Boracay
Seven kilometres of island off the tip of Panay, four of them White Beach, a kite-surfing shore on the far side, and an airstrip just across the water at Caticlan.
- Arrival
- Caticlan (Godofredo P. Ramos) · MPH
- To the island
- A short boat crossing from Caticlan to Cagban jetty
- Private jets
- Caticlan by day; customs at Kalibo (KLO)
- Best time
- February to April
The city
White Beach and the other side.
Boracay is shaped like a dog bone, seven kilometres long and less than one across at the waist. The west coast is White Beach, lined for about four kilometres with hotels and restaurants and divided into Stations 1, 2 and 3; the east coast, Bulabog, belongs to the windsurfers and kiteboarders. In 2018 the government closed the whole island for six months to rebuild its sewage system.
The year turns on two winds. The north-east amihan brings the dry months, February to April the driest of all, with highs of 29 to 32 °C. The south-west habagat follows, and from June to October each month sees more than 300 mm.
- White Beach Four kilometres of sand on the west shore, least crowded at Station 1 to the north.
- Bulabog The reef-sheltered east coast, where the amihan wind fills the kites and sails.
- Mount Luho The island’s highest point, only 92 metres up, with a view over both coasts.
Arriving
Caticlan for the island, Kalibo for the border.
Two airports on Panay serve the island. Caticlan, just across the strait, has a runway of about 1,700 to 1,800 metres that takes an A320. Kalibo, 68 km away, has 2,500 metres and the customs post.
- Hong Kong 2 h 10
- Taipei 2 h 15
- Jakarta 3 h 45
- Beijing 4 h 25
- Rome 14 h 05 long-range jet
When to go
February to April.
At 29 to 32 °C all year, the wind and the rain set the season. February to April are dry; from May the south-west monsoon arrives and August, at 460 mm, is the wettest month.
- 29° J 114 27°
- 29° F 55 26°
- 31° M 51 27°
- 32° A 60 28°
- 32° M 191 29°
- 31° J 350 30°
- 31° J 429 29°
- 31° A 460 29°
- 30° S 349 29°
- 31° O 356 29°
- 30° N 285 28°
- 29° D 212 27°
Where to stay
The north cove and Station 1.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
Where to dine
The best tables on the island.
The MICHELIN Guide Philippines does not yet cover Boracay. These two hotel restaurants hold Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for 2025.
- Sirena Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2025 Seafood $$$$ Shangri-La Boracay, Yapak
- Indigo Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2025 Filipino, seafood $$$$ Discovery Boracay, Station 1
Elsewhere in Philippines
More reasons to come.
Flying to Boracay?
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