Boracay
From WikiPilipinas: The Hip 'n Free Philippine Encyclopedia
| Boracay | |
|---|---|
| |
| Geography
| |
| Location | South East Asia |
| Coordinates | |
| Archipelago | Visayas
|
| Area | 10.32 km²
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| Administration | |
 Philippines
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| Barangay | Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak
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| Demographics | |
| Population | 12,003 (as of 2000) |
| Density | 1,163/km² |
| Indigenous people | Ati, and Aklanon |
Boracay is known as an island paradise because of its powder white beaches and crystal blue water, tropical palms and flowering plants, and a healthy marine life under the seas. Boracay is the Beach Capital of the Philippines and is one the major destinations / tourist spots in the world. In fact, Boracay is often called "the world's most beautiful tropical island."
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[edit] Geography
Boracay is one of a cluster of islands of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is a small bone-shaped island located approximately 200 kilometers south of Manila. Boracay is part of the municipality of Malay in the province of Aklan. It is comprised of three barangays called the Manoc-Manoc, the Balabag, and the barangay of Yapak. Yapak lies in the north, Balabag in the center and Manoc-Manoc in the south. Within these barangays are smaller villages such as Angol, Manggayad and Bolabog. Boracay is under the administrative control of the Department of Tourism(DOT) in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan. Boracay island is only about seven kilometers long and 1083 hectares. The center of the Island, where the population of about 16,000 people(as of 2006), is concentrated, is flat and narrow. Both the Southern and northern ends of the island are wider and hilly, with the highest point, Mount Luho which is about 100 meters high is located in the northeast.
[edit] History
Boracay was then called "Land of the Atis" because the first settlers of the island are the Negritos or Atis. The Negritos farmed and fished in Boracay for centuries. During the 1940's and 1950's, the Boracaynons or the people of Boracay, depended largely on fishing and coconut plantation. Copra, the dried meat of coconut, was traded to businessmen from Aklan in exchange for rice and other goods and commodities.
In the 1960's and 1970's, Boracay became popular among families from Panay. When a German writer published a book about the Philippines in 1978, describing Boracay history and the beautiful island in details, the island was introduced to the world. This mark the beginning of tourist "boom" with tourist.
Since then, The onset of tourism changed Boracay completely. As word of its exceptional beauty--specifically the immaculate white sands of White Beach spread, tourists began arriving. Suddenly, from a sleepy, sparsely populated island, Boracay was transformed into a major destination on the international travel circuit. Whether the change was for the better or worse is an open question, but it was certainly a turning point in the history of Boracay Island.
[edit] Origin of the name Boracay
There are several versions in the origin of the name Boracay. The most common version was the one that was derived from an old local word borac, meaning cotton, in reference to the white, cotton-like color and texture of Boracay's sand. Another version would be another local word bora which means bubbles and bocay for white, associated with the Atis' amazement at the resemblance of the white sand to water bubbles.
Another Legend has it that the name dates back to the time when Spaniards came ashore and picked up shells. Meeting with the Atis later, the Spaniards were told that Sigay is the name of those shells. When the Spaniards ask the Atis were planting, they were told boray, a certain vegetable seed. From boray and sigay came the name Boracay.
[edit] Activities
The following are some of the countless activities that Boracay offers:
- Scuba Diving (diving lessons taught in German, French and other languages)
- Glass Bottom Boat Trip
- Banana Riding
- Water Skiing
- Parasailing
- Snorkeling
- Skimboarding
- Paraw Sailing
- Kitesurfing
- Windsurfing
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Tennis
- Massage
- Golf (the island offers an 18-hole golf course)
[edit] Attractions
- Mount Luho - is the highest elevation on Boracay island with 100 meters above sea level.
- The Bat Caves - are on the north East coast of Yapak. It’s the home of cave bats and the giant fruit bats with a wingspan of up to four feet.
- The Dead Forest - are next to the fishponds in the south of the island are scores of dead trees. Their silhouettes jut eerily into the landscape in a horribly fascinating way (especially at the witching hour on the night of a full moon).
