Sands of Boracay
Boracay is famed all over the world for its powdery-white sand beach. It's coastline is long and wide. In fact, the beach has been divided into three: Boat station 1, Boat station 2 and Boat station 3. From the jetty port, one reaches Boat station 3 first, rather than Boat station 1. If you ride a tricycle, you will be dropped off at Boat station 2, unless you ask to be dropped off before then. From there, you can hit a restaurant or fast food before deciding where to stay or go directly to any accommodation you choose. For those without any reservation or booking, you can trudge along the beach and decide among the many accommodations available. There are those with very Filipino architecture, using bamboo and thatched roofs. You can even be lost in such a place. Not that it's so large, but you may not be able to identify the front desk. Then there's an accommodation which looks like a nightclub or a hotel which reminds you of Las Vegas.
Not all hotels and other kinds of accommodation are located at the beach front. Accommodations can be found from the beach front up to the street. There are many alleys between hotels, but they are not paved with sand. Aside from places where you can stay, there are souvenir shops, restaurants, ATMs and even a playground. Yes, the island has ATMs. You don't have to worry about lugging around lots of cash to ensure that you have enough dough to enjoy other services offered within the island. These services include taking a banana boat ride, island hopping or any other sport. Cash may also be needed to make purchases from souvenir shops or try out different fare as offered by hotels. Hotels may lay out a grand buffet which often includes the day's catch. You don't have to miss going out to clubs or bars since some hotels transform the beach front into an open-air club, complete with bean bags, stage, stage lights and, of course, a live band. So, those who want a quiet and serene vacation, Boracay may not be the option.
Not all hotels and other kinds of accommodation are located at the beach front. Accommodations can be found from the beach front up to the street. There are many alleys between hotels, but they are not paved with sand. Aside from places where you can stay, there are souvenir shops, restaurants, ATMs and even a playground. Yes, the island has ATMs. You don't have to worry about lugging around lots of cash to ensure that you have enough dough to enjoy other services offered within the island. These services include taking a banana boat ride, island hopping or any other sport. Cash may also be needed to make purchases from souvenir shops or try out different fare as offered by hotels. Hotels may lay out a grand buffet which often includes the day's catch. You don't have to miss going out to clubs or bars since some hotels transform the beach front into an open-air club, complete with bean bags, stage, stage lights and, of course, a live band. So, those who want a quiet and serene vacation, Boracay may not be the option.
Things you can do in Boracay
With the rehabilitation of Boracay and its opening, there are some things which visitors to the island should bear in mind:
- The number of tourists staying on the island will be limited to 19,000 people only. Guests may have to present hotel reservation slips as passes. Likewise, only compliant hotels, resorts, and other accommodations are allowed to reopen. (Please check the list of compliant hotels here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.)
- Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages along White Beach is not allowed. The annual Labor Day party -- dubbed Laboracay -- has also been banned.
- Due to the alarming state of corals surrounding the island, diving is forbidden. Other water activities, such as banana boat riding, snorkeling, paddleboarding, parasailing, sailing, etc. are also forbidden.
- Fire dancing that uses kerosene lamps are prohibited.
- Souvenir shops, hawkers, and diners are not allowed along the beachfront.
- Sandcastle making and fireworks displays shall be regulated. The latter can only be done until 9 PM.
- Electric lights shall not be installed on the beachfront while casinos are banned altogether on the island.
That crocodile!
Boracay has numerous island neighbors. One of them is Crocodile Island -- so called because of its resemblance to the reptile. The island may be reached by pumpboat if you are already staying in Boracay or from the mainland. If you're taking a bus or private vehicle from Antique, the pumpboat terminal is somewhat directly opposite the island so that you can really confirm that Crocodile Island looks, indeed, like a crocodile. Tourists who venture to this island are often divers. This is because the waters of this island cradle various kinds of corals, fish and other aquatic creatures. It might be advisable for recreational divers to bring or rent an underwater camera to capture the colorful world beneath.