Boracay, Philippines – A Paradise for Watersports
Boracay is a ten square miles island right in the heart of the exotic Philippines archipelago. Despite the relatively small size the island has much to offer and a vacation would not be complete without water sports. Totally unspoilt this is a true water sports paradise with great bar life and chill out places are second to none.
An outrigger canoe over the clear waters of White Island, Boracay. Photo by chjab
The stunning waters of Boracay allows for all kinds of water activities, from the cheap banana boat to parasailing, snorkeling, and diving.
The Flying Fish boat ride is one of the most enjoyable activities you can do. For sheer excitement and fun, few watersports activities can compare to it. The Flying Fish is an air-cushioned craft intended for smooth surfaces and is mainly used water. The thrill comes from the fact that the flying fish is towed by a speedboat (just imagine riding a huge floater while being dragged by an over speeding driver). Besides the fast pace of the Flying Fish, you’ll have to be careful of the waves. They make the ride so bumpy that you’ll have to hold on for dear life! The result is simply unbelievable — the smallest duration spent on this boat-ride makes for a truly memorable occasion. This is the most extreme form of adventure sports that visitors can expect in Boracay.
The banana boat ride is definitely the activity you don’t want to miss out on. This is a fantastic activity for family and friends. Jump on a six person inflatable boat and have more fun than you ever imagined. If you didn’t fall it’s for free!
Parasailing in Boracay. Photo by Vilson V. Venezuela
Boracay doesn’t have an airport of its own, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fly around the island. You can take wing for at least fifteen minutes when you go parasailing above Boracay. Parasailing is one of the most exciting activities on the island wherein a person is towed behind a boat while attached to a specially designed canopy wing that reminds one of a parachute known as parasail wing. The boat then drives off, carrying the parascender or wing and person into the air. You can bring a camera to capture the moment, but be sure to inform the handlers beforehand, as some parasail operators like to slow down and “dip” their guests in the water.
Cliff diving at Ariel’s Point. Photo by Eisen Jiao
How about jumping from a cliff with a group of tourists seeking for an adrenaline rush while having their vacations in Boracay? There is only one cliff diving location around the island. It is known as Ariel’s Point and is the perfect daytime spot for adventure junkies. Jump off a cliff as low as 3 meters or as high as 15 meters!
If you don’t want to go cliff jumping, you can always hang out and snorkel in the crystal clear water, kayak around, or just relax and watch the action.
Kites on Bulabog beach. Photo by Anastasia Zhebyuk
Boracay is one of Asia’s premier kiteboarding and windsurfing destinations. Windsurfing is more popular in Boracay because it is a bit safer than kiteboarding and maybe a bit easier to learn. Bulabog beach is the main windsurfing spot on the island. The bottom is a mixture of sand, sea grass and rocks with the odd sea urchin thrown in for good measure. It is an ideal spot for anyone from beginner to advanced freestyle / slalom sailor. It is fairly shallow, so ideal for learning to beach start and waterstart.
The best time for kitesurfing and windsurfing is during the Amihan season, which lasts from early November until mid-April, when the weather is warm and dry with steady wind conditions.
Skimboarding is another exciting activity to try in Boracay. It is one of those watersports activities that is rapidly gaining a strong following. Skimboarding is a boardsport in which a skimboard (a smaller counterpart to a surfboard without fins) is used to glide across the water’s surface. Unlike surfing, skimboarding begins on the beach by dropping the board onto the thin wash of previous waves. Skimboarders use their momentum to ‘skim’ out to breaking waves, which they then catch back into shore in a manner similar to surfing. Skimboarding should be second nature to you, if you are a surfer or a skateboarder back home, as the sport’s feature is a combination of surfing and skateboarding.
Skimboards are available for rent at several places along White Beach. This particular Boracay is the ideal place to do skimboarding because of its very flat beach area which gives a rider a longer and pleasant ride. Be sure to hire an expert to teach you to do the skills.
Ever wonder what it feels like to walk on the ocean floor? Helmet diving is the easiest and most comfortable way to explore Boracay’s pristine underwater world. Explore the ocean bed to witness the activity for yourself, first hand. The best time to do this activity is early in the morning when the ocean is quiet and not so wavy or in the afternoon when the ocean is calm.
Boracay is more famous for its beautiful beaches than for its diving. However Philippines has one of the most diverse underwater ecosystems in the world and Boracay’s waters are no different. There are about 25 dive sites around the island accessible by a short boat ride. There are shallow and easy spots where you can observe the colourful reef life and stunning coral with parrot fishes, damsel fishes and turtles. It is also possible to enjoy relaxing night dives directly from the beach!
Boat trips on a sunset. Photo by Lachlan Fearnley
The calm seas are perfect for cruises and excursions and a visit to Boracay is not complete without going for an island-hopping tour. The island tour itinerary typically includes snorkelling for an hour at Crocodile Island and heading over to other island(s) (depending on the arrangement with the tour operator). Crocodile Island is one of the Philippines’ finest snorkeling spots, featuring a wide variety of marine life and depths that are suitable to explorers of all levels of experience.
Boracay is awesome! It’s the ideal place for water sports and you will never want to leave the island!
