Boracay, an island in The Philippines that has quickly grown to become one of the country’s most popular beach destinations. It stands amongst the other 7600+ islands for its breath-taking sandy shores, turquoise waters and abundance of relaxation activities.
Boracay doesn’t have all the adventures and island-hopping escapades of other destinations. Life here is all about enjoying the slow pace, relaxing, and soaking in the beautiful views of the sea. Many people regard its main beach as one of the best in the world!
After spending 5 days on the island and exploring its top attractions, we’ve assembled a guide on the top beaches, water activities and things to try. Discover 15 of the top things to do in Boracay and plan your visit with us.
Relax on White Beach
We’re starting our list with the main reason many people visit Boracay, the long stretch of sand on the island’s west coast known as White Beach. Covering almost the full length of the island, it’s a gorgeous beach with soft, powdery white sand, palm trees and transparent water. The beach is very well maintained. During the day, White Beach is a nice place to relax or enjoy a drink with a view in one of the beach-side cafes.
On an evening, White Beach attracts large crowds of people, all eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the famous sunsets. Allocate plenty of time for relaxation on White Beach – it’s the highlight of any Boracay stay.
Try Paraw Sailing
One of the top things to do in Boracay is to hop onto one of the many ‘Paraw’ boats for an hour or so of sailing, just off the shore. The light winds and beautiful scenery of the west coast create the perfect conditions for a thrilling, wind-powered trip along the coastline.
You can enjoy the Paraw sailing activity at any time of the day (if weather conditions permit). However, the most popular time to sail is at sunset. Gliding across the sea with the wind in your hair is a memory that’ll last a lifetime. You can book a Paraw sailing experience on Get Your Guide. Alternatively, book through your hotel or negotiate with one of the vendors on White Beach. You can’t miss this activity off your list!
See an amazing sunset
We can’t go any further in our guide without telling you about Boracay’s amazing, world class sunsets. The beaches on the west coast boast some of the best sunsets in The Philippines, particularly on a clear day. Every day during our visit, along with thousands of other tourists, we found a spot on the sand and watched as the orange glow of the sun cascaded over the horizon.
Going for a sunset walk or enjoying a happy hour drink in a beach bar is one of the best things to do in Boracay.
Willy’s Rock
Willy’s Rock is one of the island’s most recognisable and photographed sites. You’ve probably seen it in postcards and on Instagram posts, dominating the shoreline between White Beach and Friday Beach. It’s a volcanic rock formation with a unique appearance and a lot of history. Palm trees jut out from its surface and it has a manmade shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Take some time to appreciate the beauty of the landmark as you walk along the beach, before climbing up the stairs for a view of Boracay away from the shore. It’s a great place to take some holiday photos.
D’Mall at Station 2
D’Mall in Boracay’s Station 2 area is the centre of all the action on the island. It’s a close-knit collection of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops. It’s the go-to place to try one of the island’s viral snacks, pick up some beachwear and souvenirs, or to dine with a view. Many of the restaurants in D’Mall are centred around a bustling square or have a direct view of White Beach.
It’s without a doubt that D’Mall is the most touristic part of the island. However, it has a fun atmosphere and is a great place to enjoy a drink and soak in the atmosphere. If you’d like to shop during your time in Boracay, this is the place to visit.
Check out the island’s nightlife
As the sun sets, Boracay’s Station 2 area comes alive. The island is regarded as having some of the best nightlife in the Philippines, offering something for all tastes. Enjoy a quiet cocktail in a beach bar, listen to live music, or party away until the early hours in one of the beach-side nightclubs.
Even if you don’t want to drink, walking along the Station 2 beach stretch after dark is fun for people watching and soaking in the atmosphere. We personally enjoyed listening to the live singers. The singing standard is very good and you’ll find musicians in almost all the bars and restaurants.
Puka Beach
We’ve mentioned some of the most popular beaches in Boracay. If you prefer a quieter place to relax, check out Puka Beach on the north shore of the island. Named due to the abundance of puka shells washed up by the sea, the beach is a long stretch of white sand with a courser, coral-like texture than White Beach.
Visit Puka Beach for a scenic walk, to take some nice photos or to have a nap under the palm trees. There are several snack stalls in the area and shops where you can buy jewellery made from puka shells. The best way to get to Puka Beach is by using one of the electric Tuk-Tuk taxis or the hop-on-hop-off bus.
Bulabog Beach
Located on the east coast of Boracay, Bulabog is the main water sports destination on the island. With stronger wind and waves than the west coast, it makes the perfect spot for wind surfing, kitesurfing and sailing. You’ll find seasoned surfers gliding along the waves, but it’s also a great place for beginners to try a new water sport.
Book an activity at one of the many water sports vendors along the beach. Alternatively, simply chill out and enjoy watching the kite surfers in the bay. The vibe at Bulabog Beach is upbeat and welcoming.
When we visited Bulabog Beach, we had a coffee and snack in the top-rated Calma Café. Its treehouse style design and excellent menu of food and drinks makes it the social hub for all the surfers in the area. It also has a great view of the beach.
