BORACAY
The palm-studded island of Boracay – with its white, talcum-fine beach, balmy weather, and warm, crystalline waters – is like a hypnotic magnet. In this tiny, butterfly-shaped island at the northwestern tip of Panay in Western Visayas, days can be spent simply lazing on the beach while nights are for indulging in the tropical party lifestyle.
WHITE BEACH The best part of the island is the four-kilometer White Beach hailed as 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!
The code in Boracay is strictly informal. There is an undeniably easy atmosphere in the island, where walking barefoot than shod is the rule rather than the exception. Even swinging discos have the beach for a floor, giving dance a new twist. There are no hang-ups here. During the day, tourists having a soothing massage under the shade of a coconut tree beside the shoreline is a common sight. And from dusk to dawn, Boracay turns into one big party place where everyone is welcome to join in. But first, let’s toast that sunset cocktail!
MAMBO NUMBER 5
For the adventure-driven, there is ""Mambo Number 5"" – 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. On the eastern side of the island is Bulabog Beach, 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.
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. 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.
Trekking and mountain biking can also bring 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. And for golf bugs, Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Countryclub has an 18-hole championship course.
GETTING THERE
Whether you go by plane or by boat, the port of entry for Boracay Island is the small town of Caticlan on the mainland. Outrigger boats or "bancas" leave every few minutes from Caticlan's jetty port. The short boat trip to Boracay's jetty port at Cagban cost 20 Pesos. Tourists have to pay a terminal fee of 50 Pesos and an environmental fee of 50 pesos. Tricycles are available at Cagban to bring passengers to their hotels. Tricycle fare is from P20 per pax upto P150 per trip depending where your resort is.
By Air:
The local airport, a short boat ride from Boracay, is Caticlan (IATA: MPH) (ICAO: RPVE), which is served by several airlines, most flying from Manila. The airstrip is very short and only propeller planes can land there. The following airlines serve Caticlan: South East Asian Airlines (SEAir) Asian Spirit Philippine Airlines Cebu Pacific
By Boat:
Boats operated by MBRS, and leave Manila's port for Caticlan either once or twice a week, depending on the season. Also, Negros Navigation operates seasonal trips and anchors a few miles off-shore from Boracay's White Beach. There is several boats daily operating between Roxas (Mindoro) and Caticlan (4-6h, 330P). First boat leaves around 6AM and last 4PM.
NEW
7107 islands cruisewill be the first luxury cruise ship in the Philippines soon to become a floating hotel touring Coron Island in Palawan with future plans of touring Boracay Island. Boracay Terraces Resort located at the end of Boracay Beach is partners with 7107 islands cruise which will be the docking point of the Boracay Cruise ship. Guest will be provided a boat taxi which will shuttle guest from boat to shore and back. The maiden Voyage has been cancelled due to weather but is expected to depart Manila bay in August 2008.
By Bus:
Philtranco coaches leave regularly throughout the day from Cubao, Manila for Mindanao, passing Caticlan on the Strong Republic Nautical Highway. The journey takes 12 hours.
