Boracay Island, Philippines
The sun, white-sand beaches, crystal blue waters and palm trees - this is to Boracay, Philippines!
This tiny piece of land is only 7 km long and 1km wide, but it packs in all the activities you might look for when booking a holiday. Stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling, scuba diving, parasailing, cliff jumping, hiking… you name it. There’s something for everyone.
But most people come here to simply enjoy the goodness of sitting on a beautiful beach, under a palm tree, sipping on a tropical drink and watching the turquoise water shimmering in front of them.
Therefore here are 4 of the beach beaches to visit in Boracay!
1. White Beach
This dreamy, 4 km long, postcard-perfect stretch of sand is the centre of the action in Boracay. Lined with hotels, restaurants, bars and dive shops, the beach path is typically packed with tourists.
White Beach is divided into three “stations”.
Station 1
Station 1
Tucked away in the northernmost part, it feels quite peaceful and chill. It is where the most luxurious resorts and hotels are located.
This is also where sits the Willy’s Rock (known also as Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto), a rocky outcrop that forms a tidal island, somewhat of an iconic feature on Boracay:
Willy's Rock
It’s located around 100 metres away from the shore and easily accessible. Although during high tide you might be waist-deep in water!
Station 2
Station 2
It is the commercial and geographical centre of White Beach. This is the centre of it all for shopping, eating and drinking. That makes it also the most crowded, and the area the noisiest.
Station 3
Station 3
Is the southernmost section and much quieter than Station 2. As it is the least developed, the prices here are the lowest and accommodation the most affordable. This is the meetup point for the most of island hopping and
paraws tours.
2. Puka Beach
Puka Beach
Puka is the northernmost beach on Boracay Island that stretches for roughly 800 metres. it’s definitely much less crowded than some other beaches, so you have enough space to find a nice cosy spot for yourself.
The sand is not as powdery and more coarse than that of White Beach. It’s due to the coral mixed in with it. You can also find some lovely puka shells here (hence the name!).
There are only a few seafood restaurants and drink stalls, where you can eat deliciously cooked seafood and drink fresh coconuts. If you fancy a cold drink or an ice cream, you get it from street vendors walking along the shore.
The only minor downside of Puka Beach is the lack of proper shade. There is a lot of palm trees at the back of the beach, so you can escape the sun there. But if you’d like to stay closer to the water, you’d have to rent a lounge chair with an umbrella.
Puka Beach
Getting to Puka Beach
Most people come here on a sailboat or a bangka – a double-outrigger dugout canoe, as a part of a one day tour around the island.
But if you prefer a cheaper option you can hire a tricycle! It costs around PHP 150 and takes 15 minutes to get here from White Beach.
3. Diniwid Beach
Diniwid Beach
This 200-metre beach feels seemingly enclosed and isolated, as it offers a pleasant and tranquil atmosphere compared to its busier neighbour.
It is located in the northwest part of Boracay, just up north from White Beach.
It is the perfect choice for travellers who want a serene environment and privacy. Therefore you can find here the more upscale hotels, resorts and beachfront villas.
There is a cemented path along the beach, that grants you access from Station 1. It’s an easy 15-minute walk through a semi-hidden trail, carved out of the cliff.
If you don’t like to walk you can grab a tricycle from D’Mall in Station 2. The ride takes around 20 minutes and costs PHP 100.
4. Bulabog Beach
Bulabog Beach
It's the must-visit spot for adrenaline junkies and adventurous travellers. It’s 2,5 kilometres long and thanks to the large waves and strong winds it’s considered to be Asia’s top kitesurfing destination.
It is not advisable for swimming due to the presence of sea urchins.
There are a few tour operators and equipment rentals on the beach. They are also offering kite-surfing lessons, even for beginners. Apart from kites, you can have a go at windsurfing, parasailing and skimboarding – like surfing but on smaller, fin-less boards.
At the northern end of the beach you can find a cemented road leading to Mt. Luho Viewpoint (take a tricycle for PHP 120 per person, or walk for 20mins). It offers a panoramic view of Bulabog Beach, Boracay Island, and nearby islands such as Carabao and Panay.
In addition to crystal clear turquoise waters, palm trees swaying in the wind and seemingly endless stretches of soft, white-sand beaches, Boracay offers a uniquely laid-back way of life. I hope you can also find a beach perfect for yourself!
