Boracay Information

Located at the northwestern tip of Panay, this small island has become the number one tourist destination of the Philippines. 

The island, roughly shaped like a dumb-bell, is 7 km. long and the narrowest spot is nearly 1 km. wide. With approximately 6,000 inhabitants Boracay belongs to the municipality of Malay in Aklan province and consists of three communities locally called "barangay" Yapak in the north, Balabag in the center, and Manoc-Manoc in the south. The north and the south are hilly with elevations up to 100m above sea level, and is suited for extensive hiking trips. Numerous intertwining paths and trails may sometimes lead through tropical jungle and link the small villages of the island with each other. 

The best part of the island is its 4 km. White Beach, also called long beach by the locals. It is situated at the west coast between the villages of Angol and Balabag, and some experienced travellers claim it to be the finest beach of all Asia. The water is shallow here, and its sand brighter and finer than most beaches in the archipelago. There are about 350 beach resorts with 2000 rooms to suit virtually everyone's taste. There is accommodation of all types and price categories. Restaurants range form the native fastfood stalls to establishments that would satisfy even a gourmet. You can find beer joints as well as discos with amazing light and sound equipment. 

Further in the north a trail connects the dreamy little village of Diniwic over a hill with its 200m beach. Near the beach there are simple cottages as well as bamboo houses in individualistic design (some of them with fully equipped kitchens) leaning against the rocky hillside. 

Continuing on a steep path over the next hill, there is tiny Balinghai Beach, which is enclosed by steep rocky walls-offering a remote hideaway for those who want to be alone. Here, too, are several simple cottages for rent, most of them scattered over the hills. 

On the north coast, facing Carabao island, you will find Puka Shell Beach, a white sand stretch about 800m long. The beach was made famous by the shiny white Puka shells which were up to some years ago dug from the sand and made to fashion jewelry. An experienced hiker can reach this solitary spot near the Yapak village in about 2 hours form Balabag. 

On the rocky coast, near Yapak, are caves inhabited by giant bats. If you want to take an original photo of those "flying monster" and is willing to bear with the intense stench in the cave, you may hire a local guide in the village who can show you the best spot for this. 

Turning eastward at the junction before Yapak, you will reach - after 20 minutes hike - the village of Ilig-Iligan, situated on the right of the road's end on the hill towering above the ocean. 

Apart from that the east coast offers few tourist infrastructure in spite of existing sand beaches. Obviously because of the shallow water that does not lend itself for swimming, especially during low tide. Stones and seaweed often obstruct the access to deeper spot. Yet this part of Boracay offers a variety of steep rocky coast line, sand beaches and quiet bays with partly thick undergrowth inland. Professional windsurfers practice here at Bulabog and even carry out their international fun board cup championships for several years now. 

In the south of the inland there are other beautiful quiet sand beaches with tourist facilities. 

How to Get There 

Boracay is accessible by plane and boat from Manila and Cebu City via Panay Island. An alternative route is a boat ride from surrounding islands like Mindoro and Tablas/Romblon. 

From Manila (by Plane) 
Philippine Airlines (PAL) provides 3 flights daily from Manila to Kalibo, the capital of Aklan Porvince, north of Panay, using a B737 aircraft. From Kalibo air-conditioned coaster, coaches and vans are available for the 1 1/2 hour ride to Caticlan. 

During the high season PAL flights to Kalibo are often fully booked for several weeks, alternative flight destinations are Tablas island (Romblon Province), Roxas City (east Panay) or Iloilo City (southwest Panay). 

The most convenient way is a flight to Caticlan, jump-off point to Boracay on the northwest tip of Panay, by private airlines such as Asian Spirit Pacific Air and Aerolift. They offer daily flights by smaller aircrafts. 

All flights depart from the Manila Domestic Airport in metro Manila. 

Tour Operators in Manila, offer package tours for 3 days including round trip airfare, transfer and accommodation with breakfast. 

From Manila (by Boat) 
The cheaper route when going from Manila to Boracay is by boat to the town of Dumaguit/New Washington on the north coast of Panay then by public bus or jeepney to Caticlan or by airconditioned shuttle bus from Kalibo air port at P150 per person. The boat ride can actually save expenses for a simple accommodation since the boat sails overnight. These trips are offered by WGA, Moreta Shipping Lines and Negros navigation. All ships depart from North Harbor, Manila. 

It is advisable to inquire about accurate departure schedule before starting the trip. Ships maybe delayed due to bad weather. 

