Boracay

First stop, Boracay!

 

Boracay is one of the many reasons why you want to visit the Philippines. This tiny island off the tip of Panay in the Visayas, is home to a number of world-class beaches. It’s white sand beaches and pristine waters attract close to 700,000 tourists a year and generates about 250 million dollars for the Philippine economy. It has been rated as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and one of the best tropical beach if not the best in Asia.

 

Boracay is composed of three barangays, Yapak in  the north, Balabag in the center and manoc-Manoc in the south and is home to about 6,000 residents. The north and south part of the island are hilly with elevations up to 100 meters above sea level which is very suited for hiking. Leisure activities available on Boracay include scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kite boarding or just plain basking in the sun.

 

The best part of the island is its 4 kilometer White beach which is the island’s main tourist attraction. It is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, shops and other businesses. Along this side  specifies the three boat stations to land on the island basically named Stations 1 to 3. Stations 1 and 3 are situated roughly to the north and south endpoints and Station 2 at the center. Station 1 is situated away from the noisy revelries making it ideal for those just seeking peace and quiet accommodations. Station 2 is closest to the bars and night spots. Station 3 is where the cheaper lodgings are located. White beach offers a whole-day leisure, from beach-load activities during the day to all-out party during the night because in addition to restaurants, the beach is also lined with bars, pubs and night clubs.

Watching the Boracay sunset.

Right across White beach on the opposite side of the island is Bulabog beach, a part of the island where it’s windier which is a great destination for water sports such as windsurfing and kiteboarding or kitesurfing. The beach is a host to a number of annual sports summer activities among those is  Asian Windsurfing Tour.

Not to be outdone, Puka beach on the north coast is a white sand stretch about 800 meter. This is where the famous Puka shells are found which are turned into fashion jewelries. On the rocky coast are caves inhabited by giant bats. You may need to hire a local guide in order to get the perfect viewing spot.

 

If you haven’t get enough of the island just as yet, a world-class 18-hole par 72 golf course can be found – the Fairways & Bluewater Resort Golf and Country Club that was designed by Graham Marsh.

Boracay is easily accessible by plane or boat via Caticlan in the tip of Panay  which is the jump-off point to the island. From Caticlan, motorized banca boats, are waiting to ferry visitors to the three docking stations in Boracay.