A one-hour plane ride south of Manila takes you to the island paradise of Boracay, in the province of Aklan.
Sun, surf, and sand – that is the promise of a perfect Boracay holiday. Boracay competes with the best beach destinations all over the world. In 2016, Conde Nast Traveler voted Boracay as the world’s best island, and in 2019, it was also voted as Asia’s best island.
The pristine and clear warm waters of the island, complemented by powdery white sands, makes Boracay every traveler’s dream. Whether you are on a short break from the daily stress of city life, or on a longer get-away-from-it-all stay, Boracay offers you a host of activities that guarantees a well-deserved vacation.
Take a Water Break
Beach life will never be complete without taking a refreshing dip. Swimming is top of mind when you come face to face with the inviting waters of Boracay. Apart from this, you can also try out different water activities that will make you want to go back to Boracay every chance you get.
Diving for Fun
Dive into clear blue waters and experience a panoramic view of the underwater world. Boracay’s dive circuit offers shipwrecks, coral reefs, tropical reef fish, and a host of other sea life. For beginners, dive instructors are available for basic training at confined water areas. More experienced divers may take advantage of the open waters.
If you are a skilled diver, you may find freediving more to your liking. No need for any breathing apparatus as you explore what’s hidden below the clear waters of Boracay. Guides and instructors are available to assist you with this not-for-the-faint-of-heart adventure.
Simply Snorkeling
If you consider diving just a little on the extreme side, snorkeling may be more to your liking. Get acquainted with most varieties of shallow water marine life found in the Sibuyan Sea such as the pelican eel, spotted sandfish, and frogfish. If you are lucky enough, you may even get to spot more interesting types of aquatic creatures such as reef sharks, sea turtles, and barracuda.
Parasailing Pleasure
From an underwater adventure, rise from the sea and hover up in the air with a colorful canopy chute. Parasailing presents a thrilling adventure that provides an amazing view of the wide beaches and surrounding foliage. Be prepared to take a dip as you land in the water while the speedboat pulls the parasail. This is truly an adrenaline junkie’s dream come true.
The Need for Speed
A jet ski ride can take you along the coastline and surrounding islands of this tropical paradise. The rush of the wind and the splash of seawater will be more than enough to make any stress-related concern a thing of the past.
The Gliding Workout
For workout buffs, paddle boarding is a must. Glide on the water surface and enjoy the scenery while standing, kneeling, or sitting astride a paddleboard. This is also a terrific exercise for your arms and legs while you work on your balance and strengthen your core. Just what the gym instructor ordered!
More Water Activities Await You
There are countless other water activities for you to enjoy. A banana boat ride, with your life vest strapped on, tests your alertness as you mentally prepare yourself to fall off at any given moment. That is all part of the fun. Just before the sun sets, try the paraw sailing adventure. The paraw is a native outrigger boat with two sails, used by the locals to travel from one island to another.
For more extreme activities, test your balance and your strength when you try out parasailing. If you are more of the daring type, you can show off your skill with kiteboarding. With a surfboard attached to a kite and you harnessed to the kite, sail away with the wind, and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the island.
The Great Breakaway
If water activities are not your cup of tea, how about exploring the land by taking a leisurely bike ride? Boracay offers a diverse landscape that can take you from paved city roads to hilly terrains in no time at all.
Bike and Like
You can meet up with other local bikers to get a better idea of the best bike trails in the island. The Easy Ride Circuit starts with the concrete roads of the main street as you slowly cycle your way up to the more secluded areas surrounded by trees and other vegetation. If you need to take a breather, watch out for monkeys swinging from one tree to another.
Bike for Strength
The Endurance Biking Circuit takes you to the beach where you may enjoy an energizing ride along the coastline. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the warm sunshine while you give yourself a workout that you can only enjoy far from the hustle and bustle of the city. This circuit is best for those who take biking seriously.
Bike with a View
If you are looking for a great view, bike your way to the southern end of Boracay Newcoast, where you will find a magnificent and iconic natural rock formation locally known as Lapus-Lapus (translated as ‘pass through’) towards the end of the trail. Stop for a moment and have a selfie with this beautiful background.
A Much-Needed Break
Work at your own pace and with a view that will surely make you feel like you are not working at all. Make Boracay your new “office space” with the Boracay Wellness Workation Program. Check out your hotel’s business center for online requirements. Relax by the pool as you bask in the sun while following up reports or making important phone calls.
