What should I pack for Boracay?

Reef shoes matter more on Boracay than at most beach destinations in the Philippines. White Beach's sand at Station 1 feels fine and powdery between your toes, but wade knee-deep at Diniwid Beach or Balinghai Beach and volcanic rock scrapes bare skin fast. Sea urchin spines sit in the shallow rocky patches along Bulabog Beach on the east shore, where the kitesurfers launch. A puncture wound sends you to one of the Station 2 medical centers for a 500-1,000 PHP consultation. A 15-USD pair of rubber-soled water shoes prevents that trip entirely. Sizes above EU 43 sell out at D'Mall shops before noon, so pack your own pair if your feet run large.

Boracay holds at roughly 28-33°C year-round, with humidity above 80% on most days. The island stretches only 7 km from Yapak in the north to Manoc-Manoc in the south, so you walk most places in sandals with a back strap. Three quick-dry shirts and two pairs of board shorts carry you through a week if you rinse them in your hotel sink each evening. They dry by 7 AM in the warm, salt-heavy air. Mind you, a few sit-down restaurants along D'Mall and Station 1 resorts like Discovery Shores expect a cover-up over swimwear. A single lightweight long-sleeve button-down handles that and doubles as UV protection on the 30-minute boat rides to Crystal Cove. Philippine outlets accept US-style Type A and B plugs at 220V, so leave 110V-only hair tools at home or pack a voltage converter.

You reach Boracay by a 10-15 minute bangka boat from Caticlan Jetty Port. During the Habagat monsoon from June through October, waves splash over the gunwales and soak anything on your lap. A 10-20 liter dry bag for your passport, electronics, and cash is not negotiable during those months. Even in the dry Amihan season from November through May, spray from the outrigger can reach you mid-crossing. Pack a waterproof phone pouch rated for at least 1 meter submersion. The island has ATMs near Station 2 and D'Mall, but they run empty on busy weekends and charge 200-250 PHP per foreign withdrawal. BPI and BDO machines tend to be the most reliable. Withdraw enough pesos at Caticlan or Kalibo airport to cover your first 2 days, roughly 3,000-5,000 PHP per person.

Skip packing sunscreen from home. Reef-safe brands like VMV Hypoallergenic, a Filipino company, sell for 350-500 PHP per tube at the Watsons in D'Mall. These comply with the environmental rules that tightened after Boracay's six-month closure in 2018. Mosquito repellent runs 80-120 PHP for OFF! Lotion at sari-sari stores near Station 3. Flip-flops cost 300-800 PHP at the Havaianas outlet or local vendors along the beachfront. Aloe vera gel goes for 150-200 PHP at the Mercury Drug branch on the main road. The one item you will not find on the island in larger sizes is a proper rashguard. Pack that from home. Island-hopping tours run 3-4 hours on open boats with no shade canopy, and the UV index on Boracay frequently exceeds 11 during March through May.