et Skis, Yacht Parties, Parasailing, Boat Rides, Nightlife & More
Over 7,000 islands in the Philippines and Boracay is one of the best reasons to visit.
Welcome to the Philippines
Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the Philippines. A country in Southeast Asia made up of over 7,000 islands, each one more beautiful than the last. For this trip, we picked one of the most famous: Boracay. White sand beaches, turquoise water, non-stop activities, and a nightlife scene that genuinely never sleeps. Sit down, relax, and let's travel the world together.
Full transparency this trip started a little rocky. Card wasn't working on arrival, hunger levels were critical, and the energy was low. But a $100 bill that had been sitting forgotten in my purse all year saved the day. Sometimes the universe just holds things for you until you need them. We converted it, got food, and the trip turned all the way around.
Day One Activities: ATV & Ziplining
First up: ATV riding and ziplining. The outfit debate was real you can't exactly show up to an ATV track in just a bikini. Or can you? I tried pairing a bikini top with a set and honestly, it worked. Style doesn't take days off, even on activity days.
The ziplining had everyone's nerves going. Watching the first person launch off was enough to make the whole group question their life choices for a solid 10 seconds and then the adrenaline kicked in and it was incredible. The views from up there? Breathtaking. Absolutely worth the fear.
The ATV was a whole different kind of chaos especially for first-timers behind the wheel. No licence, no problem, just pure nervous energy and a lot of laughs. Let's just say some of us were better drivers than others. After all of that, we more than earned a chill swim and a quiet afternoon.
Sunset Yacht Party
Here's the thing about Boracay someone is always going to convince you to do something you weren't planning on doing. In this case, that thing was a yacht party. The girls' boat had already sold out by the time I tried to book, so I ended up joining the boys' sunset cruise instead. No complaints.
The sun going down over the water from a yacht is one of those views that genuinely makes you stop mid-sentence and just take it in. Good music, good energy, good people. The kind of evening that reminds you why you travel in the first place.
Water Activities Day: Banana Boat, Kayaking & Jet Skiing
Three activities, one day, zero chill banana boat, kayaking, and jet skiing. The lineup sounded fun and it absolutely was, but it was the speedboat ride between spots that almost took us out. The driver had a very different definition of 'safe speed' than the rest of us. We genuinely thought we were going to end up in the water at several points. We survived. Barely.
The jet skiing was a highlight getting out on open water at speed with nothing around you but ocean and sky is one of those experiences that just feels free. Parasailing was also on the agenda and the views from up there were breathtaking. There's something about seeing Boracay from the air that makes you realise just how stunning this island really is.
Dinner Dates & Boracay Nightlife
Dinner with the Girls
After a full day on the water it was time to get cleaned up and actually sit down for a proper meal. Dinner with Mandy and Cassie was the move — fish and chips, pork belly rum, pet crab, and frozen margaritas. We raised a glass to international travel and to Mandy, who was heading back to South Korea the next day. When a friend is leaving, you make sure her last night counts.
Nightlife in Boracay
Boracay's nightlife lives up to its reputation. The beach transforms at night bars light up, music fills the air, and the energy shifts into something completely different from the daytime vibe. We went out and didn't make it back until around 2am, which honestly felt responsible given what Boracay nights are capable of.
One of the sweetest moments of the trip happened out of nowhere a group of locals started singing, someone joined in, and suddenly we had an impromptu performance that nobody planned and everybody loved. That's Boracay. The best moments aren't scheduled.
The People, the Pool & Why Boracay Just Works
One thing that came up again and again throughout this trip: the people in the Philippines are genuinely warm. Strangers asking for photos, locals striking up conversations in shops, hotel staff going out of their way to make you feel welcome. It makes visiting so easy. The island draws people from everywhere South Africa, South Korea, Europe, all over and somehow everyone just gets along and vibes together.
The hotel pool deserves its own mention. Every morning, looking down at that pool from above was one of those quiet moments of pure gratitude crystal blue water, palm trees, ocean in the distance. It never got old. I kept saying I'd swim in it properly and eventually I did, and it was worth the wait.
What We Ate in Boracay
The food scene in Boracay is genuinely good, whether you're eating at a beachside restaurant or grabbing something quick between activities. Highlights included fresh shrimp, beef and chicken tacos ordered during a slower afternoon, fish and chips by the water, and the kind of seafood that only tastes right when you're this close to the ocean.
I also tried Barako — a local Filipino energy drink that I spotted in a small shop near the hotel. As someone who swears by Red Bull, I was curious. It has its own thing going on. Definitely worth trying just to say you did.
Tips for Visiting Boracay
💳 Sort Your Cash Before You Go: Card issues on arrival can derail your whole first day. Have local currency (Philippine Peso) ready before you get to the island ATMs exist but can be unreliable.
🏄 Book Activities Early: Sunset cruises and yacht parties sell out fast, especially during peak season. Book as soon as you know your dates don't leave it to the day.
🌊 Do All the Water Activities: Jet skiing, parasailing, banana boat, kayaking Boracay is built for water sports. Go for it. The speedboat rides between spots are wild but part of the experience.
🎒 Pack Activity-Friendly Outfits: You'll spend a lot of time in motion ATVs, hikes, water sports. Bring sets or athletic wear you can layer over a bikini so you're always ready for whatever the day brings.
🌅 Watch the Sunset from the Water: The Boracay sunset is special no matter where you watch it from but being out on a boat when the sky turns golden is something else entirely.
📸 Say Yes to Photos with Locals: People in the Philippines will ask for pictures with you. Just smile and say yes. It's one of those small things that makes travel feel connected rather than transactional.
🌙 Make Time for Nightlife: Boracay's beach bars and clubs are a whole vibe at night. Even if you're not a big nightlife person, walking the strip in the evening is worth doing at least once.
Boracay delivered on every level the activities, the food, the people, the views. The Philippines is one of those places that just makes you want to come back and explore more islands. And with 7,000+ to choose from, there's no shortage of reasons to return.