White Beach is the headline, but the island rewards anyone who looks further — quiet coves, a windy kitesurfing lagoon, a hilltop view and islets you can only reach by boat.
Boracay is small enough to cross in minutes by e-trike, so you can see most of it in a few days. We have grouped the sights by area: the west-coast White Beach side, the northern tip, the east side and interior, and the offshore stops that island-hopping tours visit.
White Beach side Four kilometres of powder sand, in three Stations
Boracay’s famous west-coast beach runs for roughly four kilometres and is divided, informally, into Station 1, Station 2 and Station 3 — names left over from the old boat landing points. Station 1 has the widest, softest sand, Station 2 is the busy centre around D’Mall, and Station 3 is quieter and more laid-back.
White Beach side A small cove just north of White Beach
Round the headland at the north end of Station 1 and you reach Diniwid, a short crescent of sand with a handful of resorts and restaurants above it. It feels a world away from the crowds, and it faces west — so the sunset is just as good.
White Beach side The rock and grotto in the Station 1 shallows
A volcanic rock formation standing in the shallows off Station 1, topped by a small shrine to the Virgin Mary that you reach by a short flight of steps. It is Boracay’s most photographed landmark — best at low tide in the morning, or as a silhouette at sunset.
North tip The wild beach at the island’s northern tip
Also called Puka Beach or Yapak Beach, this long beach on Boracay’s northern tip is named after the small puka shells once found in its coarser sand. There are fewer buildings, stronger surf at times and a much more natural feel than White Beach. It is a regular stop on island-hopping trips.
East side & interior Boracay’s kitesurfing and windsurfing beach
On the east side of the island, directly behind Station 2, Bulabog is where the wind does the work. In the amihan months, roughly November to April, the north-east wind blows steadily across its reef-protected lagoon, filling the sky with kites. Kite and windsurf schools line the beach.
East side & interior A quiet cove on the north-east coast
A small, little-visited beach on Boracay’s north-eastern shore, with clear water, rocky outcrops and a few small caves along the shoreline. It sees far fewer people than the west coast and is a good half-day escape by e-trike.
East side & interior The island’s highest viewpoint
Boracay’s highest point is a modest hill in the island’s interior, topped by a viewing deck. From the top you look over the length of the island, the coast and the sea on both sides. A small entrance fee is charged.
Island-hopping stops Caves, coves and viewpoints off the south-east coast
A small, privately managed island a short boat ride off Boracay, with landscaped paths, viewing huts on the rocks and two coves you reach through rock passages to swim in. It has its own entrance fee and is included on many island-hopping tours.
Island-hopping stops The snorkelling and cliff-jumping stops
Two of the islets that island-hopping boats visit. Crocodile Island, off the south-east coast, takes its name from its long, ridged shape and is mainly a snorkelling stop on the reef around it. Magic Island is known for its cliff-jumping platforms at different heights. Itineraries vary by operator and sea conditions.
An island-hopping morning, a helmet dive or a parasail at midday, and a paraw under sail as the sun goes down off White Beach. Compare Boracay tours and book in a couple of taps.
