AKLAN | Puka Shell Beach ~ Boracay’s Popular Raw Beach
Sunday, April 09, 2023
“Where to next?” That’s the usual question we have after spending a day or two at Boracay’s White Beach. And the usual answer is Puka Beach or Puka Shell Beach—as it was known for the puka shells littering its shore before Boracay became famous.
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| WATER, SAND, LIMESTONE, TREES AT PUKA BEACH |
It is arguably the second most famous beach in Boracay—not counting Bulabog Beach, of course—which is popular by default since it’s where the water activities are located when the Boracay White Beach is being battered by the Habagat Winds.
But I digress. Let’s head over to Puka Beach, shall we.
| PUKA BEACH TRAVEL GUIDE WHAT’S INSIDE? • Understand Puka Shell Beach • How To Get To Puka Shell Beach • What To See & Do In Puka Shell Beach • Where To Eat In Puka Shell Beach • Where To Stay In Puka Shell Beach • BORACAY TRAVEL GUIDE |
UNDERSTAND PUKA SHELL BEACH
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| THE FOREST GROWING ABOVE A LIMESTONE HILL IN PUKA BEACH IN BORACAY |
The beach is named after the puka shells that once litter its sand. The shell has a hole—which in the local vernacular is puka. And due to this hole, it became a popular material for accessories like necklaces and bracelets that are sold to tourists. Nowadays, you can hardly see any puka shells along the beach.
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| SUNSET AT PUKA BEACH |
Puka Beach is located on the northern end of Boracay Island and stretches for about a kilometer long. Due to its location, you can witness both sunrise and sunset along its shore—sunrise might be blocked a bit by low hills, but it’s there. Its sand is cream-colored and has a looser feel. It’s not as fine as those in White Beach, but it is fine enough.
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| PUKA BEACH’S STRONG WAVES AND STEEP BEACH INCLINE |
The beach has a steeper incline compared to most beaches in Boracay, care must be observed, especially when the waves are rough—and yes, the waves can get pretty strong in Puka Beach.
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| CALM SEASON AT PUKA BEACH |
HOW TO GET TO PUKA SHELL BEACH
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| THE FOREST GROWING ABOVE A LIMESTONE HILL IN PUKA BEACH IN BORACAY |
Puka Beach is usually part of the island hopping tours being offered on the island, but one can also go there via the main highway. It is quite far from the Boracay White Beach area, so going there requires motorized transport. These can easily be hailed along the main road. An e-trike fare costs ₱20.00 for single passenger or individual, as they call it, and ₱150.00 for special trips—which means, you rent the whole tricycle.
There is only one inland way to access Puka Beach, and that is via the Barangay Yapak Road that connects to the end of the Boracay Main Road.
WHAT TO SEE & DO IN PUKA SHELL BEACH
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| LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY AT PUKA BEACH |
The main attraction of Puka Beach is its beach. Similar to the southern half of Diniwid Beach, there are no establishments of any kind along it.
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| PUKA BEACH BEFORE THE *** BORACAY REHABILITATION |
Before the 2018 Boracay Rehabilitation, there used to be huts and mini cottages being rented out to tourists along the shore, now there’s just the sea, the sand, and the craggy limestone hill that borders Puka. In lieu of the huts, enterprising locals now has less intrusive hammocks along pockets of shades along the cliff, and these can be sort of rented by purchasing juice drinks from them.
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| FOREIGN TOURIST AT PUKA BEACH |
The most popular area in Puka Beach is, not surprisingly, the western portion (left side when facing the beach) near the access road. Go further west and the crowd thins out.
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| THE EASTERN END OF PUKA BEACH |
Another less populated area in Puka Beach can be found on its eastern side (right side, when facing the beach). However, this beach can only be accessed during low tide. During these times, a sandy pathway emerges from the water which allows tourists to cross over to a small pocket beach. Just be sure to go back to the main beach before the tide goes back in.
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| THE WESTERN END OF PUKA BEACH |
There is also, Pilac Beach—which according to Google Maps is a private beach. I’m actually unsure if this can be accessed by foot from Puka Beach during low tide, but if my memory serves me right, I think it can actually be done.
