Boracay Island Things to Do Tips by cyndymc

Island Hopping Island Hopping Review

This is a must-do activity while in Boracay. I experienced this on our first visit to Boracay, so I didn't put it in my priority list for my recent visit anymore...but seeing so much changes in Boracay, I'll probably go for it with my grandson on our next trip.

The itinerary usually includes Crocodile Island, Crystal Cove, Puka Shell Beach and Panoly Beach (some don't go to Panoly anymore). Price would depend on the number of persons and the size of the boat. Boatmen will usually give you this pricing: "For 3 hours of hopping, a small boat (with a capacity of 1-8 persons) costs PhP 2,000-2,500.00; a medium boat (with a capacity of 6-12 persons) costs PhP 3,500-4,000.00; and a big boat (with a capacity of 17-25 persons) costs PhP 6,000.00. There is an additional of PhP 500.00 per hour in excess of the 3 hours." BUT based on what I have canvassed, you can get it for a much lower price: For 3 hours of island hopping, you can get have the activity for P1,200 for a group of 3 to 4 or P1,500 for a group of 5 to 6. You can even request the boatman to accompany you to the market, buy some seafoods, and let him grill the food for your lunch. For that, I have no doubt you'll find it in your good heart to give him a tip and of course, share in the food.

UPDATE:

In our recent trip, I learned that boat owners/boatmen are now prohibited from dealing directly with guests and sailing without passing through "lamesa". Literally, "lamesa" means table, but passing through "lamesa" means the guests have to pass through the registration table before sailing. They will have to log in the registration book so they will be insured (insurance costs are already included in the boat rate), and the name of the boat and boatmen will also be registered. The "lamesa" system (registration and insurance of tourists also apply to other watersports like jetski, helmet reef walk, parasailing,etc.

Address: Boracay

Relax, Let Go, Unwind...Go For A Reef Walk

After seeing Boracay's reef walk featured on local tv, I've become so obsessed with it. I promised myself, I'll conquer all my fears going undersea so I can go helmet diving... and finally, I experienced it^_^

My eldest daughter joined me in the reef walk adventure. After an orientation, we wore a 35-kg oxygen helmet which became "weightless" undersea. It was attached to a tube which in turn was attached to an oxygen tank on the platform. This enabled us to easily and freely walk on the reef (we were about 4 meters down the platform). Our dive master-guide gave us bread to feed the fish. In no time, we were surrounded by colorful fishes. The little child in me was so happy with the experience seeing through the clear water, walking through the reef and seeing live corals, feeding the fish and playing with them. Oh my! The feeling is indescribable! You got to do it to know that profound joy I had under the sea.

Agents always say helmet dive used to be P2,500 per person, but they will give you a special price. I think it's just sales talk... The first time we tried this, we got ours for only P500/pax, with 1:1 coaching/guidance (1 dive master-guide per tourist) and free souvenir pictures and video in a cd. There were others offering P400-450/pax, also with free cd but only 1 diver-guide for the whole group. For a small price difference, we opted to go for safety and credibility of the Red Coral team. In our recent trip, we paid only P400/pax, still with free cd and diver-guide.

I think the agents try to charge higher if the tourists look like foreigners. My mestizo-looking nephew was being charged P1,500 because he was mistaken for a foreigner.

Although you can have the helmet dive/ reef walk from 7am to 3pm, the best time for reef walk is in the morning (before 10am) because the sea is calm, ensuring good visibility. We had ours at about 9am. After 10am, the waves cause movement of sand in the waterbed, sometimes causing visibility problems. In the afternoon, it could be dark underwater.

Note: More pictures in my travelogue^_^

Address: Boracay Beach, Aklan

Directions: There will be so many agents in the beach. Try to haggle and let them know you know the prevailing rates.

Paraw Sunset Sailing Parasailing Review

Your Boracay vacation wouldn't be complete without renting a "paraw"* for a sunset sailing trip around the island, chill out with some beer, and take snapshots. You can actually enjoy this activity any time of day, but the best time is to have it about 5-5:15pm to witness the sunset while at sea.

The first time we went on a paraw sunset sailing trip, we rented a paraw for P1,000. We were 4, but up to a maximum of 6 customers can ride; there is no minimum number of tourists per trip. I was told then that if you are alone, you can rent a paraw for P700 or if you are a couple or threesome, you can get it for P800. I thought it was a good deal; turned out I was "stung" as our dear VTer Sirenna informed me. (See my Warning Tip)... I knew better on our recent trip. If you go solo, you can rent a paraw for P500 for about one hour of sailing, and P600-650 for more people, maximum of 6. Our first sunset paraw cruise took about 25 minutes, but the sail should be about an hour.

