Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DIVING AROUND BORACAY
Boracay's diving isn't as varied or extreme as diving in Palawan or Puerto Galera, but there's still
enough to keep everyone happy. The dive sites around the island, all easily accessible by
bangka, include gentle drift dives, coral gardens and some deeper dives with a good chance
of encounters with sharks. At
Crocodile Island
, 15min southeast of Boracay, there's a shallow
reef that drops off to 25m and a number of small canyons where sea snakes gather.
Big and
Small Laurel
are neighbouring islets with some of the best soft coral in the Visayas and shoals
of snappers, sweetlips, eels, sea snakes, morays, puffers and boxfish. Probably the star
attraction for divers here is
Yapak
, where you freefall into the big blue, eventually finding at
30m the top of a marine wall where there are batfish, wahoo, tuna, barracuda and cruising
grey reef sharks.
Lapu Wall
is a day-trip from Boracay to the northern coast of Panay, but the
diving is some of the most challenging in the area, with overhangs and caverns. Another good
day-trip is north to Carabao Island (see p.351), in the province of Romblon, where there are
splendid reefs, some peaceful, powdery beaches and a resort if you want to stay overnight.
DIVE OPERATORS
There are dozens of licensed dive operators along White Beach. A
Discover Scuba
introductory session with a dive master costs around P3000, while a full PADI
Open Water
Course
(3-4 days) costs around P20,000. You can even try
helmet diving
(P3000/30min),
whereby air is supplied underwater through a helmet. Of the countless dive operators on the
island, the following are well established and PADI 5-star rated:
Blue Mango
Blue Mango Inn (see opposite).
Calypso Diving
Boat Station 2 & at
Pinjalo Resort
(see opposite).
DiveGurus
Boat Station 3
T
036 288 5486,
W
divegurus
.com.
6
Fisheye Divers
Boat Station 1
T
036 288 6090,
W
fisheyedivers.com.
Victory Divers
Boat Station 2
T
036 288 3209,
W
victorydivers.com.
iPod dock, flatscreen TV, DVD player and free wi-fi. The
premier rooms have an expansive outdoor
living ar
ea with
a large jacuzzi and views down to the sea.
P15,300
Frendz Resort
100m off Main Rd, near Elementary
School
T
036 288 3803,
W
frendzresortboracay.com;
map opposite.
Tucked halfway between the beach and
main road, the simple cottages at
Frendz
present no-frills
laidback beach living. The native huts have double beds, hot
and cold showers and nice verandas. There are also separate
male and female dorms and a café with wi-fi internet
access. Bring a padlock for your
locke
r. Two-ni
ght mi
nimum
stay for online bookings. Dorm
P600
, double
P2000
★
D'Mall. There's a range of cottages and apartments set
around the lush garden, and som
e room
s at the front of the
main building with beach views.
P4200
Fat Jimmy's
300m inland, next to D'Mall
T
0922 875
3088,
W
fatjimmysresort.com; map opposite.
One of a
number of budget resorts along a path next to D'Mall.
Relaxed, quiet and friendly,
Fat Jimmy's
has sixteen simple
but charming fan-cooled or a/c rooms, five of which have
their own small patio garden (P3000). Family rooms sleep
four with a bunk bed for the kids and rates include a choice
of Filipino of
r Amer
ican breakfast. Free wi-fi and all-round
good value.
P1500
Mango-Ray Resort
On the beach, 100m south of
D'Mall
T
036 288 6129,
W
mangoray-boracay.com; map
opposite.
Nine tastefully furnished a/c rooms with fridge,
cable TV, telephone and spacious porch, plus one suite at the
front of the property looking out over the ocean. Floors are
tiled, the whitewashed walls are decorated with tasteful
Filipino art and the surrounding ga
rdens
are lush and
peaceful. Breakfast and wi-fi included.
P5500
Nigi Nigi Nu Noos 'e' Nu Nu
Noos
A 5min walk north of
the Boracay Tourist Center
T
036 288 3101,
W
niginigi
.com; map opposite.
Long-standing and enduringly
popular resident of White Beach featuring Indonesian-style
cottages set in tranquil tropical gardens. All of the spacious
cottages have thatched pagoda roofs and
shady
verandas.
Free wi-fi and a decent restaurant and bar.
P5900
Fridays
Right at the northern end beyond Boat
Station 1
T
036 288 6200,
W
fridaysboracay.com; map
p.338.
One of Boracay's first resorts, and still one of the
best,
Fridays
occupies a prime spot at the northern end
of the beach and offers comfortable deluxe and premier
rooms, and top-notch premier suites which enjoy great
ocean views. All rooms are decked out in native style but
with modern facilities. Although it's only a three-star
property, the service and amenities run close t
o five sta
r
and include a decent pool and wi-fi throughout.
P18,050
BOAT STATION 2 AND AROUND
★
Bamboo Bungalows
Just north of D'Mall
T
036
288 6324,
W
bbboracay.com; map opposite.
Great
choice in the heart of the action, a stone's throw from
