Boracay: Paradise Found in 48 Hours

I have finally found one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Before this trip, whenever I asked locals where I should definitely visit in the Philippines, the answer was almost unanimous. They all pointed me here, and I can tell you now: they were not lying.

The Arrival: Navigating the Chaos

Getting to Boracay is an adventure in itself. The island is actually quite small and doesn’t have its own airport. Instead, you fly into Caticlan, the gateway airport on the larger island just next door. From there, it is roughly a 10-minute boat ride across the channel.

When I first stepped out of the airport, it was a bit overwhelming. I was immediately greeted by a swarm of third-party services and touts selling “all-inclusive” transfer tickets—a combo deal for the boat and the van ride from the airport to the dock. I didn’t know it back then, but these packages are actually more expensive than if you were to just ignore them, walk out, and buy the individual tickets yourself.

However, luck (or bad luck) played a part. It was pouring rain when I arrived, and the idea of dragging my luggage through the downpour to figure out the logistics seemed like a nightmare. So, I paid the extra price for the convenience. It turns out the higher price is partly because they use speedboats rather than the standard options. If you buy a ticket from the official ticket office at the jetty port, you’ll likely end up on the public boats (bancas), which are much slower but significantly cheaper. Lesson learned for next time!

First Impressions: The Two Faces of the Island

Once I reached the dock on the Boracay side, the transport situation was much easier. There were dozens of local shared e-trikes (electric tricycles) waiting. These are the lifeblood of island transport and are extremely cheap. I hopped into one and headed toward my hostel.

My accommodation was perfectly situated right next to the beach, tucked in among the restaurants and pubs. This meant I had an amazing view for my entire stay, but it also helped me understand the geography of the place quickly. The island essentially has two distinct personalities.

The East Side (Bulabog Beach) is extremely windy. Because of the strong breeze, there isn’t much commercial activity there, though it is a haven for kite surfers. Less than 1km away lies the West Side (White Beach), which is where the magic happens. This is where the life is—from hostels to restaurants, pubs, clubs, and those world-famous beaches.

I quickly checked into the hostel and went for a stroll to see if the hype was real. The view was nothing short of mind-blowing. The sand was really, really white—powder soft and cool under your feet. There is a reason it is famous for its “White Beach.” The water was damn clear, like swimming in a pool.

I visited during March, which is the season for “Lumot”—a green algae that blooms along the shoreline. While some tourists complain about it, I actually thought it added a unique character to the view. The green reflection of the algae mixed with the turquoise color of the water created a stunning, vibrant gradient that looked surreal in photos.

The energy on the beach was high. You could see people doing every water sport imaginable: parasailing, kiteboarding, windsurfing, and more. For those who love organized tours, island hopping is a massive industry here. However, since it was already late in the afternoon, I decided to take it easy. I explored the nearby markets, grabbed some local food, and took a quick nap to recharge.

When the Sun Goes Down

At night, the vibe shifts completely. The whole island transforms into one massive party place. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Tuesday or a Saturday; the parties are always going on.

There are an enormous number of small bars and pubs lining the beach path. The parties start early and go on until very late at night. The view after dark was equally breathtaking, but in a different way than the daytime. The colored strobe lights from the shops and clubs cast dancing shadows of the tall palm trees onto the sand. The music pumps into the air, mixing with the sound of the ocean. If you are a party person, you have definitely come to the right spot in the middle of the Philippines.

The Long Walk North

The next day, I woke up with a mission: I planned to walk along the shoreline and explore all the major beaches on the island. I love walking—it’s the best way to soak in a new place—so this was perfect for me.

I started from the center (Station 2 area) and began walking north, as that is where the most beautiful, quieter beaches are located.

One thing I was definitely missing, however, was the ability to fly my drone. Unfortunately, Boracay has strict regulations, and you can’t fly a drone on the island without prior permission from the local government office (usually for commercial purposes). It was a bummer, but the experience of just being there with my own eyes was still enough.

My first major stop was Diniwid Beach. I found this spot to be the most peaceful of them all—a small cove tucked away from the madness. From there, I continued heading north. The coastline gets rocky here, so I had to take a little detour and walk through the main road. This gave me a glimpse of the local life away from the tourist strip.

I eventually reached Balinghai Beach and then Punta Bunga Beach. I noticed that the organized boat tours use these spots as stopovers, so they can get crowded for thirty minutes and then empty out again. Watching the boats come and go, I felt a bit smug; I felt more like a local exploring on my own terms rather than being herded around on a schedule.

After working up an appetite, I headed back to the main road to grab some lunch. By then, my legs were feeling the distance, so I hailed one of the e-trikes again to reach the final beach at the northern tip of the island: Puka Shell Beach.

Souvenirs and Sunsets

As the name suggests, Puka Shell Beach isn’t made of fine powder like White Beach; it is full of small white crushed shells. The texture is coarser, but the beauty is undeniable. This is one of the most famous beaches in Boracay, and it feels much more raw and rugged.

You can find a lot of small eateries here, along with row after row of stalls on the roadside selling handmade jewelry and artifacts. They sell everything from shell necklaces to items made of coral. I saw many pieces featuring shark teeth, which looked impressive. However, I asked one of the locals about them, and he was honest with me: the shark teeth aren’t actually from Boracay but are brought in from nearby islands.

Another common item you see everywhere is jewelry made from what they call “snake bone.” It has a cool, segmented look. I obviously couldn’t resist and bought some as souvenirs to take home.

After a long day of walking and bargaining, I just wanted to chill. I took an e-trike back to my hostel, found a spot on the sand, and sat there to enjoy the sun going down. Boracay sunsets are legendary for a reason—the sky turns a fiery orangish. As expected, as soon as the sun dipped below the horizon, the night started turning loud again. People gathered at the local bars, music began filling the streets, and it was time for partying again.

The Verdict

Unfortunately, when I booked this trip, I didn’t think there would be that much to do here, so I had only planned a 2-day trip. The next morning, I had to pack up and leave for the airport.

Leaving was bittersweet. I felt like I had just scratched the surface. This is a place I want to come back to in the future for at least a week—just to chill, explore the spots I missed, and enjoy this beauty that truly looks like heaven on earth.