Boracay could also be small, however it’s full of 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 choose. One of the vital widespread dilemma is selecting between a Boracay island hopping tour (by boat) and a Boracay land tour (by e-trike).
Let me preface this by saying that in case you have adequate funds and days, please be part of each excursions. Whereas they share one or two stops, these are two distinct experiences, presenting completely different sides of the island. That stated, every has its personal execs and cons.
When you’ve got 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 can make a greater, extra knowledgeable determination.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
BORACAY ISLAND HOPPING TOUR Itinerary & Costs
Though it’s potential to constitution a non-public boat for island hopping, the costs are steep. Therefore, most island hopping packages are group excursions, which suggests 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 will need to respect the schedule.
Island hopping in Boracay takes a whole day. In our case, we boarded the boat at round 8:00 AM and was again at White Seashore 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 individual, inclusive of buffet lunch and use of swim masks (with out the snorkel) however unique of entrance charges. Sure, a few of the stops accumulate an entrance charge, which isn’t coated by the fundamental tour charge.
Right here’s a abstract of the small print:
- Length: Full Day, round 8 hours
- Value: P800-900 (inclusive of buffet lunch)
- Bounce-off level: Station 1 or 3
There are a lot of methods to e book an island hopping tour. It’s supplied by tour operators and touts at White Seashore. However in the event you really feel extra snug transacting on-line otherwise you don’t need to cope with touts on the seashore, it’s possible you’ll e book with Klook, too!
✅ CHECK RATES OF ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
Both approach, you’ll be becoming a member of a bunch with different vacationers and the itineraries are very comparable. However the lunch and snorkeling stops range relying on the operator.
Beneath 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 Seashore
Puka Seashore glazes the northern tip of Boracay. This was once a serene scene, however now a bit crowded, too, principally as a result of it’s far more accessible nowadays. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless much more peaceable than Station 2 of White Seashore.
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 can burn half of your time at Puka Seashore. For those who actually need to attempt a crystal kayak, do it on one other event. Use your restricted time exploring the seashore as an alternative.
When it comes to composition, Puka is a combined seashore. Some components are strewn with high quality sand, however others have shells, which might be why it’s known as Puka. It encompasses a broad berm, which slopes dramatically into the waves, which might get fairly tough at occasions, so watch out when swimming.
Cease 2: Snorkeling Website
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 Seashore, or in our case Balinghai Seashore, close to the so-called Station Zero.
You don’t have to go snorkeling; it’s elective. However in the event you select to do it, you’ll should pay PHP 45 (USD 0.80) snorkeling charge. No must pay this in the event you’re staying on the boat.
Don’t overlook to put on a life jacket. The present could be a bit additional at occasions. Higher protected than sorry.
Cease 3: Lunch
The lunch cease varies from operator to operator, but it surely’s often buffet-style (limitless). We have been delivered to Shingley Piknikan restaurant, near Tabon Port in mainland Caticlan. It was okay. Typical Pinoy fare, principally grilled and fried. However don’t anticipate something above common when it comes to taste or presentation.
Cease 4: Crystal Cove
Entrance Payment: P300
Also called Laurel Island or Tiguatian Island, Crystal Cove is a 2-hectare resort greatest recognized for its lookouts and caves. The positioning can 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 costs a P300 entrance charge. For those who choose to not enter, you’ll be able to 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 can additionally spot Magic Island.
Cease 5: Magic Island*
Entrance Payment: P250
Sure, with asterisk as a result of to today, I’m nonetheless undecided if excursions usually make a cease right here. The touts promoting island hopping packages often embody it within the listing of web sites to be visited, however we didn’t set foot right here. We solely obtained 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 charge of PHP 250 have to be settled per individual.
That’s about it. After over an hour at Crystal Cove, we have been ferried again to White Seashore. You might choose 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 individual. That’s assuming you’re getting 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 charge: PHP 45 (USD 0.80)
- Crystal Cove entrance charge: PHP 300 (USD 5.40)
- TOTAL: PHP 1245 (USD 22.30)
Clearly, this doesn’t embody any extra 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 generally known as “Island Tour” however on this article, to keep away from complicated it with island hopping, let’s simply name it “land tour”.
In contrast to island hopping excursions which observe a set itinerary, land excursions offer you full management of your time. Drivers have a steered itinerary however finally 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’ll be able to see, in the event you’re a part of an enormous group, you’ll find yourself saving rather a lot in the event you organize a multi-cab tour as an alternative of an e-trike. That’s what we did. We have been a bunch of 9 (9), and the multi-cab might accommodate as much as 10 pax. The very best half, we’re all collectively in only one automobile.
