The island of Boracay has stunning white beaches and perfectly turquoise water, but one thing missing is a rocky coast where you can scramble through a tunnel, emerge in a cave, and watch waves explode on the rocks. Luckily Crystal Cove Island next door has not one, but two different sea caves, where you walk down a staircase or crouch beneath rocks to hear the ocean as it thunders. This 6-acre, privately owned island off of Boracay is popular with Boracay island hopping tours, where in addition to touring the caves on shore, you also get the chance to snorkel and swim along the rocky coastline. The first cave is easily accessible, but the second requires crouching down and scrambling through a small tunnel, before eventually emerging in a massive cave with ledges for snapping a few photos.
You can also enjoy a picnic on the island if you choose to visit on your own, and eat your lunch with a panoramic view of five different islands offshore. There’s also a museum with seashell art and other locally made crafts, and a small restaurant with restrooms and drinks just steps from a white sand beach.
Practical Info
Crystal Cove Island is about 15-20 minutes by boat from Boracay. When traveling from Boracay to Crystal Cove Island, boats depart from Cagban port and Tambisaan port, which are both on the southern shore. While it’s possible to go to Crystal Cove directly, most people visit as part of an island-hopping excursion that tours the Boracay coastline.
Did You Know? There’s a small pond that’s filled with lotuses that open every day around 7am and close each day at 10am.
