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Boracay
Boracay is
a
small
tropical island located
approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila Philippines and 2km
off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas
region of the Philippines. Boracay is one of the country's most
popular tourist destinations, due to it’s pristine white beaches.
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 Island
Boracay
Island, approximately 7km long (with
the narrowest spot being nearly 1km 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.
Languages/Dialects
Other
than Tagalog/Filipino and other local
dialects, English is widely spoken in Boracay. Aklanon is predominantly
spoken in Aklan Province (island of Panay), of which Boracay is part.
Weather and Climate
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.
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.
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. The main tourism area for Boracay, 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 kite
boarding / 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).
Transportation
by
Plane
From Manila’s domestic airport, take flights to Boracay either via
Kalibo (1 hour and 45 minutes away) or via Caticlan (10-20 minutes by
boat). 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 tricycles will take you from Caticlan
airport to the jetty port, 3 minutes away.
Around
Boracay Island
On the island, most public transportation is by motorized Pedi cab or
tricycles as they are called locally. There is a set fee for tricycle
rides displayed on a tariff card in every vehicle. Other means of
transportation include mountain bikes, quad bikes 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 motorized 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 webbing platform between
the outriggers supports. These are extremely fast off the wind, but are
rather unwieldy. Going about is a rather complicated maneuver.
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