Boracay, Philippines: travel guide
A small island ringed by powder-white sand and warm, shallow water
The Paradise Island — world-famous for white-sand beaches, kite boarding, sunset parties, and clear turquoise waters.
About Boracay
Boracay is a small island off the northwest tip of Panay, long known for White Beach, a wide arc of soft pale sand on its western shore. The water is shallow and calm for much of the year, and sunsets over the sea draw the evening crowd.
Days here tend to be unhurried: swimming, paddleboarding, sailing on traditional paraw boats and snorkelling around the offshore reefs. On the eastern side, Bulabog Beach catches the wind and is the island's centre for kitesurfing. When the sun goes down, the beachfront fills with restaurants, bars and live music.
Boracay travel suits couples, friends and anyone who wants a classic beach holiday. The best time to visit Boracay is generally the dry season from about November to May.
- Country
- Philippines
- Currency
- PHP
- Time zone
- Asia/Manila
- Nearest airport
- MPH
- Typical trip
- 5-7 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Boracay
White Beach Boracay Main Sand
beach · 4.7 rating · about 6 h · entry ₱300 (≈ ₹450)
The most famous beach in the Philippines — Boracay White Beach is 4km of powder-white sand fronted by bamboo bars, restaurants, and sun loungers. Station 1 is quietest; Station 2 the most active.
White Beach Station 1 North End
beach · 4.8 rating · about 4 h · entry ₱300 (≈ ₹450)
The northernmost end of White Beach at Station 1 is the most beautiful and least developed section — wider sand, fewer vendors, and the most stunning turquoise water in Boracay.
Boracay White Beach Nightlife
district · 4.3 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
Station 2 has the best nightlife on Boracay — Juice Bar, Bom Bom, and Epic are the most popular clubs with live DJs, fire dancing shows on the beach, and dancing from midnight to dawn.
D Mall Boracay Station 2 Hub
district · 4.3 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The D Mall complex in Station 2 is the main commercial hub of Boracay — restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, tour operators, and the freshest seafood grills on the island.
Boracay Water Sports Hub
adventure · 4.3 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The White Beach water sports area offers parasailing, jet ski, banana boat, flyboard, and stand-up paddleboarding from the beach. The most accessible water sports in the Philippines.
Boracay Night Club Station 2 Epic
bar · 4.3 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
Epic Beach Club at Station 2 is the premier nightlife venue on Boracay — a massive beachfront club with international DJs, fire dancers, and the best sound system on the island.
Willys Rock Virgin Mary Shrine Boracay
monument · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · entry ₱300 (≈ ₹450)
The most famous landmark on White Beach — the small rocky outcrop with the Virgin Mary shrine at Station 1, connected to the beach by a short walk through the shallows at low tide.
Boracay Sunset Happy Hour Beach Bars
bar · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The beach bars along White Beach have happy hours from 3-6pm offering buy-one-get-one cocktails and cheap beers. The best way to enjoy the famous Boracay afternoon beach party culture.
Boracay Banana Boat Group Ride
adventure · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Banana boat rides from White Beach — a group of 4-6 riders towed behind a speedboat at speed, inevitably falling into the warm sea. A classic Boracay water sports experience.
Boracay Sunrise Station 1 Beach
beach · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₱300 (≈ ₹450)
The White Beach at sunrise — before the vendors arrive, the sand is immaculate and the sea is glass-calm. The early morning light on the white sand and turquoise water is extraordinary.
Boracay Night Market Street Food
market · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Boracay night market stretching along the White Beach back road has excellent street food — grilled skewers, fresh juices, Filipino BBQ, and local desserts at prices far below the beachfront restaurants.
Boracay Fire Dancing Show
theatre · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The evening fire dancing performances on the White Beach at Station 2 are a nightly spectacle — performers spinning fire poi and breathing fire against the night sky over the beach.