Water Sports
If adrenaline-fuelled wind-surfing isn’t your style, why not try a more easy-going water sport? Kayaking and paddleboarding can be enjoyed in gentler waters and they’re a great way to explore Boracay’s shores. Water sports is one of the top things to do in Boracay, no matter your level of experience.
Cafes and restaurants
People flock to the island for its beaches. However, the food and drink here have a reputation too. Boracay is full of excellent beach cafes and restaurants, serving up everything from local Inasal grilled meats, to tasty Italian food, spicy Thai dishes and even Moroccan tagines. We found the food and drink options in Boracay to be some of the best in our Philippines trip.
Spend time researching the top places to eat and let your taste buds go wild. In our opinion, good food is a major part of visiting Boracay, especially when you can eat your meal with a view of the beach.
We recommend checking out Island Chicken Inasal, Red Coconut Restaurant, The Sunny Side Café and Kasbar Boracay, just to name a few.
Try the famous snacks
It’s not just the restaurants and cafes of Boracay that are worth checking out. Its specialist snack stalls and dessert deserve some love too. Some of the snacks in Boracay have went viral on social media, and many are unique to the island.
The cool concoction of coconut and mango ice cream, fresh mango and sticky rice known as Mango Mama is one of our favourites. There’s also Coco Mama, which focuses on coconut ingredients, Ube Mama, and many more sweet treats you can try. Ice Flakes and Halo Mango desserts are also very popular.
Research the top snacks to try ahead of your visit and enjoy sampling these amazing sweet treats. Watch this YouTube video for ideas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUOESCpnZCs
Diniwid Beach
Diniwid Beach is hidden away from Boracay’s main beaches. Reachable by a long dirt road or by carefully walking along the rocky cove from White Beach, it’s a hidden paradise away from the crowds. Smaller than other beaches but will unique coastal scenery, Diniwid suits those that want to go on a shore trekking adventure.
Walk underneath a rock arch or around the edge of the cliff and you’ll be able to access this stunning cove. It has a volleyball net, a small beachfront restaurant and transparent-waters that are great for swimming.
Friday Beach
Friday Beach is just around the cove from Diniwid Beach at the top of the Station 1 area. This beach connects to White Beach in the south and it’s our preferred beach of the two. It has the same, beautiful white sand and water, but far fewer crowds. It also has some excellent bars and restaurants.
Visit Friday Beach during the day for a long walk, or to relax under a palm tree. Return for sunset to experience one of the most beautiful memories of your trip. The restaurants and sunset bars at Friday Beach are quieter than White Beach and the vibe is more laid-back.
Tambisaan Beach
We’re not done with beaches just yet! The south of Boracay provides a more local atmosphere. It’s where many of the inhabitants live and there are far fewer crowds than the north. Tambisaan is a local beach near the island’s port. It often has several outrigger boats parked up, creating the scene for some beautiful photos.
You can visit Tambisaan Beach as part of a tour around the south of the island. Bring a towel along and pick a spot on the beach with a view. Alternatively, hire a kayak for a couple of hours and explore the small islands just off the shore. The nearby Crocodile Island is said to be the best spot in Boracay for snorkelling, so be sure to bring along your mask and snorkel.
Lugutan Mangrove Park
A short tuk-tuk drive from Tambisaan Beach is Lugatan Mangrove Park. It’s a small but nature-rich collection of mangrove forests, all of which can be explored on the over-water walkways. Get up-close to the mangroves, marvel at the tropical plants and pay close attention to the muddy river banks. You may spot burrowing crabs and mudskippers.
This attraction is very small and can be seen in less than 30-minutes. However, it’s still worth a visit when exploring the island.
New Coast
The north-east corner of Boracay is rapidly being developed, with new hotels, restaurants and attractions popping up every year. This area is a great value place to stay away from the main tourist areas. If you’re not staying on the New Coast already, we recommend paying it a visit for an afternoon. It’s one of the top things to do in Boracay if you value low crowds and raw nature.
One of the main sites to see in this area is Cujo’s Keyhole, a natural rock-arch that has formed over many years. There’s also a long, white-sand beach and a good selection of bars, shops and restaurants. If it’s a rainy day, you might want to check out CityMall Boracay, which has a variety of shops, restaurants, a supermarket and a cinema. There’s also Fairways and Bluewater Golf Resort, Boracay’s one and only golf course.
You can visit and get between the different places on Boracay’s New Coast using an electric tuk-tuk or the hop-on-hop-off bus.
That brings us to the end of our guide on the top things to do in Boracay. If you love beautiful beaches, relaxation and enjoying the comforts of a holiday resort, you’ll have a great time on the island. There are several attractions worth checking out, but the beauty of Boracay is simply relaxing on the beach, watching the sunset or navigating its shores on a boat. Some people may say Boracay is overrated. We think not!
If you have any questions about any of the recommendations in our guide, be sure to post a comment.
By Ricky Marshall
Author bio:An adventurer at heart that loves anything outdoors. Beaches, mountains and amazing scenery is everything I love about travel! I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip.