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A mecca for wining, dining and partying, as well as for a full range of outdoor activities, Boracay is perhaps the Philippines' premier entertainment center outside Manila.
While most people come to this tropical island to simply relax and commune with nature, there is plenty to occupy those who would rather do more than just sit in or out of the shade. The island is dotted with some 10 different beaches, all within reasonable commuting distance of the main tourist area. The most famous of these is White Beach, which is largely the reason why most people come to the island in the first place. This four-kilometer stretch of powdery white sand on the western shoreline is a favorite spot for swimming, strolling or just hanging out. All sorts of marine sports are available here, such as snorkeling and scuba diving. Many of the island's 20 or so dive shops are located nearby. Outlets such as Calypso Diving School (PADI), Victory Divers and Aquarius Diving offer a wide variety of programs, from half-day courses to full PADI diver certification. Some, like Fisheye Dive Safari, also organize outings to explore undersea coral, or longer trips in search of sunken galleons from days gone by.
If you like sailing, Boracay is certainly the place for you. You can sail around the island by yourself or with some excellent local boatmen as crew. A trip around the island will take you about three hours in a paraw (a native wooden sailboat with outriggers), but budget for a longer time, especially if you wish to stop off at some of the more interesting places along the way. Most people circumnavigate the island in a clockwise direction, so Puka Beach makes a good stopping-off point.
Hobbie cats, modern sailing craft based on the design of a catamaran, are available by the hour--as are jet skis, water skis, speedboats and banana boats--from Tommy's Sea Sports. A banana boat is an inflatable towed at high speed through the water. The object is to stay aloft without being thrown off as the craft twists and turns. This ride seems to be particularly popular with girls. Windsurfing can be enjoyed on both sides of the island, depending on which season the wind blows best. Sunset cruises are available from some of the resorts, and from time to time a parasail can be seen plying through the sky.
If your daytime entertainment preference leans more toward land-based operations, there is tennis at Lorenzo Main Tennis Court and Tirol and Tirol Tennis Club, golf at Fairways & Bluewater, horseback riding at Boracay Horse Riding Stables, bowling at the town's "bowlodrome," and, of course, beach volleyball. You may also rent a motorbike or mountain bike to roam the island and explore its scenic beauty. There is certainly plenty to see: The Bat Caves, Dead Forest and Mount Luho are main destinations, but you can make equally interesting trips to lesser-known places. For a look at local history and culture, visit the Gloria & Roberto Tirol Heritage Museum or the Shell Museum overlooking Ilig-Iligan Beach. There are also intra-island extreme sports such as trekking and "canyoning" (rappelling down a canyon) under the supervision of Panay Canyoning Tours.
A favorite late-afternoon occupation is to stroll along White Beach Path and check out your fellow travelers. The local markets, scattered about since the main Talipapa market burnt down, are full of people browsing the local shops. Boracay lamps, colorful bags, accessories and native handicrafts can all be found here. You might even want to drop in for a body tattoo at Noel's Tattoo Studio.
Head for the beach as twilight descends. It is an opportune time to cool off with a sundowner. Watch the last scarlet and crimson rays of the tropical sun from a favorite venue. Wahine Beach Bar is one place that readily comes to mind. Many of the establishments along the beach have happy hour, which offers patrons free seconds of beers and selected local cocktails. Salut! Or, as the locals say, Mabuhay!
After dinner, you might want to look into one of the many Internet cafés on the island--Inso Internet Café and Alice in Wonderland Internet Café, to name but two--to check your e-mail or just surf the Net. Or you could go for a stroll and drop by one of the island's many bars; try listening to the mellow sounds at Bom Bom. As the night wears on, the younger crowd usually makes for the discos like Beachcomber Bar & Disco, or the rowdier bars like Summer Place Bar & Restaurant, where loud techno music is played. Now is the time to dance the night away under the stars!
Dawn brings out the early birds in this tropical island paradise, some jogging along the beach. But the late-night revelers still have a ways to go before they find their promise of another day!
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