Boracay Island Warnings Or Dangers

It's in the interest of the tourism authorities in Boracay to keep the beach clean and spotless. So they have put signs along the beachfront not to spoil the place. There are tourist police that issue on-the-spot fines for those who throw their rubbish and cigarette butts on the beach. Smoking is strictly prohibited on the beach and the enforcers strictly implement this rule.

If you value your hair, don't go anywhere near this place! They let unsupervised trainees loose on customers hair while groups of onlookers (off-duty staff? Friends? Who knows?) look on, smirking, giggling and generally making you feel uncomfortable. I felt quite early on that something was very wrong, as the effeminate young man gaily snipping away at my hair hadn't even bothered to part it down the middle, or even ask how I wear it! It just kept getting shorter and shorter as he tried to correct his mistakes. When I asked to see a manager I was told none was available. None of the other staff came to his rescue. They basically butchered my hair! Their station 1 branch is most unprofessional excuse for a salon I have ever been to.
Avoid this place at all costs!

I got food poisoning here either from food or bad water. I am not sure which.

Even if you are served water from a bottle, vegetables or salad could be washed with tap water, possibly making you sick. I have been sick everytime I have been to PI.

Boracay people in general have no respect for tourists. They see tourists as walking ATM machines.

When we arrived in Boracay Island via boat there is a bunch of people offering "cheap/budget/affordable" hotels plus activities, or let me conclude it as a package deal. Beware, as it will not be good as it sounds. This people will follow you until you have focused your attention to them. Some of them might be helpful but most of the time annoying.

When you get into your room, place your luggages in a corner away from the door. When you leave, make sure you locked the door and keep your laptop or any valuables in a safe place. Although this is a vacation which is a time for relaxation, remember that you also have to be cautious.

My friends and I make sure that one or two among us will be left on the shore to guard our things while some of us are on the water. It is better to be on guard than to be sorry.

As you walk the beach you will be overwhelmed at the amount of vendors offering boat rides, foods, trinkets, etc. They don't let up. In fact we were doing a pre wedding photo shoot and one guy walked right into the frame and wouldn't leave until I got firm with them.
Be polite but firm when you say non and they will go away most of the time.

Boracay is very close to the equator and the sun burns not only quickly, but can be very hot during the early afternoon hours. You'll notice the beach is busy from just before sunrise (about 5:45 a.m. but after 10 it's pretty vacant. Then around 4 pm it gets busy again.

The sun rises and sets at the same time all year round. Usually rises 5:45 - 6 a.m. and sets around 6 pm

I thought we had a good deal for our paraw sunset sailing, but according to VTer Sirenna (who only knows too well since she's staying in Boracay), "that paraw skipper overcharged you - it should have been around P500 for a one hour trip! Shame on him!"

So now you know the regular rates. Don't be duped like us!

While on a paraw sunset cruise, we saw how one of the passengers of the Banana boat was thrown out into the sea after the speedboat made a sudden turn. Fortunately, he wore a lifevest. Imagine if he did not! Although the speedboat hurriedly turns back to fetch thrownout passengers, banana boat riders must obey rules and wear the lifevest at all times.

Even on a smooth sailing paraw, you will be provided with a lifevest. And even if you see that your skipper/captain and his assistant/balancer do not wear lifevests, use yours for your own safety.