Having lived in Boracay for a long time, I find it sad to see the island that I love become what it has today: a lost city on sand.
What comes to mind when we think of the island: crystal clear waters, fine powdery white sand, spectacular sunsets, breathtaking hideaways, friendly people…oh yes, that’s Boracay! Absolutely idyllic for your next family holiday. But wait! Recent visitors will know that there’s dirt, pollution, and congestion too.
Here are 5 reasons why you might want to think twice about bringing your family to Boracay.
Reason #1: The beach is dirty
Boracay Island’s famous White Beach is hailed as one of the most beautiful in the world, where you can eat, stay active, let your kids play, socialize, fall in love and be merry all on one strip of fine white sand.
However, this ultimate lifestyle has attracted far too many people over the last 15 years and has directly and indirectly resulted in the 4.5-kilometer beach’s degradation.
Now you will find cigarette butts, pieces of plastic and styrofoam, broken glass, and other non-biodegradable trash on the sand, which could be harmful to your children and certainly is to the environment.
Reason #2: The water is polluted
There are just a few beaches in the world where you could swim and gaze at your feet at the same time due to the crystal clarity of the water. One of these blessed beaches is Boracay Island.
Yet the island has been struggling to stay clean and clear in the midst of socio-environmental nuisances in order to meet the demands of its growing population (i.e. too much gas emissions and possibly oil spills from too many transport and activity boats operating on the sea, used water streaming from the adjacent establishments, the degradation of sea-enriching corals brought about by illegal fishing and reckless snorkelling or diving, etc.).
In fact, news has spread on possible findings of E. Coli in this tourist spot.
Continue reading for more reasons not to bring the family to Boracay Island…
Reason #3: There are too many people
Taking your family out to the beach for a peaceful time and intimate bonding is a fantastic idea.
You’ll have to steer clear of an average of 4,110 people per day though (see 1.5 million expected arrival of tourists in 2015), apart from the island residents who already carve out a significant chunk of the 10.32 sq km island.
Reason #4: There are too many vendors on the beach
When you’re vacationing on the beach with your kids, you want to be surrounded by nature, peace, and family-oriented co-vacationers, with no one bothering you.
Unfortunately, that is rarely the case in Boracay.
It is teeming with vendors selling trips, ice cream, sunglasses, and whatnot.
Some will stop you right in your tracks, which you can expect to happen every two meters; while others set up booths along the beach, giving the strip a sense of disarray.
Of course, there’s still the beautiful view of the crystalline sea, the vast blue sky and the crimson sunset, but with so many vendors loitering around the beach, it’s becoming harder to relax on the sand with your family and watch the panorama in peace.
Reason #5: It’s too noisy
Imagine lounging on the beach with your family and listening to the soothing sounds of the sea.
The sun appears low in the horizon for its dramatic descent, and suddenly the voice of Bob Marley starts billowing through speakers behind you as a group of youngsters tune up the volume of their Korean dance music in front of you. Disruptions like this go on until the break of dawn.
Aside from the things mentioned earlier, there’s also vehicle congestion on the Island’s narrow highways, too many boats on the sea making it hazardous for open-water swimmers, non-stop construction of establishments, and a diminishing number of nature sanctuaries on the Island.
Let’s hope and pray that the new government authorities who are going to take over running the Island after the National Elections this year will work to provide a rich future for Boracay, its residents, and its many visitors — one that is centered on love and respect for Mother Nature, as well as sustainable development.
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