Boracay Info
Sirenna's Boracay Travel Guide
Off the beaten path
Secluded Beach
December 28, 2004.
Tribal Sail by sirenna
We sailed with the Red Pirates paraw (native sailing
boat) to Baling Hai Beach, a quiet little private beach
far removed from the busy White Beach. There are 4 or 5
little cottages on the hillside, and a small restaurant
at the top of the cliff serving lunches and fruit
shakes. If you don't fancy taking on all those steps
(there are a lot) your food and drinks will be lowered
down the cliff-side in a basket! This little beach is
very peaceful, and lovely for swimming and snorkelling.
You won't be bothered by vendors here as it's a private
beach. It's a greatplace to spend an afternoon - you
won't want to leave!
|
Crystal Cove
April 19, 2005.
C ave 1, Crystal Cove by sirenna
Hire a boat to take you to Crystal Cove, an island at
the southern end of Boracay. The main attraction is the
caves (there are two), but there is also a picnic spot,
a nice walking trail around the island and some good
look-out spots (bring a camera). For some reason,
someone has seen fit to construct possibly the ugliest
concrete animal statues you'll ever see at various
intervals along the trail. They are quite surreal. They
don't serve food, so you'll need a picnic and some cold
drinks. Bring your own, or ask your boatman to arrange
it for you.
Phone: Red Pirates: 036 288 5767
|
Dead Forest
May 25, 2005.
Dead Forest by sirenna
The Dead Forest was originally a mangrove swamp on the
eastern side of the island. It was created when a dam
that kept off the saltwater broke down, destroying the
swamp and killing off the mangroves that grew in it
(mangroves thrive in brackish water). The Dead Forest is
surrounded by old folk tales about ghosts and spirits.
Locals believe that supernatural occurrences take place
here, particularly on full moon nights. It's
surprisingly atmospheric, so be sure to bring a camera.
|
Panoly Beach
February 9, 2005.
Endangered Area! by sirenna
Who said Boracay is spoilt?! Could this be the next
White Beach? So far there is only one hotel on this
beautiful stretch of sand, and not too many people
around. Take a boat trip and bring a picnic. You can buy
drinks at the hotel bar but the prices are absolutely
ridiculous. Bring your own, and ask the boatman to stop
off at the far end of the beach. Red Pirates Sailing
tours organise outings to this beach. Find them 5
minutes south of boat station 3. UPDATE! This beach (and
neighbouring Punta Bunga beach) is about to be destroyed
by the Shangri-La hotel development. What a shame.
(5/18/2005)
Phone: Captain Joey (036) 288 5767
|
Barazula Beach
February 9, 2005.
Escape the Crowds by sirenna
This is a tiny little beach at the South end of the
island. Not usually frequented by daytrippers, it's a
nice place to go for a picnic. There are no bars,
restaurants or facilities there - even the little hut in
the picture doesn't exist any more. Bring everything you
need, and be sure to take all your trash home with you.
There is some pretty good snorkeling in this area too.
Take a sailing boat from Angol - contact Red Pirates,
Angol, near station 3.
Phone: 036 288 5767
|
Native Style Beach Bars
March 27, 2005.
Kiwi Phil's Bar by sirenna
This little place is almost at the end of the White
Beach. This part of the beach is much less crowded than
the rest of the White Beach, and there is a good
snorkeling area. Don't expect to be served cocktails
though - their drinks menu is quite limited! There are
also native style beach-front cottages for rent (P500
per night). ..............UPDATE! This place, along with
several neighbouring properties, is the latest of
Boracay's beauty spots to fall victim to the relentless
developers. The land has just been sold to a Korean
corporation, who are planning to build another concrete
carbuncle on it. Phil's Bar and Sababi have been torn
down and a barbed wire fence now stands in their place.
If you are planning to visit Boracay, better make it
soon..............12/10/15
|
Visit Mount Luho
February 26, 2005.
View from the Top by sirenna
Supposedly the highest point on the island, Mount Luho
affords some excellent views of Boracay and the
surrounding area. Buy a map from the tourist centre, and
you can hike or mountain bike to the site, or ask a
motorbike driver to take you there (in which case you
won't need the map). Refreshments are served at the top.
|
Carabao
September 3, 2005.
Carabao by sirenna
The carabao (Asian Water Buffalo) is supposed to be the
national animal of the Philippines, and if you or hiking
or biking around the island you may come across one
wallowing around in a muddy field. They are commonly
used in farming - as draught animals in rice fields -
and are sometimes eaten. |
|
|