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

The best thing about this package is the sheer variety. You can be floating above Boracay’s coast in a parasail harness in the morning, eating lunch by the beach soon after, then riding an ATV through muddy trails near Nabaoy River. I like that you get both sea time and inland adventure without arranging several separate tours.

I also like the attentive guide service, especially from guides such as Aira, Lyn, Monda, Mando, and Lelian. They help with bags, take photos, explain the next move, and sometimes rearrange activities when weather causes delays. The drawback is the pace: the kawa bath may last only long enough for a photo, and island hopping, ATV riding, and the extra activities can feel rushed.

What makes this Boracay day different

• Parasailing over Boracay: The most consistently praised part of the day, with wide views of the beach and sea.
• Puka Shell Beach and island stops: A chance to swim, snorkel, take photos, and see a quieter side of Boracay, though stop lengths can be short.
• Buffet lunch included: A practical break after the morning water activities, with food served before the inland portion.
• Kawa bath photo stop: A distinctive Filipino-style experience, but do not expect a long spa soak.
• ATV and Nabaoy River: A muddy, active finish with off-road riding, swimming, and an optional zipline.
• Helpful personal guides: Aira, Lyn, Monda, Mando, and Lelian have been especially good at managing timing, belongings, and photographs.

A full day that packs Boracay and Aklan into one outing

At about $70 per person, this is not a simple beach trip. It is a full activity bundle with parasailing, boat transfers, island stops, lunch, paddle boarding, kayaking, a kawa bath, an ATV ride, and river swimming. Ziplining and some water activities may involve additional payment, so bring cash and ask what is included before you start.

The advertised duration is 5 to 8 hours. That wide range matters. Weather, boat changes, waiting time, traffic, and the number of activities you add can stretch the day. You are not signing up for a relaxed morning with one main attraction. You are choosing a busy schedule that tries to fit several different Boracay experiences into one booking.

One practical detail needs checking before you reserve. The supplied location identifies Catanduanes Province, while the meeting point and route refer to Boracay, Puka Shell Beach, Aklan, and Nabaoy River. Since Astoria Boracay Station 1 is the stated meeting point, confirm the current departure location and exact route with Purple Diaries Travel and Tours.

Meeting at Astoria Station 1

You meet at the beachfront area of Astoria Station 1 and look for a guide wearing a Purple Diaries uniform. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself and arrange your way home afterward.

The guides are one of the strongest parts of the package. Aira is often praised for keeping people informed, minding bags, taking pictures, and helping solo participants. Lyn has been especially good at handling delays and offering clear support, while Monda has helped make transfers simple and adjusted plans when a later activity was needed. Lelian also received warm praise for assisting a participant with motion sickness on the boats.

This kind of help matters because the day involves several handoffs. You move from a boat to a beach, from beach activities to lunch, then to land transport and an inland activity center. A guide who keeps track of your belongings and tells you where to go can make the difference between a fun, active day and a tiring scramble.

Parasailing gives the day its best lift

Parasailing is the clear star of this package. You are lifted above Boracay’s water with views of white sand, green shorelines, and open sea. For many people, this is the one activity they would not want to miss.

It is also the part most affected by weather. Wind and rain can delay the launch, move it to another time, or cancel it. Several schedules have been rearranged because of weather, and alternative activities such as jet skiing have sometimes been offered. In other cases, the parasailing was completed on a later day.

If you have a flight or another fixed booking, tell the guide early. One group fitted parasailing in before departure after it had been postponed, but that kind of adjustment depends on timing and availability. Do not assume a weather delay will be easy to absorb.

The safety information is limited. One participant noted that there was little formal safety explanation before being lifted. You are harnessed and assisted by the crew, but if you need a detailed briefing, ask questions before takeoff. Anyone nervous about heights should say so clearly to the guide.

Puka Shell Beach and the island-hopping run

The route includes a boat transfer of roughly 20 minutes before reaching Puka Shell Beach. The stop is listed at around 30 minutes for photos, a visit, and swimming. Puka offers a change from the main beach area, with room to look around, get in the water, and take pictures.

The stop can be busy, and half an hour passes quickly. One particularly useful tip is to explore the cave area beside the beach if conditions and timing allow. It adds a little interest beyond simply standing on the sand for a photograph.

From there, the boat continues to a Boracay snorkeling stop of about 45 minutes. The water activities can include snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, and swimming. Some snorkeling or attraction fees may not be included, so carry cash and confirm the price before paying.

This part of the day is enjoyable but not leisurely. You will likely have enough time for a swim and a look around, but not for a long, quiet session in the water. If you want extensive snorkeling or several unhurried beach stops, a dedicated island-hopping tour may suit you better.

Buffet lunch after the morning rush

Lunch gives you a needed pause after the early water activities. It is served as a buffet and is included in the package, which helps the $70 price make more sense. You can eat without arranging another restaurant stop, and the meal breaks up the day before the inland activities begin.

The food has received mixed reactions. Some people found there was plenty to eat, while another found the meal disappointing. That is a useful warning for anyone choosing this tour mainly for the food. Treat lunch as convenient fuel rather than a major culinary reason to book.

The one-hour lunch slot sounds generous compared with the shorter beach stops, but the overall schedule remains active. Use the break to dry off, check your belongings, refill what you need, and ask the guide how much time remains for the next activities.

