Boracay’s Secret Beaches
There’s more to Boracay than Stations 1-3, a.k.a. White Beach, the long strip of powdery sand that put Boracay atop many best beach listicles around the world. This year I went on a mission: To find as many of Boracay’s secret beaches as I could.
Sorry, White Beach! I still love you, but I needed a break from the pesky vendors. Nothing beats peace and quiet on the beach without a care in the world, and most of all, without any noise or interruption.
It was not easy. There is no one comprehensive “secret beach list,” and as I found out along the way, some beaches are called by different names, while some aren’t properly labeled on Google Maps. Not all Boracay residents are familiar with these spots.
After reading dozens of published articles and blog posts, I listed 17 beaches in Boracay (not counting White Beach) and managed to visit 13.
1. Bulabog Beach
The easiest to find among Boracay’s “secret” beaches, Bulabog is just a 15-minute walk or five-minute tricycle ride from Station 2. It’s also known as Back Beach, the windy side of Boracay, or the alternative Boracay. Considered the best kite surfing destination in Asia, Bulabog Beach’s peak season is from December to March when the wind is perfect for kitesurfing. When the wind is calm, Bulabog Beach is a peaceful paradise, a far cry from the elbow-to-elbow situation along Stations 1 to 3.
2. Manoc-Manoc Beach
When you walk past Bulabog Rock, the far end of Bulabog Beach, you’ll get a glimpse of Manoc-Manoc. It’s not exactly a great spot to chill because it’s the docking station of supply boats, so it’s not as clean and beautiful as Bulabog or White Beach. But since you’re already exploring Bulabog, you may as well have a look at Manoc-Manoc.
| Tip
🚗 Make traveling easy and stress-free – Book a private transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay.
3. Diniwid Beach
There are two ways to get here. You can walk past Station 1, past Lambros Point and the Mother Mary Cave, or you can take a tricycle ride from wherever you are in Boracay and they’ll take you to the backside of Diniwid, where you’ll walk a bit until you get to this tranquil beach that’s away from the crowd. There are some restaurants and bars in this area, so it’s not exactly the most secret spot. But it’s still more quiet option than Stations 1-3.
4. Balinghai Beach
Before the pandemic and controversial 2018 Boracay closure, your only way to explore Balinghai Beach was through the private Balinghai Beach Resort, either paying the entrance fee or checking in for at least a night. Unfortunately, Balinghai Beach Resort is now closed! When I tried to get in, the gates were padlocked and there was nobody there to let me through.
5. Hagdan Beach
This piece of paradise is between Diniwid (right after the former Spider House) and Balinghai. After my failed Balinghai attempt, I walked to the left and found this beach, which, according to some locals, is called Hagdan Beach because the address is in Hadgan-Yapak. It’s not on Google Maps! You’ll just see a blank space on the map right before Balinghai, which makes it feel even more secret.
6. Puka Beach
This one is not-so-secret. If you’ve booked the island-hopping tour of Boracay, then you most likely made a pitstop at Puka Shell Beach or Puka Beach. which is at the northern tip of the island. It’s called Puca because the sand is mixed with crushed corals, making it courser than the sand in White Beach. According to longtime residents, this beach also used to be lined with puka shells, hence the name.
7. Ilig-Iligan Beach
Further past Bulabog and also on the backside of Boracay, Ilig-Iligan is probably what White Beach looked like before mainstream tourism took over—natural, rugged, uninhabited, uncombed, and untouched. The tide is a bit stronger here, so make sure you’re a good swimmer. According to locals, if you go way left past Ilig-Iligan, you’ll find another secret beach. But I was already tired, it was raining, and the tide was strong and high, so I skipped the extra mile.
8. Lapuz-Lapuz Beach
This one’s a bit confusing. If you check Google Maps, it says it’s still part of Ilig-Iligan Beach, when locals say this is really Lapuz Lapuz Beach. It’s accessible via Fairways and Bluewaters. It’s near the famous Cujo’s Keyhole.
9. Banyugan Beach
Now let’s go to Station 0, the nickname given to the stretch of white sand way past Station 1, where all the high-end hotels and resorts are found. It’s where you’ll most likely find A-list celebrities and models sunbathing in peace. Banyugan Beach is in front of Shangri-La Plaza.
Fun activities to try in Boracay
- 🚁 Helicopter tour
- 🤿 Boracay Island and beach hopping boat tour with snorkeling
- 🌅 Scenic sunset cruise with live music
- 🌊 Parasailing experience
10. Punta Bunga Beach
This is accessible via Shangri-La, Movenpick, and Eco Village Resorts. Needless to say, you have to be checked into these exclusive resorts to get access to the Station 0 beaches.
11. Tambisaan Beach
For a more local flavor, Tambisaan Beach is next to the Tambisaan Jetty Port. You’ll find a good snorkeling spot and a friendly residential area. But it can get busy during high tide season. Tambisaan Jetty Port is where you’ll have to dock during the high tide season instead of the usual Cagban Jetty Port.
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12. Cagban Jetty Port
Not to be confused with Cagban Secret Beach, this Cagban is right next to the Jetty Port, where all tourists coming from Caticlan Airport will usually dock upon arrival in Boracay. Google Maps will lead you to two versions of Cagban Beach, and it’s usually this one on the first try. I’ve read many blog posts saying this is a great beach. Technically, yes, this small beach does have the requisite white sand, but because it’s right next to the Jetty Port with boats coming in and out regularly, it’s not the ideal place to lounge in your skimpy bikini. The beach is also right in front of the tricycle drivers’ parking station, so I’m giving this a no.
13. Secret Cagban Beach
Now let’s go to the real secret Cagban Beach for the more adventurous traveler. To get there, you’ll have to walk or bike through some greenery with lots of debris from the abandoned hotels and resorts that used to surround the area. I found two sections of the secret beaches. The first is where you’ll find a lot of locals having barbeque parties, and the second is great for lounging in secret for as long as the tide is low. Just in case Google Maps lures you to this little pin called “Secret Beach,” please note that it does not exist! I tried to go there and ended up in a toilet-smelling area with no beach. Look for the real Cagban Beach.
After seeing not-so-pretty beaches, I decided to skip the other secret beaches on my list:
14. Malabunot Plaza Beach
15. Lugutan Beach
16. Tulubhan Beach
17. Savoy Beach
If I were to pick the best from Boracay’s secret beaches, I’d recommend you see Diniwid, Bulabog, Cagban (the real secret version), Ilig-Iligan, and Hagdan. If you’re staying for only a few days in the island, you can skip the rest.
All photos by Kate. except for Balinghai, which is from fb.com/balinghai.
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