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| SKIM BOARDING AT PUKA BEACH |
As for water activities, the usual paddle boarding, skim boarding, crystal kayak photo ops, and paraw sunset activities are also available in Puka Beach, but that all depends on how rough the waves are.
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| THE ICONIC PUKA BEACH SIGN |
And for Instagrammers, don’t forget to have your picture taken on the rustic and ever-changing Puka Beach sign near its entrance.
WHERE TO EAT IN PUKA SHELL BEACH
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| PARAW BOATS AT PUKA BEACH |
I advise that you buy food before going to Puka Beach if you plan to stay long. There are no restaurants or eateries along the whole stretch of Puka Beach. The only food you’ll get when on the beach are from roaming vendors hawking home-cooked food like fried lumpia (spring rolls) and the likes.
There are a few eateries along the road leading to Puka Beach, but most of these are simple carinderias selling rice meals. Good enough for the likes of us, but probably not for people used to eating in expensive restaurants.
WHERE TO STAY IN PUKA SHELL BEACH
There are no hotels or resorts along Puka Beach. If you plan to stay overnight, there are simple lodgings along the access road. But even there, no big hotels exists. There is actually a huge hotel being constructed just beside the beach, but it has since been shut down—the skeleton of the building left in a derelict state.
Still, if for some reason, you really want to stay near Puka Beach, there are a few big hotels that are nearer than most on the island.
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| ALTA VISTA DE BORACAY ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
ALTA VISTA DE BORACAY
Situated one kilometer away from Puka Beach, Alta Vista is the nearest resort to Puka. It is an affordable four-star lodging located in-land—and since it doesn’t front a beach, it makes up for it by having a massive swimming pool. Rooms on the upper floors also have a view of the sea.
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| MOVENPICK RESORT & SPA BORACAY ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
MOVENPICK RESORT & SPA BORACAY
Located 1.5 kilometers away from Puka Beach, Movenpick is a sprawling five-star resort located on the north-western side of Boracay Island. It is a beachfront resort, fronting Punta Bunga Beach.
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| CRIMSON RESORT & SPA BORACAY ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
CRIMSON RESORT & SPA BORACAY
Also located in front of Punta Bunga Beach, beside Movenpick, Crimson is also rated as a five-star luxury resort. It’s about two kilometers away from Puka Beach.
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| HOTEL SOFFIA BORACAY ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
HOTEL SOFFIA BORACAY
Located 1.6 kilometers away from Puka Beach, Hotel Soffia is a four-star in-land resort. It’s sports a Mediterranean-style architecture, has a pool, and is situated on a hilltop.
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| THE ORIENT BEACH BORACAY ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
THE ORIENT BEACH BORACAY RESORT
Orient Beach is a relaxed three-star boutique resort located on one of the residential areas in Boracay. It’s about 1.6 kilometers away from Puka Beach and they provide shuttles for guests.
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| OASIS RESORT & SPA BORACAY ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
OASIS RESORT & SPA
Situated 1.4 kilometers from Puka Beach, Oasis is a no-frills three-star resort located on the north-eastern side of Boracay. It is a stroll away from Ilig-iligan Beach and is probably the cheapest big resort near Puka.
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| KAAYA RESORT NORTH BORACAY ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
KAAYA RESORT NORTH BORACAY
Located 1.6 kilometers away from Puka Beach, Kaaya is a modern four-star resort fronting Ilig-iligan Beach on the north-eastern side of Boracay.
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| SAVOY HOTEL BORACAY NEWCOAST ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
SAVOY HOTEL BORACAY NEWCOAST
Located 2.7 kilometers away from Puka Beach, Savoy is a four-star resort near Ilig-iligan Beach. The seven-storey lodging is located inside the Boracay Newcoast estate. Complimentary shuttles are provided for guests.
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| BELMONT HOTEL BORACAY ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
BELMONT HOTEL BORACAY
Also located in Boracay Newcoast, Belmont is three kilometers away from Puka Beach—the farthest from those featured here. The luxury four-star resort is also near Ilig-iligan Beach and the famous Cujo Hole. Complimentary shuttles are provided for guests.
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