White Beach is the main attraction of Boracay.
This four-kilometer stretch of fine white sand lined with coconut trees drives people worldwide to the island.
If you’re heading to Boracay soon, most of your time will probably be centered around White Beach.
That’s why in this blog post, I’m going to give you all the info that you need to know before visiting!
We’ll take a look at:
- What the stations are and what you need to know about them
- The things you CAN’T do in White Beach (There are a lot of bans)
- The things you CAN do in White Beach (There are a LOT of activities!)
Then we’ll take a look at nearby attractions that you can easily get to from White Beach.
So without further ado, let’s dive in!
What Are The Stations in Boracay’s White Beach?
The White Beach stretch is divided into three equally-sized “stations”
- Station 1
- Station 2, and
- Station 3
The easiest way to think about it is that Station 1 is the most luxurious, while Station 3 is the budget zone.
Station 2 is somewhere in the middle.
Of course, there are a lot of overlaps, but that’s generally how things are.
Note: there’s no difference in the beachfront, just the establishments! The beach you get in Station 3 is just as beautiful as Station 1.
Station 1 – Luxury Zone
Station 1 is found on the northern third of White Beach.
Here you’ll find all kinds of luxury resorts such as the Lind, Discovery Shores, Ambassador in Paradise, Two Season Boracay, etc.
There aren’t many restaurants in this zone, so it doesn’t get as crowded as the other two.
Station 1 is also where the famous Parawsails take off into the sunset.
Right on the border between Stations 1 and 2, there’s a floating dock where you can get on a Parawsail (I’ll get into this activity and more in a bit).
Where to Stay in Station 1
- Fairways and Bluewater Boracay – Comfortable rooms with modern amenities. The hotel also offers an on-site restaurant, fitness center, 2 infinity pools, a private beach, and a golf course.
- Henann Prime Beach Resort – Situated at the stunning white sand beach of Station 1. You’ll enjoy luxurious rooms with a private balcony offering a nice view of the pool, a sumptuous breakfast buffet, and a fitness center.
- Astoria Boracay – Peaceful location if you are traveling with family. They have their own boat for boat transfers, complimentary breakfast, and an outdoor pool.
- Henann Crystal Sands Resort – Hassle-free and relaxing atmosphere. They also offer breakfast and dinner buffet. Guests can also enjoy a sky pool and bar.
- The Lind Boracay – Excellent hotel service and facilities: welcome drinks and dessert, clean pool, massage, fitness center, kids club, and a shuttle ride to D’Mall.
- Discovery Shores Boracay – Welcome snacks upon arrival, spacious rooms with TV, hot tub, and balcony. Breakfast is superb- good food with an amazing beach view. You can watch the sunset from the infinity pool at their 360 view deck, or from the beach.
- Feliz Hotel Boracay – Beautiful Spanish-style hotel. You’ll enjoy the classy rooms and a roof deck that offers exclusive amenities, including a well-maintained pool with an on-duty lifeguard and a magnificent view of both sides of the island.
- Shangri-La Boracay – Private speedboat that takes you to the resort. Comfortable rooms, a big buffet, well-kept facilities. The hotel also offers free activities such as aqua aerobics, etc.
- One Hagdan Villas – Situated in the Baling-Hai Beach part of Boracay Island. Enjoy the private pool, billiard table, and comfy rooms and furniture.
- Wazobia Boracay – Private mansion with large living rooms, spacious bathrooms with hot tub, a private pool, and a beautiful terrace.
Station 2 – Food Galore
Station 2 is where most of the action is at.
The star of this Station is D’Mall, an open-air plaza that is PACKED with food options.
You can get everything here, from Italian to Mexican, rice bowls to burgers, and also HUGE ice cream bowls that are advertised as “couple size.” Some of the food you can get in D’Mall include:
- Steampunk – my favorite! They serve all kinds of burgers. Make sure you try their Chori Burger.
- Aria – one of the most popular restaurants on the island. Aria serves Italian dishes like pizza, risotto, and pasta.
- Halo Mango – home of the famous GIGANTIC ice cream bowl! This one is not to be missed!
- Boracay Food Truck – serves rice bowls. You can get flavors from all over asia like kimchi fried rice, nasi goreng, chicken adobo, and lots more.
- Hungry Monkey – budget-friendly burger place!
You’ll also find a basketball arcade, a grocery store, a pharmacy, souvenir shops, and all kinds of stores where you can get almost everything you need.
It really is a mall.
Other than D’Mall, the restaurants, and the shops, Station 2 is also a favorite when it comes to places to stay.
All along the Station, you’ll find mid-range hotels that are the perfect combination of luxury and price.
Where to Stay in Station 2
- Fat Jimmy’s Hotel Boracay – Affordable place to stay with a great staff and wonderful facilities. Property is also a walk away from D Mall.
- The Beach Anne Boracay Resort – Fully air-conditioned rooms, tv, and private bathroom. They also have a common kitchen and dining area on the rooftop for an extra charge.
- The Piccolo Hotel of Boracay – This is where I stayed. 5-6 min walk to the beach and restaurants. Rooms are spacious and clean. Free breakfast for 2 and a pool in the lobby area.
- The Tides Hotel – 50 meters walk to D’Mall. Hotel has beautiful, spacious rooms, a rooftop pool, and hangout area. You can also enjoy their spa and gym!
- La Carmela de Boracay Hotel – Enjoy the beautiful beachfront when you stay at La Carmela. Beautiful rooms with 24-hour room service. There is also an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.
Station 3 – Backpacker Zone
Station 3 is where you’ll find the cheapest stays along White Beach.
Again, there are overlaps. And the beach is just as beautiful here as it is in Station 1.
But you’ll notice that the hotels, restaurants, and establishments around here cater more to the budget traveler.
Offshore, there’s a big cottage that serves as the base for most water activities like parasailing, jet skiing, banana boating, UFO boating, and more!
There’s another floating dock here in Station 3 that can take you there.
Where to Stay in Station 3
- Mylene Room Rental – Affordable place to stay. You’ll get a simple room with one bed and a balcony/terrace.
- Monallan Boracay Hotel – Perfect for someone who prefers peace and quiet. Rooms are clean and pretty with soft wallpaper. Located within walking distance to the beach.
- La Isla Bonita Resort – Conveniently located near the beach, this hotel offers clean rooms and a welcoming staff. TV and hot shower not included.
- Villa Romero de Boracay Hotel – Walking distance to the beach. Clean rooms. Only downside is no hangers for wet clothes.
- Rob and Fred’s Resort – Comfortable and relaxing ambiance with balcony and terrace. Property is also within walking distance to the beach.
White Beach Rules – Things That Are BANNED in Boracay’s White Beach
Here’s a list of things banned in White Beach:
- Eating
- Drinking Alcohol
- Smoking
- Littering
- Use of plastic water bottles, cups, straws, and other single-use plastics
- Cooking/Grilling
- Umbrellas
- Beach Chairs
- Sandcastle building
- Pets
- Parties
- Drone flying without a permit
There is a special group of “beach police” who patrol the area to make sure these are enforced, so don’t try to get away with it!
You might also notice that the buildings are quite far away from the water.
This is because, in Boracay, there’s a 30-meter no-build zone from the shoreline. This is longer than anywhere else in the country (it’s usually only 25 meters).
Now you might be wondering…
Why Does Boracay’s White Beach Have So Many Rules?
Back in 2018, Boracay was so packed, full of garbage, and downright dirty, that it was forced to close for six months to rehabilitate. The new rules were put in place to ensure that this never has to happen again!
Aside from the bans listed above, arrivals are limited to around 7,000 a day, and you also need to show that you’re staying at an accredited resort to get in!
But always remember, this is to keep things clean!
When you look at the long expanse of White Beach, you’ll appreciate how these rules have really maintained the beauty of the place.
What to Do in White Beach (Water Activities!)
Walking along White Beach, swimming, and maybe eating in some of the many restaurants is a great way to spend your time here.
But if you’re up for some thrills, White Beach has plenty.
Here’s a list of the things you can try:
(note: prices are per head except for the island hopping tours! Also, there are dozens of tour agencies around Boracay that provide these services, so prices may vary. I’m using the prices on Klook for these, which is more or less the same as what you’ll get on the ground in Boracay)
- Paddleboarding (30 mins) php460
- Paddleboarding (1 hour) php700
- Crystal Kayak php270
- Parasailing (2-3 PAX) php1,800
- Parasailing (Solo) php2,500
- Banana Boat (Min. 5 PAX) php450
- UFO (Min. 3 PAX) php700
- Jetski (15 mins) php2,200
- Jetski (30 mins) php3,800
- Speed Boat Rental / Hour php6,000
- Helmet Diving php800
- Paraw Sailing (Morning) php685
- Paraw Sailing (Sunset) php685
- Sunset Cruise php850
- Island Hopping (joiner) php900
- Island Hopping (Small boat) starts at php5,700
- Island Hopping (Medium Boat) starts at php11,520
- Discovery Scuba Diving php2,000
- Scuba Diver Course php18,000
- Open Water Course php19,000
- Advanced Open Water Course php20,000
- Rescue Diver Course php25,000
- Enriched Air Nitrox Course php14,000
- Discover Nitrox php3,000
- Dry Nitrox php10,000
- Fun Dive Equipment Rental php1,800
- Fun Dive Support Diver php1,500
Not sure what to do?
I personally recommend doing the Paraw Sailing into the sunset.
Boracay is famous for its sunsets, and watching it on a Paraw Sail is one of the most unforgettable ways to experience it.
If you’re in a big group, banana boat and UFO are always fun.
And if you have never tried parasailing yet, White Beach is one of the best places to try it! You’ll get a lovely view of the entire Boracay island up there.
Places You Can Visit Near White Beach
Boracay is a small island, and White Beach is smack in the center of it (both literally and figuratively).
This means is super easy to get anywhere from here.
But I’ll try to keep this list to the ones that are actually nearby!
Diniwid Beach
Just north of White Beach, there’s a walkway along a cliff that comes out to another “hidden beach.”
This one is just like White Beach, but with fewer people and an even more amazing view of the sunset.
It’s not super different from White Beach. But if you’re already in Station 1 and want a new place to watch the sunset, then walking here will be worth it!
Bulabog Beach
Across the highway, on the other side of the island, you’ll find Bulabog Beach.
Bulabog beach is noticeably a LOT windier than White Beach.
That’s why thrill-seekers love this place.
You can spend your time here watching kite surfers do their crazy mid-air flips. Or watch the sailboats far away using the wind to race away.
Station X
One newer establishment on the island is Station X.
Station X describes itself as a lifestyle hub.
What that really means is it’s a place with several restaurants, places to chill, and a pool as well!
Checking this place out is well worth it. It’s just along the highway. About 200 meters away from the beach itself.
What Makes Boracay’s White Beach Special?
Before I close, I wanted to say a few things about what makes this place special from the rest of the country.
Because yes, there are white beaches ALL over the place. And a lot of them are just as beautiful.
However, White Beach stands out for how clean and convenient it is!
Thanks to the many rules in place, you can enjoy the pure natural beauty of the place.
Yes, there are lots of people milling around. But you’ll never describe the place as dirty.
And secondly, it is SUPER convenient.
Everything you need is just going to be within walking distance.
Food?
Walking distance.
ATM?
Walking distance.
Pharmacy?
Walking distance.
Literally anything else?
Walking distance!
During your entire stay, you’ll never have to ride anything if you don’t want to!
Ready to Visit White Beach?
White Beach is a MUST if you’re visiting Boracay.
If you don’t go here, have you even really been to Boracay?
That’s why I hope this guide was helpful to you!
If you have any questions, leave a comment down below!
Cheers!