Boracay Activities Guide – the 20+ Best Things To Do in Boracay

In this Boracay Activities Guide, we cover all the best things to do in Boracay Island, including:

• The overall top 10 things to do in Boracay
• the best things to do in Boracay at night
• the best Boracay activities for kids
• the best free things to do in Boracay on a budget

Boracay Activities Guide

Top Things to Do in Boracay Philippines – Our 10 All-Time Favorite Boracay Activities

White Beach – The Most Popular Thing to Do in Boracay

As Boracay’s largest beach and most popular attraction, you absolutely cannot miss White Beach. The 4 km stretch of snow-colored sand consists of three sections, conveniently named Station 1, Station 2, and Station 3. The heart of everything on Boracay Island lies within Station 2. There you’ll find a bunch of mid-range resorts, restaurants, activities, and Boracay’s biggest shopping area — D’Mall. There’s no dividing line between sections, and Station 1 differs from its sibling only slightly. It’s a tad less noisy, its resorts are more high-end, and the beach remains shallow for much further out into the sea. It’s also home to Boracay’s most iconic landmark — Willy’s Rock (pictured with Adventure Dragon above). Station 3 is the quietest of all three sections, has deeper waters, and houses many budget hotels.

Behold a Boracay Sunset – The Most Romantic Thing to Do in Boracay

Sometimes there’s moments in life where you just want to put down your phone and be in the moment. Boracay sunsets are like that. The island has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, and even pictures can’t truly capture the wonder you feel when you experience it in person. We were so swept away by the moment that we didn’t even take our own pictures, in fact, so we’re providing you with a lovely image straight from wiki commons (cue eye roll now). White Beach sunsets are particularly known for its paraw boats that become sillhoueted against the horizon as they cross the sea at dusk. It’s part of what makes this location so magical, and you’re certain to witness it while you’re here.

Get Active | Boracay Water Activities for All Ages

In Boracay, there’s a water activity suited for everyone. You just have to find your perfect match. Whether you’re young, old, a physically fit adrenaline junkie, or a laid back individual who prefers more leisurely water activities, the island has found an answer to whatever it is your heart seeks.

• Kitesurfing at Bulabog Beach – Bulabog Beach is known for its kiteboarding, and they even have schools that offer lessons for tourists who’d like to learn. For more information on Bulabog, head over to our beaches article here.
• Cliff Diving at Ariel’s Point – Ariel’s Point contains five different cliff diving platforms of various heights — 3 meters (10 feet), 5 meters (16 feet), 6 meters (20 feet), 7 meters (23 feet), and a whopping 15 meters (49 feet) distance above the water. Tickets can be purchased online or in-person and include a boat cruise to the cliff, a barbecue lunch, snacks, unlimited beverages (including beer and mixed drinks), cliff diving, kayaking, snorkeling, and a souvenir bracelet. Guests staying at the Boracay Beach Club receive a discounted rate of 2,000 PHP per person (normally 2,500 PHP).

• Mermaid Lessons and Photoshoots – This is probably one of the best things to do in Boracay with kids, but we won’t tell if you secretly want to try it out yourself. (Yes, there are plenty of grown ups who sign up for these mermaiding lessons.) So if you or your little ones have ever dreamed of being Ariel, head on over to the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy to learn how to be a part of that world. *Dinglehopper not included.
• Parasailing – See aerial views of Boracay Island while harnessed into a parachute as it’s towed behind a motorboat
• Paraw Sailing – For a small fee, local sailors take tourists on rides aboard their double outrigger sailboats.  Tours typically last about an hour and can carry up to six people. Paraw sailing is one of the most popular Boracay activities to experience at sunset. It’s also fun on windy days because the boat will carry you at high speeds over the waves like a roller coaster.
• Scuba Diving and Snorkeling – You’ll find lots of opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving across the numerous beaches in Boracay.
• Banana Boat Rides / Fly Fish Rides – Ride the waves at fast speeds on these inflatable rafts that are pulled behind speed boats. The Fly Fish is similar to the Banana Boat raft except it becomes airborne at high speeds.

