Boracay Overview   

Boracay Island is a great place for just lazing around. Iis a small, beautiful island surrounded by coral reefs and located one km north-west of Panay Island in the Visayas archipelago of the Philippines. It is seven km long and one km wide at its narrowest point.

Sheltered from the fierce easterly typhoons, Boracay has managed to pack its thousand-hectare area with all the elements of a tropical paradise - crystal blue waters, powder white sand, liberal doses of tropical palms and flowering plants, and a healthy marine life underneath the sea.

The island is made up of three communities: Yap in the north, Balabag in the middle, and Manoc- manoc in the south. Hilly elevations up to 100 meters above sea level characterize Yapak and Manoc-manoc. Intertwining trails link the small villages and sometimes lead to lush tropical jungles. Public transportation is relatively scarce and walking or cycling tends to be the norm.

Before the middle of 1980s, it was known only to a limited numbers of sea farers. Now many tourists visit from all over the world are attracted by the world renowned beach plus the underwater splendours only a short swim away.

Nowadays marine sports on the island are plentiful as are the hotels and resorts of international standard, shops and other facilities though they are generally hidden behind coconut trees so tend to only be seen once you venture inside the island itself.

Visitors are expected to respect the serene quality of the place, and pay tribute to native Boracaynons by behaving according to local behavioural codes-which means no nudity, no fighting, and no loud noises or raucous behaviour.

High season is from November to the end of May and low season from June to October. Accommodation availability depends on the seasons and if planning on visiting, guests are advised to book early as due to the island's popularity the hotels fill fast.

Not surprisingly, the culinary fare on Boracay is as diverse as the nationalities of its guests. French, Australian, Belgian, German, Spanish and Thai-they're all here next to the native cuisine.

Go for a swim in the sea or canter along the beaches on horseback. Play an exciting game of volleyball, get on an outrigger and sail to the other side of the island. Swim over to the floating bar and cool off with a cocktail or go from one beach to another and enjoy the easy-going atmosphere.

Boracay offers visitors a true break from the rigors of life in the fast lane and if you are looking for the perfect place to really get away from it all, Boracay is it!

Climate

The Northeast monsoon and the Southwest monsoon dictate much of Boracay's climate. In November the Northeast monsoon, called 'Amihan', starts with pleasant fresh winds and lasts till early February. Temperatures in these months range from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius. Occasional rain showers can make the nights quite cool (22 degrees C.)

From March till June it is summertime. During this period hot, sunny days and nights prevail with the occasional thunderstorm to cool things down a bit. Temperatures range from 28 to 38 degrees Celsius.

July to October is the time of the Southwest monsoon, called 'Habagat'. This is the wettest season of the year. The rains though don't persist long and it's rarely long before the sun is shining again. August is often very sunny and humid.