BORACAY

BORACAY

Despite all those tourist footprints in the sand, It still has some magic of its own.

Delicately poised between paradise and pandemonium, the internationally renowned island of Boracay is easily the best-known Philippine tourist spot. Often so crowded it's a wonder its Famous White Beach is still above sea level, little Boracay remains a glorious playground for sun worshippers. The entire island is surrounded by dive spots.

Boracay is little more than a speck off the north-western tip of Panay, but its size certainly isn't proportion to its fame. The island is about 9km long, and only 1km wide at its narrow midriff. In just 15minutes you can escape the heavily tourist White Beach on the east coast to the surprisingly quiet Bulabog Beach to the east. Wilder and windier, the east coast is a favourite for windsurfing . Also on the east coast, the Mt. Luho Deck offers a magnificent views. Just climb the stairs near the main road near Lapuz-Lapuz.

White Beach, the main boat drop -off point from Caticlan on Panay, is where the action is. Here, lazing and browsing for food, drinks and souvenirs are the main activities. Electricity has well and truly arrived on Boracay, but a torch (flashlight) is still useful for night time strolls on White Beach and elsewhere.

GETTING THERE & AWAY

Large passenger-boats stopping here use the regular shuttle services to get passengers to and from the shore.

Air- The swiftest way to Boracay from Manila is by air to Caticlan-but you won't be alone trying to book this flight during the high season. Good alternatives are the airports of Kalibo and Roxas, from where it's an easy two to four hours by road to Caticlan.

Boat- Pump boats ferry passengers between Caticlan and Boracay every 20 to 30 minutes from 6am to 6pm daily, stopping at one or more of the three boat stations on White Beach. During the south-western monsoons from June to November, the sea on the White Beach side of Boracay can get too rough for outriggers. They then tie up on the east coast,at or near Bulabog, or at Manoc-Manoc.