Boracay Island
A long weekend trip
📌 By Jakub Mikula | August 07, 2022
Boracay island has recently fully reopened following the reopening of the Philippines that were largely closed due to the pandemic. With an overnight flight from Singapore to Manila and an early morning flight from Manila to Caticlan, I could fully enjoy the whole weekend without missing a day to traveling.
Upon landing in Caticlan, I first noticed the large impressive wind turbines lined up along the mountainous ridge. Some of them hidden high in the thick layer of clouds.
As soon as we arrived and entered a small arrival-hall building, I was immediately approached by the taxi services that “helped me” get a transportation ticket from the airport to Boracay island (including the ferry ticket plus any additional tourist fee). Waiting for a few more passengers going the same way, the minivan soon took off through the narrow streets reaching the ferry terminal in about 10 minutes. Despite the huge sea traffic with passengers arriving and departing the island, the waters near the jetty were surprisingly clean.
As I arrived to the island and passed through the registration booth, I took a tricycle directly to my hotel.
On my first day, I took a long walk along the west coast beach observing various sports activities, sipping an ice cold drink, or just sitting under a palm tree admiring the fine quality of the beach sand.
On the second day, I took a full-day island hopping tour in a small group of other travellers. The tour took us around the east coast of the island with short stopovers over some nice beaches, after which we passed Crocodile Island and had a short break at the Crystal Cove Island Resort full of nice trails and caves to swim in.
As I returned to the hotel, tired after the whole-day tour, I took an easy evening stroll along the beach. The sunset that day was amazing.
Overall, the island has exceeded all of my expectations. I came here quite without any planning (a bit concerned with what to do) only to realize that one does not need to plan anything to get the fullest experience of all kinds: water activities, island hopping, island tricycle tour; all ready at your doorstep.
With the fine quality of sand, and waters so clear that you can gaze meters deep to admire the world beyond ours, it is difficult to find a place that compares. And of course - the nightlife. There’s something for everyone here. And everything resides in the same place. It takes you no more than a few steps from a loud night bar to suddenly stand on the beach under a palm tree where the sound of the waves drows out all others. With so much to offer, no wonder the island has been often labeled as the best in the world.
The only downside of this place is the crowd. The island has over years become so popular that it is next to impossible to find a quiet alone place unless staying at one of the more expensive private resorts.
Nevertheless, with so much going on here, I am looking forward to visiting this place again and indulging myself in all the water sports activities that I missed.
If you plan to visit this place, I would certainly recommend staying in a hotel near the beach ;)