Island Hopping, Boracay Island

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This is a must-do activity while in Boracay. I experienced this on our first visit to Boracay, so I didn't put it in my priority list for my recent visit anymore...but seeing so much changes in Boracay, I'll probably go for it with my grandson on our next trip.

The itinerary usually includes Crocodile Island, Crystal Cove, Puka Shell Beach and Panoly Beach (some don't go to Panoly anymore). Price would depend on the number of persons and the size of the boat. Boatmen will usually give you this pricing: "For 3 hours of hopping, a small boat (with a capacity of 1-8 persons) costs PhP 2,000-2,500.00; a medium boat (with a capacity of 6-12 persons) costs PhP 3,500-4,000.00; and a big boat (with a capacity of 17-25 persons) costs PhP 6,000.00. There is an additional of PhP 500.00 per hour in excess of the 3 hours." BUT based on what I have canvassed, you can get it for a much lower price: For 3 hours of island hopping, you can get have the activity for P1,200 for a group of 3 to 4 or P1,500 for a group of 5 to 6. You can even request the boatman to accompany you to the market, buy some seafoods, and let him grill the food for your lunch. For that, I have no doubt you'll find it in your good heart to give him a tip and of course, share in the food.

UPDATE:

In our recent trip, I learned that boat owners/boatmen are now prohibited from dealing directly with guests and sailing without passing through "lamesa". Literally, "lamesa" means table, but passing through "lamesa" means the guests have to pass through the registration table before sailing. They will have to log in the registration book so they will be insured (insurance costs are already included in the boat rate), and the name of the boat and boatmen will also be registered. The "lamesa" system (registration and insurance of tourists also apply to other watersports like jetski, helmet reef walk, parasailing,etc.

Island hopping is one of the popular activities in Boracay. You can arrange the tour through your hotel or directly transact with the many "agents" along white beach. A tour ranges between 3 to 6 hours with 2-3 island stops. Further, you have the option to join a group or rent a private boat, and include lunch in the package or not.

We chose a 6-hour group tour with lunch arranged through our hotel. However a miscommunication between our guide and the boatman, compounded with very strong waves, resulted to delays, change in itinerary, and lost of valuable swimming/snorkeling time. In the end, we were able to visit only Crystal Cove though the views were worth the trip.

The island has an entrance fee of P200/head that includes free use of cottages. The cottages also serve as "watch towers" as they were located on the highest points of the island. From here, one has a breath taking view of the sea and, on clear days, the islands of Masbate, Romblon, & Mindoro. The island has 2 caves that open to the sea and ideal for snorkeling (but due to the strong waves on the day of our trip, we had to content ourselves with picture-taking).

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You can hire a banca to take a circle around the island. On the way one can experience beautiful beaches and islands. Crystal cove is worth mentioning here. Stunning views of surrounding islands from the hill. There are also a couple of caves. Over all a nice place for an extended stop over during island hopping.

Just returned from Bora this week, spent a week there. Most hotels can arrange the above for you, and or you will be approached by the vendors along the beach. Everyones rates are pretty much the same PHP500 per person. It is cheaper if there is a group of usually 5 or more. The island hopping is more beach and cove hopping and you need a few more Piso for hire of snorkel and enviroment fees approx PHP120 for both.
The one we went on took us to a beach hut come restaurant (at your expense) which we weren't aware of until we got there. Lucky we were hungry we brought lunch for ourselves and the guys on our boat. A good afternoon out - lasted 3.5 hrs

Just walk around, i'm sure you'll find someone holding a big board with pictures offering to tour you around the islands for a few thousand bucks.

You can go snorkeling or even buy coconuts along the way. It was my first time to see men in their little bancas selling coconuts in the middle of the ocean!

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while in the island make sure you do an island hopping boat tour.

we did a private tour and cost is around $40.00 for a 3 to 4 hour tour of small islets around boracay, this private boat will entertain up to 5 people. we like this better than the packaged ones that have up to 40 people mainly because you can ask the guides to take you on islets that are not usually on the set tour and also spend as much or as little time on each island that you visit.

around the beach, in my opinion it has gone very commercial, but when eating out i'd say go for the seafood on any of the restaurants and just have them grill it and order garlic rice, it is delicious. I had grilled squid stuffed with onions and tomato and my mouth is watering just wrting about this.

you can also get scuba diving tours from the beach as well.

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Part of the island hop tour is to visit Puka beach which is a very famous beach up in the northern part of the island. The beach is made up of puka shells bleached white in the sun. This part of the island was not developed, that is why the absence of a crowd. But still you will enjoy the 800 meter beach area it has to offer. You may dine in several eateries in the island and buy a few souvenirs made from the island.

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Island hopping is one of the major activities to be done in Boracay. It is not to be missed!

We left at around 8:00 am and we went to Bulabog beach at the east side of the island, where a motorboat is waiting. Our first stop is the snorkeling area near Crocodile island. After, we went to the famous Puka Island where we had our lunch and did some souvenir shopping. Along the way, we passed by a couple of beautiful islets. Also, if you pay attention to the water while cruising along, you will occasionally see school of little fishes jumping in and out of the water.

Our island trip cost P1000 only but it didn’t include one of the usual spots which is the Crystal Cove Island. It is unfortunate we weren’t able to visit but we didn’t know any better then (no VT yet huhu). Anyway we still had so much fun.

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This tour usually lasts 3-5 hrs which takes you to a few beaches around the island for swimming, snorkeling, Crystal Cove (PHP75 entrance fee) which has 2 caves to explore and lunch (included). The price range for this tour is around PHP2000-3500 (depends on your haggling abilty).

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you can arrange to have aboat take you island hopping.. there are several locals who are willing to take you around the island...
they will take you to crystal cove and to snorkle where you can feed the fish..