Boracay could also be small, however it’s full of points of interest that vacationers of all ages can take pleasure in. But not all guests have sufficient time or cash to expertise all of them. Sometimes, you’ll have to select. One of the most typical 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 when you’ve got adequate funds and days, please be a part of each excursions. While they share one or two stops, these are two distinct experiences, presenting totally different sides of the island. That mentioned, every has its personal execs and cons.
If you’ve got simply sufficient time and funds for only one, which do you have to take: the island hopping tour or the land tour? In this text, we’ll get all the way down to the nitty-gritty of every exercise, so you might make a greater, extra knowledgeable choice.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
BORACAY ISLAND HOPPING TOUR Itinerary & Prices
Although it’s potential to constitution a personal boat for island hopping, the costs are steep. Hence, most island hopping packages are group excursions, which suggests you’ll be sharing the boat with different vacationers. Along 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 Beach 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. Yes, a number of the stops gather an entrance price, which isn’t coated by the fundamental tour price.
Here’s a abstract of the main points:
- Duration: Full Day, round 8 hours
- Price: P800-900 (inclusive of buffet lunch)
- Jump-off level: Station 1 or 3
There are some ways to guide an island hopping tour. It’s provided by tour operators and touts at White Beach. But when you really feel extra snug transacting on-line otherwise you don’t need to cope with touts on the seashore, you could guide with Klook, too!
✅ CHECK RATES OF ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
Either method, you’ll be becoming a member of a gaggle with different vacationers and the itineraries are very related. But the lunch and snorkeling stops differ relying on the operator.
Below was our itinerary adopted by our most up-to-date island hopping tour, which we booked with a tout at Station 2.
Stop 1: Puka Beach
Puka Beach 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 today. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless much more peaceable than Station 2 of White Beach.
We got solely 40 minutes to remain right here. One of the 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 is able to burn half of your time at Puka Beach. If you actually need to strive a crystal kayak, do it on one other event. Use your restricted time exploring the seashore as a substitute.
In phrases of composition, Puka is a blended seashore. Some components are strewn with high-quality sand, however others have shells, which might be why it’s referred to as Puka. It contains a vast berm, which slopes dramatically into the waves, which may get fairly tough at occasions, so watch out when swimming.
Stop 2: Snorkeling Site
Every 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 Beach, or in our case Balinghai Beach, close to the so-called Station Zero.
You don’t have to go snorkeling; it’s optionally available. But when you select to do it, you’ll should pay PHP 45 (USD 0.80) snorkeling price. No have to pay this when you’re staying on the boat.
Don’t overlook to put on a life jacket. The present could be a bit additional at occasions. Better protected than sorry.
Stop 3: Lunch
The lunch cease varies from operator to operator, however it’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, largely grilled and fried. But don’t count on something above common when it comes to taste or presentation.
Stop 4: Crystal Cove
Entrance Fee: P300
Also often called Laurel Island or Tiguatian Island, Crystal Cove is a 2-hectare resort greatest identified for its lookouts and caves. The web site can be dotted with a number of picture spots, some extra Instagram-worthy than others. There’s additionally a swimming spot.
By the best way, Crystal Cove costs a P300 entrance price. If you decide to not enter, you possibly can spend the allotted hour simply chilling on the seashore. A small retailer sells coconuts for PHP 100 a chunk and banana que (skewered deep fried bananas) for PHP 35 per stick.
From Crystal Cove, you might additionally spot Magic Island.
Stop 5: Magic Island*
Entrance Fee: P250
Yes, 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 normally embrace it within the listing 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 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. If your group stops right here, an entrance price 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 Beach. You might decide to get off at Station 3 or Station 1.
Breakdown of Expenses
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. Here’s the breakdown:
- Basic island hopping tour with lunch: PHP 900 (USD 16.10)
- Snorkeling price: PHP 45 (USD 0.80)
- Crystal Cove entrance price: PHP 300 (USD 5.40)
- TOTAL: PHP 1245 (USD 22.30)
Obviously, this doesn’t embrace any further meals bills.
LAND TOUR Itinerary & Prices (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”.
Unlike island hopping excursions which observe a set itinerary, land excursions offer you full management of your time. Drivers have a urged itinerary however in the end it’s nonetheless as much as you. If you need to skip a cease otherwise you want to keep longer at one other, it’s your name. After all, you’re paying by the hour. Yes, by the hour.
Here are the Boracay land tour charges. These costs are PER VEHICLE, NOT PER PERSON.
- E-Trike Tour
P500 per hour
Maximum of 4 passengers - Multi-cab Tour
P700 per hour
Maximum of 10 passengers
As you possibly can see, when you’re a part of a giant group, you’ll find yourself saving rather a lot when 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 better part, we’re all collectively in only one car.