Most drivers supply a land tour service. You might merely hail an e-trike or multi-cab within the streets. However if you would like 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.
Beneath is Kuya Bong’s steered itinerary, which we adopted on our final Boracay journey.
Cease 1: Lugutan Mangrove Park
Generally known as Boracay Mangroves, the Lugutan Mangrove Park covers an hectare of shallow waters in Barangay Manoc-manoc, south of Bulabog Seashore. It was opened to the general public in 2012 with 2000 mangroves. I’m certain the quantity has grown rather a lot 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 Payment: FREE. However registration is required. One consultant can register for the remainder of the group on the desk throughout the highway from the mangroves.
Cease 2: Bulabog Seashore
Entrance Payment: FREE.
Not too far-off from the mangroves lies Bulabog Seashore. In contrast to White Seashore, Bulabog isn’t blanketed with high quality white sand. Its mattress is way coarser, rockier, and principally coated in seagrass. However it’s nonetheless fairly scenic. Vacationers drop by for IG-worthy snaps, particularly across the coconut timber. One tree particularly has been a favourite amongst guests.
A large BORACAY signage now stands on the entrance to the seashore, which can be an excellent photograph spot.
Cease 3: Sinagpa Seashore, Lambros Level and Diniwid Seashore
Entrance Payment: FREE.
Sure, three in a single.
Sinagpa Seashore refers back to the slim stretch separating White Seashore from Diniwid Seashore. It was additionally my first time listening to the title Sinagpa. In response to Kuya Bong, the time period is used principally by locals.
Observe the concrete walkway and it’ll lead you to a rocky cliff with a pure opening. That is what most vacationers are extra aware of. It’s known as Lambros Level. Behind it’s a picture of the Virgin Mary, a cliff-jumping web site, and the beautiful Diniwid Seashore!
Cease 4: Keyhole
Entrance Payment: FREE.
The Keyhole, additionally known as Cujo’s Keyhole, is a pure arch situated 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 might need to queue up right here, however use the ready time to admire the adjoining seashores: Lapus-Lapus Seashore and Ilig-Iligan Seashore. A few of the smaller coves now function personal seashores of Newcoast.
A guard is in cost in protecting 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 apart from taking a pic with the enduring arch within the background. For those who’re not into selfies and photographs, 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 Seashore
Entrance Payment: FREE.
Sure, Puka Seashore is a part of mainland Boracay, so it is usually accessible by land. If something, getting right here by land is significantly better. In contrast to on island hopping excursions with a strict time restrict, in the event you go to by e-trike or multi-cab, you’ll be able to keep for so long as you need. And we advocate staying for a minimum of an hour right here!
For those who really feel such as you’ll be spending A LOT of time at Puka Seashore, you’ll be able to finish the tour proper right here. Simply take public transportation (shared e-trike) in your approach again to your lodge. However in the event you’re in for only a fast go to, you’ll be able to ask the driving force to attend for you after which take you again to your lodge after.
Whereas it’s not the tranquil area it was once, it’s nonetheless an excellent place to relax. You may 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 totally free, however you’re anticipated to order drinks from them. You may order from their menu of juices, shakes, and cocktails. Some additionally supply crystal kayak companies at a a lot decrease charge, PHP 150 per 15-20 minutes. At White Seashore, it often prices PHP 250 for a similar period.
Souvenirs and trinkets are additionally less expensive right here than the shops at White Seashore! 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 Seashore. At PHP 700 per hour, the overall value was PHP 3500. We have been a bunch of 9, so we paid PHP 388.89 per individual. (Though I truly paid for every thing as a result of this was my deal with to my household.)
It might nonetheless go decrease in the event you’re a celebration of 10 as a result of the per-person charge 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 Seashore: 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 individual if utilizing e-trike, a lot a lot decrease than the PHP 900 primary charge for an island hopping tour. The land tour stops are additionally accessible for FREE, whereas most stops on the boat tour costs an entrance charge.
- Flexibility. On land tour, you will have 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 far 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, in case you have 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 the event you determine to e book an island hopping tour, you can help this weblog by reserving it utilizing the Klook hyperlink under!
✅ BOOK ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
Prime Boracay Motels for Teams/Household
Touring with household or barkada? Right here’s a listing of properties in Boracay which have rooms that may accommodate teams of 4 or extra.
Seek for extra Boracay Motels!
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