Get Silly with Statues – a Boracay Scavenger Hunt

We’re pretty sure that we’re the first “Things to Do in Boracay” list to add statue play time to the top of the list. In fact, we’ve never seen statues mentioned AT ALL in any of the Boracay activity guides we’ve ever read. And that’s okay. Because we had fun. And Dragon had a blast making new friends (please don’t tell him that statues don’t count as real friends. It’s hard for dragons to make friends, okay?) If you’d like to play, we won’t spoil the fun on where to find all these lovely works of art. But here’s a hint– start by exploring the restaurants and shops around White Beach. You’re bound to run into some of these silent friends scattered throughout the island.

Climb Mt Luho – See the Entire Island from Boracay’s Highest Peak

From the bamboo viewing deck atop Boracay’s highest peak, you’ll enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of the entire Boracay Island. It’s a pretty easy walk to the top, so if you’re not much of a hiking person, don’t let that stop you. You’ll also encounter monkeys and various birds near Mount Luho’s summit, and there’s even a zipline — the Mount Luho Zipline Adventure.

Boracay Restaurants and Markets

Boracay Food and Restaurants You Must Try at least Once:

• Jonah’s Fruitshake – a White Beach Station 1 hotspot famous for its yummy fresh fruit smoothies
• D’Talipapa – a wet market in White Beach Station 2 where you can buy fresh seafood. You should check this place out even if you don’t plan to buy any seafood (just so you can experience the local markets). And if you DO decide to purchase, you can take your selection to a nearby restaurant and have them cook it for you.
• Boracay Restaurants with Authentic Filipino Food – Skip the overly touristy restaurants and head to one of the smaller restaurants or fast food joints that serve authentic Filipino dishes. At Mang Inasal, we love the Spicy Paa (flame-grilled chicken thigh) with rice. The sweetly marinated chicken comes with a small side of soy sauce, chili, and a kalamansi (small citrus fruit similar to a lime) that you squeeze into the sauce and eat with the meat. The rice also has unlimited refills, and the entire meal with a drink costs only 109 PHP. You can find it inside D’Mall in Station 2 White Beach.
• Street Food Vendors – Skewered chicken is an especially popular street food in the Philippines, and you’ll find vendors selling it everywhere you go in Boracay. In addition to the meat parts that you’re familiar with eating, you might also be shocked to see chicken intestines, chicken feet, and even coagulated chicken blood skewered on sticks and sold to passersby on the street. It’s a peculiar taste if you’ve never experienced it before, but if you’re up for trying new things, give it a taste.
• Balut for the Brave – If you’re feeling especially brave, try Balut while you’re in the Philippines. This popular Filipino snack is made from hard boiling a fertilized, partially developed bird (usually duck) egg and then eating it from the shell after first sucking all the juices out. I haven’t tried this one yet myself, so here’s a gif of my buddy Justin trying one on his trip to Boracay with Adventure Dragon: (coming soon)

Explore Boracay Island’s Other Beaches

Everyone knows about White Beach (it’s probably the main reason you’re visiting Boracay Island), but not everyone is aware that Boracay has over a dozen total beaches for you to fall in love with. Each has its own special characteristic and beloved feature for which it’s well known. So you can find a beach to best fit your personality. We’ve got an entirely separate post that details all the different types of beaches (complete with pictures). You can check that out here if you’re interested, but here’s a brief summary:

• Diniwid Beach – the Laid Back White Sand Beach
• Puka Shell Beach – the Seashell Beach
• Bulabog Beach – the Kitesurfing Beach
• Tambisaan Beach – the Snorkeling Beach
• Cagban Beach and Jetty Port – the Island Hopping Portal
• Ilig Iligan Beach – the Boating and Adventure Beach
• Tulubhan Beach – the Locals Beach
• Balinghai Beach – the Beach that Disappears at High Tide
• Punta Bunga Beach – a Gorgeous Hidden Beach
• Banyugan Beach – Another Gorgeous Hidden Beach
• Lapuz Lapuz Beach – Hidden Beach #3
• Manoc Manoc Beach – the Beach Full of Supply Boats and Locals

Related: Boracay Beaches Guide – the Best Beaches in Boracay that are Free, Popular, Hidden, Secret, and More

Hop on a Tricycle

You could argue that a mode of transport can’t count as a top activity in Boracay, but I’d have to disagree. If you’re from the United States (like us) or another nation where getting around by tricycle isn’t common, then I recommend giving this unique experience a shot.

