Everything you need for a first trip to Boracay — how the island works, what changed after 2018, how to spend your days and the practical details that make it all easy.
Boracay is a small island off the north-western tip of Panay, in the municipality of Malay in Aklan province, in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is roughly seven kilometres long and, at its narrowest, about a kilometre wide — small enough that the whole island feels like one long beach town.
Its fame rests on White Beach, the four-kilometre strip of fine sand on the west coast. But the island also has a kitesurfing lagoon on the east coast, wilder beaches in the north, and a scatter of islets offshore — which is why so much of a good Boracay trip is spent on boats.
In April 2018 the national government closed Boracay to tourists for six months to deal with years of overdevelopment and pollution. Sewage connections were fixed, illegal structures removed, the beach easement enforced and a limit set on the number of visitors.
The island reopened in October 2018 with a new set of rules that still shape a visit today: a confirmed booking at an accredited hotel, fees paid at the jetty port, and beach rules such as no smoking, no drinking alcohol and no littering on the sand. Rules are reviewed from time to time, so check them before you travel in our rules and fees guide.
Station 1 in the north has the widest, softest sand, Willy’s Rock and many upscale resorts. Station 2 is the busy centre, around D’Mall, with the most restaurants and activity sellers. Station 3 in the south is quieter and cheaper. A paved path behind the beach links them all.
Beyond White Beach, look for Diniwid, Puka Shell Beach, Bulabog and Ilig-Iligan. Our beaches and sights guide covers them all.
Plan your days around four classic experiences: an island-hopping boat tour; helmet diving or parasailing (see the water sports guide); and a sunset paraw sail. Add a sunset cruise, a diving lesson or a kitesurfing course if you have time.
Bestseller The standard Boracay boat day, and the one most travellers book: an outrigger bangka loops around the island to stops such as Crocodile Island and Puka Beach, with time in the water to swim and snorkel. Hundreds of reviews make it the safe first choice.
Top rated Boracay’s most popular non-swimmer adventure. You wear a helmet supplied with air from the boat and walk on the sea floor roughly ten feet down, among fish, with a guide beside you. The photos and videos are part of the package.
Boracay classic The quintessential Boracay half hour: sitting on the trampoline netting of a paraw — a traditional double-outrigger sailboat — as it skims along White Beach at sunset. Short, simple and the photograph everyone takes home.
Boracay’s main road runs north–south through the island, parallel to White Beach. Electric tricycles (e-trikes) and tricycles run along it; you can flag one down or ask your hotel to call one, and short hops are cheap. Agree the fare first if it is not posted.
Along White Beach itself, walk. From Station 3 to the north of Station 1 takes around an hour at an easy pace.
If you have more time in the Philippines, Camiguin makes a calm contrast to the bustle of White Beach: a small volcanic island off the north coast of Mindanao, with hot and cold springs, waterfalls and the White Island sandbar. There is no direct connection between the two islands; most travellers connect through Cebu or Manila, then fly either to Camiguin’s small airport or to Cagayan de Oro for the ferry. Our Camiguin travel guide covers the island’s sights, ferries and tours.
Many Boracay trips start or end in Manila, and that is a good moment for a day inland. Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna, south-east of the capital, is known for its canoe trip up a gorge, with most visitors going on a day tour from Manila. Our Pagsanjan Falls guide explains the river trip and how to get there.
Yes. The beach is cleaner and more orderly than before 2018, and the activities are as good as ever. The rules simply ask visitors to behave more carefully.
It can be, especially beachfront resorts in peak season. Staying in Station 3 or Bulabog, eating away from the beach path and booking activities with clear inclusions all help.
Boracay is generally considered safe for visitors. Use normal precautions with valuables, follow the sea-safety flags and book activities through registered operators.
Aklanon and Filipino are spoken locally, and English is widely used in tourism.
Not really. The hotel-booking requirement and the transfer time make an overnight stay the norm.
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.