- Boracay Rock - is a fascinating natural formation and is located just off the east coast beach.
- Willy's Rock - is situated one hundred meters off shore, in the shallow water near Boat Station 1. Willy's Rock is a castle-like volcanic formation that dominates the seascape along White Beach.
- Live Coral Beds - is located at the southern end of White Beach. It boasts of a large coral shelf that has countless varieties of living coral in a myriad of shapes and sizes, including a variety of colorful brain corals.
- Caves - There are number of caves on Boracay island namely: The Kalikugan Cave, Crystal Cave, Cave of Buslugan and the Bat Cave.
- Gateway Arc - is a large arc at the tip of Bulaboc Point. It is the gateway to Boracay's exclusive development, Fairways and Bluewater Leisure Resort.
- KAR-TIR Seashell Museum - is located at the village of Ilig-iligan. Kar-tir Seashell Museum features an interesting collection of seashells, woodcarvings, pottery, hand-woven articles, and traditional costumes from all over the Philippines.
- Boracay Butterfly Garden | Butterfly Farm - is located at Bolabog Beach where you'll see rare and beautiful butterflies by the beach with educational tours conducting the life cycles, with eggs, caterpillars, pupae and the butterflies.
[edit] Beaches
- White Beach - is one of the most famous part of Boracay because of its 100 meters wide and 4 kilometer stretch of the finest and most pristine white sand. It is located within the boundaries of Manoc-Manoc.
- Puka Beach - a quiet stretch of white sand along the northern tip of the island, Puka Beach is an image of what most people expect on a tropical island: white sand, azure water, and relatively empty.
- Diniwid Beach - this peaceful beach is only 200 meters long and a short walk from the north end of White Beach along the Fairways and Blue Water road.
- Puka Shell Beach - The second longest in the island, covers half of the northern tip of the island. Puka beach is named after the Puka shell, regarded by experts as the finest in the world.
- Balinghai Beach - enclosed by craggy walls of rock, is a romantic hideaway for those who prefer quiet place and solitute.
- Cagban Beach - is a good place also for treasure hunting: Cagban means 'cave' or 'chest' and it’s said that several treasure chests are still lying buried in the sand or in surrounding caves. This Boracay Beach also offers quietness and relaxation, away from the bustling action on the White Beach.
- Bulabog Beach - this beach comes alive during the early months of each year when windsurfers skim through its waters. It is also known as the windsurfer's paradise.
- Punta Bunga Beach - is just a short distance north of Balinghai Boracay Beach. Many attractive shells may be seen when walking along Punta Bunga Boracay Beach.
- Banyugan Beach - a very short uphill climb north of Punta Bunga is Banyugan Beach, another secluded strip of white sand. Beyond it stand widely-spaced coconut trees and flatland, ideal for picnics.
- Ilig-Iligan Beach - is on the east coast of Boracay Island and offers several coves and caves.
- Manoc Manoc Beach - is on the southern-end of Boracay Island and is often busy with a steady stream of boats from Caticlan unloading needed supplies for Boracay Hotels, Resorts, and other businesses.
- Tulubhan Beach - is a small and quite beach with many coves located further South of Bulabog Beach.
- Tambisaan Beach - is a short walk away a rocky point. A small friendly village is nearby, where the athmosphere is sleepy until the southwest moonsoon begins
Boracay's attractions do not stop at its natural beauty. A wide range of accommodation serving every visitor's lifestyles is available on the island. To satisfy every palate and for night-lovers, Boracay's beachfront is lined with varied international restaurants, open-air bars, karaokes bars and discos.
[edit] Boracay Resorts
The following are some of the resorts that Boracay offers where guests can relax and fully enjoy their trip to the Paradise Island.
- Boracay Finest Hotels and Resorts.
- Bans Boracay. (Bans Boracay Beach Resort is located is a beach front resort located on the White Beach walk Path, Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan 5608 near Boat Station 1 offering beachfront cottages at affordable prices).
