I came to the Philippines in search of the perfect beach and I found it within the first few hours of arriving.
White Beach in Boracay.
Stretching four kilometres across the entire western side of the island, White Beach has everything you could possibly need – with crystal clear turquoise waters and white sand beaches, freshly caught seafood and seemingly everlasting sunshine.
It’s no wonder that it’s regularly voted as being one of the top 5 beaches in the world!
Towards the north, you can escape the tourists and and it feels like you’re relaxing on your own private beach.
However, even when you head to the busier parts of the beach, it’s barely crowded and still feels relaxing and peaceful.
White Beach has the some of the whitest, powder-like sand that I’ve ever seen.
Even when it rains, the rain is warm, it’s still hot outside, and the sea turns an amazing colour!
I spent my days there eating fresh fruit and getting hour-long massages on the beach for just £5
We rented an ATV for the day and drove up to the highest point of the island to get stunning views of the beaches and neighbouring islands.
At night, the beach bars come alive with acoustic guitar performances and fire shows. Many a night was spent dancing on the beach and in the warm sea into the early hours of the morning.
Boracay is my definition of paradise. I left after five days there and immediately wanted to return.
I spent the rest of my time in the Philippines searching for a beach to compare but was unsuccessful and wished I had never left White Beach.
Without a doubt, if you find yourself in the Philippines, go to Boracay. You won’t regret it.
Where’s the best beach you’ve ever been to?
My first reaction “F*cking Hell”
That looks amazing!
I know! I could have stayed there forever…
i agree with La Conquistadora. boracay is just one of the more popular beaches here in the philippines. there is a whole lot more (finer white sand and quieter atmosphere). locals and local travelers like to keep them secret. ;)
I think I’d be bored with a quieter atmosphere, I liked the bars and restaurants of Boracay :)
HOLY FUCKING SHIT… WOW!!! I remember seeing the pics you posted online… and now seeing this… I must go… no joke I will be spending a month or two there… I love the beach. OMG THIS IS BEAUTIFUL. Great photos too~
Jaime, you’ll love it there! Gorgeous beach to sunbathe on during the day and lots of partying at night – it’s perfect!
Boracay is really amazing. Did you notice that even when the sun was beaming so brightly, the sand under your feet is always cool?
You must have gone to the more frequented beaches like in Panglao (Bohol) or Puerto Galera, which is why you didn’t find a better beach than that in Boracay, but I assure you, there ARE even better white sand beaches in the Philippines. Perfect reason to come back!
I went to Bohol and Palawan and found that none of the beaches there could compare!
I will definitely be back though!
Great Post Lauren. Your pictures are stunning! Boracay looks like the perfect beach escape. Maybe one day I’ll make it there.
Thanks for posting.
Best Wishes.
I hope you get to, Fiona! I had a great time there!
Beautiful photos – thanks for sharing! So the massages were dirt cheap – how were the prices for everything else? Was it pretty inexpensive overall?
Thanks, John! Prices were similar to Thailand. Still really cheap but not the cheapest in SE Asia. If you look at my four month summary I outline my daily costs for the Philippines.
HOLY! I just went to Cape Le Grand–Australia’s best beaches–and I thought they were the best in the world, but this might just give them a run for their money! http://www.cestchristine.com/2012/01/postcard-from-the-best-beaches-in-australia/
Wow, those photos are gorgeous! Definitely on a par with Boracay :)
aaaaahhh, now that is paradise! :D I’ve only seen similar beaches along Cuba’s northern coast.
It truly was paradise!
I loved Boracay so much I went there twice- in just under a month!
To me, it just has the perfect formula for you know, perfectness. The nightlife without the debauchery, the beach knowing it’s so perfect but without flaunting it in your face, and the hilarious locals!
All of it. Sigh. Perfection.
I want to go twice! I need to go back, and you summed it up perfectly :D
I definitely need to go there. How were the prices of things there in comparison to Thailand?
Beautiful photos!
Boracay is love!
simple, WOW!! this looks so amazing! literally heaven as you have called it.
I heard Palawan has some really amazing beaches as well…been there?
I once wrote a post called “Boracay: The first week in a paradise not yet lost”. That was from a visit in 1985 (!) and I believe much/most has been lost since then. Your pictures show that Boracay is still a gem, offering a stunning beaty to all visitors.
Hi Lauren,
thanks for visiting my country and the positive comments you made. Hope, you visit Siquijor island close to Bohol there’s a nice beaches there too.
Keep on visiting my country, hope you had a good time..my suggestions don’t stay in the cities…
I want to be there NOW! Ahh, it looks so pretty!
Wow! Gorgeous beaches. Definitely a place on my bucket list now!
Really amazing photos. Making me jealous as I sit here freezing my anus off while Spaniards keep the doors of this cafe ajar in the chilly winds of Granada.
I want to be there skinny dipping!
These pictures are travel porn :) Tempted to book a flight to the Philippines right now!! Amazing beach – we have to go there!
