Which is Higher? BORACAY Island Hopping Tour vs Land Tour (E-Trike)

Boracay could also be small, however it’s filled with points of interest that vacationers of all ages can take pleasure in. However not all guests have sufficient time or cash to expertise all of them. Generally, you’ll have to choose. One of the crucial frequent dilemma is choosing between a Boracay island hopping tour (by boat) and a Boracay land tour (by e-trike).

Let me preface this by saying that when you have ample funds and days, please be part of each excursions. Whereas they share one or two stops, these are two distinct experiences, presenting totally different sides of the island. That stated, every has its personal professionals and cons.

When you’ve got simply sufficient time and funds for only one, which must you take: the island hopping tour or the land tour? On this article, we’ll get right down to the nitty-gritty of every exercise, so you possibly can make a greater, extra knowledgeable choice.

BORACAY ISLAND HOPPING TOUR Itinerary & Costs

Though it’s doable to constitution a non-public boat for island hopping, the costs are steep. Therefore, most island hopping packages are group excursions, which implies you’ll be sharing the boat with different vacationers. Together with the remainder of the group, you’ll be following a set itinerary and you have to respect the schedule.

Island hopping in Boracay takes a complete day. In our case, we boarded the boat at round 8:00 AM and was again at White Seashore at 4:00 PM. The leaping off level is both at Station 1 (close to Astoria) or Station 3.

It often prices PHP 800-900 (USD 14.30-16.10) per particular person, inclusive of buffet lunch and use of swim masks (with out the snorkel) however unique of entrance charges. Sure, a few of the stops acquire an entrance price, which isn’t coated by the essential tour price.

Right here’s a abstract of the main points:

• Period: Full Day, round 8 hours
• Worth: P800-900 (inclusive of buffet lunch)
• Bounce-off level: Station 1 or 3

There are a lot of methods to e-book an island hopping tour. It’s provided by tour operators and touts at White Seashore. However should you really feel extra comfy transacting on-line otherwise you don’t wish to take care of touts on the seaside, chances are you’ll e-book with Klook, too!

✅ CHECK RATES OF ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!

Both approach, you’ll be becoming a member of a gaggle with different vacationers and the itineraries are very comparable. However the lunch and snorkeling stops fluctuate relying on the operator.

Beneath was our itinerary adopted by our most up-to-date island hopping tour, which we booked with a tout at Station 2.

Cease 1: Puka Seashore

Puka Seashore glazes the northern tip of Boracay. This was once a serene scene, however now a bit crowded, too, largely as a result of it’s way more accessible as of late. However, it’s nonetheless much more peaceable than Station 2 of White Seashore.

We got solely 40 minutes to remain right here. One of many actions that you could be take pleasure in right here is crystal kayaking, however I discourage you from doing it when on this tour. It takes 15-20 minutes, which is able to burn half of your time at Puka Seashore. When you actually wish to strive a crystal kayak, do it on one other event. Use your restricted time exploring the seaside as an alternative.

By way of composition, Puka is a combined seaside. Some elements are strewn with wonderful sand, however others have shells, which might be why it’s referred to as Puka. It encompasses a huge berm, which slopes dramatically into the waves, which might get fairly tough at instances, so watch out when swimming.

Cease 2: Snorkeling Website

Each island hopping tour additionally makes a cease at a snorkeling web site, which varies relying on the tour operator. Some boats moor off the coast of Crocodile Island, Tambisaan Seashore, or in our case Balinghai Seashore, close to the so-called Station Zero.

You don’t have to go snorkeling; it’s optionally available. However should you select to do it, you’ll must pay PHP 45 (USD 0.80) snorkeling price. No must pay this should you’re staying on the boat.

Don’t neglect to put on a life jacket. The present could be a bit further at instances. Higher secure than sorry.

Cease 3: Lunch

The lunch cease varies from operator to operator, however it’s often buffet-style (limitless). We had been dropped at Shingley Piknikan restaurant, near Tabon Port in mainland Caticlan. It was okay. Typical Pinoy fare, largely grilled and fried. However don’t count on something above common by way of taste or presentation.

Cease 4: Crystal Cove

Entrance Price: P300

Also called Laurel Island or Tiguatian Island, Crystal Cove is a 2-hectare resort greatest identified for its lookouts and caves. The positioning can also be dotted with a number of picture spots, some extra Instagram-worthy than others. There’s additionally a swimming spot.

