White Beach is the heart of Boracay. It boasts a stunning 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) long strip of soft sand backed by a busy tourist village. Spend your time swimming in the warm, clear water, topping up your tan, partaking in watersports and partying at bars and open-air clubs. White Beach splits into three zones, which were once the docks used when visitors could travel by boat from the mainland directly to the beach.

At the northern edge of the beach is Station 1, a laidback area famous for its wide stretch of sand and shallow water. Spread along the waterfront is a collection of upmarket resorts. Paddle out into the water to Willy’s Rock and then climb a stone staircase to see a statue of the Virgin Mary. To the north, a cliffside pathway leads to the uncrowded Diniwid Beach.

Station 2 is the busiest area, where boats line the seashore waiting to take beachgoers on island cruises and diving excursions. Join in a game of beach volleyball, go on a water-sled ride and rent a stand-up paddleboard. Fashion stores, souvenir shops, supermarkets and watersport outfitters line the village streets. After sunset, this area turns into the hub of the beach’s nightlife activities.

Enjoy a more peaceful beach experience at Station 3. Islanders affectionately call it Old Boracay due to a large presence of local and long-term foreign residents. The water here is transparent, free of seaweed and great for spotting fish with the naked eye. Find backpacker hostels and budget accommodations set along sandy, palm-shaded streets.

White Beach is a 20-minute drive from Cagban Jetty Port. If arriving from Panay then catch a passenger ferry from Caticlan. Get between each station by strolling along the beach and its esplanade. Alternatively, travel by pedicab (cycle rickshaw) and tricycle taxi.

Peak season on Boracay and at White Beach is from November to April, when temperatures are mild and rainfall is minimal. During the rest of the year there are fewer tourists, although be prepared for heavy showers and high levels of humidity.