Boracay: Parasailing, Island Hopping, ATV Ride and Kawa Bath

Boracay’s best feature is the sheer variety packed into one day. You rise above the sea by parasail, swim near the island, eat a buffet lunch, ride an ATV through muddy trails, and finish with a river swim. I especially like the parasailing views and the way the guides, including Aira, Lyn, Monda, and Lelian, help with photos and belongings.

I also like the mix of speed and quiet time. The boat rides and ATV bring the rush, while lunch, the kawa bath, and the river give you room to slow down. The main drawback is pace: with so much included, island hopping can feel rushed, and the kawa bath may be little more than a quick photo stop.

At a glance

• Parasailing above Boracay: The most consistently praised part of the day, with wide views of the white beach and open sea.
• A busy water itinerary: Expect Puka Shell Beach, swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, and several boat transfers.
• A muddy ATV finale: The ride takes you inland toward Nabaoy River, where swimming and an optional zipline add more action.
• Guides who do practical work: Aira, Lyn, Monda, Mando, Lynn, and Lelian are noted for photos, timing, transport help, and looking after bags.
• A quick rather than leisurely kawa bath: Set your expectations carefully. It may be more of a photo opportunity than a long hot soak.
• Good value with caveats: At $70 per person, the package covers many activities and lunch, but entrance fees, personal costs, and some optional add-ons are extra.

One day, four kinds of Boracay fun

This is not a slow beach day. It is a full activity circuit that shifts from open water to sand, then from the coast to the mainland. The stated duration is five to eight hours, though the actual length can vary with weather, boat timing, queues, and how many optional activities you add.

That variety is the reason to book it. If you want one day that gives you a broad taste of Boracay, this package saves you from arranging parasailing, island hopping, transport, an inland ATV outing, and a river stop separately.

The tradeoff is obvious. You will spend part of the day moving between activities, waiting for boats, changing transport, and drying off between water stops. If your ideal holiday means lingering at one quiet beach, book a simpler outing instead.

Meeting at Astoria Station 1

You meet at the Astoria Station 1 beachfront. Look for a guide in a Purple Diaries uniform. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the meeting point and back.

The route uses several types of transport. You take a boat for about 20 minutes at the start, later use a speedboat for around 15 minutes, and take tuk-tuks for about 20 minutes on two inland transfers. A further 20-minute speedboat ride brings you back toward Astoria.

That sounds tidy on paper, but boat days depend on conditions. One outing had delays caused by weather and boat problems, while other departures ran smoothly. Keep some flexibility in your schedule, especially if you have a flight or another fixed booking later that day.

The guides make a real difference here. Aira is especially good at keeping people informed about timing, while Monda and Lyn are praised for handling transfers and taking photos. Lelian also helped a guest dealing with motion sickness. If you feel queasy on boats, bring whatever personal remedy you normally use and tell your guide early.

Parasailing over Boracay’s coast

Parasailing usually provides the day’s clearest wow moment. You are lifted above the water, with views across Boracay’s pale sand, green interior, and bright sea. From up there, the crowded parts of the island matter less. The view is the point.

First-time flyers generally find the activity manageable, though the practical briefing may be brief. One useful detail from the feedback is that the harnessing and launch can happen quickly, with little explanation before you are in the air. If you are nervous, ask the crew to walk you through the harness and launch before takeoff.

Weather controls this part of the day. Strong wind or poor conditions can delay parasailing, move it to another day, or replace it with another activity such as jet skiing. Several people were able to reschedule, and one guide arranged an early start so a participant could parasail before catching a flight.

That flexibility is helpful, but do not treat parasailing as guaranteed for a particular hour. If it is the activity you care about most, tell your guide at the beginning and ask how weather changes will affect the schedule.

Puka Shell Beach and the island-hopping circuit

The first named stop is Puka Shell Beach, reached after the opening boat ride. You get roughly 30 minutes for photos, a visit, and swimming. Puka is a good early stop because it gives you a chance to get into the water before the day’s inland activities.

The time is short, so do not expect a long beach stay. One account found the first beach crowded but enjoyed exploring a cave at the side. That is a useful mindset: treat this as a scenic stop with a swim, not a private beach escape.

The boat then carries you to another Boracay water stop for about 45 minutes of snorkeling. Paddle boarding and kayaking are also included in the package. The exact island-hopping destinations can change with weather, so the route is not fixed in stone.

Bring cash if you want snorkeling gear or other optional experiences. Some extras, including snorkeling at certain stops and Crystal Cove, have been charged separately. Crystal Cove was described as worth the extra cost by one participant, particularly if you take time to explore both cave areas, but it is not part of the basic price.

The water portion can feel rushed. Forty-five minutes disappears quickly once you account for equipment, instructions, photos, swimming, and getting back aboard. You will get a taste of several activities, not a long session devoted to one of them.

Buffet lunch after the morning rush

Lunch lasts about an hour and is served after the main morning water activities. That timing makes sense. You will have been in the sun, on boats, and in the water, so a proper meal gives you a chance to dry off and reset.

The buffet is included, which strengthens the value of the package. One meal is one less detail to arrange, and the range of food can be useful when a group has different tastes. Still, expectations should stay moderate. One participant found the food disappointing, while another found there was plenty of good food.

Bring sunscreen and water-resistant protection for your belongings, but remember that lunch does not remove the need for personal spending money. Entrance fees and optional activities are not included, and cash is specifically recommended.

The kawa bath: cultural idea, brief stop

The kawa bath is one of the package’s most unusual features. You sit in a large cauldron filled with water and fragrant herbs, usually as a playful photo moment surrounded by greenery. It gives the day a change of mood after the boats and before the ATV.

