Boracay Island Hopping Tour: Honest Review + Tips

So, you’re thinking about hopping around those idyllic islands near Boracay, eh? It’s almost a must-do if you find yourself near that little slice of paradise in the Philippines. I mean, lounging on White Beach is fantastic, and too it’s very Instagrammable, but getting out on the water really showcases what makes this place special. Picture this: crystal water, a collection of colorful reefs and fish right underneath you, and maybe even a thrilling paragliding ride way above it all. This is an open and honest review, just from my perspective.

Booking Your Boracay Island Hopping Adventure

Okay, first off, how should one book this island hopping thing anyway? Is that easy, or does it require planning? Apparently, you will not have any trouble finding countless offers the moment you, like, step foot on White Beach. Salespeople tend to be abundant. Some find this persistent sales approach aggressive but others find it rather helpful. That, it tends to be your call! Still, too it’s generally wiser to do some prep work beforehand. I like to do some web browsing, comparing prices, and reading reviews, just so you know, before committing to anything. In some respects, several travel sites offer packages that wrap up the whole shebang – lunch, transportation, maybe a side trip to Crystal Cove, and sometimes even that paragliding thing, into one neat deal.

Too it’s probably a good idea to have a solid read of what’s covered and, seemingly, what’s not. Little things, just like environmental fees, can sometimes blindside you later. Look, booking online often allows you to see everything upfront, that way, it feels less stressful to know you’re not getting caught out, you know? Should something unforeseen arise before you travel, cancellation options become easier to execute in an emergency.

What to Expect: A Typical Island Hopping Itinerary

Alright, so what does a typical day of island hopping actually look like, right? More or less, these tours often run from around 9:00 AM to about 4:00 PM-ish, but times could vary a little bit, just depending on the specific operator and what islands they’re including in the tour, obviously. Typically, you will assemble at a pre-arranged place on White Beach and soon hop aboard a traditional outrigger boat called a “Bangka.” Very beautiful! It is quite picturesque to observe from the sea or from the sandy shores.

I suppose one common stop is Crystal Cove Island. Crystal Cove is pretty fun and very special! The main attraction is that, well, the caves, obviously. You know, there are these pathways snaking through the island. Those eventually guide you to cool spots where the ocean crashes dramatically. Anyway, the rock formations create a postcard setting that will surely stand out for all tourists on those pictures, no matter what angle.

Of course, you will get to snorkel! Most tours include some snorkeling spots, usually near Coral Garden or maybe Diniwid Beach. I have had better visibility in other countries around the world. Too it’s likely that you are only going to see small, pretty fish in large quantity, in my experience. Should you choose a reputable operator, your gear should be of reasonably okay quality, or so it is for what you will be paying.

Oh, yeah! There is lunch! Almost every tour throws in a Filipino-style buffet lunch, you know. Expect to see tons of barbecued meats, grilled fish, fresh fruits, rice, and, seemingly, simple veggie options. In some respects, do not go into this expecting too much in a way of fine cuisine but, typically, the food fills you up, tastes nice enough, and really hits the spot after hours in the water, seemingly.

Parasailing: Soaring Above Boracay

Okay, I might be just a little thrilled about paragliding. Paragliding looks wild! But is it for everyone? Too it’s fair to say it probably depends on, like, how much of an adrenaline rush you’re chasing. Anyhow, the deal is that you will be strapped into a harness, that, in turn, is connected to a parachute, and then get towed behind a boat, arguably. In fact, it can get fairly high, like seriously, the views of Boracay are simply awesome. From way up high, White Beach seriously looks unreal with the white sands blending into crystal-clear water!

A little tip? It is worthwhile considering doing your paragliding early in the day because seemingly the water is calmer and, typically, the winds are a bit steadier. It tends to be very fun either way though.

Crystal Cove: A Unique Island Experience

Crystal Cove might be rather worth a specific mention as this feels different than some other spots that I saw during island hopping tours in Boracay. As I mentioned, the island has a couple of cool caves (or coves!), that you can, like, explore. Anyway, some passageways will lead to look out points where those crashing waves do their thing with the rocks, clearly creating drama and photographic interest. The fee to get onto the island is normally separate from your regular tour cost, you know.

Also, seemingly, the rock formations that hug the coves create interesting picture spots, it tends to be almost surreal. Too it’s arguably popular, you’ll encounter other travelers and people, still, in that case, a quick bit of patience tends to pay off to bag some pics without any peeps in them!

What to Bring: Packing Essentials

Right, let’s quickly think through the essential packing bit. Apparently, there are the super obvious things – swimsuit, sunlight protection factor (SPF), and shades – you’ll need these like bread and butter for a beach day out in Boracay, allegedly. Arguably, water shoes, seemingly those that strap-on water shoes could be quite a game changer, especially at places just like Crystal Cove. Rocks and uneven ground often lie under the water here. I think water shoes tend to allow you to explore without destroying your bare feet, actually.

Another is waterproof everything! Specifically, get a waterproof pouch or, like, those dry bags. Those are absolutely valuable for keeping your tech (obviously phones) secure and dry on any sort of boat ride where splashes are commonplace. Clearly, also taking an extra towel, maybe some battery packs to recharge your devices will probably save some trouble.

Making the Most of Your Tour: Tips and Recommendations

So, here are a few nuggets that helped me out quite a bit while maximizing any fun in the sun during my island hopping. Apparently, it’s a little like playing chess – you may have to think ahead for any enjoyment, I mean, obviously! Obviously, drink plenty of H2O! The sun really does zap the fluids right outta your body. Staying hydrated, too it’s actually as easy as just guzzling that water bottle throughout your tour.

Listen! Listen carefully to any safety briefings given by those tour guides! Obviously, they know this location like the rear of their hands. If you follow any guidelines or even any suggestions, chances are you will be more secure! Just watch out and listen. Typically, time is managed on such group tours, so staying timely at any meet-up spots helps, that way, everyone can make the best out of your adventure.

Lastly, that tip I provided regarding taking underwater shoes also might apply, to not only this Crystal Cove, but also other spots with similar aquatic obstacles. Take your gear along.

• Pre-book your trip. Secure your spot and compare options.
• Consider visiting Crystal Cove. This is quite beautiful with great photo opportunities.
• Hydrate frequently. It’s really humid out there.
• Protect from the sun. And listen to instructions!

Boracay island hopping offers a bit of fun in a beautiful area of the Philippines! Clearly, with the right bit of prep, you too can ensure a fun outing, with all the excitement and safety put into one boat. Also, now that paragliding is included within your activities, it feels that the experience will definitely feel unique. Do all those activities when visiting Boracay!