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

Boracay could also be small, however it’s filled with sights that vacationers of all ages can get pleasure from. However not all guests have sufficient time or cash to expertise all of them. Typically, you’ll have to select. One of the widespread 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 if in case you have ample funds and days, please be a part of each excursions. Whereas they share one or two stops, these are two distinct experiences, presenting completely different sides of the island. That stated, every has its personal professionals and cons.

When you have simply sufficient time and finances for only one, which do you have to take: the island hopping tour or the land tour? On this article, we’ll get all the way down to the nitty-gritty of every exercise, so you might make a greater, extra knowledgeable choice.

BORACAY ISLAND HOPPING TOUR Itinerary & Costs

Though it’s doable to constitution a personal 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 could 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 Seaside at 4:00 PM. The leaping off level is both at Station 1 (close to Astoria) or Station 3.

It normally prices PHP 800-900 (USD 14.30-16.10) per individual, inclusive of buffet lunch and use of swim masks (with out the snorkel) however unique of entrance charges. Sure, a number of the stops acquire an entrance charge, which isn’t lined by the fundamental tour charge.

Right here’s a abstract of the main points:

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

There are numerous methods to e book an island hopping tour. It’s provided by tour operators and touts at White Seaside. However should you really feel extra snug 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 manner, you’ll be becoming a member of a gaggle with different vacationers and the itineraries are very comparable. However the lunch and snorkeling stops differ 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 Seaside

Puka Seaside glazes the northern tip of Boracay. This was a serene scene, however now a bit crowded, too, principally as a result of it’s rather more accessible as of late. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless much more peaceable than Station 2 of White Seaside.

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

When it comes to composition, Puka is a combined seaside. Some components are strewn with fantastic sand, however others have shells, which might be why it’s known as Puka. It encompasses a extensive berm, which slopes dramatically into the waves, which may 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 website, which varies relying on the tour operator. Some boats moor off the coast of Crocodile Island, Tambisaan Seaside, or in our case Balinghai Seaside, close to the so-called Station Zero.

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

Don’t overlook to put on a life jacket. The present generally is a bit additional at instances. Higher secure than sorry.

Cease 3: Lunch

The lunch cease varies from operator to operator, but it surely’s normally buffet-style (limitless). We had been delivered to Shingley Piknikan restaurant, near Tabon Port in mainland Caticlan. It was okay. Typical Pinoy fare, principally grilled and fried. However don’t anticipate something above common when it comes to taste or presentation.

Cease 4: Crystal Cove

Entrance Payment: P300

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

By the best way, Crystal Cove expenses a P300 entrance charge. When you choose to not enter, you possibly can spend the allotted hour simply chilling on the seaside. A small retailer sells coconuts for PHP 100 a chunk and banana que (skewered deep fried bananas) for PHP 35 per stick.

From Crystal Cove, you might additionally spot Magic Island.

Cease 5: Magic Island*

Entrance Payment: P250

Sure, with asterisk as a result of to today, I’m nonetheless unsure if excursions usually make a cease right here. The touts promoting island hopping packages normally embody it within the record of websites to be visited, however we didn’t set foot right here. We solely bought to see it from Crystal Cove. I’m unsure 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 charge of PHP 250 have to be settled per individual.

That’s about it. After over an hour at Crystal Cove, we had been ferried again to White Seaside. Chances are 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 individual. That’s assuming you’re getting into Crystal Cove and skipping Magic Island like we did. Right here’s the breakdown:

• Primary island hopping tour with lunch: PHP 900 (USD 16.10)
• Snorkeling charge: PHP 45 (USD 0.80)
• Crystal Cove entrance charge: 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 known as “Island Tour” however on this article, to keep away from complicated it with island hopping, let’s simply name it “land tour”.

In contrast to island hopping excursions which observe a set itinerary, land excursions offer you full management of your time. Drivers have a recommended itinerary however in the end 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 here 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 possibly can see, should you’re a part of a giant group, you’ll find yourself saving loads should you prepare 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 most effective half, we’re all collectively in only one automobile.

