Boracay Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Boracay Island
A visit to this tropical paradise quickly reveals why it was recently named the best island in the world.

While you may be in the middle of the Philippines, and less than an hour from Manila’s 12 million residents, a few hours on this tropical island will leave you feeling like you’re in the middle of nowhere. Boracay is a small island with a permanent population of just 12,000. Its 10 square kilometres (six square miles) are home to countless pristine beaches, a lively nightlife and some of the best watersports in South East Asia. In 2012 Boracay was named the best island in the world by a popular travel magazine.

Most of Boracay’s 1,000,000 annual visitors come to the island for the dry season between November and April. This is the ideal time for swimming and water sports, as the beaches remain calm. The months between May and October are therefore much quieter and more affordable, as many hotels and tour operators have seasonal prices. Visitors are advised to check weather warnings, as typhoons are a possibility in the region. 

Boracay’s main attractions are its beaches. The most famous of these, the four-kilometre (three-mile) long White Beach, lives up to its name. The popular public beach is lined by tall palms, providing some much-needed shade during the peak of summer, and is ideal for swimming. Families will love the safe shallow water, while the more adventurous will find excellent kite surfing, wind surfing and scuba dive operators along the foreshore. Behind the beach is the main commercial region of the island, D-Mall, where you will find great shopping and eateries. 

Those seeking a more secluded beach experience will love Puka Beach, home to the rare Puka shell, while those seeking some excitement will enjoy the cliff jumping at Ariel’s Point. Get between Boracay’s many inlets, coves and beaches on board a motorized tricycle, the island’s answer to taxis. Scooters and bicycles can also be hired for those wanting to explore the island on their own time.

Visitors can reach Boracay via Manila, with regular flights to the nearby Caticlan and Kalibo airports. From here a number of shuttles and taxis run to the ferry terminal, where you’ll be whisked away to paradise. 

Fairways and Bluewater Boracay
Fairways and Bluewater Boracay
4 out of 5
Station 1, Barangay Balabag and Yapak, Boracay Island, Aklan
The price is ₹5,183 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
₹5,183
per night
9 Apr - 10 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Boracay Island. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools and 10 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,024 reviews)
"The property was very nice. The staff was kind and helpful"

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

Fairways and Bluewater Boracay
Henann Palm Beach Resort
Henann Palm Beach Resort
4.5 out of 5
Station 2, Beachfront, Boracay Island, Western Visayas
The price is ₹7,316 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
₹7,316
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Boracay Island. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (447 reviews)
"Staff were helpful and honestly amazing."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

Henann Palm Beach Resort
Henann Crystal Sands Resort
Henann Crystal Sands Resort
5 out of 5
Beachfront, Station 2, 2, Boracay Island, Western Visayas
The price is ₹10,210 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
₹10,210
per night
25 Apr - 26 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Boracay Island. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (292 reviews)
"It’s a secure place and at the same time the best location for island activities. Very accessible for shopping and island tours."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Henann Crystal Sands Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Avana Hills Boracay Prime
Avana Hills Boracay Prime
4.5 out of 5
Ambulong Rd, Boracay Island, Western Visayas
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Boracay Island. Enjoy free WiFi, a golf course and a beach locale. Popular attractions White Beach and Station 2 are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Everyone in our party loved staying here. Beach, shopping, night life and lots of food options including fresh and live sea food within 5 minutes walk. Everything we wanted in a beach hotel inside and out. Prices were very reasonable. Friendly staff. Almost felt as if we were alone there, no one ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Avana Hills Boracay Prime
Boracay Amor Apartments
Boracay Amor Apartments
3.5 out of 5
Bukid Way, Diniwid Beach Road, Balabag, Boracay Island, Aklan
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Boracay Island. Enjoy free parking, a free beach shuttle and room service. Popular attractions Diniwid Beach and Balinghai ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (24 reviews)
"The property was great except there was a sewage smell that would come out of the bathroom sink. But the location was ideal when you need a break from the busy part of Boracay."

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Boracay Amor Apartments
Under the Stars Luxury Apartments
Under the Stars Luxury Apartments
4.5 out of 5
Tambisaan Beach, Malay, Boracay Island, Aklan
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Boracay Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a private beach. Popular attractions Tambisaan Beach and Tambisaan ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
"Wonderful place. The best staff. The only thing is that it is in a windy part of the island, great for chilling and relaxing."

Reviewed on 2 Jan 2024

Under the Stars Luxury Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Boracay Island

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
23
" "5 - Excellent 63.888888888888886%
4 - Good
11
" "4 - Good 30.555555555555557%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 5.555555555555555%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
27 Feb 2020

it is a very busy beach but safe to walk along the beach front

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Feb 2020

Borocay is a wonderful place to visit well reccomended

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
6 Feb 2020

Too touristic!If you want to relax you should avoid station 2!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
25 Dec 2019

Beaches are amazing, especially the less busy ones. Roads are terrible.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
24 Nov 2019

Although shangri la was beautiful because of the roadworks currently going on on the main road going into town was a bit of a mission, we would recommend going on a local boat around the island, we had the boat to ourselves and snorkel led in 3 diff,

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Nov 2019

It’s a great place but it’s getting crowded now with lots of building work to squeeze in even more hotels.

Cities near Boracay Island