Boracay’s White Beach is splendid.
However!
It can get VERY crowded at times.
With flocks of tourists walking around, and hustlers always fighting for your attention, you might want to escape it all.
And that’s exactly where Ilig-Ilagan beach comes in!
Found on the windy east side of Boracay, Ilig-Ilagan Beach and Boracay’s Gateway Arch are worlds away from the main Boracay strip.
In this post, I’ll talk a little bit about the place, how to get there, and answer the big question:
Is it worth the visit???
Looking for tips on traveling Boracay? Check out my travel guide here!
Ilig-Ilagan Beach vs White Beach
The main difference between Ilig-Ilagan and White Beach is the crowd. While White Beach is packed with tourists, Ilig-Ilagan is mostly empty.
There are also far fewer establishments in Ilig-Ilagan.
There are a few higher-end hotels and condotels nearby, but nothing like the rows of accommodations, stores, and restaurants that are found in White Beach.
Since Ilig-Ilagan is on the east side of the island, you’ll also get the strong winds that are also found in Bulabog Beach (but you won’t find any kitesurfers here!).
All of this makes Ilig-Ilagan great for taking things slow, or maybe contemplating life?
Whatever the case, the feel of Ilig-Ilagan is very different from White Beach.
We were also told that since parties are banned in White Beach, Boracay Newcoast and this area is where many of the parties are held nowadays.
The Gateway Arch (Cujo’s Keyhole)
On the side of Ilig-Ilagan, you’ll find a walkway that takes you up to a stone arch jutting out to the sea.
There are a lot of names for this formation, but the most popular one is probably the Boracay Gateway Arch.
It’s a magnificent piece of nature.
And with the big waves crashing on the platform nearby, again, it feels very different from White Beach.
You can read more about Boracay’s other tourist spots in my blog post here!
How to Get to Boracay’s Gateway Arch and Ilig-Ilagan Beach
The easiest way to get here is to grab a hop-on hop-off bus pass! These cost php180 for 1 day, php280 for 2 days, and php390 for 3 days when you book it through Klook (check it out here).
You can also opt to hail an electric tricycle for an island tour. The tour costs php400/hour ($8), and it also stops over at Bulabog Beach, Puka Beach, and anywhere on the island you wanna go!
There are also some van tours that’ll take you here. You can arrange these with your accommodation, or just talk to one of the many hustlers along White Beach.
Ilig-Ilagan is found inside Megaworld’s Boracay Newcoast area, which is the higher-end side of the island.
Going there, you’ll pass through nice hotels, condotels, and even some vacation homes.
If you’re staying in one of the hotels in Newcoast, then getting to Ilig-Ilagan is super easy, all you have to do is walk!
What to do in Ilig-Ilagan Beach and Boracay’s Gateway Arch
There really isn’t much to do here.
Sure, you can swim. But unlike White Beach, the waves here get pretty big, so it’s best to avoid swimming out too far!
The sand is very fine, so you could just relax on the beach.
Again, there are few people here, so you can read a book, or enjoy some quiet time.
The nearby Gateway Arch is also a great place for photos.
So much so that it isn’t as secluded as Ilig-Ilagan anymore. Plenty of tourists find their way over here just to get the photos!
Conclusion: Are Ilig-Ilagan and Boracay’s Gateway Arch Worth a Visit?
In short: yes.
Taking a break from White Beach and D’mall to go see the other spots of Boracay is well worth the time.
There isn’t a lot to do here other than enjoying the wind and taking photographs, but it’s a great way to take a break from the crowds and chaos of White Beach.
I always say that if all you do is stay in White Beach, then you already have the full Boracay experience.
But it never hurts to go and explore the rest of the island!
Want to know everything you need to know before visiting Boracay? Check out my travel guide or my tourist spots blog posts!