1 Day in Malay: White Sands to Puka Shells

Boracay is an island in the central part of the Philippines. It belongs to the Western Visayas and is located 2 kilometers northwest of Panay Island. It is one of the tourist attractions in the Philippines. There is also a small white sandy beach in the northeast, Ilig-iligan Beach, where the Shell Museum is located. The towering Mount Luho on the eastern beach offers breathtaking views across the island.

The white sand beach is formed by a large piece of coral ground and stretches smoothly. The sand is white and delicate. There are many tourists here and all kinds of leisure and entertainment facilities are available. At night, it transforms into a huge bar, which is decorated with lights and music. It is colorful, no wonder that many people who come to vacation stay here from morning to night. Regional distribution The white sand beach is located in the middle of the west coast of the island, extending for 4 kilometers from north to south. From north to south, it is divided into No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 in the order of development, which is what tourists often call S1, S2, and S3. . You can try to walk from one end to the other, you will experience its different characteristics. S1 belongs to the hotel area, there are fewer tourists and fewer sellers; the place called Friday Beach refers to here. S2 is an area where commercial facilities are concentrated, and you can find D'mall shopping mall, which can not only enjoy shopping but also satisfy your taste buds. And S3 also has a lot of things to sell, the price is cheaper than S2, and there will be fewer people at the end, which is very suitable for tourists who like a quiet atmosphere. It is very pleasant to  go on the white sand beach, play in the water, pile sand, or rent a deck chair to relax. The tall coconut trees can also be used to block the sun. In addition to the intoxicating sandy beaches, the Willy's Reef, which stands in the blue waters, is also a major attraction. The reef is located near the S1 pier. It is not only a good place to take pictures, but you can also walk directly to the reef at low tide and climb up to see the whole white sand beach and crystal clear waters. If you want to enjoy the beautiful sunset of Boracay Island, you might as well go to the S1 area in the evening. The huge sun slowly falls into the horizon, and the wonderful color gradient of the sky will be unforgettable. You can even rent a non-powered sailboat and float on the sea to watch the unpredictable sunset clouds. There are a lot of water activities on White Beach, including snorkeling, diving, banana boat, windsurfing, parachutes, glass bottom boats, etc. Don't forget to bargain with the locals to get a deal at a reasonable price. Among them, the glass-bottomed boat, which looks very similar to Nemo in the movie "Finding Nemo", is very interesting. Not only can you watch sea urchins, corals, starfish, tropical fish and other marine life through the glass bottom, but you can also choose a place with high visibility for snorkeling. There are ticket offices on the beaches of S1 and S3, and free snacks and drinks are provided during the 2+ hour voyage. Food and shopping Jonah's FruitShake & SnackBar located in S1 is a famous juice shop on the island. Be sure to try this mango juice, which is about 95 pesos for a large glass. At the D'Talipapa seafood market in S2, you can choose fresh seafood, and then let the store process it or bring it back to the hotel for processing, but pay attention to the price often fluctuates, the asking price may be too high, and you need to haggle. The D'Mall shopping center in White Beach S2 is a lively commercial area in Boracay, where you can buy local specialty products such as essential oils, soaps, and shell jewelry. You can also see people selling T-shirts near the beach, and the scenery of Boracay Island is painted on the T-shirts, which is very unique. After dark, the various bars centered on D'Mall are colorful, and the colorful nightlife continues until late at night. Accommodation Recommendation Tourists who vacation in Boracay will choose to live near White Beach. The S1 area has a quiet environment and is very suitable for honeymoon; the lively S2 area has many choices in terms of price, ranging from 300 to 1000 RMB. To meet the needs of the public; and you can find very cheap hotels in the S3 area, which can be considered if the budget is limited. In addition, at the end of the north side of the white sand beach, there is a walking trail leading to Dinwid Beach, where it is small and quiet, and you can enjoy a rare quiet time.

Friday Beach is the famous beautiful white sand beach in Boracay. It is located in Friday Resort. The sand here is fine and soft. Under the coconut grove beach, you can enjoy the sea and the sky, even just strolling on the beautiful and peaceful white sandy beach and watching the sunset.

Puka Beach, also known as Yapak Beach, is less touristy and has a peaceful seaside atmosphere. It was once famous for its shiny puka shells, beautiful little shells that can be picked up on the beach after the tide goes out. Singer Liang Jingru's wedding photos were taken here, and now couples propose marriage here from time to time. Due to its remote location, access to Puka Beach is also inconvenient, but it also creates a beautiful, quiet and private environment. When you climb over the hills and come here, you can stretch your body and mind and walk with the sea breeze, as if the entire coastline belongs to you, which is extraordinarily wonderful. However, the sand at Puka Beach is rougher than the powdery fine sand of White Beach, and the slope here is not very gentle. Shells at Puka Beach were a popular accessory material in the 1970s and 1980s, but not every season is now available. During the typhoon season, the sand from the sea will flow back to the beach, covering the scattered shells. Come here in the evening, quietly looking for shells and watching the sunset, also don't have a lot of fun. It doesn't matter if you can't pick up a shell, there are small vendors selling shell products on the beach, and there are small bracelets and other accessories made by local residents that can be purchased.