Getting there and choosing your base
- Caticlan (Godofredo P. Ramos) Airport (MPH): The closest airport, only a few kilometres from the Caticlan jetty port; a tricycle or a short walk covers the gap. It saves the long road transfer that Kalibo involves.
- Kalibo International Airport (KLO): Takes larger aircraft and international flights, but lies about 70 km from Caticlan. Vans and buses run to the jetty, so a late landing may mean a night in Kalibo before crossing.
- Caticlan and Tabon jetty ports: Outrigger boats cross to Cagban on Boracay; in windy months boats can switch to Tabon and Tambisaan. Terminal and environmental fees are paid at the port, and you must show a confirmed hotel booking before boarding.
Areas to consider
Station 1
Suits beach time at the northern end of White Beach, a little away from the busiest stretch. Beachfront rooms cost much more than those a few minutes inland, so check exactly how far from the sand the room is.
Station 2
Suits a first visit, with D'Mall, restaurants and bars close by. Music from the beachfront bars carries late, so ask for a room set back from the beach path.
Station 3
Suits budget and mid-range stays at the southern end of White Beach. Find out whether the resort includes the e-trike ride from the Cagban jetty or whether you arrange it yourself.
Bulabog Beach
Suits kitesurfers and windsurfers, with the season running from about November to April. Swimming and sunsets are on the other side of the island, so check the walk across to White Beach.
When to go
Holy Week, Christmas and New Year are the hardest times to find a room, and prices rise with demand. From November to April White Beach is usually calm; in the June to October rainy season the south-west monsoon pushes waves onto White Beach and brings typhoon risk, while Bulabog becomes the sheltered side.
Before choosing a room
- Since the island reopened in October 2018 after its closure, port staff check for a confirmed booking at an accredited hotel before you board. Keep the confirmation where you can show it.
- Some travel agents pose as resorts and charge well above the property's own rate. Confirm the price with the hotel itself before paying.
- Chairs, loungers and umbrellas are banned on the beach. If you want shade by the sea, check whether the hotel has a beachfront garden or terrace of its own.
Sources and planning resources
Facts checked on . Transport services, taxes and hotel offers can change. Confirm the details for your trip before booking.