A

fter Boracay was named one of
the best island destinations in
the world by Travel & Leisure
Magazine in 2013, this area no
longer is a best-kept secret.
It has been a favorite of Europeans
for decades but now Asia has also
discovered the various Visayas
destinations with their wide range
of accommodations, great variety of
cuisines and numerous activities
and famed beaches.
Divers fly into Cebu City and from
there branch out to their favorite
dive areas looking for thresher
sharks or rare macro critters or
shipwrecks or all of the above.
Some of the best snorkeling sites
in the Philippines are also here.
The iconic photos of Boracay hail
from White Beach. There are quite a
few White Beaches in the
Philippines, but this one is, by far,

the most famous. It is two miles

(four km) of white, powdery fine

sand dotted with resorts, shops, dive

shops and restaurants.

Because the waters off White

Beach are calm during Amihan

season (November to May), tourism

is at its peak during these months

when the northeastern winds blow.

Conditions reverse during the rainy

season, when the Habagat or

monsoon winds blow.

There’s a room for every type of

traveler here. Boracay gets tourists

from different parts of the globe,

thus a wide variety of food choices:

Chinese, Indian, American,

Mexican, French, Italian, Swiss —

even Moroccan food! Fresh seafood

is a given.

There’s no shortage of activities

for you at this island paradise.

Boracay has around 25 dive sites

that cater to all levels of experience.

Training is a big deal here and all

sorts of courses

can be taken to

advance skills

and

certificates.

After all the

sports, indulge

in a luxurious

massage right

on the beach

or at one of the

health spas.

The Visayas

Morning at Dauin