Boracay: Your Next Family Holiday Destination

What kind of vacation will cater to a diverse family dynamic? Typically we have that adventurous father, an overprotective mother and the eager adult-child who is here for the free vacation and the vlog (that’s me). So, trust me when I say that there are countless options for each demographic in Boracay! Check out my ratings for each activity.

(All prices stated are in Singapore dollar based on the conversion rate in May 2022).

For Everyone

The island is about 7 km long and is internationally known for its white sand and azure waters. Aside from the 17 beaches, there are other smaller islands scattered around the area, which brings us to the first activity…

1. Island Hopping

The tour was from 9am to 4pm, and cost about $15 per person (inclusive of a lunch buffet).This is a must for those who want to post on social media.

i. Crystal Cove

We had to pay an extra $7.50 entrance fee to visit 2 coves.The first one is entered through an underground staircase. We were greeted with luminescent cyan waves which is perfect for photos, but the undercurrent makes it inadvisable to swim.

For the second cove, we had to cross a rope bridge that is submerged in water while the waves crash onto us. Once we reached the inner beach, there is a dark cave which you can only fit into if you bow your head. If you are not claustrophobic, it is a short 12 second walk which exits on a secret cove. Because it is slippery and high up the water (imagine like a cliff), it is not ideal for the elderly. Those who did not pay for the entrance fee just swam at the shore for a good hour and a half before our boat came to bring us to our lunch buffet.

ii. Snorkel

Due to weather conditions, we had to improvise and stop at a snorkeling spot instead of visiting Crocodile Island. We rent out their gear for $1.This activity is safe for kids as you have the option to wear your lifeboat while snorkeling. Those who stayed at the boat bought some coconut or ice cream from the canoeist vendors.

iii. Puka Shell Beach

Lastly, we made a one-hour stop at Puka shell beach where there is bohemian and hippie decor. This would be the perfect place to rent a Crystal Kayak for half an hour at $10. You have the option to be paddled by a guide who will also help you take pictures, or you can choose to do it yourself. Some vendors allow you to borrow picnic mats for free if you purchase one of their merchandise.

Experience wise I would rate this a 2/5 but a solid 4/5 for its aesthetic views. Probably my most recommended activity too for paying for what its worth.

2. Paddle Boarding

This costs $5 for half an hour rental. It was me and my father’s first time so we were instructed on the basics in under 5 minutes. After that, we just took turns paddling somewhere deep, then using it as our safety buoy when we dive around the area. We saw people of all ages using it as well, so it is definitely safe for everyone and does not require much strength. For the affordability and learning a new skill, this is a 4/5 recommended experience.

For The Slightly Adventurous

Both these activities are 5/5 in the fun list. Trying at least one of them guarantees an unforgettable experience. I never knew I could be both scared and relaxed at the same time (because the gorgeous views are therapeutic!).

3. Banana Boat

Me and my dad managed to trick my mother into trying this with us. This requires 5 people so we were paired with a couple. My mother requested the driver not to drive so fast as we have seen some videos where the Banana Boat would fly up. Even with that safe speed, I found myself tipping over a few times without being thrown overboard. This is $10 per person and lasts for 15 minutes. For those who wants to jet ski, but have no budget, this is a good alternative.

4. UFO

In my mother’s opinion, this is scarier than the Banana Boat although by the looks of it, it has a larger surface area and seemed more secure. You know how the rice is tossed around a wok when making fried rice? That is how we felt like on the UFO. This costs $15 for 15 minutes as well but 3 people is the minimum requirement. It can have up to 5 people, but there are no guarantees that everyone will be on board by the time the ride ends. Also, since my parents are over 50 years old, their arms felt sore the next day for holding onto dear life so I would recommend a stretch before and after, like you would on a workout.

Travel Tips to save money when going for water sports activity:

There are countless of “tour guides” canvassing the area who will offer you these activities. You can ask around for the cheapest rates or even haggle with them. Since it is customary in the Philippines to give a “tip” to your tour guide, you can always make it up to them with that. We were lucky to find someone who gave us the lowest rates especially for scuba diving.

For the Adrenaline Junkies

The next two activities are rated 10/5 because they are worth the money, they are rare experiences and I got to share them with my father! The trip would not have been complete without them.

5. Scuba Diving

It cost us less than $20 per person for a 30 minutes of Scuba Diving session (inclusive of photos and videos). What a steal! We walked around the beach for 2 days at this point and so many agents were giving it at twice the price. It almost felt shady especially when we were escorted to a hole-in-the-wall “Diving School”. But they had proper gear and we had built a friendship with the tour guide at this point. We were briefed, practiced breathing underwater, and hopped on a boat all under 10 minutes. We got more nervous when we jumped on the icy cold water but, our diving instructor was kind enough to allow us to submerge and emerge repeatedly whenever we felt unsafe. After a few dunks, we finally conditioned ourselves to gradually dive deeper and before we knew it, our feet were touching the ocean floor. I am not a huge fan of coral reefs but seeing the fishes and overcoming my fear of breathing through my mouth was a significant achievement for me. They took loads of photos and videos of us and we saw our fellow “noobies” being brave enough to swim on their own. It felt like we were there for eternity and I felt like a natural by the time we left.

6. Parasailing

If you are afraid of the deep blue, maybe going up above is for you. At under $30 per pax, we enjoyed the view of the island for 15 minutes. You can request to be dipped in the water towards the last few minutes of your parasailing. Usually it is recommended to do it towards the evening so you can have a good view of the sunset. If you do have motion sickness, you might feel it when the wind blows a little too hard. For me, I felt slightly nauseous at one point but it stopped once we stabilized.

If I had to choose between the view of crystal clear waters, the tranquility of swimming on the beach or the excitement of all the activities, I would choose all of the above. I got to strike off a few things off my bucket list while bonding with my family. Even my mother, who spent half the trip nagging at us not to be such daredevils, had the time of her life. Most of all, I am sure the sponsor (my father) is relieved we had all that without breaking the bank. What are you waiting for? Make your way over to paradise now!