If you are going to visit the Philippines, it’s a pretty safe bet you've heard of Boracay Island. And why wouldn't you? It's the epitome of vacation destinations: white sand beaches, deep blue seas, perfect weather, delicious food, and great nightclubs. But you know we like to highlight places that offer more than just beautiful sand.
If you are a bit of a thrill seeker, Boracay will be even more appealing. There are several cliff jumping spots that range from 5 m to 15 m surrounded by clear waters, limestone rocks and a small hub for picnicking in the afternoon sun. It has been listed as one of the best cliff diving spots in the world by the Huffington Post, and featured in Fodor's and Asian Traveler. This magical place is known as Ariel's Point.
Getting There is Half the Battle
Getting to Boracay isn’t the easiest despite being a well-known tourist destination. After flying into Caticlan or Kalibo airports, you'll still have to make the journey to Boracay. Caticlan will be a five-minute tricycle (yes, you read that right) to the ferry port, then a 10-15 min jetty boat to the island followed by another 10-minute trike ride to the White Beach. Kalibo is a two-hour bus ride before the jetty journey. Ariel's Point is a day trip from the main Boracay strip that takes about 40 minutes by boat.
A Typical Day
The typical trip includes registering by 10 am and departing around 11 from the White Beach at Station 1. When you arrive at Ariel's Point, you'll drive past the 15 m cliff board, which may not look that high from the ground, but we assure you it is. At Ariel's Point, there will be an open bar with food and places to lounge and chill. There are kayaks and standup paddle boards to rent for those wishing to have a more leisurely day. There is also snorkeling gear available with lots of coral and plenty of fish to see. However, the main attraction is without a doubt hurling yourself into the clear sea.
Jump, Jump
The main reason people visit Ariel's Point is undoubtably the cliff diving. You have the option of four different heights that include 2 m, 5 m, 8 m, and 15 m platforms. Throughout the day, you're bound to see people testing their confidence and either backtracking or living up to the challenge. If you're lucky, you may even get to see a few daredevils backflipping off the top board. Many first timers will belly flop and hit the water hard. Don't let this deter you. Watch other divers to get an idea of the finesse required (the pencil jump is typically the safest maneuver). Have fun and enjoy the buzz, it’s a very social place so you're sure to meet tons of people, and may even want to strike up a friendly competition.
How to Do It
The best time to visit Boracay is from November to February when it’s the warmest, however this will also be the busiest. A trip to Ariel's Point is fairly easy to arrange, but they do fill up. If the tour you want is booked, don't worry, they are offered daily. If you are staying in popular spots such as Mad Monkey Boracay or Frendz Resort, they can advise you further.