You’re standing on White Beach, the sand feels like flour between your toes, and the water is a shade of blue that looks like a high-end Lightroom preset. It’s gorgeous. But after three hours of lying on a towel, you’re probably wondering what to do in Boracay besides just tanning. Honestly, the island has changed. Since the big 2018 rehabilitation and the subsequent shifts in local tourism laws, the vibe isn’t the wild "Ibiza of Asia" party scene it used to be. It’s better, but you have to know where to look.
If you just follow the guys holding laminated signs on the path, you’ll end up on a crowded "Island Hopping" boat eating lukewarm rice and looking at the same three coves as everyone else. Don't do that.
Beyond the White Beach Bubble
White Beach is divided into three stations. Station 1 is where the fancy resorts like Discovery Shores and The Lind are. The sand is the best here. Station 2 is the chaotic heart where D’Mall is located. Station 3 is a bit more "old school" and chill.
But if you want to actually see the island, head to the other side. Bulabog Beach is the windsurfing and kitesurfing capital of the Philippines. From November to April, the Amihan winds kick in, and the sky is filled with colorful kites. You don’t have to be a pro to try it. Local schools like Freestyle Boracay or Habagat Kiteboarding offer discovery courses. It’s exhausting. Your arms will ache. But sliding across the water at 20 knots is way more memorable than another mango shake at Station 2.
The Puka Shell Secret
Puka Beach is at the northern tip of the island. It’s named after the puka shells that make up the sand. Unlike White Beach, the water gets deep fast. There are fewer tourists, no massive hotels, and a handful of local shacks selling coconuts.
Pro tip: Don't take a tricycle all the way back. Rent a kayak at Puka and paddle toward the caves. Just be careful with the current. The water here is wilder. It feels like the Boracay of thirty years ago. If you’re lucky, you might spot the fruit bats (the Flying Foxes) soaring over the cliffs at sunset. They are massive, with wingspans up to four feet. They’re also endangered, so keep your distance and just watch the silhouette against the orange sky.
Eating Your Way Through the Stations
People talk about the "Chori Burger" like it’s a religious experience. It’s basically a chorizo patty with sweet sauce on a bun. It’s fine. It’s a classic. But if you want real food, you’ve got to dig deeper.
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- Sunny Side Cafe: Their purple yam (Ube) pancakes are famous for a reason. They are dense. One order can feed a family of four.
- Barlo Resto Lounge: Located at Two Seasons in Station 1. You have to order the Four Cheese Pizza and the Oyster Sisig. It’s heavy, salty, and perfect.
- Meze Fresh: If you’re tired of fried food, this Greek spot is a lifesaver.
Food is a huge part of what to do in Boracay because the island has become a culinary hub. You can find authentic Spanish tapas at Dos Mestizos or high-end Filipino fusion at Vigan Grill. The seafood "paluto" (where you buy fresh fish at the market and have a restaurant cook it) is still a thing, but it moved to the new Talipapa locations. Be prepared to haggle. If you don't haggle, you’re paying triple the local price.
The Underwater Reality
Let’s be real: Boracay isn’t the best diving spot in the Philippines. If you want world-class reefs, you go to Tubbataha or Coron. However, for beginners, it’s great.
Crocodile Island (it’s just shaped like one, don't worry) has some decent coral health. You’ll see anemonefish, sea snakes, and the occasional turtle. The "Helmet Diving" thing you see everywhere? It’s a bit of a tourist trap. You walk on the sandy bottom in a heavy glass helmet and feed bread to fish. It’s okay for a photo, but if you want to actually see the ocean, go for a "Discovery Scuba" dive. It’s a half-day commitment and gives you a much better appreciation for the rehabilitation efforts the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) has been pushing.
Exploring the High Ground
Mt. Luho is the highest point on the island. You can take an e-trike up there. There’s a viewing deck that gives you a 360-degree view of the entire bone-shaped island. It’s windy. It’s spectacular.
From up there, you can see the Fairways & Bluewater golf course and the private coves on the northeast side. It puts the scale of the island into perspective. Boracay is only about seven kilometers long. You could technically walk the length of it if you had enough water and sunscreen.
Why Sustainability Matters Now
In 2018, the government shut the island down for six months. It was a "cesspool," according to the president at the time. Now, there are strict rules.
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- No smoking or drinking on the beach.
- No single-use plastics.
- No massive sandcastles (believe it or not, they were considered a form of "sand erosion").
You’ll see "Beach Guards" patrolling. They will fine you. It’s not a suggestion. But the result is that the water is actually clean again. The coliform levels are down, and the seagrass—which is food for the turtles—is returning. If you see green algae on the shore, don't freak out. It's a natural seasonal occurrence, though some locals say it’s a sign of high nutrients in the water.
Sunset is a Ritual
You haven't done Boracay until you’ve been on a Paraw at sunset. A Paraw is a local outrigger sailboat with two sails. You sit on a mesh net suspended over the water.
It’s quiet.
No motors.
Just the sound of the hull slicing through the waves.
The sky turns a deep purple, then a fiery red. It’s the most "Instagrammable" thing on the island, but for once, the reality actually lives up to the hype. Don’t book through a website. Just walk down to the shoreline in Station 1 or 2 around 4:30 PM and talk to the boatmen directly. You can usually get a better deal for a private 30-minute sail.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of your time, you need to manage the logistics, which can be a headache.
Transport: When you land at Caticlan airport, you have to take a trike to the jetty, then a boat, then another trike to your hotel. It’s a lot. If you have the budget, book a "Door-to-Door" transfer service like Southwest Travel and Tours. They handle the terminal fees and environmental taxes for you. It saves you from standing in three different lines in the tropical heat.
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Money: Most big places take cards, but the smaller (and better) bars and trikes are cash only. There are ATMs in D’Mall, but they occasionally run out of cash during long weekends or festivals like Holy Week. Carry pesos.
Health: Don't drink the tap water. Even for brushing your teeth, some people are sensitive. Use bottled water. Most resorts provide glass carafes to reduce plastic waste.
The Nightlife Shift
If you’re looking for the legendary "Cocomangas 15 Shots" challenge, I have bad news: the original vibe is gone. Nightlife is now more concentrated in specific bars like Epic or Exit Bar. Exit is the place for a more "local" and backpacker feel—cheaper beer, good music, and people actually dancing instead of just posing.
Boracay is what you make of it. If you stay in the resort pool, you’re missing the point. Take a trike to the "Newcoast" side. Walk through the Mangrove Nursery. Go cliff jumping at Ariel’s Point (if you’re brave enough for the boat ride out there).
The island is small, but it’s dense with things to discover if you can pull yourself away from the beach lounge for a few hours.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download a weather app: Check the wind direction; if it's hitting White Beach hard, head to Bulabog for calm water, and vice versa.
- Book your environmental fees in advance: Some hotels offer a service to pre-pay your Boracay tourist entry requirements to skip the jetty port queues.
- Pack a dry bag: Essential for the Paraw sunset sail and any boat-based activities to keep your phone and cash safe from the spray.
- Visit the Mainland: If you have an extra day, take a boat back to Caticlan and explore the cold springs in Nabas; it's a completely different, lush jungle experience only 30 minutes away.