Content Editor
March 17, 2023

Now that COVID-19 pandemic eases and restrictions are no longer that tight, we can finally go on vacations once again and experience the breeze that summer offers. It has been two years since then, and lockdowns sure made us miss the beach. While we’re at it, planning where to spend the next long weekend this summer as early as now is necessary to help you prepare itineraries ahead of time. There are many things we can recommend putting on your bucket list, but if you are dreaming of visiting a tropical paradise that would make your first post-covid summer vacation worthwhile, then you have to put every traveler’s dream destination first on your list–Boracay. 

 

Boracay Island is less than an hour away from Manila by plane, in the Western Visayas region of the country which is known for its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, majestic panoramic view, and a lively nightlife. Although it is just a small island, it has captured tourists’ hearts with its abundant people in it, hence the flora and fauna and its diverse marine life. To maximize your stay at this island, you should not miss out on trying their island hopping tour to witness firsthand Boracay’s pristine and breathtaking beaches. 

Since there are various, thrilling activities to unpack at Boracay, tourists love to consider island hopping tours because not only this allows you to have a glimpse of several postcard and IG-worthy sites, but it also lets you experience parasailing, caving, snorkeling, helmet diving, and many more water sports activities even if you are not a pro. It’s definitely one for the books if you’re looking for an all-in-one vacation trip for you and your loved ones!

 

Boracay Island Hopping: 5 Spots to Include in Your Itineraries

 

Crystal Cove 

 

Image from Hotels.com Philippines

 

Crystal Cove has become one of the popular island hopping stops in Boracay, considering its principal attractions–two coves and a cave that have picturesque rock formations. Some activities you can do here are trekking, swimming, snorkeling, fish and pigeon feeding, and cave exploration.  On top of this, you can also have the best view of the island by going to the huts overlooking the splash of vast waves and the clear blue water surrounding the area. Not to mention the natural swimming pool they have where you can take a dip! Although some island hopping package tours already include the entrance fee to get here, Crystal Cove Island Resort typically asks for a PHP 300 entrance fee per person. 

 

Puka Beach

 

Image from TripAdvisor

 

Located 15-20 minutes from Piknikan Island, you can reach Yapak Beach, also called Puka Beach, because of its crushed, shiny puka shells mixed along with the white sand. If you prefer a calm scenery away from the crowd, then Puka Beach definitely is the one for you as it is much more secluded than other island hopping destinations. This 800-meter shoreline tropical haven is surrounded with coconut trees, and at dusk, you can spot flying foxes (very big bats) across the cliff. Since it is secluded, you can only see some local vendors that sell souvenirs made from its very own Puka shells. However, as much as you want to enjoy Puka Beach, you may need to be extra careful, especially if you do not know how to swim as the water current can get rough at times and it gets deep fast. 

 

Magic Island

 

Image from Scotty's Action Sports Network

 

If you’re leaning more into the fun and adventure side of the trip, you would love Magic Island, a popular cliff-diving spot located in the quiet southern part of the Moalboal peninsula. Similar to Boracay, this island is also one of a tropical escapade for adventure-seekers. Fret not, it is a dive-friendly attraction  with five diving heights that start from 1m and gradually go up to 10m. It may sound scary, but it is a beginner friendly diving spot because tides are steady and water visibility is high. Besides this, tourists can also do snorkeling and fishing. 

 

Crocodile Island

 

Image froom Living  + Nomads

 

Your Boracay escapade wouldn’t be complete without seeing the majestic underwater treasures. Though this Island is named after a crocodile, there is nothing to be scared of as it’s only named after it because the island’s features look and form exactly like a crocodile! Your tour guide will only let you see the view from afar, but you can also do some activities like snorkeling and scuba diving to witness diverse underwater coral reefs and fishes. More than that, you may also want to feed the fishes with a piece of bread! 

 

Piknikan Island

 

Got hungry of all these? To cap off your ultimate Boracay experience, your tour guide will take you to Piknikan Island, a famous island that gathers tourists to have mouthwatering lunch! With its freshly caught variety of seafood and its vibrant fruits and vegetables along with it, surely you’ll experience a real tropical island vibe!

 

Creating Your Island Hopping Itinerary

 

It is always a good thing to plan ahead of time to get productive and to ensure that there is sufficient time to discover and explore Boracay’s hidden gems. While we do know how tiring this can get, it is always a good idea to start your tour early in the morning in order for you to maximize your trip, given the amount of tourists Boracay has, especially this coming summer season. Here’s a sample tour itinerary for you if you plan to go island hopping!

 

• 9:00 AM - Pick up from hotel where you stay to the activity site

• 9:30 AM - Travel from the activity site to first island stop (Crystal Cove)

• 10:00 AM - Activities and sightseeing (approximately 1 hour)

• 11:00 AM - Travel from Crystal Cove to Puka Beach 

• 11:15 AM - Snorkeling and sightseeing at Puka Beach (Approximately 1 hour)

• 12: 15 PM - Travel to Piknikan Island (lunch area)

• 12: 30 PM - Lunch (Approximately 1 hour)

• 1:30 PM - Travel to Crocodile Island 

• 1:45 PM - Crocodile Island Activities (approximately 1 hour)

• 2: 45 PM - Travel to last island stop, Magic Island

• 3: 00 PM - Cliff-diving activities and fishing/snorkeling (approximately 1 hour)

• 4:00 PM - Travel back to activity site and hotel 

 

 

Image from Vista Residences

 

Island Hopping: How Much Does it Cost in Boracay?

 

Boracay Island Hopping tour rates may vary depending on the season, but it starts from PHP 1,038 - if you prefer a shared tour to PHP 2,625 if you prefer a private one. Thus, if you want to have an all-out experience, Boracay island hopping tours through private yachts and cruises start from PHP 8,750 to PHP 11, 250. 

 

Other fees NOT INCLUDED in the package are the following:

 

• PHP 20.00 - snorkeling fee per person

• PHP 50.00 - environmental fee

• PHP 300 - Crystal Cove fee per person (if not part of the package)

• PHP 1,200 - Helmet dive (for 15 minutes)

 

And we’re all set! Boracay Island Hopping tour sure is the best way to kick-off your first (after two years) summer vacation trip. Yet, manage your expectations as large crowds of tourists, travelers, and locals may pile up due to the long summer weekend! Anyhow, don't miss the chance to relax and have fun living up to every traveler’s dream destination and start packing your tropical island essentials now.