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New Things to Expect on Your Next Boracay Adventure
Be it the fine white sand, food, or party places, there is always a reason to come back
By: Karen Bermejo | February 07, 2017
It’s a brand-new year and Boracay has some new offerings for its tourists, which continue to increase. In fact, the Aklan Provincial Government is expecting at least two million tourists this year for the world-renowned island. With the continued surge of tourists, upgrades, new facilities, and services are also on the rise aimed at giving a better experience to visitors.
Faster boat travel
Two new Boracay Express fast craft vessels will operate starting on the last week of January. Each boat has a 200-person seating capacity. The ferry management assures on-time travel to and from Boracay as it will follow a regular schedule. The ferry will leave the port every 30 minutes even with only one passenger. It will operate 24/7 daily.
Boracay Express ferry can accommodate up to 200 passengers every trip.
Boracay Express has 40 VIP seats available.
Each way will cost PhP75 for domestic and foreign tourists but only PhP35 for Aklanon and Boracay workers. The ferry will have its own ticketing booth in both Caticlan and Cagban jetty ports. Boracay Express has 40 seats available for VIP passengers. There's TV and an exclusive comfort room in the VIP area.
More dining options
Gypsea Shack Bar and Restaurant is now open at the main road in Station 2. The restaurant serves Filipino and Indian cuisine. It also offers paluto or cooking service so guests can buy their seafood of choice and have it cooked the way they want. Pizza is served as well, along with their signature cocktails and local beers.
Gypsea Shack Bar and Restaurant has that cozy ambiance that's perfect for chilling out.
Gypsea Shack Bar and Restaurant is open from 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM. Different bands perform there every night. The restaurant's interior is mostly made of bamboo and has outdoor seating that's good for groups.
Griller’s Oyster House, a restaurant chain from Iloilo, now has its own branch in Boracay. It opened November 18 last year.
Gypsea Shack’s version of the classic Filipino adobo
The restaurant is famous for its combo meal consisting of baked oyster, unlimited rice, and iced tea at only PhP148. For the main dish, also included in the meal, diners can choose from crispy deep fried pork belly, grilled chicken, lechon kawali, bicol express, boneless bangus (milkfish), and sweet and sour fish.
Griller's Oyster House serves oysters steamed, baked, and fried to a crisp.
The restaurant is located in Diniwid Road in Balabag, across the building of the soon-to-open branch of CityMall. It is only open for lunch and dinner.
International coffee chain
Tom N Toms Coffee on Station 1
South Korean coffeehouse chain Tom N Toms Coffee has opened in Boracay, too. And it has two branches on the island. Its first branch is located at the beachfront in Station 1, beside The Muse Hotel , and opened last December. It is occupying the former site of Italianni’s Restaurant. On the second week of January, the shop opened its second branch along the main road in Station 2.
Both branches of Tom N Toms Coffee are open from 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM. They have freshly baked pretzels, pastries, tortilla pizza, shakes, and coffee blends.
Party places
Club Galaxy, which opened just last December, is a place for revelers who want to party until dawn. The club is open from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. It is comparable to those in Manila because of its spacious and high-end interior. Inside the club, there is a huge stage for the DJ and a big projection screen.
Stage area of Club Galaxy
There's no entrance fee or dress code at Club Galaxy. From 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM, ladies get one free drink. Local beers are sold at a 2-for-1 promo until 11:00 PM. Tables are at consumable rates of PhP500 up to PhP12,000, which means the price paid for the table can be spent on food and drinks.
The club is located near the Ati community in Sitio Lugutan, Manocmanoc, near the back beach area of the island. Shuttle service is available for guests from the do all area, in front of McDonald's and vice versa.
Interior of Club Muto
Club Muto is another club that opened recently on the island. It is along the main road in Station 2 and just a short walk from Crafts of Boracay. The club is open from 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM. Those wearing jersey shirts are not allowed to enter the club.
Wellness
Bamboo Spa inside Bamboo Beach Resort , located at the beachfront in Station 3, is now open. It has 10 treatment rooms for guests.
Beds separated by curtains at Bamboo Spa
Bamboo Spa has its own Bamboo signature massage among its other spa offerings, which include hilot (an ancient Filipino art of healing), virgin coconut oil (VCO) therapy, deep tissue work, hot stone massage, foot massage, and scrub services, among others.
Airport expansion
Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan can now accommodate larger aircraft. From its previous runway length of 1,400 meters, the airport now has 1,800 meters, which is required by most bigger planes for taking off and landing.
Aerial image of Caticlan airport
Before, the airport could only cater to smaller planes with just around 60 passengers. With the improved airport, larger planes like the Airbus A320 that can carry about 180 passengers are now able to fly directly to and from Catclan. With such development, more tourists are expected to travel via Caticlan to Boracay.
Still, only domestic flights are available at the airport in Caticlan. International flights are only available at Kalibo International Airport. Nevertheless, more development projects can be expected for the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport from its current operator, TransAire Development Holdings Corp., an affiliate of San Miguel Corporation.
With new developments constantly happening in Boracay as well as the mainland, the white sand paradise that is Boracay will never go out of style. There is always reason to go back.
Photos are from the official Facebook pages of featured establishments.
Prices may change without prior notice.
About Karen Bermejo
Karen is a writer, a traveler, and a volunteer. Her ultimate dream is to travel the world, master a foreign language, and learn how to swim. To keep her sanity while chasing her dreams, she’s scaling mountains on weekends.
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