From Caticlan 
There is a frequent banca ferry service between and White Beach in Boracay. Passenger should proceed to the Boat Station at Caticlan to buy ticket and register with the Department of Tourism (DOT). The fare is P12.50 pesos. There are no piers at the landing points, so pack valuables in plastic and be prepared to get wet. Three docking points have been designated in the island. Boat Station 1 at the northernmost, Boat Station 2 in the middle and Boat Station 3 at the southern end. 

From Dumaguit/New Washington 
When arriving Dumaguit/New Washington one has to ride a jeepney to Kalibo first and then a bus or jeepney to Caticlan. 

From Iloilo City 
Ceres Liner buses run almost hourly from Iloilo to Kalibo 3:00 a.m. anddn 3:00 p.m. The terminal in Iloilo is on Rizal St. (Tanza) and the trip takes about 5 hours. There are ordinary as well as express buses. A direct Iloilo-Caticlan bus service leaves Iloilo at 3:30, 8:30 & 10:00 a.m. daily. 

From Tablas 
From Tablas airport jeepneys ply the routes to Looc and Sta. Fe where bancas wait for passengers bound for Boracay. The boat trip takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours. This route is risky especially during the months of July to September. There is also regular jeepney trips form Odiongan to Looc and Sta. Fe. 

From Mindoro 
An alternative route by land/water transportation from Manila may be the trip via Mindoro, either to Puerto Galera or Calapan., Roxas, the jump-off point of the east coast Mindoro, can easily be reached by bus from Calapan. A big outrigger ferry leaves Roxas daily for Odiongan or Looc on Tablas. At Melco Beach Resort in Roxas private banca owners offer special trips direct to Boracay for 1,000-1,500 pesos per boat. Since the Tablas Strait between Mindoro and Tablas) is battered by high waves and dangerous current we advise travellers not to risk these trips. 

From Cebu (by Plane) 
PAL departs from Mactan International Airport to Kalibo every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and daily to Iloilo City. 

From Cebu (by Bus/Ferry) 
By bus, Ceres Liner leaves Cebu starting at 5:00 a.m. for Bacolod City. From Bacolod transfer by ferry to Iloilo (last trip is at 3:00 p.m.) 

From Palawan (by Plane) 
PAL flies to Iloilo from Puerto Princesa on Wednesday and Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Fare is P1,131.50. 

To Roxas 
If there is no direct trip from kalibo to Roxas one may take the bus bound for Iloilo until Sigma. There one may take a bus or jeepney to Roxas. 

To Iloilo 
Ceres Liner buses leave kalibo from their terminal near the junction to new Washington and Banga between 3:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. almost hourly. The trip takes 5 hours. 

To Tablas and Mindoro 
There is an irregular ferry service to Odiongan/Tablas by a large outrigger stopping at White Beach to pick up passengers. 
Banca owners in Boracay offer individual boat rides to St. Fe or Looc Tablas. These trips take two hours and the fare is negotiable. From Sta. Fe or Looc jeepneys go to the airport, to looc and to Odiongan, where a big out rigger departs for Roxas, mindoro in he afternoon. the boat trip takes 3 hours. 

To Palawan 
PAL flies form iloilo to Puerto princesa every Wednesday and Saturday at 2:55 p.m. 

To Caticlan 
There is frequent banca ferry service between Caticlan and White Beach on Boracay and stop at designated boat station (3 stations in front of El Toro Rest, in front of DOT and in front of Swiss Inn). The fare is 12.50 pesos. There are no piers at the landing points , so pack valuables in plastic and be prepared to get wet. 

To Kalibo 
When arriving in Caticlan by banca a jeepney or bus to Kalibo is waiting for passenger near the shoreline. They only depart when full and the trip takes about 1 1/2 hours. Ceres liner pass by Caticlan at about 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. for Kalibo and Iloilo City. 

To Dumaguit/New Washington 
Jeepneys wait in Kalibo around the Market on Gonzales and Torong Streets. 

Take Note 
The Department of Tourism has its field office at Oro Beach Resort in front of Boat Station No. 2. Philippine Airlines booking office is at Southsea Resort at Angol. 

Police Station is on White Beach behind the Boracay Tourist Center in Mangayad. 

Many resorts offer a mail service via Kalibo. For international mail there is the Boracay Tourist Center located at Mangayad. Other facilities include fax machine, foreign exchange, safety deposit, reservations, long distance call, etc. 

Basic medical service is offered by a small hospital in the island. It is mainly equipped for minor illness. In serious cases you should get admitted in one of Kalibo's hospitals.

Copyright 1998 Department of Tourism - Region VI. All rights reserved.