Hi we leave for the Philippines on Tuesday and i’ve just booked 5 nights in Boracay. As if I wasn’t excited enough these pictures have brought me up to fever pitch. Great post thx.
Deborah
I see beautiful pictures of paradise and I can’t help but ask myself what I am doing living in Saginaw, Michigan USA in the winter.
Bantayan in Cebu is like boracay without all the bars
and btw, did you go to El Nido? or only in Coron?
That beach looks wonderful. Ah… I’d love a beach about now :)
One of our favourite beaches and islands – great photo collection!
As I am freezing my hiney off in Bulgaria, these look absolutely incredible. What I wouldn’t give to be there right now!
You are killing me with these photos! Scott and I were just talking this weekend about adding the Philippines to our travels this year. Glad you are enjoying it!
Gorgeous! Wish I was there right now. It’s very cold in Berlin.
The photos are really pretty.
I am just going to repeat everyone else. WOW. Very jealous with snow outside at the moment!
Boracay! I miss this place so much! Seeing your amazing pics of the island it felt as if I have been transported to White Beach! I hope to re-marry here one day! I have to convince the groom-to-be first. LOL
Did you try the famous Jonah’s shake? Their version of Mango Milkshake is to die for!
By the way, the only beach that I’ve been to in Philippines that is comparable to Boracay sans the night life is Bantayan Island off the Northern Coast of Cebu. The sand is not as powdery as Boracay’s but it’s just as white!
[…] would happen I would note it as an interesting travel experience. Not in the Philippines. I went to Boracay and white beach, regarded as one of the five nicest beaches in the world. However, being in a crappy hostel put me […]
Amazing beach pics! I could use some time at White Beach….still winter here at home!
I’ve been waiting for a place to tickle my pickle, to tell me THIS should be the first goal of my Big Trip. Thanks; I just found it. :-)
I love Boracay! I’ve been there a couple of times. Please tell me you went to the Hobbit House — they have the coldest beer on the island!
These are the kind of beach photos that I want to make into wallpaper. Beautiful!
Amazing photos! :)
Looks like paradise. I want to go here!
I’ve heard mixed things about Boracay. Some love it, others loathe it. I’m glad to see another tick in the like column. I’m looking at a trip to the Philippines and fancied a trip to El Nido which is supposed to fantastic. It looks a little hard to get to though. Boracay would be an easier option. The beach looks great for little kids.
Boracay is absolutely beautiful, exotic, and unique. But it really depends on the season and the time you get there. I hate it when it gets very busy as Holy week, new years, and other occasions. It gets very crowded for such a tiny island and you barely see the beauty of the island anymore.
The weather can be very unpredictable as well. It is also hovering by green algae/seaweeds quite abit as of late, making the shore, beach, and the water not as enjoyable as it should be and used to be.
I notice that less people seasons gives the island better visibilities and much better water, beaches in general.
Been there and like what Lauren said “it’s Paradise”
I was in Boracay in November..
Yeah – the beaches are great.
What I did NOT like are all the locals that constantly bother you to try to rent out their Jet-ski or sell you all kinds of crap.
I experienced it on the beech as well as in the shopping streets. That was just too much for me.
Compared to the rest of the Philippines the hotels are really expensive, but of course thats due to the popularity of Boracay.
A place to be proud of for us Filipinos. Some consider it as the best island in the world, no complaints about that since the place live up to their expectation. From lots of fun activities during the day and nights as good as those of city-life, Boracay surely is a place of satisfaction guaranteed.
Boracay is my favourite island in the world! :-)
Hi, Lauren! This is such a lovely article, and we’re so glad that you had a great time in Boracay! With your permission, we’d like to link this article on our Facebook page. We’d also like to know if we can use one of your beautiful images for a poster that we can upload on our Timeline. We’ll just edit it a bit to include text. Of course, photo credits will go to you and your blog. Please let us know ASAP! Thank you!
Hi Kim,
I’m so pleased to hear you like my photos! Sure I’m happy for you to use it in a poster if you mention the url of my blog when you share it. Thanks!
Oh no.. not another fan. ^_^ I think I’m gonna write the opposite why I really don’t like Boracay ^_^ this will give a fresh perspective
I can definitely understand why people don’t like Boracay — it’s very touristy! :-)
Hi ! U should visit INDONESIA !!! So much beautiful beach.U can go to flores,bali,etc
Hi Nina, I’ve been to Bali a few times, but would love to explore more of Indonesia! :-)
Great post!
Boracay is just one of the paradise of the Philippines, have you been to Palawan yet?
Yep, it’s where I went after Boracay :-)
Hi Lauren, nice article! Did you visit the many other beaches that Boracay has as well? White Beach will always stay my favorite but i love Tambisaan as well for relaxing and snorkeling, and Ilig Iligan for some adventure/swimming to private beaches completely off the beaten path.
I didn’t see them, no. Will put them on my list for next time, though!
We’re heading to Boracay for most of December, can not wait after seeing these pics!
Ah, it’s amazing! Have a great time :-)