Boracay could also be small, however it’s filled with points of interest that vacationers of all ages can get pleasure from. However not all guests have sufficient time or cash to expertise all of them. Generally, you’ll have to select. Some of the widespread dilemma is choosing between a Boracay island hopping tour (by boat) and a Boracay land tour (by e-trike).
Let me preface this by saying that when you’ve got adequate funds and days, please be a part of each excursions. Whereas they share one or two stops, these are two distinct experiences, presenting totally different sides of the island. That stated, every has its personal professionals and cons.
If in case you have simply sufficient time and finances for only one, which do you have to take: the island hopping tour or the land tour? On this article, we’ll get right down to the nitty-gritty of every exercise, so you would make a greater, extra knowledgeable resolution.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
BORACAY ISLAND HOPPING TOUR Itinerary & Costs
Though it’s doable to constitution a non-public boat for island hopping, the costs are steep. Therefore, most island hopping packages are group excursions, which implies you’ll be sharing the boat with different vacationers. Together with the remainder of the group, you’ll be following a set itinerary and you need to respect the schedule.
Island hopping in Boracay takes a complete day. In our case, we boarded the boat at round 8:00 AM and was again at White Seaside at 4:00 PM. The leaping off level is both at Station 1 (close to Astoria) or Station 3.
It often prices PHP 800-900 (USD 14.30-16.10) per particular person, inclusive of buffet lunch and use of swim masks (with out the snorkel) however unique of entrance charges. Sure, a number of the stops gather an entrance payment, which isn’t lined by the essential tour payment.
Right here’s a abstract of the main points:
- Length: Full Day, round 8 hours
- Value: P800-900 (inclusive of buffet lunch)
- Soar-off level: Station 1 or 3
There are numerous methods to guide an island hopping tour. It’s provided by tour operators and touts at White Seaside. However in case you really feel extra comfy transacting on-line otherwise you don’t need to take care of touts on the seashore, it’s possible you’ll guide with Klook, too!
✅ CHECK RATES OF ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
Both approach, you’ll be becoming a member of a gaggle with different vacationers and the itineraries are very related. However the lunch and snorkeling stops differ relying on the operator.
Under was our itinerary adopted by our most up-to-date island hopping tour, which we booked with a tout at Station 2.
Cease 1: Puka Seaside
Puka Seaside glazes the northern tip of Boracay. This was a serene scene, however now a bit crowded, too, largely as a result of it’s way more accessible nowadays. However, it’s nonetheless much more peaceable than Station 2 of White Seaside.
We got solely 40 minutes to remain right here. One of many actions that you could be get pleasure from right here is crystal kayaking, however I discourage you from doing it when on this tour. It takes 15-20 minutes, which is able to burn half of your time at Puka Seaside. In case you actually need to strive a crystal kayak, do it on one other event. Use your restricted time exploring the seashore as an alternative.
By way of composition, Puka is a blended seashore. Some components are strewn with positive sand, however others have shells, which might be why it’s referred to as Puka. It contains a extensive berm, which slopes dramatically into the waves, which may get fairly tough at instances, so watch out when swimming.
Cease 2: Snorkeling Web site
Each island hopping tour additionally makes a cease at a snorkeling web site, which varies relying on the tour operator. Some boats moor off the coast of Crocodile Island, Tambisaan Seaside, or in our case Balinghai Seaside, close to the so-called Station Zero.
You don’t have to go snorkeling; it’s optionally available. However in case you select to do it, you’ll need to pay PHP 45 (USD 0.80) snorkeling payment. No have to pay this in case you’re staying on the boat.
Don’t neglect to put on a life jacket. The present generally is a bit further at instances. Higher secure than sorry.
Cease 3: Lunch
The lunch cease varies from operator to operator, but it surely’s often buffet-style (limitless). We had been dropped at Shingley Piknikan restaurant, near Tabon Port in mainland Caticlan. It was okay. Typical Pinoy fare, largely grilled and fried. However don’t count on something above common by way of taste or presentation.
Cease 4: Crystal Cove
Entrance Charge: P300
Also called Laurel Island or Tiguatian Island, Crystal Cove is a 2-hectare resort greatest recognized for its lookouts and caves. The location can also be dotted with a number of photograph spots, some extra Instagram-worthy than others. There’s additionally a swimming spot.
By the best way, Crystal Cove expenses a P300 entrance payment. In case you decide to not enter, you may spend the allotted hour simply chilling on the seashore. A small retailer sells coconuts for PHP 100 a bit and banana que (skewered deep fried bananas) for PHP 35 per stick.
