BORACAY ISLAND HOPPING TOUR with LUNCH

Boracay rewards an early start. This four-to-five-hour island-hopping trip gives you a simple way to see several beaches and snorkel spots without planning a boat route yourself. I like the included lunch and the small maximum of 15 people, which should feel more personal than a crowded boat outing.

I also like that you return to Astoria Boracay around midday, leaving your afternoon open. The main caution is that the route can change with weather and season, and optional island fees can push the final cost above the advertised $70 price.

Five things to know before you book

• Six possible stops: The route can include Bulabog, Puka Shell Beach, Ilig Iligan, Magic Island, Crystal Cove, and Balinghai or Crocodile Island.
• Weather controls the route: Puka or Balinghai may replace one another, and the Coral Garden arrangement changes between October and May.
• Lunch is included: You do not need to pack a meal for this morning outing.
• A small group helps: The boat is limited to 15 people, a useful middle ground between a private charter and a large excursion.
• Bring extra money: Crystal Cove and Magic Island charge entrance fees on the spot, while environmental and snorkeling charges are not included.
• The meeting point is central: You start and finish at Astoria Boracay near Boat Station 1 at 8:00 am.

What this Boracay morning is really offering

Boracay is easy to enjoy from shore, but a boat gives you a different view of the island. You see the curve of the coast from the water, move between beaches, and get short chances to swim or snorkel without spending the whole day away.

This is not a private sailing trip or a slow, quiet cruise. The schedule lists about 30 minutes at each stop, so the pace is practical rather than leisurely. I would think of it as a sampler: you get several quick looks at Boracay’s beaches and offshore water, then return with most of the day still available.

The advertised price is $70. That is reasonable if you value the boat ride, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and the convenience of having the route arranged. It is less attractive if you want long stretches at one beach or dislike paying separate entrance charges.

The small-group limit of 15 matters. You should have a better chance of hearing instructions and moving between stops without the feel of a huge party boat. Still, a 15-person boat is not private, and the short stop times may feel rushed if you find a beach you love.

Meeting at Astoria Boracay at 8:00 am

The tour begins and ends at Astoria Boracay, Boat Station 1, in Barangay Balabag. The listed address is Astoria Boracay, Boat Station 1, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan 5608.

You should plan to reach the meeting point before 8:00 am. The information provided does not include hotel pickup, so do not assume transport from your accommodation. It also describes the tour as being from Kalibo while giving a Boracay meeting point, so check your own arrival plans carefully before booking.

The return to the same meeting point is useful. You will not need to arrange a separate ride from another beach or harbor, and the afternoon remains free for swimming, rest, or another activity.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number is not reached.

Bulabog Beach and the Coral Garden

The first listed stop is Bulabog Beach and the Coral Garden, with about 30 minutes at the site. In peak season, from October through May, the route may use Crocodile Island and Bulabog Beach instead.

That seasonal change is important. You are not buying a fixed set of beach stops, and the exact water conditions help decide where the boat goes. If you have your heart set on one specific snorkeling site, this may frustrate you.

Bulabog gives the morning an immediate beach setting, while the Coral Garden provides the reason to bring swimwear and snorkeling equipment. Thirty minutes is enough for a quick swim or look underwater, but not enough for a long session. If snorkeling is your main goal, use your time in the water rather than lingering on shore.

The supplied equipment includes snorkeling gear and a life vest, yet the cost details also list a snorkeling fee and goggles as excluded. That wording is not perfectly clear. Ask the operator what equipment is supplied and what the separate snorkeling charge covers before departure.

Puka Shell Beach or Balinghai Beach

The second stop lasts about 30 minutes and may be Puka Beach or Balinghai Beach, depending on weather. Puka Shell Beach is one of Boracay’s best-known shore stops, and its appeal is a change from the island’s more developed beach areas.

You should expect a short visit, not an extended beach afternoon. Thirty minutes gives you time to step ashore, look around, and take in the coast before returning to the boat. If the sea conditions send the group to Balinghai instead, the experience will be different, but the point remains the same: a brief stop at a scenic beach.

Because the route can change, keep your expectations flexible. The tour offers access to several possible sites, not a guarantee that every listed beach will be visited.

Ilig Iligan Beach for another quick swim

Ilig Iligan Beach is scheduled for around 30 minutes, also subject to weather. Its place in the morning works well for anyone who wants another chance to swim or relax by the water without committing to a full beach day.

The short duration is again the key detail. You may find this stop pleasant if you like variety, but you could feel hurried if you prefer to settle in, dry off, and enjoy the beach at an unhurried pace. Bring only what you need for the boat and water, since the itinerary moves along several stops.

The tour’s value comes from the number of places covered. Its weakness comes from the same source. You see more of Boracay, but you spend less time at each spot.

Magic Island and Crystal Cove, with fees to watch

Magic Island Boracay and Crystal Cove Island are optional stops. Each is scheduled for about 30 minutes, and entrance fees are paid on the spot. Those charges are not included in the $70 price.

This is where you need to manage your budget. The headline cost covers the core outing, lunch, and listed equipment, but it does not cover every possible activity. If you want to add both paid stops, carry extra cash and confirm the current charges with the operator.

The optional setup gives you some flexibility. You are not forced to pay for every attraction, which helps if you mainly want beaches and snorkeling. On the other hand, a stop may be offered during the route, and you will need to decide quickly if the fee is worthwhile.

With only 30 minutes available, I would treat either island as a quick add-on rather than the central purpose of the tour. If you prefer a simple morning with no extra costs, skip the paid entries and focus on the included boat route.

Balinghai Beach or Crocodile Island

The final possible stop is Balinghai Beach or Crocodile Island, again depending on conditions and the route used earlier. This gives the morning another chance for swimming, snorkeling, or a coastal view before the boat heads back.

The repeated weather notes are not a minor footnote. Sea conditions can affect safety and access, so the operator needs room to adjust the plan. You may not see every location listed, but a changed route can be the sensible choice on the day.

If Crocodile Island replaces a Coral Garden stop during the October to May peak period, you may get a different type of water experience from the one you expected. Ask at the start which stops are planned so you can decide how to use your limited time.

Lunch, equipment, and what is not covered

Lunch is included, which makes the tour easier to manage. You do not need to pack a picnic or search for food between beach stops. The meal also helps make the short morning feel self-contained.

Snorkeling gear and a life vest are listed as included. Life vests are especially useful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer or who wants extra support in open water.

The exclusions deserve attention:

• Snorkeling fee and goggles
• Environmental fee
• Magic Island entrance fee
• Crystal Cove entrance fee
• Anything not specifically listed

The reference to included snorkeling gear alongside excluded goggles is unclear. I would contact CTPH TOUR before booking and ask exactly what you receive on the boat. That one question can prevent a surprise charge or an uncomfortable scramble for equipment.

Is $70 good value for a half-day?

For $70, you are paying for more than a boat transfer. The package includes island hopping, lunch, a life vest, and snorkeling gear, with a maximum group size of 15. For someone who wants an arranged morning and does not want to negotiate a boat route, that convenience has real value.

The price is harder to justify if you want only a scenic ride. One piece of feedback describes the trip as feeling like a boat ride around the island would have been better, with snorkeling given its own separate outing. That criticism points to the tour’s central mismatch: the schedule tries to serve both sightseeing and water activities, but neither gets unlimited time.

You should also budget for the environmental fee, snorkeling-related costs, and any optional island entries. Since those amounts are not provided here, the final spend cannot be calculated in advance from the $70 price alone.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a straightforward introduction to Boracay’s coast, prefer a small group, and like having lunch included. It also suits people with only one free morning who want to fit several possible beaches into a short outing.

Families and casual swimmers may appreciate the life vests and the modest group size, though the provided information does not specify age limits or child pricing. You should confirm those details directly if they matter to your plans.

Strong swimmers and serious snorkelers may want more time in the water. The itinerary allows roughly 30 minutes per stop, and weather can alter the best snorkeling locations. If you want one long, focused snorkeling session, this may not be the right format.

This also may not suit you if unexpected fees bother you or if you need a guaranteed visit to Puka Shell Beach, Crystal Cove, or Magic Island. The operator can change the route, and the optional entries cost extra.

My call: book it only for variety and convenience

I would book this Boracay island-hopping tour if your priority is an easy, half-day sampler with lunch, several possible beach stops, and a small group. The return to Boat Station 1 around midday is a strong practical advantage, especially when you want the afternoon free.

I would skip it if you want a calm boat ride, long beach stays, or a dedicated snorkeling session. Before paying, ask CTPH TOUR about the exact route for your date, the environmental fee, the snorkeling charge, and what the included gear covers. If those answers fit your budget and expectations, the tour offers a useful morning on the water. If not, a simpler boat outing may suit you better.

FAQ

Where does the Boracay island-hopping tour start?

It starts at Astoria Boracay near Boat Station 1, Brgy. Balabag, Malay, Aklan, Philippines.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the Astoria Boracay meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to five hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour.

Are snorkeling equipment and life vests provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and life vests are listed as included. The details also list snorkeling fees and goggles as excluded, so confirm exactly what equipment and charges apply before departure.

Are Magic Island and Crystal Cove included in the price?

No. Both are optional, and their entrance fees are paid on the spot. An environmental fee is also not included.