Boracay

Boracay is known as an island paradise because of its powder white beaches and crystal blue water, tropical palms and flowering plants, and a healthy marine life under the seas. Boracay is the Beach Capital of the Philippines and is one the major destinations / tourist spots in the world. In fact, Boracay is often called "the world's most beautiful tropical island."

Boracay is one of a cluster of islands of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is a small bone-shaped island located approximately 200 kilometers south of Manila. Boracay is part of the municipality of Malay in the province of Aklan. It is comprised of three barangays called the Manoc-Manoc, the Balabag, and the barangay of Yapak. Yapak lies in the north, Balabag in the center and Manoc-Manoc in the south. Within these barangays are smaller villages such as Angol, Manggayad and Bolabog. Boracay is under the administrative control of the Department of Tourism(DOT) in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan. Boracay island is only about seven kilometers long and 1083 hectares. The center of the Island, where the population of about 16,000 people(as of 2006), is concentrated, is flat and narrow. Both the Southern and northern ends of the island are wider and hilly, with the highest point, Mount Luho which is about 100 meters high is located in the northeast.

The total land area of the island is 1038.82 hectares divided into three distinct sections. These are the north-hills or the barangay Yapak hills containing an area of 182.20 hectares. The flat narrow stretch of sandy area separating the two hills measures 1.8 kilo meters reckoned from the foot of the hills. Barangay Yapak has the wildest cross-sections of 2.8 kilo meters measured perpendicular to the line running little less narrow measuring only 2.1 kilo meters. The best part of the island is its four-kilometer white beach situated at the west coast between Sitio Angol in Barangay Manoc-Manoc and Balabag This small island has become the prime destination in the Philippines and it is positioned as a sun-beach and holiday destination. Boracay Island is declared under Tourist Zone and Marine Reserve Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1801 dated Nov. 10, 1973 as amended by Executive Order No. 120 in January 1987. Boracay is well known to be one of Asia's finest beaches. But the island, for land use and conservation purposes, into 400 hectares of preserved forestland and 628.96 hectares of agricultural land.

There are several versions in the origin of the name Boracay. The most common version was the one that was derived from an old local word borac, meaning cotton, in reference to the white, cotton-like color and texture of Boracay's sand. Another version would be another local word bora which means bubbles and bocay for white, associated with the Atis' amazement at the resemblance of the white sand to water bubbles.

Another Legend has it that the name dates back to the time when Spaniards came ashore and picked up shells. Meeting with the Atis later, the Spaniards were told that Sigay is the name of those shells. When the Spaniards ask the Atis were planting, they were told boray, a certain vegetable seed. From boray and sigay came the name Boracay.

There are no airports on Boracay Island. The most convenient route by air is to fly by plane from the domestic airport in Manila or Cebu to Caticlan, an airport on the neighboring island of Panay. Alternatively, you can fly with Philippine Airlines from Manila domestic airport to Kalibo Airport, then take an air-conditioned bus from Kalibo to Caticlan. Once you reach the port of Caticlan, you can then take a boat to Boracay. Many travelers forget to note the difference in travel time when flying to Boracay and thinking that landing in Caticlan is like landing in Kalibo. Once you land in Caticlan, you are often in your resort within an hour of landing. You take a 10 minute drive to the port, a 20 minute boat ride to Boracay Island and then a short drive to your resort. Landing in Kalibo involves an additional 90-120 minute drive to the port of Caticlan, before spending another 20-30 minutes taking a small boat to Boracay Island and then driven to your resort.

Caticlan, the entry point for Boracay, can be reached also by private cars or air-conditioned buses, via the 'strong republic nautical highway', stretching from Batangas, Luzon, to Cagayan de Oro. On arrival in Caticlan, you can get a Jeepney or bus to Kalibo (two hours).

On the island, the two main modes of transport are via motor-tricycles along the main road or by walking along the beaches. Pedicabs are also available for transport along the Beachfront Path. Other means of transportation include mountain bikes, quadbikes and motorbikes, all of which can be rented. To explore around the island's coast, motorized bancas and sailing paraws are available for rent.