Famous and well-loved for its powdery white sand and clear turquoise waters, Boracay has always been one of the favorite beach destinations in the Philippines. Frequently visited by local and international travelers alike, the island is a tropical paradise that offers a myriad of exciting activities such as partaking in the many water sports that are happening on the beach. Even when you’re just lounging by the bay, you still won’t run out of things to do and enjoy as the beach is teeming with cafes, restaurants, and even beachside vendors. Boracay is also famous for hosting the most vibrant and pulsating nightlife parties, and many people flock to Boracay looking forward to drink and dance the night away with their fellow travelers.
Even paradise needs a rest
Through the years, more and more establishments were built in the small island of Boracay to cater to its many tourists, reaching the point where the small island that was once quaint and quiet has become too chaotic and cluttered for many. Such developments and the unrestrained influx of tourists has taken its toll on the island resulting in its closure last April 2018. For six months, Boracay was given a much-needed break from the thousands of tourists that the roam the island daily. The government also took this time to rehabilitate the island which was sadly polluted by abusive businesses and poorly managed waste disposal and sewage systems.
A little over a year after its closure, remaining rehabilitation projects are already nearing completion. Further efforts and future projects will be implemented to continue the island’s rehabilitation. The government has laid-out strict regulations for what is coined as the “New Boracay.” While it can’t be helped for some people to feel a bit sad about the new rules that have been set in Boracay, it’s all for the sake of the treasured beach destination. These strict implementations all aim towards preserving the beautiful island of Boracay and restoring its tropical glory.
Related article: Boracay – World’s Best Island Getaway
Boracay 2.0: What has changed?
1. Limited carrying capacity and accommodations
In order to keep the influx of tourists at a manageable level, the maximum carrying capacity of Boracay has been set at only 19,215 people staying on the island, with only 6,405 tourists allowed to enter the island per day. A “no booking, no entry” policy is also being enforced so have your proof of hotel reservations at hand upon entering Boracay.
When looking for accommodations, be sure to check if the hotel you choose is accredited by the Department of Tourism. Since its rehabilitation, a lot of hotels have been ordered to close down because of mismanaged sewage and waste disposal systems. As a result, the number of accommodation options on the island has significantly dropped down from 12,000 rooms to only 6,000 to 9,000 rooms.
2. Cleaner and more family-friendly
In an effort to keep its beaches clean and properly maintained, eating, smoking, and drinking along White Beach is no longer allowed. Not to worry, visitors of the island can still enjoy all of these activities but only within their hotel property or in other private establishments.
Big parties that extend up to the beach are also prohibited too. This means that fans of the annual LaBoracay would have to say their goodbyes to what is perhaps one of the biggest and most awaited yearly parties in the Philippines. Party-goers would still have their fair share of revelries in Boracay as parties are not completely banned and are still allowed within private, non-beachfront establishments. Because of this new rule, Boracay has become safer, more peaceful and family-friendly, with a cleaner beachfront and more attractive surroundings.
3. Wider beach shore
If you’ve visited Boracay before, and you’re one of the people who feel like the island is a bit too crowded and cluttered, you’ll be thrilled to know that it has changed a lot since its rehabilitation.
The new Boracay now boasts of a wider beach shore, clear of illegal beach stalls, unauthorized restaurant extensions, and beachside hawkers that have a tendency to be too aggressive in selling products or offering services. A wider, 30-meter shoreline easement has been imposed, allowing visitors of the island to enjoy more comfortable beachside strolls and lounging.
Read our article about The White Beaches of Baracay Island
4. Restrictions on shows and beachside attractions
Boracay is also popular for the gorgeous sandcastles that you would find on its beaches, and the lively fire dance shows that are held every night. While these attractions definitely add to Boracay’s appeal, they also present a negative impact on the island’s iconic white sand which is why these activities have been regulated. The chemical normally used to build sand castles contributes to sand erosion. Several extortion issues have also been raised regarding sand castle artists who excessively charge tourists. There have also been cases wherein some tourists take photos alongside these sand castles not knowing that they will be charged for it. Sand castle makers will then force these tourists to delete their photo on their personal phones if they refuse to pay. To prevent this from happening in the new Boracay, regulations for sand castle making have been set.
Boracay’s fire dancers, on the other hand, use harmful gas for their stunts that have many negative effects on the environment, including leaving black stains on Boracay’s famous powdery white sand. The government suggests that these performers look for more environment-friendly options that they can use, including LED-based equipment. Fireworks are also no longer allowed after 9pm to maintain a tranquil and calm night-time atmosphere. While they were temporarily banned, the iconic paraw sails of Boracay are now back in business but also with a few regulations to follow.
5. Exciting water sports are back
Also temporarily suspended were the many water sports that operate in Boracay. This bas has since been lifted allowing thrill-seekers to continue enjoying exciting activities on the island including parasailing, banana boating, and jet skiing, among many others. However, a few changes were also made. The area for water sports activities are now being held further offshore to allow more area for leisurely swimming near the coastline.
To eliminate the presence of illegal tour coordinators, bookings for water sports and island hopping tours must now be coursed through hotels, resorts, or DOT-accredited travel agencies, and not through the peddlers that you would normally find along the beach. Designated pick-up points for water activities have also been set to avoid overcrowding on the beach.
Check out our article on Great Things to Do at White Beach in Boracay
What others have to say about Boracay after its rehabilitation
To give us an idea of what the new Boracay is like, here are some of the things that people who recently visited the island have to say about their experience:
“You can’t go wrong in Boracay. The nightlife might not be as good as before but it beach the view the surroundings I believe is better now.” – Google review from Crissy Cave (September 2019)
“Our visit was after the rehabilitation of the Island. I far as I am concerned, the Island is clean, though there are still lots of road works and water activities are not yet available.” – Google review from Mark Santos (August 2019)
“Most of us who visited Boracay previously was so surprised to see this other side of Boracay. It is so serene and calming. It was a beautiful place and has a very scenic view. – TripAdvisor review from maricrisef (August 2019)
“Decided to finally visit the New Boracay because of the photos I see in social media. I guess we went here a bit early after the 6-month closure because there are still lots of construction that needs to be finished but nevertheless, beach and sand is breathtaking. After all, it’s what we came here for.” – TripAdvisor review from twicecookedadobo (August 2019)
“The 6-month rehab did wonders….. Now the real challenge is maintaining it. At least. The beach has opened up, with the removal of all structures between the beach road and the beach. Hallelujah!
They should fast track the main road completion a bit….it’s been a year! The fire dancers should be brought back but managed. The neon replacement is out of place here.” – TripAdvisor review from dudzs2015 (August 2019)
