AKLAN | Boracay White Beach ~ The Philippines’ Most Popular Beach
Monday, April 17, 2023
After a couple of days of gloomy weather, the sun finally showed up. We’ve been frequenting the other beaches of Boracay the previous days, but this time, we finally went to the Boracay White Beach for a midday swim. The sun was out in full; the water, calm and azure. A few wisp of clouds floated idly by. It was the perfect beach day on arguably the Philippines’ finest beach.
| BORACAY WHITE BEACH TRAVEL GUIDE WHAT’S INSIDE? • Understand Boracay White Beach • How To Get To Boracay White Beach • What To See & Do In Boracay White Beach • Where To Eat In Boracay White Beach • Where To Stay In Boracay White Beach • Station 1 Accommodations • Station 2 Accommodations • Station 3 Accommodations • BORACAY TRAVEL GUIDE |
UNDERSTAND BORACAY WHITE BEACH
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| BORACAY’S WHITE BEACH |
This beach is what made Boracay Famous. The Boracay White Beach is named after the ultra-fine white sand that blankets this part of the island. How fine, powder-like fine.
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| MORNING SCENE AT THE WHITE BEACH |
White Beach is located at the western part of Boracay and stretches for a massive four kilometers. And since it faces west, it’s the most popular place for sunset in Boracay. This, however, also makes the beach prone to strong winds and waves during the months of June to October, the Habagat Season in the Philippines. During these times, most of the water activities on the island are transferred to the eastern side of Boracay at Bulabog Beach. Most resorts also put up unsightly windbreakers during these times, making the beach, less Instagrammable.
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| HABAGAT SEASON AT BORACAY WHITE BEACH |
With that, the best time to visit White Beach are during the Amihan months of October to the end of March. During these times, the waves are very mild and there are hardly any wind and rains.
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| BORACAY LUMOT SEASON AT THE WHITE BEACH |
Another thing to note is the Boracay Lumot Season. This is between the months of February to March. During these times, the White Beach experiences algae bloom. The waters along the shore of White Beach are covered with green algae or lumot in Filipino. It is fairly safe to swim, even during these months, but it’s a bit distracting and icky.
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| RAINY SEASON AT THE WHITE BEACH BORACAY |
White Beach is divided into three parts—starting from the north; Station 1, Station 2, and Station 3. These three stations, their names originating as boat stations, have no physical divisions. Still, each one has very distinct characteristics.
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| THE HUGE TALISAY TREE AT BORACAY WHITE BEACH’S STATION 1 |
Station 1 has the finest sand with a beach that has a very moderate incline. It hosts the more expensive resorts on the beach. Similar to Station 1, Station 2 has slightly courser sand and a very slight incline. It mostly hosts mid-range resorts and most of the restaurants and commercial establishments on the island—the complete opposite of Puka Beach. Station 3 has courser sand and its water has a steeper incline. Most of the mid-range and low-end resorts can be found here.
The concentration of resort types, are of course, a blanket generalization—you can still find any type of resorts—low, midrange, and luxury—on any part of White Beach.
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| THE CAVE AT THE FARTHEST END OF BORACAY WHITE BEACH’S STATION 3 |
In terms of crowd density, Station 2, the mid-part of White Beach, has the most concentration of people at any given time. The crowd thins out as you go north to Station 1, or south to Station 3. Both ends of the beach has a very quiet atmosphere. The end of Station 1 has a foot path that connects to Diniwid Beach, while the end of Station 3 has a small cave that connects to a pocket beach that people refer to as Angol Point.
HOW TO GET TO BORACAY WHITE BEACH
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| BEAUTIFUL SUMMER WEATHER AT THE WHITE BEACH |
Since Boracay White Beach is located on almost the whole left side of the island, most people just walk to get to the beach. If, however, your resort or lodging happens to be on the far north or east of the island, you can take an e-trike to reach the beach—fare cost start at ₱10.00 per person.
Access to the beach from Boracay’s main road are mostly through narrow alleys that terminates at the beach.
WHAT TO SEE & DO IN BORACAY WHITE BEACH
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| CLEAR WATERS AT WHITE BEACH’S STATION 3 |
The main activity at Boracay’s White Beach is, of course, lounging and swimming on the beach. But besides that, there are a number of things and attractions you do and can visit at the White Beach.
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| THE FAMOUS WILLY’S ROCK AT WHITE BEACH STATION 1 |
Willy’s Rock is Boracay’s most recognizable landmark. It’s a pile of rocky outcrop about ten meters high that sits right in the middle of the beach at Station 1. Along with a few hardy trees and vegetation, a grotto of the Virgin Mary sits atop it. A concrete stair is built on its side for access. The rock is located just a few meters from the shore—partially submerged in water during high tides, and exposed for visits as the water ebbs.
