Station 1
Finest sandThe north end of White Beach.
Boracay island guide
Things To Do In Boracay
Four kilometres of powder-white sand on a small island, closed for six months in 2018 for a clean-up and now run with strict rules. Still the most famous beach in the Philippines.
4 km
White Beach
2018
The six-month closure
7 km
The whole island
The white beach
Boracay is a tiny island, seven kilometres long, with White Beach running for four kilometres along its west coast, some of the finest sand in the world.
By 2018 it had become so overdeveloped and polluted that the government closed it for six months. It reopened with rules: accommodation must be accredited, and drinking and smoking on the beach, and beach parties, are banned.
It is busy and pricier than most islands, but the beach and sunsets are still extraordinary. Three days is right.
Where to stay
White Beach is divided into three stations. Station 1, at the north end, has the widest, finest sand and pricier hotels. Station 2, in the middle, is the busy centre, with D'Mall and most bars. Station 3, at the south end, is quieter and cheaper. Bulabog Beach, on the east coast, is the kitesurfers' base.
Station 2
First-timersThe busy centre, with D'Mall and bars.
Station 3
ValueThe quieter south end.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Boracay
White Beach, about four kilometres of fine, powdery sand, is one of the best beaches in Asia. Swim, and at sunset take a ride on a paraw, a traditional outrigger sailboat. Since the island was closed for six months in 2018 for an environmental clean-up, rules are strict: no smoking or drinking on the beach, and no building sandcastles.
Puka Beach, on the quieter north of the island, has coarser shell sand and fewer people. Island-hopping trips visit Crystal Cove, Magic Island for cliff jumping, and snorkelling spots. Ariel's Point, on the mainland coast, is a cliff-jumping day trip with drinks included.
Bulabog Beach, on the east coast, is one of the best kitesurfing spots in Asia from November to April, with schools for beginners.
Mount Luho, the highest point on the island, has a viewpoint over both coasts.
Free things
Free things to do in Boracay
White Beach and Puka Beach are free, and sunset from White Beach is the free highlight of every day.
Walking the beach path from Station 1 to Station 3 costs nothing, and watching the kitesurfers at Bulabog is free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Boracay
Boracay has a wide restaurant scene, pricier than the rest of the Philippines. D'Talipapa, the wet market, lets you buy seafood and have a nearby restaurant cook it. Chori burger, a sausage burger, and calamansi muffins are island favourites.
Cheaper Filipino food is found off the beach path, inland.
A meal is €3 to €10.
Nightlife
Going out in Boracay
Boracay has the liveliest nightlife in the Philippines' islands: beach bars and clubs along Station 1 and 2, and pub crawls most nights. Since the 2018 clean-up, drinking and smoking are banned on the beach itself, so the action moves into the bars.
A beer is €1.50 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around Boracay
Fly to Caticlan, a short tricycle and boat ride from Boracay, or to Kalibo, about one and a half to two hours by van and boat. On arrival you pay an environmental fee and a terminal fee, and you must show a booking at accredited accommodation.
On the island, e-trikes and tricycles get around; walking along the beach path works too.
Costs
What Boracay costs
Boracay is pricier than most of the Philippines. Dorms start around €10 and a careful day is €25 to €40.
The arrival fees, environmental and terminal, add a few euros. A paraw sunset sail is €10 to €25 per boat, island hopping €15 to €30, and kitesurf lessons from about €50 an hour.
The currency is the Philippine peso (PHP); prices here are euro equivalents, at roughly 65 pesos to the euro. Book accredited accommodation before you arrive; it is required to get onto the island.
Safety
Staying safe in Boracay
Boracay is safe. Follow the beach rules, which are enforced with fines: no smoking or drinking alcohol on the beach, no littering and no sandcastles.
From June to October, the habagat wind makes the west coast rough; swim only where it is calm.
Typhoons hit roughly from June to November and can cancel flights and ferries for days; build slack into island plans.
Emergency number is 911.
Day trips from Boracay
Snorkel coves, quieter beaches and cliff jumping.
Island hopping
Crystal Cove, Magic Island and snorkelling.
Puka Beach
A quieter beach of shell sand.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Holy Week and New Year are the busiest times.
March or April
Holy Week
Boracay
Very busy.
31 December
New Year
White Beach
Fireworks.
When to go
November to May is dry, with calm water on White Beach.
Jan
Cool and dry
Feb
Dry
Mar
Dry
Apr
Hot, Holy Week
May
Hot
Jun
Rains begin
Jul
Typhoon season
Aug
Typhoon season
Sep
Typhoon season
Oct
Wet
Nov
Drying
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in pesos locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes arrival fees.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Boracay travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Do I need to book accommodation in advance?
Yes. You must show a booking at accredited accommodation to get onto the island.
What fees are there?
An environmental fee and a terminal fee on arrival, a few euros in total.
Caticlan or Kalibo?
Caticlan is closer, minutes from the boat; Kalibo is cheaper to fly to but 1.5 to 2 hours away.
Can I drink on the beach?
No, drinking and smoking on the beach are banned and fined.
How many days do you need?
Three or four.
When is the best time to visit?
November to May. From June to October, the west coast is rough.
Can I learn to kitesurf?
Yes, at Bulabog Beach, from November to April.
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