--- title: "Top 10 Things To Do in Boracay, Philippines | Wimup" description: "The Philippines' best-known beach island: four kilometres of White Beach, Puka Shell Beach, paraw sails at sunset and kites over Bulabog. The Wimup guide to Boracay." url: https://wimup.com/city/boracay type: City guide updated: 2026-10-31 publisher: Wimup (https://wimup.com) --- # Top 10 Things To Do in Boracay Boracay, Philippines · Asia · By Wimup Editorial, 13 min read Boracay is a seven-kilometre island off the northern tip of Panay, and nearly everything happens on one side of it. White Beach faces west and the sunset; Bulabog faces east and the wind. Since the six-month closure of 2018 the island runs on caps, fees and e-trikes, and it is cleaner for it. ## Quick answer Base yourself on White Beach and give it two slow days: a swim in the morning, a paraw sail at sunset, dinner at D'Talipapa. Spend a third on the water, island hopping to Crystal Cove or diving the Yapak wall. Take an e-trike north for Puka Shell Beach, and in the windy months walk over to Bulabog to watch the kites. Four or five days covers it without hurrying. ## Quick facts - **Best months:** November to May - **Ideal length:** 4 to 5 days - **Budget per day:** ₱3,500–8,000 - **Language:** Aklanon, Filipino and English - **Getting around:** E-trike and on foot - **Tourism board:** [Official site](https://aklan.gov.ph/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## The 10 best things to do in Boracay ### 1. White Beach Beach · West coast, Stations 1 to 3, Balabag and Manoc-Manoc About four kilometres of fine, pale sand on the sheltered west coast, and the reason the island is famous. Station 1 in the north has the widest, quietest sand; Station 2 is the busy middle around D'Mall. Swim early, before the boats and the crowds. - **Time:** Half a day or more - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Early morning - **Tip:** Walk the whole length once at low tide ### 2. Puka Shell Beach Beach · Yapak, northern tip An 800-metre beach on the north coast, coarser than White Beach because of the small puka shells in its sand, and far less built up. The water drops off quickly, so it is a beach for a swim and a long afternoon in the shade. - **Time:** 2 to 3 hrs - **Cost:** Free, plus the e-trike - **Best at:** Weekday afternoon - **Tip:** Bring cash; stalls are basic ### 3. Sunset paraw sail Sailing · White Beach, boat stations along the shore The paraw is the Visayan double-outrigger sailboat, and an hour on one off White Beach at sunset is the island's signature trip. Boats leave from the sand and run with the afternoon wind. Agree whether the price is per boat or per person before you board. - **Time:** About 1 hr - **Cost:** From about ₱3,500 a boat - **Best at:** An hour before sunset - **Tip:** Expect to get wet; bag your phone ### 4. Crystal Cove Island Island · Off the coast, by boat from White Beach A small private island with two sea caves, landscaped paths and snorkelling in clear water, and the standard first stop on an island-hopping tour. Entry is paid on the island and is rarely included in the boat price. - **Time:** Half day with the tour - **Cost:** About ₱300 entry, plus the boat - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Wear water shoes for the caves ### 5. Kitesurfing at Bulabog Beach Water sport · East coast, Balabag When the northeast amihan wind blows, roughly November to April, Bulabog's wide, shallow bay fills with kites while White Beach stays calm. IKO-certified schools teach beginners on the beach. Out of season the bay is flat and almost empty. - **Time:** Lessons from 1 hr - **Cost:** Paid lessons, by the hour - **Best at:** Amihan season afternoons - **Tip:** Book a course of lessons, not a single hour Links: [IKO school finder](https://www.ikointl.