The important thing is to understand what you are buying. This may not be a long, hot soak. Several people felt the stop was too quick, with only enough time for a pose and photo. Another person found the water cold rather than hot.

If you want a genuine spa-like rest, this part may disappoint. If you see it as a distinctive island photo and a short pause, it fits the day better. Ask your guide how much time is planned, and bring a towel and spare clothes because the full day includes several wet activities.

Inland to Nabaoy River by tuk-tuk

After the coastal stops, a tuk-tuk transfer takes you inland toward Nabaoy River in Aklan. This change of setting is one of the package’s best ideas. You leave the resort coast and head into a more rural part of the area, where the river and rough tracks provide a different kind of Boracay day.

The guided inland portion lasts about an hour and a half. It includes sightseeing, free time, swimming, off-road riding, and the option of a zipline. The river is also the natural place to rinse off after the ATV ride, especially if the trail is muddy.

The route is not presented as extreme off-roading. One person expected a wilder ride and found the track fairly gentle, more suited to a family-friendly outing. Another enjoyed the wet, muddy fun and the smaller group. So expect a scenic recreational ride, not a technical motorsport course.

ATV riding and the optional zipline

The ATV is open to participants aged 18 and older. You ride through mainland tracks with views toward Nabaoy River, then can swim in the river afterward. Comfortable shoes matter here, and closed footwear is the sensible choice even though the day is built around water.

For a first ATV ride, this is likely the right level of challenge. The route provides movement, mud, and scenery without being described as highly difficult. If you already ride ATVs and want steep, rough terrain, you may find it too mild.

The zipline is an optional addition to the inland section. It has been a highlight for some people, but fitting every extra into one day can be difficult. One participant added a helmet experience and ran out of time, though the guide rearranged it for the next day. Ask about the timing before paying for add-ons.

The guides are particularly useful here. Lyn took photos during the ATV and zipline, allowing people to focus on riding. Aira and Monda are also praised for minding bags, holding towels, and helping with photos while participants were in the water.

What the $70 price really covers

At $70 per person, this package offers good value if you want several activities in one booking. The base price includes parasailing, island hopping, buffet lunch, kawa bath, ATV riding, paddle boarding, kayaking, and river swimming at Nabaoy.

It also removes much of the coordination work. You do not need to find separate operators for the boat trip, parasailing, inland ride, and river stop. The guide stays with you through the day, helps with transfers, and can often take the photos you would otherwise struggle to get while wet or airborne.

The value drops if you plan to skip half the activities. The package is built for variety, not for a single excellent session. A person who only wants parasailing may get more enjoyment from booking that alone and using another day for island hopping.

Budget extra money for entrance fees, personal expenses, snorkeling gear where required, and optional activities. The package description also says hotel transfers are not included. Reserve and pay later is available, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance, which helps if weather could affect your plans.

Weather, clothing, and practical preparation

Wear a swimsuit under comfortable clothing, plus shoes that can handle both wet conditions and the ATV section. Pack a towel, hat, sunscreen, camera, cash, and a waterproof bag for your phone and valuables.

Bring spare clothes. You may swim at the coast, get splashed during the boat and water activities, ride through mud, and finish with a river swim. A waterproof bag is more useful than relying on a small plastic pouch.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments. The ATV portion requires you to be at least 18.

There is one detail I would confirm before booking: the supplied information names Catanduanes Province in the summary, but the meeting point, beaches, transport route, and Nabaoy River section all point to Boracay and Aklan. Contact the operator to verify the correct destination and meeting arrangements before paying.

Who will enjoy this best?

I would choose this for a first Boracay visit when you want to sample many activities in one day. It suits active couples, groups of friends, and solo participants who appreciate a guide handling photos, bags, and transfers.

It also works well for nervous first-timers. The guide team has been praised for staying close, explaining timing, and helping people feel safe during parasailing and the ATV ride. If motion sickness is a concern, the boat-heavy morning deserves extra thought.

I would not choose it for a quiet beach holiday, a serious ATV enthusiast, or anyone who wants a long spa bath. You will be busy, sometimes wet, and occasionally waiting. The package is strongest as a broad sampler.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if parasailing is your priority and you also want lunch, island stops, an ATV ride, and river swimming without arranging each piece yourself. The guides are a real asset, and the range of included activities makes $70 reasonable for an active day.

Skip it if you want to spend more time at each beach or care most about a strong ATV route and a proper hot bath. Before confirming, verify the Catanduanes versus Boracay location, ask which optional fees apply, and make sure your schedule can absorb weather delays.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Astoria Station 1 Beachfront in Boracay. Look for a guide wearing a Purple Diaries uniform.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is five to eight hours. The start time depends on availability, and weather or transport delays can affect the schedule.

What activities are included?

The package includes parasailing, island hopping, a buffet lunch, a kawa bath, an ATV ride on the mainland, paddle boarding, kayaking, and river swimming at Nabaoy River.

Is ziplining included?

Ziplining is available as an optional activity during the mainland section. It is not listed among the included activities.

Is the ATV ride suitable for children?

Participants must be at least 18 years old for the ATV ride.

Can parasailing be canceled?

Yes. Parasailing depends on weather conditions and may be delayed, rescheduled, or canceled. An alternative activity may be offered in some cases.

Can the island-hopping route change?

Yes. Island-hopping destinations may vary depending on weather conditions.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the Astoria Station 1 meeting point yourself.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, swimwear, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, cash, and extra clothes. A waterproof bag is useful for protecting your belongings.