PERFECT ISLANDS
OPOPULATION 12,000
OSIZE 4 square miles
Despite being one of the smaller
islands in the archipelago,
Boracay is the Philippine island
that makes the most noise, stays
up latest and has the groggiest
voice in the morning. The
epicentre of the party is White
Beach (pictured), a 2½-mile
strip of soft white sand that has- over a few decades – morphed
from a laid-back hippie hangout
to an energetic nightlife capital
of Southeast Asia, with
countless bars beneath the
seafront palms. There’s plenty
to keep hungover souls busy
too: try the easy climb to the
viewing deck atop Mount Luho
(more of a hill really) for views out
to the neighbouring islands of
Carabao and Tablas, or charter a
ride on a paraw – a type of
outrigger sail boat that sweeps
gracefully along the island’s shore.
Set sail at sunset to stand a chance
of spotting large fruit bats
crowding the skies of Boracay just
before crowds of revellers make for
the watering holes of White Beach.
OGETTING THERE Fly from Singapore
or Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia to Manila
before taking a 35-minute flight on
Philippine Airlines to Caticlan-Boracay
airport (from US$107; philippineairlines.
com). A fleet of small boats makes the
15-minute crossing to Boracay itself
(from US$4).Best for a Party
BORACAY, PHILIPPINES
PHOTOGRAPHS: MICHELE FALZONE/AWL IMAGES, SUSANNE KREMER/4CORNERS
PERFECT ISLANDS