From Crystal Cove, you would additionally spot Magic Island.
Cease 5: Magic Island*
Entrance Charge: P250
Sure, with asterisk as a result of to this present day, I’m nonetheless undecided if excursions usually make a cease right here. The touts promoting island hopping packages often embrace it within the checklist of websites to be visited, however we didn’t set foot right here. We solely acquired to see it from Crystal Cove. I’m undecided if it wasn’t actually part of our itinerary or our boat simply skipped it as a result of we ran out of time.
Anyway, Magic Island is best-known for its cliff leaping platforms. In case your group stops right here, an entrance payment of PHP 250 should be settled per particular person.
That’s about it. After over an hour at Crystal Cove, we had been ferried again to White Seaside. It’s possible you’ll decide to get off at Station 3 or Station 1.
Breakdown of Bills
An island hopping tour would usually value you PHP 1245 (USD 22.30) per particular person. That’s assuming you’re coming into Crystal Cove and skipping Magic Island like we did. Right here’s the breakdown:
- Fundamental island hopping tour with lunch: PHP 900 (USD 16.10)
- Snorkeling payment: PHP 45 (USD 0.80)
- Crystal Cove entrance payment: PHP 300 (USD 5.40)
- TOTAL: PHP 1245 (USD 22.30)
Clearly, this doesn’t embrace any further meals bills.
LAND TOUR Itinerary & Costs (E-Trike or Multi-Cab)
A Boracay land tour entails chartering an e-trike or a multi-cab to take you across the island. It’s typically referred to as “Island Tour” however on this article, to keep away from complicated it with island hopping, let’s simply name it “land tour”.
Not like island hopping excursions which observe a hard and fast itinerary, land excursions provide you with full management of your time. Drivers have a prompt itinerary however in the end it’s nonetheless as much as you. If you wish to skip a cease otherwise you want to keep longer at one other, it’s your name. In spite of everything, you’re paying by the hour. Sure, by the hour.
Listed here are the Boracay land tour charges. These costs are PER VEHICLE, NOT PER PERSON.
- E-Trike Tour
P500 per hour
Most of 4 passengers - Multi-cab Tour
P700 per hour
Most of 10 passengers
As you may see, in case you’re a part of a giant group, you’ll find yourself saving lots in case you prepare a multi-cab tour as an alternative of an e-trike. That’s what we did. We had been a gaggle of 9 (9), and the multi-cab might accommodate as much as 10 pax. One of the best half, we’re all collectively in only one car.
Most drivers supply a land tour service. It’s possible you’ll merely hail an e-trike or multi-cab within the streets. However in order for you referrals, these are the drivers that we employed and their corresponding contact numbers:
- E-TRIKE: Kuya Ambro
+63 943 1304164 - MULTI-CAB: Kuya Bong
+63 939 823 8198
I’m not affiliated to them in any approach. We simply loved their service.
Under is Kuya Bong’s prompt itinerary, which we adopted on our final Boracay journey.
Cease 1: Lugutan Mangrove Park
Generally referred to as Boracay Mangroves, the Lugutan Mangrove Park covers an hectare of shallow waters in Barangay Manoc-manoc, south of Bulabog Seaside. It was opened to the general public in 2012 with 2000 mangroves. I’m positive the quantity has grown lots since.
A wood boardwalk loops by and across the mangroves, making it a improbable photograph spot. It’s additionally an excellent breather from the standard seashore points of interest.
Entrance Charge: FREE. However registration is required. One consultant can register for the remainder of the group on the desk throughout the street from the mangroves.
Cease 2: Bulabog Seaside
Entrance Charge: FREE.
Not too far-off from the mangroves lies Bulabog Seaside. Not like White Seaside, Bulabog isn’t blanketed with positive white sand. Its mattress is way coarser, rockier, and largely lined in seagrass. However it’s nonetheless fairly scenic. Vacationers drop by for IG-worthy snaps, particularly across the coconut bushes. One tree particularly has been a favourite amongst guests.
A large BORACAY signage now stands on the entrance to the seashore, which can also be an excellent photograph spot.
Cease 3: Sinagpa Seaside, Lambros Level and Diniwid Seaside
Entrance Charge: FREE.
Sure, three in a single.
Sinagpa Seaside refers back to the slim stretch separating White Seaside from Diniwid Seaside. It was additionally my first time listening to the identify Sinagpa. In response to Kuya Bong, the time period is used largely by locals.
