, for me, was the expensive water activity in Boracay. For diving enthusiasts, one must set aside some budget to avail this package. Scuba diving, however, is still worth a buck. You’ll see varieties of aquatic species and witness the abundant sea life at the bottom. Beforehand, diving lessons are offered primarily before plunging into bottom and strict regulations are observed for the diver’s safety.

Photo Credits: Seaworld Boracay

G. Paddle Board – paddle boarders stand on their boards using a flattened blade to drive them through the water. Unlike from kayak where a rider will just sit and paddle, this on the other hand lets you propel yourself through the water by standing up, holding one hand on top and the other on the center of the shaft. Always starts at calm waters and remember to keep the blade direction opposite from you.

Photo Credits: Pinay Nomad

F. Paraw Sailing – sailing through the sea in a boat with two (2) outriggers or katig. This is so perfect during sundown. Anyone for sure will love to have a portrait at the boat with the lovely sunset as photo background. Like to try? So perfect for couples out there! 

Photo Credits: My Boracay Guide

Other activities

A. ATV Ride (ATV or All Terrain Vehicle) and Buggy Ride – A must do if you like to explore Boracay island apart from the ocean. Go up and downhill with your friends. Surely an exciting thing to do!

ATV - Photo Credits: Throw Caution to the Wind

Buggy Car - Photo Credits: Youtube.com

B. Cable Car and Zipline Adventure – Certainly for those unafraid of heights. Glide from the peak to the other part of the island by riding a cable car or trying the zipline activity. You’ll love how the wind brushes your cheek from up there!

Photo Credits: TripAdvisor

C. Mermaid Lessons – Swim like a mermaid by attending lessons at the island using an artificial mermaid tail.

Photo Credits: TinyWinie

D. Henna Tattoo – Local tattoo artists at the island were so talented. Make sure to choose a good dye portrait to be drawn on your skin. Henna tattoo is not permanent. It will fade for days or after brushing your skin.

Photo Credits: Book Lang Ng Book

E. Hair Braid – Hair braiders are located everywhere at the island. Design your hair with different hairstyle mixing it with colored strands.

Photo Credits: A Wanderful Sole

That's all! Make sure to try these activities when you visit Boracay! 

Also Read: 5 Things You Need To Know about Boracay, Philippines

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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.

Albuera's Perfect Spot: Baybayon Ni Agalon Resort

Baybayon ni Agalon

Unlike with the white sand beaches we used to see on island resorts, Baybayon ni Agalon is actually a pebble beach offering a pool resort located just along the road in Malitbog, Albuera, Leyte.

Small huts, tree houses and 2-storey kiosks were constructed at the beach, overlooking a panoramic view of the oceanfront.

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

The pool’s structure was wide built with slides sloping down to the water where kids can climb up and slide down to the pool area.

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Also, children will surely love to play at the resort’s mini playground equipped with facilities for recreation. My cousins actually loved jumping on the large trampoline set there.

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

There is also a fresh spa pedicure tank at the resort providing treatment where tiny and toothless scavenger fish clean and exfoliates the skin, nibbling away your dry and dead skin. However, we haven't got the chance to try this spa treatment since the staffs were cleaning the fish tank that time. 

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

The resort, too, has a small menagerie or zoo, lodging different animals like birds and reptiles. One of which are the ostriches seen near the resort’s entryway. We strolled around the resort and saw many kinds of birds housed on big enclosures and saw a large oviparous python resting in its cage wrapping itself on its food.

As you walk around the area, you’ll see these lizard-type creatures of which are suborder long-bodied reptiles dispersed everywhere on ornamental ponds and camouflaging on large brown trees at the resort. The pond, however, was filled with large carp bred fishes swimming at its mud-filled waters, with small pavilions or summerhouses set on ponds.

Additionally, the resort offers overnight accommodations and a snack bar or restaurant where you can buy food and drinks. 

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Baybayon Ni Agalon is actually a great spot for family picnics, barkada outings, or venue for weddings. With its serene setting, beautiful landscapes and resort activities offered there, you’ll surely love to spend some of your vacation here.

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Accommodations and fees: Baybayon ni Agalon
P.S. Some pics were grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account to provide full picture of the resort. Credits to owner.

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 Ormoc City or Baybay City. 

Reaching there:

A.) Via Baybay City 

Ride a van bound for Baybay City. Upon reaching the terminal, ride a bus going to Ormoc City. Tell the driver to drop you off at Baybayon Ni Agalon. 

B.) Via Ormoc City

Ride a van bound for Ormoc City. Upon reaching the terminal, ride a bus going to Baybay City. Tell the driver to drop you off at Baybayon Ni Agalon.

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 ride a bus bound for Albuera, Leyte or Baybay, Leyte (you'll pass by Albuera before Baybay)

CEBU CITY VIA BAYBAY CITY

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Baybay route via large sea transports and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City. Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships. The city’s bus terminal is just near the port area so you can directly ride vans or buses bound for Ormoc City so you'll be able to pass by Albuera, Leyte

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

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.