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Natural
Beaches / White Beach
Boracay boasts of a sugary white sand beach
and azure blue waters. The best part of the
island is the four-kilometer White Beach known
to be the "finest beach in the world." The
surrounding water is shallow and the sand is
finer and brighter than most beaches in the
archipelago. White Beach is so, soooo fine, it
feels like treading on miles of baby powder!
Aquasports
The island paradise of Boracay is a perfect
place for watersports. Here, you can partake
in a smorgasbord of exhilirating aqua action -
from swimming and snorkeling to scuba diving,
windsurfing, sailboating, kayaking,
boardsailing, and boating.
Boardsailing
On the eastern side of Boracay Island is
Bulabog Beach. It is a boardsailor's mecca
that draws enthusiasts from all over the
world, especially during the peak season from
November to March. In January, it is the site
of an International Funboard Cup.
Diving
Dive sites surround the island and are
learning venues to both novice and
professional divers, guided by competent
instructors of the many dive shops that
operate in the area. For trueblue scuba diving
enthusiasts, Yapak in Boracay is a great deep
dive.
Paraw Regatta
Sailboating and kayaking are popular sporting
activities, with Boracay playing host to the
annual Paraw Regatta, an international
sailboat race that makes use of the native
outrigger.
Mambo Number 5
For the adventure-driven, "Mambo Number 5" is
a little bit of boating and wind surfing, a
little bit of scuba diving, a little bit of
trekking, a little bit of mountain biking, and
a little bit of golf.
Nature Tripping / Eco-Adventure
World-renowned Boracay is an adventure island
ideal for island hopping, hiking, trekking,
caving, mountain climbing, biking, and
horseback riding. Trekking and mountain biking
can bring even the intrepid to the island's
quaint interior villages and to the edges'
scenic rocky cliffs, discovering along the way
many hidden coves with isolated beaches far
from the tourist crowd.
Festivals
Ati-Atihan
(second weekend of January). January is the
time to hang loose in Kalibo, the "Land of the
Atis" and the gateway to Boracay. For all of
three days, it celebrates the Ati-Atihan
Festival - where frenzied streetdancing is
performed by costumed and black-sooted
"tribes" as they wend through the main streets
from dawn until the witching hours. Ati-Atihan
commemorates the 13th-century land deal
between ten migrating Bornean chieftains and
the aboriginal Ati King Marikudo. It also
honors the town patron, the infant Santo Niņo.
To the accompaniment of hundreds of lyres and
drums, merrymakers throw all inhibitions to
the wind as they join the tribes in a mad jig
punctuated by rhythmic shouts of: "Hala bira!
Puera pasma! Hala bira! Viva Santo Niņo!"
(Loosely translated: "Let go! Don't get sick!
Let go! Hail the Holy Child!")
Paraw Regatta
Yearly, Boracay Island plays host to the Paraw
Regatta, an international sailboat race that
makes use of the native outrigger.
International Funboard Cup
Bulabog Beach, situated on the eastern side of
Boracay Island, is a boardsailor's mecca that
draws enthusiasts from all over the world.
Every January, it is the site of an
International Funboard Cup.
Special Interest
Recreational Sports
Laid-back Boracay is the perfect venue for
golf, tennis, bowling, even beach volleyball.
Top-of-class amenities for these activities
are available in the island. For golf bugs,
Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and
Countryclub has an 18-hole championship
course.
Partyhopping
The code in Boracay is strictly informal.
Walking barefoot than shod is the rule rather
than the exception. Swinging discos have the
beach for a floor, giving dance a new twist.
From dusk to dawn, the island turns into one
big party place where everyone is welcome to
join in.
Shopping
Bargain shopping is a joy of a diversion while
in Boracay. Souvenir pieces provide endless
possibilities, from trinkets and native
accessories made of shells and semi-precious
stones to exotic or contemporary beach wear
and fashion artworks.
Dining
The taste of the 6th Region, to which Boracay
belongs, is quite simple. Charbroiled chicken
is common fare. Another favorite dish is raw
fish marinated in spicy vinegar. Dining is no
problem in Boracay, with most resorts having
their own restaurants that serve both Filipino
and international cuisines. Small snack bars
line the island.
Relaxation
Diversions are not a problem in Boracay, with
leisure activities calendared throughout the
year and amenities offered by some 350 tourist
establishments. The island is ideal for
beachbumming, relaxing, and simply lazing
around. At the end of the day, unwind with a
relaxing massage. The island never runs out
skilled masseurs offering massage services by
the beach. For a more luxurious treat, visit
the new Mandala Spa. |
