BORACAY: My Guide to Riding the Banana Boat with Kids

BORACAY: My Guide to Riding the Banana Boat with Kids

What is the Banana Boat Ride

You ride on a yellow inflatable shaped like a banana. 

The banana-shaped inflatable is towed by a motorized boat.

The banana boat ride in Boracay goes half-way around the island.

Why do the Banana Boat Ride

1. The great thing about the Banana Boat Ride is that it feels like a jet ski ride except it's much cheaper than doing a jet ski. 

A jet ski ride costs 3000 per hour and can accommodate a maximum of 2 persons. A banana boat ride is 1250-1500 pesos per banana boat (for a 15-minute which can accommodate a maximum of 6 persons. (See banana boat ride rate below)

2. It's a fun thing to do together as a family because one banana boat can fit a whole family. In our case, it fits all 6 of us.

2. It's a great way to see the perimeter of Boracay island because it goes half-way around the island.

HOW IT IS DONE

1. Register and pay at the water sports booth. You sign a waiver of liability at the booth.

We were picked up for free at our hotel in Station 1 by Napoleon Seasports

These are the water sports booth located at Station 1 across Astoria Boracay.

This is the booth of Napoleon Seasports, where we booked our banana boat ride.

Registering and paying at the booth

Signing the waiver

The copy of the waiver

2. Ride the banana boat at Station 1.

Let the fun begin!!!

We were pulled out of the shore of Station 1...

...Then we were brought half-way around the island.

The banana boat zigzagged and jumped over water.

Where to book:

Look for Christine at (+63919)395-9054

Rate:

250 per person, minimum of 5 persons per single body banana boat.

Since we're 6 in one banana boat, we paid 1500 pesos. If you're 5 person or less, you pay a fixed rate of 1250 pesos per banana boat.

MY TIPS:

1. The best time to do any water sports activity is in the morning, around 10:00 AM. We did the banana boat ride in the morning and the weather is cooler compared to when we did parasailing in the afternoon. 

2. Bring a camera. One of the boatmen riding the boat pulling the banana boat can take a picture or video of your ride.

CHECK OUT CURRENT RATES AND BOOK IN ADVANCE HERE:

Banana boat ride 

BORACAY: My Guide to Parasailing with Kids

BORACAY: My Guide to Parasailing with Kids

Parasailing looks dangerous so a lot of parents are hesitant about letting their kids do this activity. Some adults are not inclined to do it because it looks scary as the parasail goes very high up over the water at dizzying heights. This guide aims to show step-by-step how parasailing is conducted at Boracay white beach. 

What is Parasailing?

Parasailing is a water activity that involves a speedboat towing a parasail (it looks like a parachute) like a kite up into the air while one or two people are harnessed to the parasail in a seating position. This is not to be confused with paragliding.

HOW IT IS DONE

1. Register and pay at the parasailing booth. You sign a waiver of liability at the booth.

These are the water sports booth located at Station 1 across Astoria Boracay.

This is the booth of Napoleon Seasports, where we booked our parasailing activity.

Registering and paying at the booth

2. You wait until the speedboat arrives to bring you to the parasail platform.

Waiting at a tent across Astoria Boracay

3. You ride the speedboat for around 5 minutes to go to the parasail platform.

From the White beach, we ride the small speedboat that will to take us
to the parasail platform.

Enjoying the fast and bumpy 5-minute ride to the parasail platform

This is the platform where the small speedboat takes you.

4. From the platform, you ride another speedboat, which is the speedboat that will tow your parasail.

From the platform, we ride the bigger speedboat that will tow the parasail.

5. While the speedboat goes to the middle of the sea, you put on a life vest that you will wear while parasailling.

6. When the speedboat arrives in the middle of the sea, they unfurl the parasail. Then, you climb to the edge of the speedboat to put on the harness attached to the parasail.

7. Then UP, UP and AWAY!!!

You sit down as you prepare to be taken slowly up in the air.

You are taken slowly and gradually up in the air.

The ride took around 10 minutes.

My kids say the view is fantastic up there.

Where to book:

Look for Christine at (+63919)395-9054

Rate:

800 pesos per person

What my kids said about their experience up in the air:

1. It's so peaceful and quiet up there. You cannot even hear the motor of the speedboat running.

2. They saw the corals clearly from up there.

3. They saw a sting ray swimming underneath the waters.

4. They should have brought a camera with them up there.

MY TIPS:

1. The best time to do any water sports activity is in the morning, around 10:00 AM. We did the banana boat ride in the morning and the weather is cooler compared to when we did parasailing. 

2. If possible, bring 2 cameras. If you don't have a companion who can take your photo from the boat, leave one camera with the boatman so they can take a picture of you from the boat. Bring a camera with you up there while parasailing. According to my kids, the view from up there is a great photo opprtunity.

3. In our case, we asked if we can accompany the kids even if we're not parasailing. They allowed us to join them in the speedboat that will go parasailing.

4. You can choose to do parasailing alone or with another person. The rate is the same. But if you're with your sibling, relative, friend, or spouse, it's a better experience to share the ride and the view with someone close to you.

CHECK OUT CURRENT RATES AND BOOK IN ADVANCE HERE

Boracay Parasailing: rates and description of activity

BORACAY: List of Restaurants with Delivery

BORACAY: List of Restaurants with Delivery

Station 1 is the nicest part of Boracay White Beach. However, the advantage of Station 1 being away from the crowds is also its disadvantage. By being away from the crowds of Station 2 and D'mall, it's also a long walk to great dining areas. Dining options on our first night was initially a problem. No one wants to leave the resort anymore and the comfort of an airconditioned room  and walk almost 2 km or ride the tricycle to dine at D'mall. Then we discovered there are several restaurants offering delivery service to resorts.