Comply with the concrete walkway and it’ll lead you to a rocky cliff with a pure opening. That is what most vacationers are extra accustomed to. It’s referred to as Lambros Level. Behind it’s a picture of the Virgin Mary, a cliff-jumping web site, and the attractive Diniwid Seaside!
Cease 4: Keyhole
Entrance Charge: FREE.
The Keyhole, additionally referred to as Cujo’s Keyhole, is a pure arch positioned close to Boracay newcoast in Barangay Yapak. Though the roads that result in it are inside personal property, vacationers on e-trike or multi-cab tour are allowed entry.
You may need to queue up right here, however use the ready time to admire the adjoining seashores: Lapus-Lapus Seaside and Ilig-Iligan Seaside. A few of the smaller coves now function personal seashores of Newcoast.
A guard is in cost in holding issues so as. Guests are solely allowed as much as a sure line. Some components are cordoned off for security causes.
There’s not a lot to do right here aside from taking a pic with the enduring arch within the background. In case you’re not into selfies and pictures, this may not be your cup of tea. However because it was near our subsequent cease, we selected to drop by anyway.
Cease 5: Puka Seaside
Entrance Charge: FREE.
Sure, Puka Seaside is a part of mainland Boracay, so it’s also accessible by land. If something, getting right here by land is significantly better. Not like on island hopping excursions with a strict time restrict, in case you go to by e-trike or multi-cab, you may keep for so long as you need. And we suggest staying for no less than an hour right here!
In case you really feel such as you’ll be spending A LOT of time at Puka Seaside, you may finish the tour proper right here. Simply take public transportation (shared e-trike) in your approach again to your lodge. However in case you’re in for only a fast go to, you may ask the motive force to attend for you after which take you again to your lodge after.
Whereas it’s now not the tranquil area it was, it’s nonetheless an excellent place to sit back. You’ll be able to laze on a mat that you would be able to “borrow” from enterprising locals. I say borrow in citation marks as a result of they place the mats within the shade and allow you to use them without cost, however you’re anticipated to order drinks from them. You’ll be able to order from their menu of juices, shakes, and cocktails. Some additionally supply crystal kayak companies at a a lot decrease fee, PHP 150 per 15-20 minutes. At White Seaside, it often prices PHP 250 for a similar length.
Souvenirs and trinkets are additionally less expensive right here than the shops at White Seaside! And in case your tummy is grumbling at this level, you’ll be glad to know that its entrance is flanked by eateries and avenue meals kiosks.
Breakdown of Bills
We spent 5 (5) hours doing the land tour, greater than an hour of which was spent at Puka Seaside. At PHP 700 per hour, the full value was PHP 3500. We had been a gaggle of 9, so we paid PHP 388.89 per particular person. (Though I truly paid for every part as a result of this was my deal with to my household.)
It might nonetheless go decrease in case you’re a celebration of 10 as a result of the per-person fee would fall to solely PHP 350.
- Land Tour for 10 pax (5 hours): PHP 3500 (USD 62.70)
- Entrance Charges: NONE
- Crystal kayak at Puka Seaside: PHP 150 for 15-20 minutes (USD 2.70)
- Drinks at Puka seashore: Round PHP 200 (USD 3.60)
Which is best?
The land tour is a significantly better deal than the island hopping tour for 3 major causes:
- Affordability. Land tour is less expensive, at solely PHP 125 per particular person if utilizing e-trike, a lot a lot decrease than the PHP 900 primary payment for an island hopping tour. The land tour stops are additionally accessible for FREE, whereas most stops on the boat tour expenses an entrance payment.
- Flexibility. On land tour, you’ve got full management of your itinerary and time, versus island hopping excursions that implement a strict schedule and restricted time per cease.
- Consolation and accessibility. The island hopping tour is way more exhausting and difficult for seniors and PWDs. It’s fairly tough to board the boat particularly when the waves are robust. Multicabs and e-trikes are a lot friendlier to vacationers with mobility points.
So sure, when you’ve got time and finances for only one exercise, I like to recommend doing the land tour. However in any other case, attempt to expertise each excursions!
And once more, in case you determine to guide an island hopping tour, you would help this weblog by reserving it utilizing the Klook hyperlink beneath!
✅ BOOK ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
Prime Boracay Inns for Teams/Household
Touring with household or barkada? Right here’s an inventory of properties in Boracay which have rooms that may accommodate teams of 4 or extra.
Seek for extra Boracay Inns!
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