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 6. Willy's Rock Landmark · Off Station 1, Balabag A volcanic outcrop a few metres off Station 1, with steps up to a grotto of the Virgin Mary. It is the most photographed rock on the island. At low tide you can wade to it; treat the shrine as a shrine. - **Time:** 30 mins - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Low tide, sunrise - **Tip:** Go before 8am for an empty photo ### 7. D'Talipapa seafood market Market · Station 2, Balabag A wet market where you buy fish, prawns and crab by the kilo, then carry them to a paluto stall next door that cooks them your way. It is the best-value seafood meal on the island. Check the cooking fee on the board before you order. - **Time:** 1 to 2 hrs - **Cost:** Market price plus a cooking fee - **Best at:** Before 6pm - **Tip:** Haggle at the stall, not the kitchen ### 8. Yapak wall dive Dive site · Off the north coast, Yapak Boracay's best-known dive: a wall off the north coast where whitetip and grey reef sharks, tuna and schools of jacks pass in the current. It is a deep dive for certified divers, run by the dive shops along White Beach. - **Time:** Half day - **Cost:** Paid dive, through a shop - **Best at:** Calm-sea mornings - **Tip:** Advanced divers only ### 9. Diniwid Beach and the cliff path Beach · North of Station 1, Balabag A small cove just north of White Beach, reached by a concrete path cut into the rocky headland. It is quieter than the main beach and faces the same sunset. The walk round the point is the reason to go. - **Time:** 1 to 2 hrs - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Sunset - **Tip:** Walk back before dark; the path is unlit in places ### 10. Ilig-Iligan Beach Beach · East coast, Yapak A quiet cove on the northeast coast with rocks, snorkelling and few people. Fruit bats hang in the trees through the afternoon and leave in a stream at dusk, which is the time to be there. - **Time:** 1 to 2 hrs - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Late afternoon to dusk - **Tip:** Pair it with Puka by e-trike ## Best beaches in Boracay Five beaches that are not White Beach, and what each one is good for. 1. **Bulabog Beach** (Kitesurfing · East coast): The windward beach on the east coast: kites from November to April, flat and empty the rest of the year. 2. **Tambisaan Beach** (Snorkelling · Manoc-Manoc): A small southeast beach with a jetty for dive and island-hopping boats, and good snorkelling off it. 3. **Banyugan Beach** (Resort cove · Yapak): About 100 metres of sand between two rocks, reached through the Shangri-La resort; call ahead as a non-guest. 4. **Punta Bunga Beach** (Resort beach · Yapak): A quiet north-coast beach next to Banyugan, reached through private resorts. 5. **Balinghai Beach** (Cove · Balabag): A small west-coast cove between Diniwid and Punta Bunga, inside a resort that charges entry. ## Best island hopping in Boracay Three stops beyond Crystal Cove, each a short boat ride from the island. 1. **Crocodile Island** (Snorkelling · Southeast): A rocky islet off the southeast coast, named for its shape, and the tour's snorkelling stop. 2. **Magic Island** (Cliff jumping · Off Boracay): A cliff-jumping stop with platforms at several heights; entry is about ₱250 and paid separately. 3. **Carabao Island** (Full day · Romblon): Romblon's island across the strait to the north, with quieter beaches than Boracay's. ## Best water sports in Boracay Four ways to get wet that are not a swim. 1. **Parasailing** (From the beach · White Beach): A tow behind a speedboat off White Beach, sold at every boat station on the sand. 2. **Helmet diving** (Beginner · White Beach): A walk on the seabed in a weighted helmet with air pumped from the boat; no certification needed. 3. **Windsurfing at Bulabog** (Amihan season · Bulabog): The sport Bulabog was known for before kites, taught on the same bay in the same wind. 4. **Camia II wreck** (Wreck dive · Off White Beach): A fishing boat sunk as an artificial reef, now home to batfish and scorpionfish; advanced divers. ## Best restaurants in Boracay Six kitchens on or near White Beach, from breakfast to a long Italian dinner. 1. **Aria Cucina Italiana** (Italian · Station 2): Wood-fired pizza and fresh pasta on the D'Mall beachfront, and a survivor of the 2018 closure. 