Boracay Island With Antique Side Trip
Activities: Parasailing, Island hopping, Helmet diving, Pubcrawl, Kawa bath, and Trekking
My friends and I went to our hometown last Nov 1 for All Soul’s Day to commemorate the faithful departed friends and loved ones. We decided to take a route Boracay Caticlan-Antique instead of the usual Iloilo-Antique via plane. This time we will take a sea trip from Batangas going to Caticlan and Antique. We have booked our ticket earlier to grab the promo rate of 2Go Travel. Our ship ticket cost P1,050 each with free dinner. Since 3 of us will come from Manila and in anticipation of people who will be going to provinces that day, we decided to leave work earlier. In my case, I took a half day leave and traveled by PNR from Sta. Mesa Station to Alabang station, the last station in the south. The train was a little uncomfortable but it was fast, though. Across the station is Alabang Bus Terminal where the buses going to Batangas Port are located. The bus waited few minutes and departed the station around 4.30pm
We left Batangas port Nov. 28 at 9 pm (Friday) and arrived at Caticlan Jetty Port in Malay, Aklan the following day at 7.30am. We paid for a Terminal fee and environmental fee a total of P200.00 and ride a 20-seater boat for around 15mins to Boracay. From Boracay port, we transferred to a tricycle ride to Station 2 of the Island for P20.00 each. we dropped along the street of D’Mall and walked towards the alley going to our hostel. We rented a room overnight amounting to P1,500 which is good for 4 persons. We haggled it from P2,000. We rested for an hour, prepared ourselves for a tour. We also met with a friend who came from Bacolod in the morning.
Day 1
We walked at leisure along the beach of Boracay and dropped by Boracay Pubcrawl office to buy tickets (P650) and get our shirts (included in the package) and proceed to Station 1 for lunch. After a morning hunger strike, we finally ate at Jonah’s Fruitshake & Restaurant which cost each of us around P250.
Strolled along the shore and had our castle photo taken.
The scorching heat of the sun withered us so we went back to the hostel and sleep. Unfortunately, we overslept and woke up at 4 pm.
At 4.30pm we quickly searched for parasailing package and was able to get P750 offer rate. Again, we haggled.
And this happened. One of the best experience ever though it was already dark. We are the last people to ride and para-sail, overlooking the beautiful island of Boracay.
Almost dark and we got back at the island happy and still ecstatic. We took shower and ready for the night.
It’s Pubcrawl night!
Epic. 5 bars in 1 night. Best night ever! Turning strangers into friends.
Met some of these people from Manila who we became friends on Facebook and Instagram.
Came back to the hostel late at 1 am after midnight snack at Mc Donalds.
Day 2
Island hopping on a sweet sunny day.
Our first activity was snorkeling but I opted to take photos instead.
Next was Puka Beach.
After lunch, we did Helmet diving. It was something memorable and tensed down there.
End of morning tour.
In the afternoon, we left the island and did a side trip to Antique. We traveled 2 and half hours to reach Tibiao Fish Spa. We stayed overnight and paid P450/person overnight. Not cheap.
Day 3 – Side trip
On our bucket list was Tibiao kawa bath. At 8 in the morning, we went to Brgy. Importante where Kayak Inn is located. From Brgy Importante along national highway, a habal-habal motorcycle took us uphill. We paid P100 for 2-way trip.
And finally found this. #Kawabath
Just across Kayak Inn is the Tibiao River. The view of the rustling river was liberating. The river is also great for kayak activities.
Fascinating! So I tried a tree pose.
And of course, this one photo which led me there in the first place. Lol
When you like being cooked.
After a 30-minute kawa bath, we trekked up to Bugtong Bato Falls. We only managed up to the 3rd falls of 7. We were exhausted.
We were back at the inn around 12:30 pm and tided up, ride habal-habal back to Brgy. Importante waited for bus and head to our own hometown. Home sweet home at 3 pm.
End of the side trip.
Back to Manila on Nov 2. I had these pictures at Plazuela de Iloilo before going to the airport. ?
Total Expenses: P8,135.00
Ship Ticket – P1,050.00
CebuPac Ilo-Mnl – P2,500.00 (Big chunk of my budget went here mainly because it was peak season)
Accommodation
Boracay – P1,500/4 / P375.00 each
Tibiao Fish Spa – P450.00
Transportation
Caticlan-Boracay – P200.00
Boracay-Caticlan – P120.00
Tricycle to Station 2 – P40.00 (2-way)
Caticlan-Tibiao – P120
Habal-habal – P100 2-way
Food
Lunch & Dinner Midnight Snacks Day 1 – P630.00
Dinner Day 2 – P30.00
Breakfast Day 3 – P120.00
Parasailing – P750.00
Pubcrawl – P650.00
Island hopping with lunch buffet and helmet diving – P700.00
Kawa Bath – 200
Tour guide at Falls – P150.00/3 / P50.00 each
Tibiao-Home – P50.00
It was a little out of budget but my experiences are all worth it.