Most drivers provide a land tour service. You might merely hail an e-trike or multi-cab within the streets. But if you’d 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 method. We simply loved their service.
Below is Kuya Bong’s urged itinerary, which we adopted on our final Boracay journey.
Stop 1: Lugutan Mangrove Park
Sometimes referred to as Boracay Mangroves, the Lugutan Mangrove Park covers an hectare of shallow waters in Barangay Manoc-manoc, south of Bulabog Beach. It was opened to the general public in 2012 with 2000 mangroves. I’m positive the quantity has grown rather a lot since.
A picket boardwalk loops by means of and across the mangroves, making it a implausible picture spot. It’s additionally a terrific breather from the standard seashore points of interest.
Entrance Fee: FREE. But registration is required. One consultant can register for the remainder of the group on the desk throughout the highway from the mangroves.
Stop 2: Bulabog Beach
Entrance Fee: FREE.
Not too distant from the mangroves lies Bulabog Beach. Unlike White Beach, Bulabog isn’t blanketed with high-quality white sand. Its mattress is far coarser, rockier, and largely coated in seagrass. But it’s nonetheless fairly scenic. Tourists drop by for IG-worthy snaps, particularly across the coconut bushes. One tree particularly has been a favourite amongst guests.
An enormous BORACAY signage now stands on the entrance to the seashore, which can be a terrific picture spot.
Stop 3: Sinagpa Beach, Lambros Point and Diniwid Beach
Entrance Fee: FREE.
Yes, three in a single.
Sinagpa Beach refers back to the slim stretch separating White Beach from Diniwid Beach. It was additionally my first time listening to the title Sinagpa. According to Kuya Bong, the time period is used largely by locals.
Follow the concrete walkway and it’ll lead you to a rocky cliff with a pure opening. This is what most vacationers are extra conversant in. It’s referred to as Lambros Point. Behind it’s a picture of the Virgin Mary, a cliff-jumping web site, and the beautiful Diniwid Beach!
Stop 4: Keyhole
Entrance Fee: FREE.
The Keyhole, additionally referred to as Cujo’s Keyhole, is a pure arch positioned close to Boracay newcoast in Barangay Yapak. Although 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 Beach and Ilig-Iligan Beach. Some of the smaller coves now function personal seashores of Newcoast.
A guard is in cost in protecting issues so as. Visitors 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. If you’re not into selfies and photographs, this may not be your cup of tea. But because it was near our subsequent cease, we selected to drop by anyway.
Stop 5: Puka Beach
Entrance Fee: FREE.
Yes, Puka Beach is a part of mainland Boracay, so it is usually accessible by land. If something, getting right here by land is a lot better. Unlike on island hopping excursions with a strict time restrict, when you go to by e-trike or multi-cab, you possibly can keep for so long as you need. And we advocate staying for at the least an hour right here!
If you are feeling such as you’ll be spending A LOT of time at Puka Beach, you possibly can finish the tour proper right here. Just take public transportation (shared e-trike) in your method again to your lodge. But when you’re in for only a fast go to, you possibly can ask the driving force to attend for you after which take you again to your lodge after.
While it’s not the tranquil area it was, it’s nonetheless a terrific place to relax. You can laze on a mat you can “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 can order from their menu of juices, shakes, and cocktails. Some additionally provide crystal kayak companies at a a lot decrease charge, PHP 150 per 15-20 minutes. At White Beach, it normally prices PHP 250 for a similar length.
Souvenirs and trinkets are additionally less expensive right here than the shops at White Beach! 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 Expenses
We spent 5 (5) hours doing the land tour, greater than an hour of which was spent at Puka Beach. At PHP 700 per hour, the whole price was PHP 3500. We had been a gaggle of 9, so we paid PHP 388.89 per particular person. (Although I truly paid for all the things as a result of this was my deal with to my household.)
It may nonetheless go decrease when 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 Fees: NONE
- Crystal kayak at Puka Beach: PHP 150 for 15-20 minutes (USD 2.70)
- Drinks at Puka seashore: Around PHP 200 (USD 3.60)
Which is healthier?
The land tour is a a lot 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 fundamental price for an island hopping tour. The land tour stops are additionally accessible for FREE, whereas most stops on the boat tour costs an entrance price.
- 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.
- Comfort 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, when you’ve got time and funds for only one exercise, I like to recommend doing the land tour. But in any other case, attempt to expertise each excursions!
And once more, when you resolve to guide an island hopping tour, you might assist this weblog by reserving it utilizing the Klook hyperlink beneath!
✅ BOOK ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
Top Boracay Hotels for Groups/Family
Traveling with household or barkada? Here’s an inventory of properties in Boracay which have rooms that may accommodate teams of 4 or extra.
Search for extra Boracay Hotels!
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