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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Tops Lookout, Busay, Cebu

Your P100 bill can take you to stunning places close to bustling urban city - like the Tops Lookout located in Barangay Malubog, Busay, Cebu which offers a panoramic vista from top, overlooking the busy city of Cebu and the surrounding islands. Tops Skyline Garden is about twenty (20) to thirty (30) minutes bike ride from JY Square. 

However, such fee's a big-ticket price for visitors (For some, I guess) with just the city as photo backdrop and the nearby mise-en-scene. We were actually shocked when the in-charge asked P200 for two. I was like, “P100 per head? Seriously?”. Hope they can reduce it half or make some improvement in the area that could be worth the charge. But anyway, the cityview from top was awesome! You need to see it for yourself. No high definition shot can represent what you'll be seeing up there. Worth the feels!!! 

Since its location is atop a mount, expect a cooler temperature while staying there since Tops is about 2,000 meters above sea level. When the air upsurges, the pressure decreases. Upper altitudes make the temperature colder so be sure to bring with you coats when you want to go there at night. I’m no sci-pro by the way. Haha.

Make sure to visit Tops at night too - you'll surely appreciate the city lights from up there. There are also snack bars and food counters where you can order nibbles and drinks. You can bring your own food if you don’t want to pay buckets.

How to get here?

Via jeepney:

You can ride a jeepney bound for Lahug or Busay from the city. Tell the driver to drop you off at JY Square. Habal-habal drivers are waiting there to drive you to Tops. Pakyawan rates depend on the drivers or list of tourist destinations you’ll visit.

Via Taxi Cab:

You can ride a taxicab to JY Square but this will surely cost you much penny. Habal-habal drivers are waiting there to drive you to Temple of Leah. Pakyawan rates depend on the drivers or list of tourist destinations you’ll visit.

FLIGHTS FROM CEBU AND VICE VERSA

Angeles 1h 25m    Cebu Pacific Bacolod 50m    Cebgo, Philippine Airlines Busan, South Korea 4h 15m    Air Busan, Jin Air Butuan 45m    Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Philippine Airlines Cagayan de Oro 45m    Philippine Airlines, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific Calbayog 1h 10m    Cebgo Camiguin 45m    Cebgo Caticlan 1h 5m    Cebgo Chengdu, China 3h 50m    China Eastern Davao 1h 5m    Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines Del Carmen 1h 0m    Cebgo Dipolog 50m    Cebgo Dumaguete 40m    Cebgo El Nido, Palawan 1h 40m    AirSWIFT General Santos 1h 10m    Cebu Pacific Hong Kong 2h 45m    Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific Iloilo City 50m    Philippine Airlines, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific Kalibo 50m    Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 3h 55m    Philippines AirAsia Legazpi, Albay 1h 10m    Cebgo Los Angeles, USA 12h 50m    Philippine Airlines Manila 1h 15m    Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Philippines,  Nagoya, Japan 4h 5m    Philippine Airlines Ormoc 45m    Cebgo Osaka, Japan 4h 10m    Philippine Airlines Ozamiz 55m    Cebgo Pagadian 1h 5m    Cebgo Puerto Princesa 1h 15m    Cebu Pacific Roxas, Capiz 50m    Cebgo Seoul, South Korea 4h 25m    Jin Air, Jeju Air, Korean Air Singapore 3h 35m    Cebu Pacific, Silkair, Tigerair Surigao City 45m    Cebgo Tacloban 45m    Philippine Airlines, Cebgo Taipei, Taiwan 2h 50m    EVA Air, Cebu Pacific, Philippines AirAsia Tandag 1h 10m    Cebgo Tokyo, Japan 4h 30m    Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Xiamen, China 2h 55m    Xiamen Airlines Zamboanga City 1h 5m    Cebu Pacific

Source: Unknown

CEBU CITY VIA ORMOC CITY

If you are from Leyte and would like to get to Cebu City via ferryboats, you can take the Ormoc-Cebu route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Tacloban, Ormoc, or Baybay 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.

Note: 

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

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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.