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| SUNSET CROWD AT BORACAY WHITE BEACH |
Beach strolling is another popular activity in White Beach. If you’re hard core enough, you can try walking all the way from one end of the beach to the other. I have actually tried walking from Station 3, where I was lodged back then, to the end of Station 1, and back to Station 3. It took me several hours and bruised inner thighs (from sand rubbing back and forth between my legs). A one-way walk will take about an hour, if you don’t stop and take pictures—which is probably impossible.
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| THE CROSS AT BORACAY’S WHITE BEACH |
Sightseeing at Boracay White Beach? The Nabas Windmills can be seen anywhere from White Beach. At Station 1, there’s the Boracay Cross above the hill, and on Station 3, a mini-cave.
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| PARAW SUNSET RIDE AT THE WHITE BEACH |
Water activities are also popular in White Beach especially during the Amihan Season—the winds and waves are at Bulabog Beach during these times. Crystal kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are readily available year-round.
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| D’MALL SHOPPING CENTER AT WHITE BEACH STATION 2 |
Shopping for pasalubong and souvenirs in White Beach is centered at Station 2 where D’Mall—a low-rise, open-aired mall—is located. There are also numerous shops along the beach where you can get your souvenirs—the cheapest of which can be found at the old D’Talipapa area. Another popular thing to get when in Boracay is a Starbucks Boracay mug, which you can only get on the island and on the airport.
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| THE FAMOUS BORACAY SUNSET |
Viewing the sunset at White Beach is also one of the things you should not miss when in Boracay. This can be done free at the comforts of the beach or with a fee, aboard one of the iconic paraw boats that sail around the waters of White Beach.
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| PARTYING AT BORACAY WHITE BEACH |
Partying at Boracay White Beach used to be really wild. Boracay’s nightlife has been tamed somewhat after the 2018 Boracay Rehabilitation and the Covid19 Pandemic. Gone are the pub crawls and the sand area drinking places, but even with this, Boracay still has a vibrant night life. Most of the popular bars in Boracay being located at White Beach’s Station 2. You’d just have to limit the party inside bars—partying or drinking alcohol at the beach is now prohibited.
WHERE TO EAT IN BORACAY WHITE BEACH
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| PADDLE BOARDING AT BORACAY WHITE BEACH |
Boracay White Beach has a lot of food options for everyone, from budget travelers to luxury vacationers on all three beach stations—most of these, however, are located at the mid-part of the beach, at Station 2. This beach has everything—cheap carinderias, simple and massive buffets, cozy cafés, seafood paluto places, popular fast foods, and casual and fine dining restaurants. Here are a few notable places to eat out in when at Boracay’s White Beach.
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| THE ORIGINAL CHORI BURGER IN BORACAY AT MERLY’S BBQ |
CHORI BURGER AT MERLY’S BBQ
One of the must try food in Boracay is chori burger. It’s basically a grilled chorizo longganisa sandwiched on a bread with sweet chili sauce. And the best way to experience this uniquely Boracay sandwich is where it was first served, at Merly’s BBQ stand in Station 1.
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| SIZZLING BULALO AT SMOKE RESTO BORACAY |
Located inside D’Mall, Smoke Resto is one of Boracay’s go-to eateries for people on a budget. Well, besides Andok’s, which is all over the Philippines, so head over to Smoke instead. As with their name, they serve affordable sizzling plate dishes. Their sizzling bulalo is a must try.
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| ALL-DAY BREAKFAST AT THE SUNNY SIDE CAFE |
THE SUNNY SIDE CAFÉ
The Sunny Side Café is hailed by Esquire, Forbes, and Lonely Planet as having the best breakfast, not only in Boracay, but the whole of the Philippines. And the best part about it, they serve them all day.
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| BUFFET AT HENANN REGENCY’S SEA BREEZE CAFE |
HENANN BUFFETS
Arguable the best buffet in Boracay, Henann has not one, but three buffet restaurants. These are located at Henann Regency’s Sea Breeze Café at Station 2, Henann Palm Beach’s Palm Tree also on Station 2, and Henann Crystal Sands’ Sapphire at Station 1. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets with prices starting at around ₱600.00+.
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| RUSTIC INTERIORS AT REAL COFFEE AND TEA CAFE |
REAL COFFEE & TEA CAFÉ
One of the early food places in Boracay, established in 1996, Real Coffee & Tea is home to the famous Calamansi Muffin. Visit early if you wanna score some, they quickly sell out.