2. **Smoke Resto** (Filipino · Station 2): A cheap, busy Filipino kitchen in D'Mall, best known for its bulalo beef soup. 3. **Lemoni Café** (Café · Station 2): Mediterranean plates, salads and cakes in D'Mall, and a good lunch out of the sun. 4. **The Sunny Side Café** (Breakfast · White Beach): The island's best-known breakfast: pancakes, eggs and its own craft beer later in the day. 5. **Real Coffee & Tea Café** (Café · Station 2): The island café since 1996, famous for its calamansi muffins. 6. **Nonie's** (Healthy · White Beach): Smoothie bowls, grain bowls and vegan and gluten-free plates. ## Best bars & nightlife in Boracay Three White Beach bars, from sundowners to a late DJ set. 1. **Epic** (Club · Station 2): A beachfront restaurant by day and the island's house and EDM club by night, with no cover charge. 2. **Exit Bar** (Bar · White Beach): A small late bar playing open-format and dub, open until 2am. 3. **Mai Tai Beach Bar** (Beach bar · Station 1): A Station 1 bar on the sand for the sunset drink. ## Best areas in Boracay Five parts of a small island, and who each one suits. 1. **Station 1** (Quieter · Balabag): The widest sand and the bigger resorts at the north end of White Beach; the calmest stretch. 2. **Station 2** (Busiest · Balabag): The centre: D'Mall, D'Talipapa, most restaurants and bars, and the most noise. 3. **Station 3** (Budget · Manoc-Manoc): The south end of White Beach, with smaller hotels and lower prices. 4. **Bulabog** (Kitesurfers · Balabag): The east side, built around the kite schools; cheap rooms a short walk from White Beach. 5. **Yapak** (Resorts · Northern tip): The north: Puka Shell Beach, the big resorts and the fewest people. ## Best day trips in Boracay Three trips off the island, and two of them on the mainland. 1. **Kalibo** (Full day · Aklan): Aklan's capital, 68 km from Caticlan: the Ati-Atihan in January and piña cloth weaving all year. 2. **Bakhawan Eco-Park** (Half day · Kalibo): A boardwalk of about a kilometre through planted mangroves outside Kalibo, open 8am to 5pm. 3. **Ariel's Point** (Full day · Buruanga): Cliff diving from platforms in Buruanga by boat, with lunch included; check trips are running. ## Festivals & annual events in Boracay (2026) - **Ati-Atihan, Kalibo** (Third Sunday of January): Aklan's great street festival, painted faces and drums, in honour of the Santo Niño; 18 January in 2026. - **Kiteboarding tour, Bulabog** (Late in the amihan season): National kiteboarding events have closed their seasons on Bulabog Beach in the strongest wind. - **Boracay open water swim** (March): An international open-water swim race off the island, held 7 and 8 March in 2026. - **Holy Week** (March or April): The island's busiest week. Book rooms and the ferry well ahead. - **Aklan Day** (25 April): The province's founding anniversary, 70 years in 2026. - **Love Boracay** (Late April to early May): The old Labor Day party, now a week of dragon boat races, paraw regattas and beach sport. - **Malay Tourism Week** (September): The town's tourism celebration, with sandcastle building and a paraw regatta on White Beach. - **New Year's Eve** (31 December): Fireworks from the resorts along White Beach, and the fullest night of the year. ## Must-try dishes in Boracay, Philippines - **Chori burger**: A grilled Aklan chorizo patty in a bun, sweet and garlicky, sold from grills on White Beach. - **Calamansi muffin**: Real Coffee & Tea Café's tart citrus muffin, the island's best-known snack. - **Binakol**: Native chicken cooked in coconut water with lemongrass, often served in the bamboo. - **Tinuom**: Aklan chicken wrapped in banana leaves with lemongrass and steamed in its own juices. - **Inubarang manok**: Chicken stewed with ubad, the tender pith of the banana trunk, an Aklanon dish. - **Kinilaw**: Raw fish cured in vinegar with ginger, onion and chilli, the Visayan answer to ceviche. - **Talaba**: Oysters from New Washington on the Aklan coast, steamed, raw or grilled. - **Seafood paluto**: Your own catch from D'Talipapa, grilled, steamed or in garlic butter next door. ## Boracay transport & airports - **Caticlan Airport** (MPH): Godofredo P. Ramos Airport at Caticlan, the closest field, minutes by tricycle from the jetty port. Flights mainly from Manila and Cebu. [Cebu Pacific](https://www.cebupacificair.