By the way in which, Crystal Cove prices a P300 entrance price. When you choose to not enter, you’ll be able to spend the allotted hour simply chilling on the seaside. A small retailer sells coconuts for PHP 100 a bit and banana que (skewered deep fried bananas) for PHP 35 per stick.

From Crystal Cove, you possibly can additionally spot Magic Island.

Cease 5: Magic Island*

Entrance Price: P250

Sure, with asterisk as a result of to at the present time, I’m nonetheless undecided if excursions usually make a cease right here. The touts promoting island hopping packages often embody it within the checklist of websites to be visited, however we didn’t set foot right here. We solely obtained to see it from Crystal Cove. I’m undecided if it wasn’t actually part of our itinerary or our boat simply skipped it as a result of we ran out of time.

Anyway, Magic Island is best-known for its cliff leaping platforms. In case your group stops right here, an entrance price of PHP 250 have to be settled per particular person.

That’s about it. After over an hour at Crystal Cove, we had been ferried again to White Seashore. It’s possible you’ll choose to get off at Station 3 or Station 1.

Breakdown of Bills

An island hopping tour would usually price you PHP 1245 (USD 22.30) per particular person. That’s assuming you’re coming into Crystal Cove and skipping Magic Island like we did. Right here’s the breakdown:

• Fundamental island hopping tour with lunch: PHP 900 (USD 16.10)
• Snorkeling price: PHP 45 (USD 0.80)
• Crystal Cove entrance price: PHP 300 (USD 5.40)
• TOTAL: PHP 1245 (USD 22.30)

Clearly, this doesn’t embody any extra meals bills.

LAND TOUR Itinerary & Costs (E-Trike or Multi-Cab)

A Boracay land tour entails chartering an e-trike or a multi-cab to take you across the island. It’s typically referred to as “Island Tour” however on this article, to keep away from complicated it with island hopping, let’s simply name it “land tour”.

Not like island hopping excursions which comply with a set itinerary, land excursions provide you with full management of your time. Drivers have a recommended itinerary however finally it’s nonetheless as much as you. If you wish to skip a cease otherwise you want to keep longer at one other, it’s your name. In any case, you’re paying by the hour. Sure, by the hour.

Listed below are the Boracay land tour charges. These costs are PER VEHICLE, NOT PER PERSON.

• E-Trike Tour
  P500 per hour
  Most of 4 passengers
• Multi-cab Tour
  P700 per hour
  Most of 10 passengers

As you’ll be able to see, should you’re a part of a giant group, you’ll find yourself saving lots should you organize a multi-cab tour as an alternative of an e-trike. That’s what we did. We had been a gaggle of 9 (9), and the multi-cab may accommodate as much as 10 pax. The perfect half, we’re all collectively in only one car.

Most drivers provide a land tour service. It’s possible you’ll merely hail an e-trike or multi-cab within the streets. However if you would like referrals, these are the drivers that we employed and their corresponding contact numbers:

• E-TRIKE: Kuya Ambro
  +63 943 1304164
• MULTI-CAB: Kuya Bong
  +63 939 823 8198

I’m not affiliated to them in any approach. We simply loved their service.

Beneath is Kuya Bong’s recommended itinerary, which we adopted on our final Boracay journey.

Cease 1: Lugutan Mangrove Park

Generally referred to as Boracay Mangroves, the Lugutan Mangrove Park covers an hectare of shallow waters in Barangay Manoc-manoc, south of Bulabog Seashore. It was opened to the general public in 2012 with 2000 mangroves. I’m positive the quantity has grown lots since.

A wood boardwalk loops by means of and across the mangroves, making it a unbelievable picture spot. It’s additionally an amazing breather from the standard seaside points of interest.

Entrance Price: FREE. However registration is required. One consultant can register for the remainder of the group on the desk throughout the street from the mangroves.

Cease 2: Bulabog Seashore

Entrance Price: FREE.

Not too far-off from the mangroves lies Bulabog Seashore. Not like White Seashore, Bulabog isn’t blanketed with wonderful white sand. Its mattress is far coarser, rockier, and largely coated in seagrass. However it’s nonetheless fairly scenic. Vacationers drop by for IG-worthy snaps, particularly across the coconut bushes. One tree specifically has been a favourite amongst guests.

An enormous BORACAY signage now stands on the entrance to the seaside, which can also be an amazing picture spot.

Cease 3: Sinagpa Seashore, Lambros Level and Diniwid Seashore

Entrance Price: FREE.

Sure, three in a single.

Sinagpa Seashore refers back to the slender stretch separating White Seashore from Diniwid Seashore. It was additionally my first time listening to the title Sinagpa. In line with Kuya Bong, the time period is used largely by locals.

