Travel guide · Philippines
Boracay travel guide
Powder-white sand, paraw sailboats and sunsets over the Sibuyan Sea
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Boracay is a small island about 7 km long off the northwest tip of Panay, best known for White Beach, a roughly 4-km stretch of fine pale sand on its west coast divided into Stations 1, 2 and 3. Most visitors fly into Caticlan, cross to the island by a 15-minute boat ride and spend their days swimming, island hopping and sailing on traditional paraw boats at sunset. After a six-month closure for environmental rehabilitation in 2018, the island has stricter rules on construction, beach use and visitor numbers. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are January–May.
Key facts
- Country
- Philippines
- Best time to visit
- January–May
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- MPH, KLO
- Mid-range daily budget
- $90–$180 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- White Beach, Sunsets, Paraw sailing and Island hopping
Why visit Boracay
- White Beach's fine pale sand and shallow, calm water from about November to May make it one of Asia's best-known swimming beaches.
- Sunset paraw sailing on traditional double-outrigger boats is an easy, memorable hour on the water.
- Island-hopping trips reach snorkelling spots at Crocodile Island and the coves of Crystal Cove and Magic Island.
- Bulabog Beach on the east coast is a kitesurfing and windsurfing hub when the northeast amihan winds blow.
- It is compact: everything from quiet Diniwid cove to the restaurants of D'Mall is a short walk or e-trike ride away.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 13 things to do.
Beach · Station 2
White Beach
The island's west-coast beach runs for about 4 km of fine, pale coral sand and shallow turquoise water, divided informally into Stations 1, 2 and 3.
- Time needed
- Half a day or more
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Landmark · Station 1
Willy's Rock
A volcanic rock formation standing in the shallows off Station 1, topped by a small shrine to the Virgin Mary reached by steps.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Kids
- Iconic
Experience · Station 2
Island hopping
Half-day boat trips stop at Crocodile Island for snorkelling, Crystal Cove Island's rocky coves and caves, and Magic Island's cliff-jumping platforms, often with a beach lunch.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Active
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Experience · Station 1
Sunset paraw sailing
Paraw are traditional Visayan double-outrigger sailboats; passengers sit on nets stretched between the hull and outriggers as the boat skims along White Beach.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
Market · Station 2
D'Talipapa market
A covered wet market near Station 2 where you buy fresh fish, prawns, crab and shellfish at the stalls and take them to surrounding 'paluto' restaurants, which cook them to order for a fee.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Beach · Northern Boracay (Yapak)
Puka Shell Beach
Boracay's second-best-known beach, on the northern tip, has coarser sand mixed with tiny shell fragments and fewer buildings than White Beach.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Nature
Where to stay
Station 1 is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 6 areas.
$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury, beach and first-timers
Station 1
The widest, whitest stretch of White Beach, with upscale resorts and Willy's Rock
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, food lovers, budget and shopping
Station 2
Central White Beach with D'Mall, D'Talipapa market and most of the nightlife
$$ · Best for budget, quiet stays, solo travellers and families
Station 3
Quieter southern end of White Beach with good-value resorts
$$ · Best for solo travellers, budget and quiet stays
Bulabog Beach
East-coast beach for kitesurfing and windsurfing
What to eat
- Fruit shakes — Blended shakes of ripe Philippine mango, banana, papaya or calamansi with ice, sometimes with milk or chocolate.
- Calamansi muffins — Soft muffins flavoured with calamansi, the small Philippine lime, topped with a tangy glaze.
- Chori burger — A sweet-garlicky Filipino chorizo patty in a bun with sauce, a cheap and popular Boracay snack.
- Seafood paluto — Fish, prawns, crabs, squid and shellfish bought fresh at the market and cooked to order: grilled, steamed, in garlic butter, chilli sauce or sour tamarind soup.
- Kinilaw — The Filipino version of ceviche: raw fish such as tuna or mackerel cured in vinegar or calamansi with ginger, onion and chilli.
- Chicken inasal — Chicken marinated in calamansi, lemongrass, vinegar and annatto, grilled over charcoal and served with garlic rice and chicken oil, a Western Visayas speciality.
When to go
The best time to visit Boracay is from about January to May, during the dry part of the amihan season, when White Beach is calm, sunny and ideal for swimming. November and December are also good but showery, with peak prices at Christmas. From June to October the habagat brings rain, rougher water on White Beach and a risk of typhoons, especially in August and September, though prices drop.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool dry season | December–February | Breezy amihan weather, calm White Beach and kitesurfing wind on Bulabog; Christmas and Chinese New Year bring peak crowds. |
| Hot dry season | March–May | Hot, sunny and calm, the best swimming conditions, with very busy Holy Week and Philippine school holidays. |
| Wet season | June–September | Southwest monsoon rains, waves and seaweed on White Beach and typhoon risk, with the lowest prices. |
| Transition | October–November | Rain eases and the winds turn northeast; a good-value time with improving conditions. |
Getting there and around
Caticlan airport (MPH) is a few minutes by tricycle from Caticlan Jetty Port; with the 15-minute boat crossing and an e-trike or van on the island, most hotels are 45–60 minutes away. Kalibo International Airport (KLO), with more international flights, is about 1.5–2 hours by van to Caticlan.
Boracay is small enough to walk along White Beach between all three stations. Electric tricycles (e-trikes) run along the main road for longer trips, and boats handle island hopping and the crossing from the mainland.
Plan your days
Three days allows a day on White Beach, an island-hopping trip and a sunset sail. Five days gives time to slow down, explore Puka and Diniwid beaches, try diving or kitesurfing, and absorb a rainy day.
Practical information
- Currency
- PHP
- Language
- Filipino, English and Aklanon
- Plugs
- Type A, B and C sockets, 220 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled and filtered refill water is widely available.
- Emergency number
- 911 (national emergency hotline)
- Tipping
- Many restaurants and resorts add a 10% service charge.
Boracay is generally safe and relaxed. The main risks are the sea and sun: follow flag warnings, especially at Puka and during the habagat season, watch for sea urchins on rocky areas and use strong sunscreen. Keep an eye on belongings in crowded Station 2 at night.
Flights to Boracay
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Boracay?
Three days allows a day on White Beach, an island-hopping trip and a sunset sail. Five days gives time to slow down, explore Puka and Diniwid beaches, try diving or kitesurfing, and absorb a rainy day. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Boracay?
The best time to visit Boracay is from about January to May, during the dry part of the amihan season, when White Beach is calm, sunny and ideal for swimming. November and December are also good but showery, with peak prices at Christmas. From June to October the habagat brings rain, rougher water on White Beach and a risk of typhoons, especially in August and September, though prices drop.
+What is Boracay known for?
White Beach, Sunsets, Paraw sailing, Island hopping, Kitesurfing, Fruit shakes and Puka Shell Beach. White Beach's fine pale sand and shallow, calm water from about November to May make it one of Asia's best-known swimming beaches.
+Is Boracay expensive?
Boracay is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $90–$180 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Boracay?
No. Private cars are restricted on the island and distances are short; walk, use e-trikes and book transfers through your hotel.