Stay in a Beachfront Boracay Hotel

Some of the nicer hotels hide their own private, exclusive beaches that are obscured from the rest of the island by large rocks or boulders jutting out into the sea and acting as natural barriers to keep the beach perfectly enclosed. If staying at a secret beach tickles your fancy, you’ll want to check out Fairways and Bluewater Resort (pictured), Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa, or Balinghai Beach Resort. If you’d rather stay near restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and beach activities, then the beachfront hotels along White Beach won’t let you down. Sur Beach Resort and The District Boracay are some of our favorites, but you can view a list of all hotels along White Beach here.

Sample the Boracay Nightlife

After its white sandy beaches and turquoise sea, Boracay’s next best known for its exciting nightlife. You can take your pick from a long strip of beachfront clubs and bars, or pull up a chair and watch the fire dancers perform right on the beach. (For more information on the best clubs and bars to visit, see our “Best Things to Do in Boracay at Night” section on this page below.)

Best Things to Do in Boracay at Night

Popular Nighttime Boracay Activities –

• Savor the sunsets – We’ve already mentioned the spectacular Boracay sunsets above, but we don’t mind saying it again– go watch the sunsets. It’ll be one of your favorite things to do, and you won’t regret it. Go watch the sunsets.
• Evening paraw sailing with the setting sun – Sunset sailboat rides are one of the most popular activities on Boracay Island.
• Fire dance shows on the beach – Once the sun goes down, the lights come out. Fire dancers perform on the beach every night, and you’ll see everything from fire hooping and juggling to fire breathing and eating. Souvenir photos with fire dancers are also common.
• Relax at the Bars
• Party at the Clubs

Best Bars in Boracay

• Coco Bar – popular bar that changes color, alternating between red and blue every half hour or so
• Exit Bar – bar popular with the wind and kitesurfing crowd
• Nigi Nigi Nu Noos Bar – popular daytime sports bar
• Red Pirates Pub – a relaxed, chill bar in Station 3 (that may or may not get extra bonus points because it’s named after pirates)

Best Clubs in Boracay

• Cocomangas – famous for its 15 Shots Challenge
• Epic – popular club right in front of the beach and next to D’Mall in the center of Boracay

Boracay Activities for Kids

Although Boracay remains a favorite vacation spot among the young single crowd, there’s plenty of fun things for families and people with kids to enjoy on the island. Some of our favorite Boracay Activities for Kids (and kids at heart) include –

• Ride the ferris wheel in the middle of D’Mall
• Play in the shallow water of Station 1 White Beach –  In Station 1, the water remains shallow for far out into the ocean, so it’s a particularly great (and safe) play spot for kids
• Eat for free – kids eat free at the buffets lining beach in evenings
• Admire the professionally built sandcastles and then attempt to build your own
• Scavenger hunt for statues (see above)
• Mermaid Lessons
• Go Ziplining
• Go Zorbing

Best Free Things to Do in Boracay on a Budget

You can have a holiday on Boracay Island without spending much money at all. In fact, many of the top activities listed in this guide will cost you absolutely nothing at all. The majority of Boracay’s beaches have no entrance fee, for example, so you can enjoy them completely for free. And there are even budget options for food and accommodation. Here’s what we recommend:

Free Boracay Activities:

• Explore Boracay’s free public beaches – You can learn more about all of Boracay’s beaches in our guide here.
• Watch the gorgeous Boracay sunsets – We’ve talked endlessly about the island’s sunsets already, but in case you’ve missed it, just scroll back up and check out the photo. Nature performs some of the best shows, and admission to this one is absolutely free.
• Take selfies with sandcastles – photo ops with sand sculptures that spell out Boracay with the current date
• Stroll through the markets
• Check out Willy’s Rock
• Watch the fire dance shows
• Photograph the kites at Bulabog Beach

Budget Accommodation:

• Station 3 White Beach is the place to stay if you’re looking for budget hotels.
• We love the Greenyard Inn and the Blue Coral Resort