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) · [Philippine Airlines](https://www.philippineairlines.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - **Kalibo International Airport** (KLO): The larger airport, with the international flights, 68 km from Caticlan: about 1.5 to 2 hours by van or bus. - **Ferry from Caticlan** (Boat): A 10 to 15 minute crossing to Cagban port. Pay the terminal fee, the environmental fee (₱300 foreigners, ₱150 Filipinos) and the fare first. - **E-trikes** (Trike): Electric tricycles run the main road from Cagban to the north. Shared seats cost a few dozen pesos; a private trip about ₱150 to ₱300. ## Boracay at a glance - **Country:** Philippines - **Region:** Malay, Aklan (Western Visayas, Region VI), off the north tip of Panay - **Population:** 37,802 (2020 census) across Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak - **Founded:** Closed 26 April 2018 for rehabilitation, reopened 26 October 2018 - **Nickname:** Bora - **Language:** Aklanon and Malaynon, with Filipino and English widely spoken - **Currency:** Philippine peso (₱) - **Time zone:** PHT (UTC+8), no daylight saving - **Calling code:** +63 - **Airports:** Caticlan (MPH), by the jetty port; Kalibo (KLO), 68 km by road - **Power:** 220V, 60Hz, type A and B sockets - **Emergency:** 911 ## Interesting facts - The island covers 10.32 square kilometres, and White Beach alone runs about 4 kilometres of it. - Boracay was closed to tourists for six months in 2018 while its sewers and shoreline were rebuilt. - The island is capped at 19,215 tourists at any one time, a figure the government reaffirmed in 2022. - Puka Shell Beach is named for the small puka shells that make its sand coarser than White Beach. - All of Boracay lies in three barangays of Malay town: Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak. ## Boracay travel FAQ ### When is the best time to visit Boracay? November to May. The northeast amihan wind keeps White Beach calm and dry, and it is also kite season on Bulabog. From June to October the southwest habagat brings rain and rougher water to White Beach. ### How do you get to Boracay? Fly to Caticlan (MPH) for the shortest transfer, or to Kalibo (KLO), 1.5 to 2 hours away by road, for more and international flights. From Caticlan Jetty Port a boat crosses to Cagban in 10 to 15 minutes, then an e-trike takes you to your hotel. ### What fees do you pay to enter Boracay? At Caticlan Jetty Port: a terminal fee of about ₱150, an environmental fee of ₱300 for foreign visitors (₱150 for Filipinos), valid for the stay, and the boat fare. Carry pesos; card payment is not always reliable. ### How many days do you need in Boracay? Four or five. That gives two slow beach days on White Beach, a day of island hopping or diving, an afternoon at Puka Shell Beach and a sunset paraw sail, with room for weather. ### Where should you stay in Boracay? Station 1 for the best sand and quieter nights, Station 2 to be in the middle of the restaurants and bars, Station 3 for lower prices. Kitesurfers stay on the Bulabog side. ## Nearby guides - [Iloilo City](https://wimup.com/city/iloilo-city.md): Philippines · 10 picks - [Cebu City](https://wimup.com/city/cebu-city.md): Philippines · 10 picks - [Puerto Princesa](https://wimup.com/city/puerto-princesa.md): Philippines · 10 picks - [All of Asia →](https://wimup.com/asia): 109 cities Part of the [Philippines guide](https://wimup.com/country/philippines.md) · [Asia](https://wimup.com/asia.md) ## Sources - [Boracay tourism board](https://aklan.gov.ph/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Kitesurfing at Bulabog Beach: IKO school finder](https://www.ikointl.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Caticlan Airport: Cebu Pacific](https://www.cebupacificair.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Caticlan Airport: Philippine Airlines](https://www.philippineairlines.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - Rankings are Wimup editorial picks. Prices, durations and budgets are editorial estimates, not live quotes; check the official site before you go.