Here’s the best things to do in Boracay to make the most of your trip in the Philippines.
I suggest staying in Boracay for at least two or three days. With more time, you can also discover Caticlan (the island where you’ll land to get to Boracay), Romblon or Carabao Island, three islands accessible by ferry. You can check out my articles on Bohol and Siquijor here.
Boracay is a small island located in the Western Visayas region of The Philippines. Despite being really small, it is one of the preferred destinations among locals, because of its crystal-clear water, stunning sunsets and great atmosphere.
Below you’ll find all the top things to do in Boracay – from the best beaches to the water activities, including the best coffee and dinner spots.
The easiest way to reach Boracay is by taking a plane from Manila to Caticlan. From the airport you can take a tuktuk to reach the Caticlan Pier (also called Tabon Port). When you reach the pier, just pay the environmental fee inside the terminal and once outside, on your left, there is a stand to buy the ferry tickets for less than 100 pesos. You dont need to pay the whole package inside for 500 pesos.
The ferry ride is only a few minutes, and once you arrive, there will be many little electric vehicles offering you a ride to your hotel if pick up was not including with your hotel. A ride should be less than 200 pesos max depending on your hotel location.
One of the main reasons to visit Boracay is to enjoy the famous White Beach. With its fine white sand, crystal-clear water, and breathtaking sunsets, it is the heart of Boracay. Stretching over 4 kilometers along the west coast, it is the perfect place to discover the vibrant atmosphere of the island, enjoy a drink or dine by the beach. But being quite crowded, I would recommend other beaches to swim and relax.
Around Station 1, you will notice a volcanic rock formation with a small shrine, it is the famous island landmark, Willy’s Rock.
Also, make sure to enjoy at least one sunset there, the atmosphere is particularly nice: people are taking time to watch the colors change in the sky, play volleyball on the sand or enjoy a drink on the beach.
If you take a short walk north of White Beach, you will land on Diniwid Beach, a quieter and more laid-back beach.
Now, if you are looking for a very secluded beach, you can go to Punta Bunga Beach. Being the private beach for 3 luxury resorts (Shangri-La, Movenpick and Crimson), there is almost no one, the beach is super clean and quiet. Water is so clear and the surroundings are stunning.
If you want to access it, you can have lunch or drinks at the Azure Beach Club Boracay. This will give you access to the beach, and let me tell you it is definitely worth it :
Completely up north you will find Puka Beach, definitely a local favorite, but in my opinion not so clean (both the beach and sea). However, it is the one offering the most natural island experience with its rugged landscape.
Lastly, one of my favorite : Bulabog Beach. Being located on Boracay’s east coast, it is preserved from the crowds and construction. We were almost completely alone the whole day, and it was super quiet. Water was warm and transparent, and there are mny coconut trees offering some shade on the beach.
Being on the east coast, its stronger winds attract the kiteboarding and windsurfing enthusiasts, so if you want to try some water activities far from the White Beach crowds, this is the place.
If you want a break from the beach and want to do a little hike, you can walk to the highest point in Boracay, Mount Luho. It offers panoramic views of the island, of both the east and west coasts.
Lastly, Boracay is also known for its parasailing experiences, especially at sunset. Try to book it early on when walking along White Beach, best timing to start the tour would be 5:45pm I’d say. You will cruise aboard a traditional Filipino sailboat and glide accross the water as the sun sets over the horizon.
Because there is no motor noise, it makes it such a calm, relaxing and unforgettable experience.
There are a lot of good places to enjoy good breakfast, lunch or even drinks. I’ll list here my favorite ones among the ones we tried during our stay.
For breakfast, lunch or dinner, I would recommend Smooth Boracay. They are located on White Beach, so tables are either in the restaurant or on the sand. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious, from the tuna tataki, tuna steak, risotto, chicken satay or pasta. Definitely order cocktails here if you want a drink, they are perfectly balanced and well made.
They also have live music which brings a lively atmosphere and nice show for you to enjoy while eating.
For desserts or a sweet treat during the day, you can try the famous Mango Mama (see picture 2 below), Coco Mama (picture 3 below), Ube Mama or Banana Mama. Those four ice cream shops make excellent ice cream bowls with different toppings depending on the one you’re choosing (mango and sticky rice, fresh coconut, ube..) My favorite has to be the mango one, but you have to try them all !
If you’re in the mood for some great Indian Thai food, you can head to Little Taj. Their dhal and chicken curries are really good, and the naan or paratha are delicious (see first picture below).
Other addresses I can recommend are True Home Bistro and The Sunny Side Cafe on White Beach.
If you are looking for a nice place to stay in the area, i definitely recommend The Strand Boutique Resort. It’s 2-minute by walk from White Beach and we liked that it was a bit remote and in the jungle. The breakfasts were very good and the service was perfect.
That’s it for my Boracay recommendations!
I hope this article gave you a better idea of what to expect from a trip in Boracay, it’s definitely a place worth discovering and staying for a while.
If you plan on coming to Boracay or The Philippines anytime soon you can check out my article regarding what to know before going to The Philippines here.
If you need a custom itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll make your own personalised itinerary.
