Boracay Island (tourism map) is located only 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay. In 1990, it was voted by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook as one of the best beaches in the world and again in 1996 by British publication TV Quick as the world's #1 tropical beach. In 2007, Boracay Island topped the list as the World’s Most Popular Beach according to Yahoo! Travel.

Boracay Island has a population of 12,003 permanent residents according to the 2000 census and occupies a total land mass area of 10.32 km (4.03mi²). Boracay is part of the province of Aklan, Panay. The island was originally home to the Ati tribe.

Boracay Island was completely overlooked by the Spanish colonizers as well as the Japanese Imperial Army occupation forces during WWII and thus has little historical significance in terms of Filipino or world history. Years ago, Boracay Island was a well-guarded secret, almost possessively so that only a few knew of its existence. It was only in the 1970's when a foreign movie crew accidentally "discovered" this island paradise. Others maintain that it was the German traveler, Jens Peters' book, which included rave reviews of Boracay that changed the island’s status from that of being a quiet secret to eventually being voted as having the best beach in the world. Whichever story is true, it was around this time that Boracay Island slowly ceased to be a private travelers hangout and eventually became one of the major tourist destinations in the Philippines and of the world.

White Beach is the main tourism beach and is located on the western side of the island. It is about 4km (2.5mi) long and is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. In the central portion, at Boat Station 2, for about 2km (1.25mi), there is a footpath known as the Beachfront Path separating the beach itself from the establishments located along it. North and south of the Beachfront Path, at Boat Stations 1 and 3, beachfront establishments do literally front along the beach itself. Several roads and paths connect the Beachfront Path with Boracay's Main Road, a vehicular road which runs the length of the island. At the extreme northern end of White Beach, a footpath runs around the headland there and connects White Beach with Diniwid Beach. Bulabog Beach, on the eastern side of the island, opposite from White Beach, is a secondary tourism beach and Boracay's main windsurfing and kiteboarding area.

Weather in Boracay is generally divided into two seasonal weather patterns known locally as the Amihan and Habagat seasons. In the Tagalog language, Amihan means a cool northeast wind, and Habagat means west or southwest wind. Amihan and Habagat seasons are generally associated respectively with the El Niño and La Niña global weather patterns. The Amihan season is characterized by moderate temperatures, little or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the east. The Habagat season is characterized by hot and humid weather, occasional heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the west. On Boracay, the main indicator of the switch between the Amihan and Habagat seasonal patterns is the switch in wind direction. In most years this transition is abrupt and occurs overnight. In some years there is a period of perhaps a week or two where the wind will switch between Amihan and Habagat patterns several times before settling into the pattern for the new season. As a general rule of thumb, Boracay will be in the Amihan weather pattern from sometime in September or October to sometime in May or June and in the Habagat weather pattern for the remainder of the year. Daytime temperatures on Boracay generally range from 77-90°F (25-32°C) from the beginning of the Amihan season into February or March, and increase to the 82-100°F(28-38°C) range with the onset of the Habagat season. During tropical storm periods, temperatures can fall below 68°F (20°C). Tropical storms can impact Boracay at any time of year, but are most likely to be seen during the Habagat season.

A number of accommodation types are scattered all over the island, ranging from luxurious hotel types to budget, Spartan rooms to native themed cottages. Accommodations are generalized by location; Boat Station 3 is where most of the cheaper lodgings are located, while Boat Station 2 is meant for those who want to be within proximity of the bars. Boat Station 1, meanwhile, is where you will find the more isolated and up-scale accommodations, offering peace and quiet to those looking for a respite from the usual action-packed Boracay night scene.

Leisure activities available on Boracay include golfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, canoeing, island hopping, mountain bike riding, night-life partying and beach relaxation. Boracay is the site of a world-class 18-hole par 72 golf course designed by Graham Marsh. In addition, Boracay offers a wide range of restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs.

If you mention the word "Boracay" around any Filipino, you will immediately capture their attention, their eyes will light up and a smile will begin to develop that portrays a general sense of paradise found. There are a number of other beaches that our tours visit, namely in Siargao, Bohol and Siquijor, that closely compare to Boracay but lack the nightlife, popularity and resort accommodations found here. Boracay sets the standard from which all other Filipino resort destinations and beaches are judged, and many foreign exotic beach destinations as well.