- Fairways & Bluewater
- Boracay Tropics
- Patio Pacific Online Reservation
- The Panoly Resort Hotel
- Escondido Resort Online Reservation
- La Carmela de Boracay Online Reservation
- Microtel Boracay Online Reservation
- Boracay Regency Beach Resort Online Reservation
- Paradise Bay Resort
- Pearl of the Pacific Boracay. (The Pearl of the Pacific Boracay Resort is located at Boat Station 1 occupying one of the largest beachfronts with the whitest sand. Pearl of the Pacific Boracay has suites right on the beach with clear ocean view).Online Reservation
- Shangrila Boracay.(Shangrila Boracay the beachfront resort on Boracay island will be designed by Hawaii-based architect firm WATG, and the interior design will be headed by well-known Singapore-based designer Dan Bube, who is designing the group's Maldives resort. Coming in Aug. or Sept. 2009 other reference)Shangri-la Boracay.(.
- Boracay Guide Boracay. (MyBoracayGuide your guide in getting better boracay hotel and boracay resorts price. Lowest prices in all hotels, rooms, resorts in boracay island. )
- Ideal Boracay Island Resources. (Boracay Island Philippines resources for boracay tourist, boracay rates, boracay hotel, boracay rooms, boracay hotels, boracay room and Boracay beach advisory).
- Sun Villa Boracay Private Home
- Sun Village Central
- Jony's Beach Resort
- Asya Boracay Resort
- Fridays Boracay Resort
[edit] Getting There
[edit] By Plane
There are no airports on Boracay Island. The most convenient route by air is to fly by plane from the domestic airport in Manila or Cebu to Caticlan, an airport on the neighboring island of Panay. Alternatively, you can fly with Philippine Airlines from Manila domestic airport to Kalibo Airport, then take an air-conditioned bus from Kalibo to Caticlan. Once you reach the port of Caticlan, you can then take a boat to Boracay.
[edit] By Ship
One way of traveling to Boracay is by Ferry from Manila to Caticlan or Dumaguit, near Kalibo. The trip to Boracay takes about 17 hours. Some shipping lines ply the route from Manila to Caticlan. While other shipping companies service the route Manila to Dumaguit, half an hour east from Kalibo.
[edit] By Land
Caticlan, the entry point for Boracay, can be reached also by private cars or air-conditioned buses, via the 'strong republic nautical highway', stretching from Batangas, Luzon, to Cagayan de Oro. On arrival in Caticlan, you can get a Jeepney or bus to Kalibo (two hours).
On the island, the two main modes of transport are via motor-tricycles along the main road or by walking along the beaches. Pedicabs are also available for transport along the Beachfront Path. Other means of transportation include mountain bikes, quadbikes and motorbikes, all of which can be rented. To explore around the island's coast, motorized bancas and sailing paraws are available for rent.
[edit] Gallery
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[edit] See Also
[edit] External Link and Information References
- Travelonline. (accessed on May 31, 2008).
- boracay beach. (accessed on May 31, 2008).
- boracay packages. (accessed on June 01, 2008).
- boracay beach. (Information - accessed on June 01, 2008).
- boracay. (accessed on June 01, 2008).
- The Island of Boracay
- Boracay Beaches. (accessed on January 23, 2008).
- Boracay Packages- Blog. (accessed on Aug. 11, 2008).
- Boracay.com. (accessed on January 23, 2008).
- Boracay Online. (accessed on January 23, 2008).
- Boracay Sand. (accessed on January 23, 2008).
- Boracay News- RSS Boracay News feed.
- Kriyayoga.(accessed on January 23, 2008).
- Island Boracay. (accessed on January 23, 2008).
- Asia Travel. (accessed on January 23, 2008).
- Cruises in the Philippines. (accessed on May 31, 2008).
- Sinfonia
- Yahoo Travel.
- Finsonline
- Boracay Beaches. (accessed on January 23, 2008).
- Kriyayoga.(accessed on January 23, 2008).
- Boracay Wikimap. (accessed on April 10,2009)
- boracay party and girls pictures
- Boracay Hotels and Resorts Reservation Guide:( Trusted In The Phils.) (accessed on Nov. 18,2009)
[edit] Citation
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