Strong waves, reminiscent of Baler’s Sabang Beach, slammed the shore of Boracay White Beach. I set my camera on a tripod and tried to capture the force of water against sand. The weather, however, had other things in mind. It poured a slather of rain, which the wind promptly picked up, and whipped against me and my not-so-waterproof camera. I was drenched.

BEACH HUTS AT THE WHITE BEACH

Taking shelter on an empty wooden pergola along the beach, I let the heavens weep it all down. The plan was to walk the whole stretch of Boracay’s White Beach, from Station Three to Station One, and back again.

It was thirty minutes past three in the afternoon when the rain finally abated. It was finally time to walk. Station Three, considered the cheapest area in Boracay in terms of lodgings and restaurants, was my starting point. The cream-colored sand was unimpressive. I picked a handful, it was course and grainy.

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A PARAW MOORED AT THE BEACH

The wind was still whipping and boats docked along the shore have their sails drawn. Paraw, wooden boats with dual outriggers fitted with sails, are a common sight across the azure waters of the island. The weather, however, has them moored on shore, their colorful sails wrapped to keep the massive sea breeze from ripping them.

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BORACAY DURING RAINY SEASON

Sour weather, however, was not a deterrent to tourists flocking the white sandy beach of the island. People of various nationalities, ages, shapes, and sizes were still having a grand time frolicking on the ebbing tide, burying themselves on both water and sand.

Spanning more than four kilometers, Boracay White Beach’s shoreline simply never ends. The water was retreating further as I walked farther. The beach, which was almost non-existent a few hours ago due to the massive tide, was now as wide as two basketball courts. Walking from the beach arcade to the water’s edge literally takes minutes.

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A BABY PLAYING ALONG BORACAY’S FINE SAND

I paused and was surprised to see that the sand was not shifting beneath my feet anymore. I picked another handful and found the sand that sailed thousands of travelers across vast seas to the Philippines. It was as fine as cement powder. Boracay’s finest at last.

My tread was leisurely. I was not in the city, trying to catch time. I walked slower, savoring the grit of very fine sand between my toes.

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PARAW SUNSET SAILING

The afternoon presented itself as a yellow sky patched with gray clouds. The wind crawled along with my pace and the paraw boats broke their colors.

Taut muscles pushed the wooden boats moored on the beach and launched a festival of colors across the blue-green waters of Boracay. The horizon started to fill with festive wind-propelled sails—similar to postcards I’ve been seeing about this place.

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THE FAMOUS WILLY’S ROCK IN BORACAY

A mass of craggy black rock appeared on the horizon, another Boracay icon, Willy’s Rock. A queue was constantly in motion at the mouth of the stairwell leading to an image of the Virgin Mary at its apex; a mini-grotto for believers, or so it seemed.

At first, I thought the people were paying their respects to the Virgin, but as I got closer, I saw what was really happening. They climb a flight of stone steps, stand right beside the image and pose for the cameras from their companion waiting below. Then it’s their companion’s turn. Religion and faith is probably the last thing the island would be associated with.

SUNSET AT BORACAY’S WHITE BEACH

The sky flared as I was starting to lose hope of catching the much talked about Boracay sunset.

But like an eye opening across the horizon, the sun suddenly poured warmth on the beach. The wet sand mirrored it and sent it back up to the heavens. Dark blues swirled above everything, wanting to steal the yellows and oranges, but the light proved too strong. Embers lit the sky long after the sun retired below the horizon, afterglows of a victorious afternoon.

KIDS PLAYING AT THE BEACH

Three hours had passed since I started my walk and I can still see a stretch of sand far off the horizon leading to another cove, Diniwid Beach. Dusk had settled and evening arrived. I paused, looked back from where I came from and was unable to see it. The sky pulsed an electric blue and artificial stars lit up the boulevard. Another side of Boracay, the one I really don’t care much for, woke up.

EVENING AT BORACAY STATION ONE

 

UPDATE 2017 ~ A WALK INTO THE FAR END OF WHITE BEACH’S STATION THREE

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BACK IN BORACAY

It was my nth time at Boracay’s White Beach, but still, I have yet to see its full length. I’ve tried the jaunt from the Boracay Tree House on Station Three all the way to Willy’s Rock at Station One, but it really doesn’t count as I didn’t start my walk from the far end of Station Three. Heck, I don’t even have an idea what’s there at all, as most tourists don’t venture that far out—turning back as the beach walkway ends and spill out into the softer but harder to walk on sand.

LESS CROWDED STATION THREE AT BORACAY’S WHITE BEACH

On this last outing to Boracay, just on a whim, I finally decided to see the far side of Boracay’s famous beach. At the time, we were staying at the Crown Regency Beach Resort, which is around the middle side of Station Three, making the walk to the far end of Station Three easier.

ALGAE INFESTATION AT BORACAY’S WHITE BEACH DURING SUMMERTIME

I started my mini jaunt at around midday, not really the best time to go, with the sun glaring directly on me, but yeah, it was one of those do or do not moments for me. I brought my cameras and a couple of Lego figures to photograph but stupidly forgot to bring my hat, arm warmers, and even my shades with me, lol. I was on the end of the beach sidewalk when I remembered them.

FROM THE BEACH PATH AND OUT INTO THE BEACH

The walkway, which starts at Station Two, where most of the restaurants and bars in Boracay are, actually gets narrower as you go further out to Station Three. It ends at the Sundown Resort, where you then take a right turn into the beach. From there, you’re at the mercy of the sun. There are hardly any shades to take cover on. It’s just you, a few docked outrigger boats, a few small resorts, the sand, and the sea.

MIDDAY WALK AT STATION THREE

It’s actually quite beautiful—if it wasn’t just too darn hot. There are hardly any tourists besides a few Caucasians who were curious enough to see where the White Beach actually ends.

THE LAST RESORT AT BORACAY’S STATION THREE

There comes a point where the resorts actually disappear, replaced by fenced off areas with boats lining its perimeter, probably reserved as future developments. Then, just when you thought that you’ve left civilization, one last resort pops out of nowhere, the Asya Premier Suites. It sits right by a midsized coral rock punctured by a small cave where you can actually pass through to see the final part of Station Three.

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ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAVE

Passing through the portal-like cave, towering rock walls start to line the beach, acting like a strange impregnable fence guarding Boracay’s waters from intruders. On the beach, smaller coral rocks litter the shore—perfect setting for my Lego mini-figures, lol—with a few more mini caves where you can actually take shelter from the searing heat of sun.

TWIN ISLETS AT THE FARTHEST END OF BORACAY’S WHITE BEACH

The place was absolutely deserted when I arrived and it has a totally different vibe and scenery from the usual Boracay Beach you see on postcards. Boulders start to spread more thickly as I finally reach the farthest end of the beach, making me clamber up a few sharp rocks to actually see where Boracay’s fine white sand ends and the sea finally takes over.

 

Boracay White Beach
Address: Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Location Map: 11.963929,121.92487