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| JONAH’S FRUIT SHAKE, THE SO-CALLED “BEST FRUITSHAKE IN THE ISLAND” |
JONAH’S FRUIT SHAKE & SNACK BAR
Another Boracay OG establishment, Jonah’s Fruit Shake is a must try when on the island. They serve, ah, fruit shakes on plastic bottles, à la mineral water, with a hole on the cap for the straw.
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| FRESH SEAFOOD, READY FOR COOKING AT ONE OF BORACAY’S SEAFOOD PALUTO RESTAURANTS |
SEAFOOD PALUTO
Another iconic way to eat at Boracay is at the numerous seafood paluto restaurants along White Beach. These are mostly found on Station 2 and 3. You pick your fresh seafood, they cook it for you.
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| DELICIOUS FOUR CHEESE PIZZA AT BARLO RESTO LOUNGE |
BARLO RESTO LOUNGE AT TWO SEASONS BORACAY
One of the highly rated restaurants in Boracay, barLO Resto Lounge is Two Season’s beach-front restaurant. Be sure to try their oyster sisig and four cheese pizza.
WHERE TO STAY IN BORACAY WHITE BEACH
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| BEACHFRONT RESORTS IN WHITE BEACH |
Boracay White Beach has the highest concentration of lodgings in the whole island. It has all types of lodgings, budget rooms for the frugal backpackers up to break-the-bank suites for the ultra-rich vacationers, and everything else in between. Most of the expensive ones are located at the beach front, while the budget accommodations are usually located off the narrow alleys that lead to the beach from the main road.
► STATION 1 ACCOMMODATIONS
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| THE LIND BORACAY AT STATION 1 |
HIGH END: THE LIND BORACAY
Located at Boracay White Beach’s northernmost area, The Lind Boracay is as private as it can get when in Station 1. The resort is a five-star luxury beachfront resort with a sprawling pool and highly-rated restaurants.
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| WHITE HOUSE BEACH RESORT BORACAY AT STATION 1 |
MID RANGE: WHITE HOUSE BORACAY
A stone-throw’s away from the famous Willy’s Rock, White House Boracay is a modern mid-range accommodation perfect for those wanting the quiet of Station 1, but still wants easy access to the energy of Station 2. It features a beach-side pool with a bar.
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| HANNAH HOTEL BORACAY AT STATION 1 ~ PHOTO FROM FB PAGE |
BUDGET: HANNAH HOTEL
It’s impossible to find a budget hotel fronting the beach at Station 1, so if you really want to stay near Station 1, you’d have to resort to lodgings found within its vicinity. Hannah Hotel is one such hotel. It’s an artistically quaint lodging located five minutes away by foot from the beach.
► STATION 2 ACCOMMODATIONS
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| THE DISTRICT BORACAY AT STATION 2 |
HIGH END: THE DISTRICT BORACAY
Located right smack in the middle of Station 2, The District is one of Boracay’s premier five-star luxury resort. It is white modernist beach-front resort, with a pool, restaurants, and bar.
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| LE SOLEIL DE BORACAY AT STATION 2 |
MID RANGE: LE SOLEIL DE BORACAY
A classic Mediterranean-style three-star beach front hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, beach café, and pool bar.
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| ERIKO’S HOUSE BORACAY AT STATION 2 |
BUDGET: ERIKO’S HOUSE
Eriko’s House is not beach front, but it’s less than a minute away by foot. Even with its price, the rooms are very decent, and some even have balconies.
► STATION 3 ACCOMMODATIONS
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| ASYA PREMIER SUITES AT STATION 3 ~ PHOTO FROM ASYA WEBSITE |
HIGH END: ASYA PREMIER SUITES
Situated at the farthest end of Station 3, Asya Premier Suites is arguably the most luxurious resort not only in Station 3, but the whole White Beach. As with their name, they don’t have regular rooms here, only suites!
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| COCOLOCO BEACH RESORT BORACAY AT STATION 3 |
MID RANGE: COCOLOCO BEACH RESORT
Amidst coconut trees, Cocoloco is a rustic wood and thatch lodging located in the middle of Station 3. It’s one of the oldest accommodations in Boracay, with one of the coziest beach bar on the whole island. Don’t let the island look fool you, their rooms are modern and very decent.
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| MORNING BEACH RESORT AT BORACAY STATION 3 |
BUDGET: MORNING BEACH RESORT BY COCOTEL
One of the rare budget beachfront lodgings, Morning Beach is a two-star resort operated by Cocotel. It has more than decent rooms located on a central courtyard.
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