Since Boracay Island is small, delivery time ranged from 25-45 min. So if you find yourself feeling lazy enough to go out of your resort and want to try food other than the resort food, you can call the following restaurants with food delivery service

RESTAURANT DELIVERY SERVICE WE TRIED:

Shakey's Boracay

Phone Number: (+63 36) 288-1777

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 10:00 AM - 12:00 MN, Fri-Sun: 10:00 AM - 1:00 AM

Menu: Click here to view menu
Average cost per head: 220 pesos

(photo from Cyma facebook page)

Cyma

Phone Number: (+63 36) 288-4283

Hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Menu: Click here to view menu
Delivery Charge: 20 pesos
Average cost per head: 280 pesos per head

Bite Club

Phone Number: (+63 36) 288-5947
Hours: Sun-Mon: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM,
Tues-Thurs: 11:00 AM - 12:00 MN,
Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM - 12:30 AM

MENU

Delivery Charge: 40 pesos
Average cost per head: 200 pesos per head

OTHER RESTAURANTS OFFERING DELIVERY SERVICE

Mc Donalds Boracay

Phone Number: (+63 36) 288-6236

Open Hours: Mon-Sun: 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM

Menu: Click here to view menu
Note: Delivery is available in Station 2 and 3. 

Yellowcab

Phone Number: (+63 36) 288-5550

Open Hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00 AM - 12:00 MN

Menu: Click here to view menu

Tito's

Phone Number: (+63 36) 288-2369, (+63 36) 663-0079

Open Hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM

Menu: Click here to view menu

Aria

Phone Number: (+63 36) 288-6223, 

Open Hours: Mon-Sun: 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM

Menu: Click here to view menu

Fish Bar

Phone Number: (+63 36) 288-4026

Open Hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Menu: Click here to view menu

Gerry's  Grill

Phone Number: (+63 36) 288-1459, 1459

Open Hours: Mon-Sun: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Menu: Click here to view menu

Hama

Phone Number: (+63 36) 288-5978
Menu: Click here to view menu



Real Coffee

Phone Number: (+63 36) 288-5340

Open Hours: Mon-Sun: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Menu: Click to view menu

BORACAY: Where to Find Good Old-Fashioned Pinoy Halo Halo at D'Mall

BORACAY: Where to Find Good Old-Fashioned Pinoy Halo Halo at D'Mall

If you're like us who crave for the traditional no-frills Pinoy Halo Halo on a hot summer day, go to the newly-opened Halo Halo Hut at D'Mall. When you crave for one, you don't have to go through every restaurant menu in the area just to find out if they serve the traditional Filipino Halo Halo. Just drop by the stall of Halo Halo Hut. They serve the classic Filipino Halo Halo and other Filipino versions of the Halo Halo.

Where it is located

Just follow the arrow on the map above (courtesy of myboracayguide)
OR
Follow the sign at D'mall that leads you to "D'Mall Palengke"

Halo Halo Hut is beside JRS Express at D'Mall Palengke

Menu and Price List

Halo Halo we tasted

Islands Halo Halo
(the classic Filipino Halo Halo)

Pampanga Style Halo Halo

BORACAY: How to go around the Island by Tricycle

BORACAY: How to go around the Island by Tricycle

If you're staying at a hotel in Boracay Station 1 and have tried walking to D'mall where most of the shops and dining options are, you know that it's a 10-15 min walk via the main road. It will be shorter via the White Beach, but if you're tired already it will still be a long walk. Your best option is ride the tricycle from one station to another.

Where to Get a Tricycle

There are no specific terminal where you can ride the tricycle. You just go to the main road and flag down any tricycle plying  the main road. The main road is shown below:

View Larger Map

Capacity of the Tricycle

We are a family of 2 adults and 4 teenagers. We were able to fit in the tricycle with 2 adults sitting in front and 4 kids sitting at the back. I think you can even fit another adult riding at the back of the driver. In the Philippines, there's no limit to the number of passengers riding a tricycle. The same thing is true with riding a tricycle around Boracay Island. The only exception is riding a tricycle from Caticlan jetty port to Caticlan airport and vice versa, where you're allowed to fit in only 3 persons  per tricycle

2 adults can sit in the front, 4 kids can sit at the back and
1 adult can ride "side saddle" behind the driver

As you can see from the rear view mirror above, the six of us fit in the tricycle with 2 adults seated in front and 4 kids seated at the back

Tricycle Rates (Special trips)

Between stations (ex. fr. Station 1 hotel to D'Mall)

1-5 persons: 50 pesos per tricycle

6-7 persons: 10 pesos per head

Station 1, 2, 3 to Cagban jetty port (and vice versa):

1-3 persons: 150 pesos per tricycle

My tip: If you are more than 3 persons in a group,it will be cheaper to rent a van at 250 pesos per van.

Disclosure:  We were charged 150 pesos from Station 1, White House resort area by the tricycle driver. Three passengers and three 10 kg luggage occupied one tricycle. The tricycle price list is shown below and taken from My Boracay Guide Map: 

HOWEVER, my nephew informed us that he was charged only 100 pesos TWO WEEKS AGO for a special trip from Station 2, D'Mall, Budget Mart area to Cagban port. He occupied one tricycle alone. 

My tip: Negotiate with the tricycle driver because based on my nephew's experience, price can be lower. Make sure to bring small bills so you can give an exact amount and not wait for change.

Station 1, 2, 3 to Puka beach (and vice versa):
150 pesos per tricyle