The kawa bath is more photo stop than spa treatment

The kawa bath is one of the package’s most unusual features. You sit inside a large cauldron filled with water and herbs, usually in a natural setting. It is a fun picture, and it adds a local-style touch that you will not get from a standard beach excursion.

Keep your expectations modest. The stop is listed at about 45 minutes together with sightseeing and a guided visit, but the actual bath itself may be very brief. Some people expected to relax in the water for five or ten minutes and instead found it was mainly a quick pose for photographs. Another person found the water cold rather than hot.

If you want a genuine soaking session, ask the guide how long you will be in the kawa before you begin. If you see it as a playful cultural photo stop, it works better. Wear swimwear or clothes that can get wet, and have a towel and spare clothing ready.

Nabaoy River brings mud, water, and a better ATV setting

After the beach portion, you transfer by speedboat and tuk tuk toward Nabaoy River in Aklan. The inland section lasts around an hour and a half, including guided time, swimming, free time, and off-road activities.

The ATV route is described as a ride through rugged trails and scenic countryside near the river. In practice, the level of challenge can feel modest. One participant expected a more demanding course and found it suited smaller children better, while another enjoyed the wet and muddy conditions. Your experience may depend on the route, weather, and the vehicle assigned that day.

For a first ATV ride, this can be a sensible introduction. You get basic off-road action without committing to a highly technical course. If you already ride ATVs and want steep climbs or a long, rough trail, you may find it tame.

The river swim is a welcome follow-up, especially if the ATV ride leaves you muddy. Bring a towel, spare clothes, and a waterproof bag for your phone and wallet. The order of activities can change, but you should be ready to get wet more than once.

A zipline can be added to this part of the day. It was a highlight for some people, but not everyone felt the ATV and zipline met expectations. Ask about the extra fee, available time, and whether the zipline can be moved to another day if the schedule becomes too tight.

Transfers and timing require patience

The transfers are part of the experience, not dead space you can always avoid. You move by boat, speedboat, tuk tuk, and on foot between activity areas. The listed boat segments take about 15 to 20 minutes, and the tuk tuk rides take about 20 minutes each.

Boat delays can happen. One outing required several boat changes after mechanical problems, and weather has also delayed departures. Guides have generally helped manage these issues, but no guide can make a rough sea or broken boat move faster.

I would not book this on a day when you need to reach the airport soon after the scheduled finish. The published 5 to 8 hour range leaves room for changes, and several people have needed activities shifted to another day. If you only have one free day in Boracay, the package gives you plenty to do. If you prefer calm, predictable pacing, split the activities across separate days.

Is $70 a good value?

At $70, the package can be good value if you want several paid activities and do not mind moving quickly. Parasailing alone is the main draw, while the boat tour, lunch, ATV ride, river swim, and kawa bath fill out the rest of the day. The included lunch and guide assistance add practical value.

The calculation changes if you skip parts of the package or pay extra for snorkeling, Crystal Cove, helmet diving, ziplining, or other add-ons. Some people found the extra snorkeling and Crystal Cove fees worthwhile, but they also made the day more expensive. One person added a helmet experience but ran out of time and completed it the next day.

I see this as a convenience package, not necessarily the cheapest way to buy each activity. You are paying for coordination, transport between stops, and a guide who stays with you through the day. If you only care about parasailing, book that on its own. If you want sea, land, food, and a river visit in one outing, the bundle earns its price more easily.

Who should book this experience?

This suits adults who want a high-energy day with several types of activity. The ATV ride requires participants to be at least 18 years old. The package is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments.

It can also work well for solo participants and first-time visitors. Aira, Lyn, Monda, Mando, and Lelian have been especially helpful with photographs, bags, transfers, and activity changes. That support is valuable when you are moving between water and land activities without a travel companion.

You should choose something slower if you dislike boats, get motion sickness, or want long stretches of quiet beach time. Tell the guide about motion sickness at the start, and keep needed medication and a small bag easy to reach. One guide was particularly helpful to a participant who struggled on the boats, but the boat rides remain part of the day.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes suited to water activities. Bring swimwear, a hat, towel, sunscreen, camera, cash, spare clothes, and a waterproof bag. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

Should you book it?

Book this if your ideal Boracay day means parasailing, swimming, an included buffet, muddy ATV riding, and plenty of transfers. The guides are a real strength, and the package gives you a broad taste of the island and nearby inland attractions for one price.

Skip it if you want a slow island-hopping day, a serious ATV course, or a long kawa bath. The best plan for many people is to book this for the variety, then ask the guide early about timing, extra fees, and moving an activity to another day. Keep your expectations realistic, and parasailing can provide the standout moment while the river and ATV ride give the day a lively finish.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Astoria Boracay Station 1 Beachfront and look for a guide wearing a Purple Diaries uniform.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is 5 to 8 hours. Starting times depend on availability, and weather or transport delays can change the schedule.

What activities are included?

The package includes parasailing, island hopping, 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 listed as an available activity during the inland section, but it may require an additional payment. Confirm the cost and timing with the guide.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling is part of the island-hopping portion, but some snorkeling equipment or attraction fees may cost extra. Bring cash.

Is the ATV ride suitable for children?

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

Can the parasailing be canceled?

Yes. Parasailing depends on weather and may be delayed, rescheduled, or canceled. An alternative activity may sometimes be offered.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, cash, spare clothes, and a waterproof bag for your belongings.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility problems?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments.