Activities in Boracay: Every Excursion I Tried (And Which Ones I'd Actually Book Again)
When I booked my trip to Boracay, I honestly didn't know what to expect.
The island is relatively small, so before arriving I assumed there wouldn't be much to do besides relaxing on the beach. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Despite its size, Boracay has an incredible variety of activities. From exploring hidden beaches and snorkeling with tropical fish to sailing, diving, and watersports, there is so much to experience. Since this was my very first trip to the Philippines in 2025, I wanted to see as much of the island as possible. Rather than figuring everything out on my own, I decided to book several excursions through local tour operators.
During my stay, I experienced:
Land Tour
Island Hopping Tour
Helmet Diving
Sunset Paraw Sailing
Crystal Kayak Photos
Windsurfing Lessons
Here's my honest opinion about each one.
Land Tour
The first excursion I booked was the Boracay land tour.
To be completely honest, this wasn't my favorite activity of the trip. Maybe it was simply because of the guide I had, or maybe it just wasn't the type of excursion that excited me as much as the others.
That being said, I still think it's a great tour for first-time visitors.
Because Boracay is such a small island, the land tour gives you a wonderful overview of the different areas and beaches. It helped me understand how the island is laid out, making it much easier to navigate during the rest of my vacation.
One of the biggest highlights was discovering Ilig-Iligan Beach. I probably wouldn't have found it on my own, and it quickly became one of my favorite beaches on the island. The guide also shared some of Boracay's history, which gave me a better appreciation of the island.
Would I book this tour again? Probably not.
Would I recommend it to someone visiting Boracay for the first time? Absolutely. It's a great introduction to the island.
Island Hopping Tour
This was, without question, one of my favorite experiences in Boracay.
I decided to book a private island hopping tour instead of joining a larger group, and I would absolutely make the same decision again.
Spending the day on a boat while exploring different beaches and snorkeling spots was an unforgettable experience. We visited several beautiful locations, including Puka Beach, stopped to snorkel with colorful tropical fish, and enjoyed seeing Boracay from a completely different perspective.
One of the stops included lunch on a nearby island. I'll admit, the restaurant looked a little questionable when we arrived, but the seafood ended up being one of the most delicious meals I had during my entire trip. Thankfully, I felt perfectly fine afterward, and it's still one of my favorite food memories from Boracay.
If your budget allows, I highly recommend booking a private island hopping tour. Having the flexibility to move at your own pace made the experience feel much more relaxing and personal.
This is definitely one excursion I would book again.
Helmet Diving
Helmet diving was probably one of the most unique activities I tried.
Walking on the ocean floor while surrounded by tropical fish is something you don't get to experience every day. Seeing the marine life and coral reefs up close was incredible, and I really enjoyed the experience.
There is one important thing I wish someone had told me before booking.
If you have high blood pressure, heart conditions, or certain medical concerns, this excursion may not be suitable for you. Several people in our group had already paid for the activity but unfortunately weren't allowed to participate because of medical reasons.
It's definitely something to keep in mind before booking.
Personally, I really enjoyed helmet diving and would recommend it to anyone who is comfortable with underwater activities.
Sunset Paraw Sailing
One of Boracay's most iconic experiences is sailing on a traditional paraw boat.
The ride itself is fairly short, lasting about thirty minutes, but it's peaceful and relaxing.
The only mistake I made was booking my ride too early.
If you're planning to do this excursion, make sure you schedule it as close to sunset as possible. Watching the sun slowly disappear over the ocean is what makes this experience so special.
Even though I still enjoyed sailing, I know I would have loved it even more if I had gone during the actual sunset.
Crystal Kayak Photos
The crystal kayak has become one of Boracay's signature photo experiences.
The concept is simple. A kayak operator takes you out into the water and photographs you while you pose inside a transparent kayak.
The photos can look absolutely stunning, but I do have one important piece of advice.
Always check the photos before leaving.
Not every kayak operator photographs people the same way. Mine initially used my iPhone's ultra-wide 0.5x camera, which made my body proportions look very distorted. My legs appeared much larger than the rest of my body, and the photos looked very awkward.
Thankfully, I noticed it immediately and politely asked him to retake them. The second set turned out much better.
Don't be afraid to ask for another attempt if you're not happy with the results. Most operators are happy to take a few extra photos.
Windsurfing Lessons
Learning to windsurf was one of the highlights of my trip.
It was challenging, exciting, and incredibly rewarding.
I enjoyed it so much that I ended up writing an entire blog post dedicated to my experience, where I explain how I found a better price than what most tour representatives offer, what to expect during your lesson, and a few tips I wish I had known beforehand.
If you're thinking about trying windsurfing in Boracay, I definitely recommend reading that guide before booking your lesson.
Are Boracay Excursions Worth It?
Absolutely.
Even though Boracay is a relatively small island, every excursion allowed me to experience a different side of it. Some introduced me to hidden beaches, others let me explore the underwater world, while some simply gave me memories I wouldn't have made by staying on White Beach every day.
One thing I noticed is that almost every tour representative offered very similar prices. I compared several different vendors during my stay, and there wasn't much room for negotiation. The only extra I received was a complimentary crystal kayak experience as part of my booking, but aside from occasional promotions like that, prices were generally consistent.
If I had to rank the excursions based on my personal experience, my favorites would be:
Island Hopping Tour
Windsurfing Lessons
Land Tour
Helmet Diving
Sunset Paraw Sailing
Crystal Kayak
Of course, everyone travels differently, but if it's your first time visiting Boracay, I highly recommend trying at least a few excursions. They allowed me to discover parts of the island that I probably never would have found on my own, and they made my first trip to the Philippines even more memorable.
Bring a Piece of Boracay Home
During my visit, I also created a collection of fine art photographs showcasing the beauty of Boracay beyond portraits. If this incredible island holds a special place in your heart, I invite you to explore my Boracay Fine Art Print Collection, where you'll find museum-quality prints featuring the island's beaches, tropical scenery, and unforgettable coastal landscapes.
Whether you're looking for artwork to remember your own trip or simply love tropical destinations, I hope these photographs bring a little piece of Boracay into your home.