*A "paraw" is a single hulled sailboats with outriggers that keep the boat from capsizing, usually manned by a crew of two, a skipper/captain and a balancer.

Address: Boat Station 1, Boracay Island

Directions: Paraws are docked not only in Boat Station 1, but almost all throughout the shoreline of Boracay Island

Exercise With The Boracay Dragons

While strolling in the beach early morning, I was attracted by some people exercising by the beach. I thought it was like the free aerobics exercise class in Luneta or Baywalk in Manila. I was told that the group was called the Boracay Dragons, a team basically composed of dragon boat rowers, hence the name Boracay Dragons. The Boracay Dragons are said to be unbeaten on the beach competitions, hence they are sometimes referred to as “The Beach Kings of Asia”.

Some onlookers eagerly watched, while some joined in the exercise, and the Boracay Dragons didn't mind.

Address: Boat Station 1, Boracay

Directions: Just look for them in the beach early morning.

Experience The Thrill Of A Banana Boat Ride Banana Boat Ride Review

I haven't personally experienced the banana boat ride because of other priorities in schedule, but from what I see from morning till sunset, many thrill seekers ride the banana boat to have an adrenaline rush.

I thought a maximum of only 5 people at a time are accommodated on the inflated giant banana, but I saw a banana boat carrying 9 passengers.

Starting a bit slow, the speed boat to which the inflated giant banana is attached later revs up, gatherig speed and quickly makes a turn to throw the passengers off-balance. As a safety measure, passengers are provided with lifevests. I personally witnessed how a rider got thrown off the banana after the speed boat turned. Fortunately, he had a lifevest on.

Address: Boracay

Have Your Hair Braided Hair Braiding Review

Short hair or long hair, the skillful hands of the locals (young girls & lasses) can braid your hair. Many tourists have fun trying the Boracay braid, not only for experience, but also for convenience (one need not worry about disheveled hair after a swim).

There is a chart with pictures of hair braid designs you can choose from. Hair braid costs P150 on the average...again depending on your haggling skills. However, I personally recommend that you don't haggle too much so as to help the young girls/lasses earn something for their school needs.

Address: Boracay Island

Directions: Beach area, usually near the massage or henna tattoo area

Alternative To Beach Massage Beach Massage Review

So you want a massage but don't want to have it on the beach? You can ask the masseuse to do the service in your resort/hotel BUT there is additional fee, depending on your resort's policy.

I discovered that for the same price as the beach massage, you can pamper yourself with a massage in the comforts of a more private venue, an airconditioned massage parlor. The masseuse can do a combination of shiatsu or swedish with trasional massage ("hilot").

Since it is right beside a beauty salon, you can also have a hair spa for your sun-exposed hair, and/or foot spa with pedicure.

Address: Station 1, Balabas, Boracay

Directions: Across Boracay Regency, take the small interior path leading to the beach; left side shortly from the street corner, beside Kalibo Cable & Palawan Pawnshop

Phone: 288-5599

Try a Massage At The Beach Beach Massage Review

After a tiring day, you can try having a whole body massage at the beach area for only P350 (or less if you know how to haggle), and a foot massage for less.

You'll find the the massage area under the coconut trees by the beach, and there are signs posted. Lined up are sun loungers with clean, leather upholstered mattresses, small pillows and towel. I noticed a bedsheet was hang to "block" the draft from the sea, but there is no blanket to cover you from the sight of passersby. Don't worry; people won't bother to ogle at your body as everybody is busy thinking of what else to do in Boracay.

For sanitation purposes, I suggest you cover the mattress with your own beach towel so you'll feel more secure that you don't catch skin disease. (You're not sure if the person who previously used the mattress is free from skin disease.) And for your cover, bring another towel. If you're finicky with anything unbranded or strange oil/lotion applied on you, let the "masseuse" use your own lotion or oil.

Address: Boracay Island

Directions: under the coconut trees at the beach area

Have a Henna Tattoo Tattoos Review

It used to be that henna tattoos were done only in shops. In our recent Boracay trip, I noticed that there are so many henna tattooists in the beach area, so that brought down the cost of Henna tattoos. Price range vary according to size (surface area) and complexity of design, from P150, to a high 300 to 550. Shhh, you can even haggle for lower cost.

The tattooists have a chart as reference for the designs, but you can request for some modification in the design.

The tattoo can last from 1 to 2 weeks, depending on how often you wash it, and the quality of henna used.

Address: Boracay Island

Directions: Beach area under the coconut trees where people usually pass, often beside the hair braiders.

Awesome Silhouettes At Sunset Sunsets Review

Sunset anywhere is such an awesome sight, but sunset in Boracay is something else. The golden skies and enigmatic silhouettes transform the Paradise Island into a Mystical Island.

Address: Boracay, Island