Boracay, Philippines

It's been a while since I last shared my travel experiences due to technical issues and the pandemic. However, in early 2024, I had the opportunity to visit Boracay, a tropical island in the Philippines. Here are some highlights from my journey.

Since there were no direct flights to Boracay, we traveled through Manila. Having visited cities like Singapore, Bangkok, and Hanoi in Southeast Asia before, my first impression of Manila was a mix of order and chaos. While the traffic wasn’t as bad as Bangkok, and the locals were generally well-behaved, the streets were filled with trash, unpleasant smells, and stray animals.

After staying overnight in Manila, we transferred to Boracay's nearest airport, Caticlan, and then arrived on the island by boat.

Boracay is renowned for its four-kilometer-long, expansive yet shallow, white-sand beach, known as White Beach. Other attractions include Willy’s Rock, D’Mall, Puka, Bulabog, and Diniwid Beach.

In 2018, Boracay underwent a six-month temporary closure for redevelopment. Then the pandemic hit, giving this small island more time to recover. Upon arriving, I was surprised by how different it was from what I had imagined. The widespread use of E-trikes, the cleanliness of the beaches, the implementation of reusable tools, and the planning of water activities demonstrate locals' determination to protect the island with a long-term mindset.

Travelers in Boracay typically engage in activities such as diving, sailing, island hopping (often to Crystal Cove, Crocodile, or Magic Island), getting massages, or simply wandering on the beaches and streets. Despite Boracay being a bit touristy and occasionally crowded, I still enjoyed swimming in the water, relaxing on the beaches, and gazing at the sea.

When it comes to cuisine, it seems like Filipino food often revolves around meat and plain rice. Popular dishes in Boracay include Lechon, Sisig, and BBQ. Additionally, some drinks and desserts, like Mango shake, Halo-halo, and Ube cake, are worth trying.

The most unforgettable part of this journey was cliff diving with local kids at Lambros Point. They were as pure as the crystal-clear water and as energetic as monkeys. I remember that two of the kids borrowed our goggles to explore underwater creatures and reefs. Thanks to these kids for reminding us how simple it is to find happiness.

The temperature in Boracay typically ranges from 25°C to 32°C throughout the year. However, the weather can change rapidly within a day, with sudden shifts from morning rain to afternoon sunshine. The best time to visit Boracay is from December to February, as these months offer lower humidity and warm temperatures. I was fortunate to experience Boracay's stunning views in perfect weather during my stay, and I'll never tire of them.

All the photos are taken by iPhone 13 and GoPro HERO11.
Thanks to Jie, Yen, Pearl, Howard for reading drafts of this.