Boracay could also be small, however it’s filled with sights that vacationers of all ages can take pleasure in. However not all guests have sufficient time or cash to expertise all of them. Typically, you’ll have to select. One of the crucial frequent 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 you probably have enough funds and days, please be a 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.
You probably have simply sufficient time and price range for only one, which do you have to take: the island hopping tour or the land tour? On this article, we’ll get all the way down to the nitty-gritty of every exercise, so you could possibly make a greater, extra knowledgeable choice.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
BORACAY ISLAND HOPPING TOUR Itinerary & Costs
Though it’s doable to constitution a personal 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 complete 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 normally 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 few of the stops gather an entrance payment, which isn’t coated by the fundamental tour payment.
Right here’s a abstract of the small print:
- Length: Full Day, round 8 hours
- Worth: P800-900 (inclusive of buffet lunch)
- Soar-off level: Station 1 or 3
There are lots of methods to guide an island hopping tour. It’s supplied by tour operators and touts at White Seashore. However in case you really feel extra snug transacting on-line otherwise you don’t wish to cope with touts on the seashore, you could guide with Klook, too!
✅ CHECK RATES OF ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
Both manner, you’ll be becoming a member of a gaggle with different vacationers and the itineraries are very comparable. However the lunch and snorkeling stops differ 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 a serene scene, however now a bit crowded, too, principally as a result of it’s way more accessible as of late. However, 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 take pleasure in 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. In case you actually wish to strive a crystal kayak, do it on one other event. Use your restricted time exploring the seashore as a substitute.
By way of composition, Puka is a combined seashore. Some elements are strewn with effective sand, however others have shells, which might be why it’s referred to as Puka. It includes a large berm, which slopes dramatically into the waves, which may get fairly tough at instances, 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 non-obligatory. However in case you select to do it, you’ll should pay PHP 45 (USD 0.80) snorkeling payment. No must pay this in case you’re staying on the boat.
Don’t overlook 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 normally buffet-style (limitless). We had 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 Price: P300
Also referred to as Laurel Island or Tiguatian Island, Crystal Cove is a 2-hectare resort greatest identified for its lookouts and caves. The location can be dotted with a number of picture spots, some extra Instagram-worthy than others. There’s additionally a swimming spot.
By the way in which, Crystal Cove prices 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 could possibly additionally spot Magic Island.
Cease 5: Magic Island*
Entrance Price: P250
Sure, with asterisk as a result of to today, I’m nonetheless unsure if excursions usually make a cease right here. The touts promoting island hopping packages normally embrace it within the record of web sites to be visited, however we didn’t set foot right here. We solely acquired to see it from Crystal Cove. I’m unsure 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 Seashore. You could decide to get off at Station 3 or Station 1.
Breakdown of Bills
An island hopping tour would usually price you PHP 1245 (USD 22.30) per particular person. That’s assuming you’re getting into Crystal Cove and skipping Magic Island like we did. Right here’s the breakdown:
- Primary 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 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 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 comply with a hard and fast itinerary, land excursions provide you with full management of your time. Drivers have a recommended 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 any case, you’re paying by the hour. Sure, by the hour.
Listed below 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 a substitute of an e-trike. That’s what we did. We had been a gaggle of 9 (9), and the multi-cab may accommodate as much as 10 pax. The very best half, we’re all collectively in only one car.
Most drivers provide a land tour service. You could merely hail an e-trike or multi-cab within the streets. However if you need 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 manner. We simply loved their service.
Beneath is Kuya Bong’s recommended itinerary, which we adopted on our final Boracay journey.
Cease 1: Lugutan Mangrove Park
Typically referred to 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 positive the quantity has grown lots since.
A wood boardwalk loops by way of and across the mangroves, making it a improbable picture spot. It’s additionally an amazing breather from the same old seashore sights.
Entrance Price: 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 Seashore
Entrance Price: FREE.
Not too distant from the mangroves lies Bulabog Seashore. Not like White Seashore, Bulabog isn’t blanketed with effective white sand. Its mattress is far coarser, rockier, and principally coated in seagrass. However it’s nonetheless fairly scenic. Vacationers drop by for IG-worthy snaps, particularly across the coconut bushes. One tree specifically has been a favourite amongst guests.
An enormous BORACAY signage now stands on the entrance to the seashore, which can be an amazing picture spot.
Cease 3: Sinagpa Seashore, Lambros Level and Diniwid Seashore
Entrance Price: 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 identify Sinagpa. In line with Kuya Bong, the time period is used principally 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 conversant in. It’s referred to 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 Price: FREE.
The Keyhole, additionally referred to 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 may 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 preserving issues so as. Guests are solely allowed as much as a sure line. Some elements 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. In case you’re not into selfies and photographs, this won’t be your cup of tea. However because it was near our subsequent cease, we selected to drop by anyway.
Cease 5: Puka Seashore
Entrance Price: 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 a lot 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 advocate 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 Seashore, you may finish the tour proper right here. Simply take public transportation (shared e-trike) in your manner 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 not the tranquil house it was, it’s nonetheless an amazing place to relax. You possibly can 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 possibly can order from their menu of juices, shakes, and cocktails. Some additionally provide crystal kayak providers at a a lot decrease fee, PHP 150 per 15-20 minutes. At White Seashore, it normally prices PHP 250 for a similar length.
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 full price 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 thing as a result of this was my deal with to my household.)
It may 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 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 a lot better deal than the island hopping tour for 3 main 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 fundamental payment for an island hopping tour. The land tour stops are additionally accessible for FREE, whereas most stops on the boat tour prices an entrance payment.
- Flexibility. On land tour, you’ve gotten 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 troublesome to board the boat particularly when the waves are sturdy. Multicabs and e-trikes are a lot friendlier to vacationers with mobility points.
So sure, you probably have time and price range 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 could possibly help this weblog by reserving it utilizing the Klook hyperlink beneath!
✅ BOOK ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
High Boracay Accommodations 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 Accommodations!
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