Sunset and Namaste
And, when work is done, it is definitely time for a little relaxation and some meditation to keep your mind calm. A relaxing yoga session by the beach while the sun sets pays homage to a glorious day.
Breathe In, Breathe Out
The Wellness Program continues with more relaxation and meditation. For an indoor relaxation treat, you can try the art of Qigong, a meditative practice that incorporates breathing techniques, movement, and sound, has never been more welcome after a long, hard day outdoors. It improves balance, hand grip strength, torso flexibility, blood pressure, and resting heart rate.
The Healing Touch
Another way to unwind is to have a luxurious massage at a spa. Hotels and other spa venues offer various massage options – from the local hilot massage using banana leaves and coconut oil, to the more traditional Thai deep-tissue massage, among others. This is one of the best ways to ease sore and stiff muscles while keeping the mind relaxed and calm.
Time for a Break(fast) and More
All these activities will surely make you hungry. Relax, the Boracay Food Crawl Program creates an exciting feast for you! There are a variety of local and international dishes just waiting for you. Each accredited restaurant offers you their most popular dish to sample and savor. As you go from one restaurant to another, you will realize that you have just had a complete meal. From breakfast to midnight snacks, you will never run out of sumptuous choices to pick from.
The Best Breakfast
At the Lazy Dog Bed and Breakfast, start your day with the Mango or Banana Waffle served with butter, maple syrup and whipped cream, a popular choice with guests. Other breakfast choices include Filipino fare such as Tapa (soy-marinated beef slices with garlic and spices served over rice), or the Gourmet Tuyo (boneless dried fish in olive oil, olives, garlic and spices over rice). Their homemade focaccia, served with butter and jam, is best when taken with Vietnamese coffee.
Mmmmidday Break
For a midday break, sample the spread at La-ud Restaurant, located in Hue Hotel. Boracay’s famous Chori Burger is re-imagined as Chorizo Sliders, with the freshly baked and colorful mini buns (using either annatto, pandan, beet or squid ink) are not only a feast for the eyes but for your palate as well.
Your Choice: The Light Vegan or Heavy Lunch
Lunch at Nonie’s offers you a choice of Filipino dishes such as their Pork and Chicken Adobo, Beef Bistek and a colorful accompaniment of Grainbows, made from adlai, sorghum and barley. Vegetarian selections include Vegan Kare-Kare, Vegan Sisig and more.
Sarap or Sabroso, Have it Your Way
At Mayas Filipino and Mexican Restaurant, you have the option to pick out an all-Filipino dish such as the Chicken Inasal, Bangus Sisig, Pinakbet Tagalog or Lechon Kawali, among others. For a more Mexican flavor, you may also opt for the Tacos al Pastor, Yucatan Taco, Carnitas Burrito or Chicken Yucatan Quesadilla while enjoying a beachfront view.
Time to Cool Off
Also at Mayas is Jony’s Fruit Shakes, which offers the perfect cooler for an otherwise hot day at the beach. They have a wide selection of fruit shakes such as Banana Peanut Butter, Pineapple Mint and Strawberry Mango, that are not only delicious and filling, but healthy as well. Their refreshing smoothies are a definite must-try with flavors such as Island Slush (blueberry, banana, coconut sugar, yogurt, fresh milk, coconut shavings and chia seeds) and Chunky Monkey (chocolate, cocoa powder, banana, coconut sugar, vanilla extract, peanut butter and cream).
A Creamy Concoction
For a very tropical and guilt-free dessert, check out Coco Mama, the ice cream shop that serves only one ice cream product – the Vegan Dairy-Free Coconut Ice Cream. Have it plain or order it with a garnish of coconut strips, mango cubes, sticky rice and pinipig.
Dinner and More
As evening falls, enjoy the cool sea wind as you sit down for a cozy dinner at the Casa Pilar Beach Resort Restaurant. Try out their popular offerings such as the Crispy Pata and the Shrimp Vermicelli while enjoying thirst-quenching drinks from Joe’s Bar. As an added bonus you will also get to enjoy live music from their nightly singers, send in song requests, or, if you’re feeling brave enough, even take to the microphone yourself!
A vacation spent in Boracay is a vacation well spent indeed. Break away from the hustle and bustle of your busy life. Take a break in Boracay.