Most drivers supply a land tour service. Chances are you’ll merely hail an e-trike or multi-cab within the streets. However in order for you 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 manner. 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

Typically known as Boracay Mangroves, the Lugutan Mangrove Park covers an hectare of shallow waters in Barangay Manoc-manoc, south of Bulabog Seaside. It was opened to the general public in 2012 with 2000 mangroves. I’m certain the quantity has grown loads since.

A picket boardwalk loops by means of and across the mangroves, making it a improbable picture spot. It’s additionally an incredible breather from the same old seaside sights.

Entrance Payment: 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 Seaside

Entrance Payment: FREE.

Not too distant from the mangroves lies Bulabog Seaside. In contrast to White Seaside, Bulabog isn’t blanketed with fantastic white sand. Its mattress is far coarser, rockier, and principally lined in seagrass. However it’s nonetheless fairly scenic. Vacationers drop by for IG-worthy snaps, particularly across the coconut bushes. One tree particularly has been a favourite amongst guests.

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

Cease 3: Sinagpa Seaside, Lambros Level and Diniwid Seaside

Entrance Payment: FREE.

Sure, three in a single.

Sinagpa Seaside refers back to the slim stretch separating White Seaside from Diniwid Seaside. It was additionally my first time listening to the identify Sinagpa. In response to Kuya Bong, the time period is used principally by locals.

Comply with the concrete walkway and it’ll lead you to a rocky cliff with a pure opening. That is what most vacationers are extra conversant in. It’s known as Lambros Level. Behind it’s a picture of the Virgin Mary, a cliff-jumping website, and the beautiful Diniwid Seaside!

Cease 4: Keyhole

Entrance Payment: FREE.

The Keyhole, additionally known 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 personal 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 Seaside and Ilig-Iligan Seaside. A few of the smaller coves now function personal seashores of Newcoast.

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

There’s not a lot to do right here apart 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 Seaside

Entrance Payment: FREE.

Sure, Puka Seaside is a part of mainland Boracay, so it is usually accessible by land. If something, getting right here by land is significantly better. In contrast to on island hopping excursions with a strict time restrict, should you go to by e-trike or multi-cab, you possibly can keep for so long as you need. And we advocate staying for a minimum of an hour right here!

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

Whereas it’s not the tranquil area it was, it’s nonetheless an incredible place to sit back. You may laze on a mat that you would be able to “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 totally free, however you’re anticipated to order drinks from them. You may order from their menu of juices, shakes, and cocktails. Some additionally supply crystal kayak providers at a a lot decrease charge, PHP 150 per 15-20 minutes. At White Seaside, it normally prices PHP 250 for a similar period.

Souvenirs and trinkets are additionally less expensive right here than the shops at White Seaside! 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 Seaside. At PHP 700 per hour, the overall price was PHP 3500. We had been a gaggle of 9, so we paid PHP 388.89 per individual. (Though I really paid for all the pieces 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 charge 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 Seaside: PHP 150 for 15-20 minutes (USD 2.70)
• Drinks at Puka seaside: Round PHP 200 (USD 3.60)

Which is best?

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 individual if utilizing e-trike, a lot a lot decrease than the PHP 900 primary charge for an island hopping tour. The land tour stops are additionally accessible for FREE, whereas most stops on the boat tour expenses an entrance charge.
• Flexibility. On land tour, you will have 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 rather more exhausting and difficult for seniors and PWDs. It’s fairly troublesome to board the boat particularly when the waves are robust. Multicabs and e-trikes are a lot friendlier to vacationers with mobility points.

So sure, if in case you have time and finances 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 determine to e book an island hopping tour, you might assist this weblog by reserving it utilizing the Klook hyperlink under!

✅ BOOK ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!

Prime Boracay Motels for Teams/Household

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

Seek for extra Boracay Motels!

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2023 11 9 – First up