Things to do
- Boracay Traditional Paraw Sailing Sunset Heritage Boat · 2 h · from PHP 920 per person
- Boracay Boracay Island Hopping Nearby Islands Tour Boat · 6 h · from PHP 1,200 per person
- Boracay Fire Dance Show Beachside Heritage Performance Heritage · 1.5 h · from PHP 370 per person
- Boracay White Beach Sunset Paddleboard Heritage Water Sports · 1.5 h · from PHP 740 per person
- Boracay Puka Shell Beach Hidden North Exploration Nature · 3 h
- Boracay Ariel Point Cliff Jumping Adventure Tour Adventure · 8 h · from PHP 2,500 per person
- Boracay Snorkeling Coral Garden Crystal Cove Water Sports · 5 h · from PHP 1,200 per person
- Boracay Mangrove Paddle Tour Ecology Heritage Nature · 2.5 h · from PHP 740 per person
Where to stay in Boracay
- White Beach about PHP 4,500 per night
Famous beach with resorts and water sports
Hotels
- The Strand Boutique Resort Boracay 5-star · PHP 12,000 to PHP 40,000 per night
- Shangri-La Boracay 5-star · PHP 22,000 to PHP 55,000 per night
- Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay 5-star · PHP 20,000 to PHP 65,000 per night
- Two Seasons Boracay Resort 5-star · PHP 9,000 to PHP 28,000 per night
- Two Seasons Coron Island Resort Boracay 5-star · PHP 22,000 to PHP 70,000 per night
- The Lind Boracay Annex 5-star · PHP 18,000 to PHP 55,000 per night
Where to eat
- Jonah Fruit Shake Boracay Drinks, Filipino, Street Food · about PHP 150 per person
- Boracay Night Market Eats Filipino, Street Food, Night Market · about PHP 300 per person
- Boracay D Mall Filipino Fast Food Row Filipino, Fast Food, Multi-cuisine · about PHP 300 per person
- D'Mall Seafood Market Boracay Filipino, Seafood, Market · about PHP 800 per person
- D Mall Food Court Boracay Multi-cuisine, Filipino, Street Food · about PHP 400 per person
- Boracay Beach Bar Sunset Cruise Bar, Beach, Cocktails · about PHP 700 per person
- Nigi Nigi Nu Noos Boracay Filipino, Seafood, Beach · about PHP 900 per person
- Real Coffee Boracay White Beach Coffee, Breakfast, Filipino · about PHP 400 per person
Getting to Boracay
Airport: Boracay (MPH), Boracay (Kalibo International Airport) (KLO)
How visitors arrive in Boracay
- Flight to Caticlan, then boat By air from Manila · common
Caticlan airport is next to the jetty; small boats carry passengers across to the island. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Flight to Kalibo, then van or bus and boat By air from Manila · common
Kalibo handles larger aircraft and is farther away; a land transfer to Caticlan jetty and boat follow. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry from Batangas to Caticlan By ferry from Batangas · possible
An overnight ferry connects Batangas with Caticlan, with the boat crossing to the island. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus and ro-ro ferry to Caticlan By road from Manila · possible
Coach companies run from Manila with ferry legs on the Nautical Highway. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Caticlan Airport to Caticlan jetty
Caticlan (MPH) airport is close to the jetty port on the mainland. Take a tricycle or walk to the jetty, then board a boat to Boracay. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Van or bus from Kalibo Airport
Larger and international flights land at Kalibo (KLO), a long road trip from Caticlan. Vans and buses run from the airport to Caticlan jetty, then you take the boat. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the port to the centre
- Outrigger boat to Boracay
Outrigger boats (bancas) cross from Caticlan jetty to Cagban Port on Boracay. Electric tricycles at Cagban take you on to your hotel. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Scooter Rental useful for some trips
Scooters can be rented on Boracay and give flexibility, though White Beach itself is off limits to motorised vehicles.
- Tricycle
Tricycles, many of them electric, act as the island's taxis and are easy to find along the main road.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Money exchange short-change
Major tourist zones
Cashier counts notes quickly, palms one, then re-counts and accuses you of being short.
How to avoid it: Use credit card. Count change yourself before stepping away.
Best time to visit Boracay
- Jan 27°C
- Feb 27°C
- Mar 28°C
- Apr 30°C
- May 30°C
- Jun 29°C
- Jul 28°C
- Aug 28°C
- Sep 28°C
- Oct 28°C
- Nov 28°C
- Dec 28°C
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Frequently asked questions about Boracay
- How many days do you need in Boracay?
- A typical trip to Boracay is 5-7 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Boracay?
- The highest-rated places in our Boracay guide are White Beach Station 1 North End, Boracay Sunrise Station 1 Beach, White Beach Boracay Main Sand, Willys Rock Virgin Mary Shrine Boracay, Boracay Fire Dancing Show.
- Where should I stay in Boracay?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Boracay: White Beach.
- How do I get around Boracay?
- Ways to get around Boracay covered in our guide: Scooter rental, Tricycle, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Boracay?
- Scams reported to us for Boracay include Money exchange short-change. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Boracay?
- Average daytime highs in Boracay run from 27°C in Jan to 30°C in May.
- Which airport is nearest to Boracay?
- The nearest airport to Boracay has the code MPH.