Observe the concrete walkway and it’ll lead you to a rocky cliff with a pure opening. That is what most vacationers are extra accustomed to. It’s referred to as Lambros Level. Behind it’s a picture of the Virgin Mary, a cliff-jumping web site, and the beautiful Diniwid Seashore!

Cease 4: Keyhole

Entrance Price: FREE.

The Keyhole, additionally referred to as Cujo’s Keyhole, is a pure arch situated close to Boracay newcoast in Barangay Yapak. Though the roads that result in it are inside non-public property, vacationers on e-trike or multi-cab tour are allowed entry.

You might need to queue up right here, however use the ready time to admire the adjoining seashores: Lapus-Lapus Seashore and Ilig-Iligan Seashore. Among the smaller coves now function non-public seashores of Newcoast.

A guard is in cost in maintaining issues so as. Guests are solely allowed as much as a sure line. Some elements are cordoned off for security causes.

There’s not a lot to do right here aside from taking a pic with the long-lasting arch within the background. When you’re not into selfies and photographs, this won’t be your cup of tea. However because it was near our subsequent cease, we selected to drop by anyway.

Cease 5: Puka Seashore

Entrance Price: FREE.

Sure, Puka Seashore is a part of mainland Boracay, so it’s also accessible by land. If something, getting right here by land is significantly better. Not like on island hopping excursions with a strict time restrict, should you go to by e-trike or multi-cab, you’ll be able to keep for so long as you need. And we advocate staying for at the very least an hour right here!

When you really feel such as you’ll be spending A LOT of time at Puka Seashore, you’ll be able to finish the tour proper right here. Simply take public transportation (shared e-trike) in your approach again to your resort. However should you’re in for only a fast go to, you’ll be able to ask the motive force to attend for you after which take you again to your resort after.

Whereas it’s not the tranquil area it was once, it’s nonetheless an amazing place to sit back. You may laze on a mat that you could “borrow” from enterprising locals. I say borrow in citation marks as a result of they place the mats within the shade and allow you to use them without spending a dime, however you’re anticipated to order drinks from them. You may order from their menu of juices, shakes, and cocktails. Some additionally provide crystal kayak companies at a a lot decrease price, PHP 150 per 15-20 minutes. At White Seashore, it often prices PHP 250 for a similar length.

Souvenirs and trinkets are additionally less expensive right here than the shops at White Seashore! And in case your tummy is grumbling at this level, you’ll be glad to know that its entrance is flanked by eateries and road meals kiosks.

Breakdown of Bills

We spent 5 (5) hours doing the land tour, greater than an hour of which was spent at Puka Seashore. At PHP 700 per hour, the entire price was PHP 3500. We had been a gaggle of 9, so we paid PHP 388.89 per particular person. (Though I truly paid for every thing as a result of this was my deal with to my household.)

It may nonetheless go decrease should you’re a celebration of 10 as a result of the per-person price would fall to solely PHP 350.

• Land Tour for 10 pax (5 hours): PHP 3500 (USD 62.70)
• Entrance Charges: NONE
• Crystal kayak at Puka Seashore: PHP 150 for 15-20 minutes (USD 2.70)
• Drinks at Puka seaside: Round PHP 200 (USD 3.60)

Which is healthier?

The land tour is a significantly better deal than the island hopping tour for 3 major causes:

• Affordability. Land tour is less expensive, at solely PHP 125 per particular person if utilizing e-trike, a lot a lot decrease than the PHP 900 primary price for an island hopping tour. The land tour stops are additionally accessible for FREE, whereas most stops on the boat tour prices an entrance price.
• Flexibility. On land tour, you’ve gotten full management of your itinerary and time, versus island hopping excursions that implement a strict schedule and restricted time per cease.
• Consolation and accessibility. The island hopping tour is way more exhausting and difficult for seniors and PWDs. It’s fairly tough to board the boat particularly when the waves are sturdy. Multicabs and e-trikes are a lot friendlier to vacationers with mobility points.

So sure, when you have time and funds for only one exercise, I like to recommend doing the land tour. However in any other case, attempt to expertise each excursions!

And once more, should you resolve to e-book an island hopping tour, you possibly can help this weblog by reserving it utilizing the Klook hyperlink beneath!

✅ BOOK ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!

High Boracay Lodges for Teams/Household

Touring with household or barkada? Right here’s an inventory of properties in Boracay which have rooms that may accommodate teams of 4 or extra.

Seek for extra Boracay Hotels!

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2023 11 9 – First up