Boracay

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Boracay is tropical island located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. The island is comprised of the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak (3 of the 17 barangays which make up the municipality of Malay), and is under the administrative control of the Philippine Tourism Authority in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan.

Boracay was damaged and one person was killed on December 9, 2006, when Typhoon Utor struck the island.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Languages
4 Weather and Climate
- 4.1 Amihan and Habagat
- 4.2 Impact on Tourism Operations
5 Transportation
- 5.1 Getting there
- 5.2 Around the island
6 Gallery
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Geography

Boracay Island, approximately 7 km long (with the narrowest spot being nearly 1 km wide), is located off the northwest corner of the island of Panay, and belongs to the Western Visayas island-group, or Region 6, of the Philippines. It has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers.

[edit] History

The island was originally home to the Ati tribe.

[edit] Languages

Other than Filipino, English is widely spoken in Boracay. Aklanon is also spoken, as Boracay is part of Aklan Province. Ati was spoken by the original inhabitants of the island.

[edit] Weather and Climate

[edit] Amihan and Habagat

Weather in Boracay is generally divided into two seasonal weather patterns known locally as the Amihan and Habagat seasons. In the Tagalog language, Amihan means a cool northeast wind, and Habagat means west or southwest wind; south-west monsoon.^[1] Amihan and Habagat seasons are generally associated respectively with the La Niña and El Niño global weather patterns. The Amihan season is characterized by moderate temperatures, little or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the east. The Habagat season is characterized by hot and humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the west.

On Boracay, the main indicator of the switch between the Amihan and Habagat seasonal patterns is the switch in wind direction. In most years this transition is abrupt and occurs overnight. In some years there is a period of perhaps a week or two where the wind will switch between Amihan and Habagat patterns several times before settling into the pattern for the new season. As a general rule of thumb, Boracay will be in the Amihan weather pattern from sometime in September or October to sometime in May or June and in the Habagat weather pattern for the remainder of the year. These dates can vary in individual years, though.

Daytime temperatures on Boracay generally range from 77-90º F (25-32º C) from the beginning of the Amihan season into February or March, increase to the 82-100º F(28-38º C) range until the onset of the Habagat season, and moderate back to the 77-90º F (25-32º C) range with the start of the Habagat season. During Tropical Storm periods, temperatures can fall below 68º F (20º C). Tropical Storms can impact Boracay at any time of year, but are most likely to be seen during the Habagat season.

[edit] Impact on Tourism Operations

Partly because of its wind and weather patterns, Boracay tourism is heaviest during the Amihan season. During Amihan, the prevailing wind blows from the east. Boracay's main tourism area, White Beach, is on the western side of the island and is sheltered from the wind. During the Amihan season, the water off White Beach is often glassy-smooth. On the eastern side of the island, hills on the northern and southern ends of the island channel the Amihan season wind from the east onshore onto Bulabog Beach in the central part of the island's eastern side, making the reef-protected waters off that beach ideal for windsurfing and kiteboarding / kitesurfing.

Most Boracay hotels and resorts have Low and High Season price levels with High Season prices generally coinciding with Amihan Season dates. Some have additional Peak Period pricing during periods of heavy tourism (usually including Christmas / New Year, Easter / Holy Week, and Chinese New Year periods).

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Getting there

[edit] By Plane

From Manila’s domestic airport or from Cebu airport, take flights to Boracay either via Kalibo (45 minutes away) or via Caticlan (30-40 minutes away). From Kalibo airport, air-conditioned vans and buses for hire will take you to the Caticlan Jetty Port, where boats are stationed to take you to the island. Motorized tricyles will take you from Caticlan airport to the jetty port, 3 minutes away. From Caticlan jetty port, boat ride will take 15-20 minutes to get to Boracay.

Airlines serving Kalibo and Caticlan include the following:

Manila to Caticlan:

Manila to Kalibo:

Cebu to Caticlan:

Asian Spirit
South East Asian Airlines (SEAir)

(Some of these air carriers may provide only seasonal service on the listed routes)

[edit] By Boat

Several ferries sail between Manila and Caticlan. The journey takes between 12 and 16 hours.

Ferries from Manila to Caticlan:

(Some of these sea carriers may provide only seasonal service on the listed routes)

[edit] By Road

Buses and cars run from Manila to the Southern provinces by means of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway. A nautical system conceptualized under the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Buses leave from the Philtranco terminal in Cubao and Pasay city throughout the day. The journey by bus takes approx. 12 hours. Caticlan is the 4th port that the highway runs through.

[edit] Around the island

On the island, public transportation is either by motorized tricyles (on the main roads) or by pedicabs on the beach pathway. There is a set fee of 7 pesos for tricyle rides of a short distance. Other means of transportation include mountain bikes, quadbikes and motorbikes, which can be rented. Operation of motorbikes along White Beach and most of the beach’s path is forbidden by law. To explore around the island's coast, rent a paraw (sailboat) or motorised banca. A common sight round the island is the sailing Paraw, a narrow hulled boat with outriggers either side and with passengers sometimes seated on a trampoline platform between the outrigger supports. These are extremely fast off the wind, but can be unwieldy for inexperienced sailors.