March 24, 2017 @ 5:48 pm
What a fun trip! You managed to do so much cool stuff on your trip. I would love to visit that spa!
March 24, 2017 @ 7:43 pm
You should! The cauldron spa idea was simply a novelty but fantastic.
March 24, 2017 @ 7:18 pm
From looking at al the pictures you included with your post looks like you had a wonderful time while you were there and were able to get out and see many different things and explore. Making new friends is always a plus.
March 24, 2017 @ 7:51 pm
I love making friends whenever possible. 🙂 Thanks
March 24, 2017 @ 10:02 pm
Wow, your pictures are breathtaking and beautiful. I bet that photo of baking for a bath felt good.
March 27, 2017 @ 11:04 am
Yes, the warmth of the water is soothing.
March 24, 2017 @ 11:56 pm
This looks like a fun trip! I’d love to visit some day.
March 25, 2017 @ 12:13 am
Looks like such a wonderful trip! Loved all the pictures you have put up.
March 25, 2017 @ 1:40 am
Wow, this looks like an amazing trip. One I would dream about. I really enjoyed your photos. Fun, fun.
March 25, 2017 @ 2:20 am
This looks like such a fun experience. Especially that spa! I would love to enjoy that spa someday.
March 25, 2017 @ 5:35 am
I am so envious, it looks like you had an amazing time! I would love to take a vacation like this with some friends.
March 25, 2017 @ 7:00 am
It sounds like you all had a blast and for a great price all together too. I would love to visit these places some day. The Bugtong Bato Falls looks so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
March 27, 2017 @ 11:01 am
Bugtong Bato has 7 falls. we only reached 2nd or 3rd. Almost forgot. 🙂
March 25, 2017 @ 7:18 am
Looks like an amazing trip! I would love to do those baths! I don’t mind being cooked lol!
March 27, 2017 @ 11:00 am
Visit Tibiao Kawa bath/spa. That is unique. 🙂
March 25, 2017 @ 10:38 am
It looks like you had a wonderful trip! I love the beach and that water looks so clear. I don’t think I could parasail because of motion sickness!
March 27, 2017 @ 10:57 am
Oh snap, that’s a little sad. Parasailing is the best.
March 25, 2017 @ 11:33 am
This looks like it was a fantastic trip. I would love to try para-sailing.
March 27, 2017 @ 10:56 am
You should. It was a nice experience. Can’t wait to try it again.
March 25, 2017 @ 12:33 pm
This seriously looks like a ton of fun. It reminds me, I need to schedule my vacation!
March 27, 2017 @ 10:54 am
You go now!
March 26, 2017 @ 7:05 am
I have yet to visit Boracay. I miss my home country, the Philippines 🙁
March 27, 2017 @ 10:52 am
There is are a lot happening around here if you know what I mean.
March 26, 2017 @ 12:04 pm
It looks like you had a fantastic time! I admit, I would find it hard to not have a great time.
March 26, 2017 @ 12:55 pm
Looks like you had a great time, I have always wanted to try the helmet diving, Is it same as Snuba?
March 27, 2017 @ 10:51 am
I think they are different. In helmet diving you wear a heavy helmet and watch fishes around you. You cannot swim or move around, you just stay in one place.
March 26, 2017 @ 6:27 pm
To relax and have fun, people travel to beaches, just like Boracay beach, for example. … In addition, going to the beach may reduce stress, may help you relax, and may improve your well-being.
March 27, 2017 @ 10:49 am
Indeed.Relaxing in the beach is therapeutic.
March 26, 2017 @ 6:50 pm
These are the proven health benefits of going to the beach. Sea waves relax our mind and body. Fresh sea air causes good doze. Salt air combats depression and mood disorder.
March 27, 2017 @ 10:47 am
Wow thanks for the info!
March 26, 2017 @ 8:36 pm
Looks like you had an awesome time. I would love to try parasailing too. It must have been thrilling to do that. Oh, and that kawa bath? It looks like a giant wok and there is fire underneath? I hope you didn’t burn!
March 27, 2017 @ 10:46 am
Go try parasailing. I was scared at first but the view above is amazing. Yes, Kawa bath has fire underneath. It’s like you are being cooked alive.
April 1, 2017 @ 9:36 am
Oh what a fun trip! It looks like it was such a fun time, wow! Parasailing is amazing!