To all fellow kiters looking for an awesome place to kite and only 7 hours from E Coast Australia why not check out Boracay island in the Philippines. The island is home to the annual Asian Funboard Cup from the 22 - 29th January. Flat crystal clear water, sunny skies, good consistent winds, way cheaper than Australia and a non stop beach party atmosphere after a day of kiting. Just make sure you get some sleep after a big night as the wind comes in early!
Boracay Clip
Any waves?
Whats the best season?
What wind strength can you expect?
Whats the cheapest way to fly there?
Can you walk to kite spot from your villa?
"dangling under huge kites" i thought we had moved past this. unless ur throwing huge airs or kite loops, please don't dangle. Nice to see some coverage that doesn't involve a kite disaster or death. there was a really good one on some american News channel about "Real Watersports" in cape Hatteras NC.
Yeah my fiance and I are planning on spending next christmas there, is this a good time of year for kiting?
If not, when is the best wind?
and...
Thanks for the vid suggestion Gibbo!
Kataoe, Aorta I am staying at the Villa with a crew from the 21st Dec to 10th Jan so its available after that when the Asian Funboard cup kicks in. If you need to book just fill in the details on the booking page http://www.sbvilla.com/bookings.php and the lady who looks after the place will get back to you.
The best time to kite Boracay is at the end of the year Nov - Feb as the wind kicks in hard on Bulabog Beach. You can also kite on the other side of the island during the middle of the year which is also stunning.
The Villa is based at a a beach called Diniwid Beach where all the permanent residents live and its only a short 5 min trip to Bulabog beach or white beach. Its the upmarket end of the island and super close to the Golf Course. The advantage of staying there during the Christmas period is that you dont get blown away after a day of kiting. Its side of the island is calm and serene just what you need in the evening after an all day session.
Answer to questions:
1. Any waves? : Some small ones but more large swell past the breakers outside of the lagoon but not recommened to kite there unless super hard core - coming down off your kite out there woulld not be fun as coral reefs abound. I was out on a local banka (traditional) boat in a true 30+knt winds and was struggling to hold on to the boat in the swell much less a kite!!
2. Whats the best season? Usually Nov - Feb (Bulabog Beach) but other times of the year the wind swings to the other side of the island (white beach). Best to stay in accomodation not on the windy side of the island - gets a bit too much 24/7.
3. What wind strength can you expect? Nov - Feb approx: 18 - 30knts (some days will be lulls)
Whats the cheapest way to fly there? Depends where you live. Recommend you book way in advance to get cheap deals. East coast: can go:
- Air New Guinea via port moresby to Manila
- Royal Brunei out of Brisbane / Sydney
- Continential airlines out of Cairns (stops in Guam 12 hours so can have a kite there too)
- Jetstar to singapore then another jetstar flight to Manila
- Philippines Airlines - direct ex Brisbane, Sydney
- QANTAS - direct ex Brisbane, Sydney
West Coast (Perth) - not sure perhaps a carrier via Singapore
In all cases once you arrive in Manila its only a short flight or nice o/night ship to the island, super cheap flights like $40 one way.
4. Can you walk to kite spot from your villa? Yes but most people get around on tricycles for like $2-4.
Hope to see you all there soon!
Check out map below to see the villa in relation to the beaches. (Bgy. Balabag) is Bulabag Beach, (Station 2 sits) in the middle of white beach.
"...In all cases once you arrive in Manila its only a short flight or nice o/night ship to the island, super cheap flights like $40 one way...."
what airline is that with Ramon ?
I always seem to pay a lot more than that & consider the domestic flts fm Manila the most expensive component (comparatively) of the whole trip to Boracay ....
Hi Buzz - you can go woith Zest (the old Asian Spirit) or Cebu Pacific. I think there is another called Seair. Bear in mind their weight restrictions however.
Hope this helps.
RPM thanks for your glowing endorsement of Boracay :) but I am not sure the likes of Susie Mai, Glen from Ocean Republic and the many hundreds of international kiters would agree. It attracts many kiters thats why the Asian FunBoard Cup is held there and as for accomodation one can live in a dive for $300 a month if thats their thing but most people I know want to enjoy their time there in better accomodation. The only thing I concur with you on is the super friendly Filipino people.
RPM nothing against you personally but with over 140 posts it seems you have an opinion on just about everyone and everything, welcome or not. FYI I am not spruiking the villa, its rented and occupied 98% of the year and yes its on Diniwid Beach, the decidely upmarket areas where all the island's expat permanent residents live away from the so called 'Russian pensioners' you seem to despise and only a 5 min trike ride to Bulabog. How do I know this? Well I own the place and have lived there for over a year and can comment above and beyond the 4 weeks worth of experience that seems to makes you an authority on kiting in Boracay. What I am trying to do here is be nice and get more Aussies to come there and see why the likes of Susie Mai and other pro kiters come to kite there, not to have negativity thrown around by some unknown. No place is perfect not even Boracay but instead of dissing it why not talk about some of the good things on the island. Enough said I wish you all the best and perhaps best stay in WA next time as you dont need Boracay and certainly it and the many kiters there wont miss you!! Cheers!
i deleted my posts.. your right.. Boracay is awesome. Everyone should go. Sounds like you and susi are besties!
ENJOY
RPM, c'mon! Its not like that, Boracay like anywhere has its faults but to keep attracting world class pro riders its must have something over the negatives that everwhere has! To show you that I am actually a good bloke you can stay in the Villa free up to a week anytime, just email! Thats if you can bear to bring yourself back there! Cheers!
I'm there early next month a dn again in march. Can I get two free weeks?
Boracay is great, you'd have to be a real dick to not like it. But yes there is good kiting in other place - even where the d1ck lives.
hey guys we should all respect each other here as fellow kiters and stand up for each other and support each other, RPM is a decent guy and he is entitled to his opinions as an obviously well travelled kiter, god only knows how many councils want to shut us down - so lets all stand up and support each other no name calling please!!!! kimpa when are you looking at coming?
That's a kind offer but as I said.. I'm not a fan of the place and wouldn't waste my money. Even if your accom was free.
That's how good I think the place is. I guess horses for courses.. For me I enjoy kiting with a little space and lining up tricks without people and learners cutting me off every time set up a run.
As your from WA you should know that we have the best beaches and conditions, minus the palm trees and congestion like boracay.
All the best with your villa.
Peace.
bizare being from WA apparently but posting airfares etc from east coast and no idea about wa prices ?
Spent 14 days (13 nights) in Boracay Feb 2010.
Will be returning Jan 2011.
My findings:
-Very, very (insanely) busy during the day if you dont get out for an early session.
Trying to ride out past the crowd could be compared to running across 8 lanes of a busy highway.
-You can find areas which are less congested, just takes persistance
-Bulabog is the only beach where the wind comes in for Feb (white beach is not windy)
-Tidal patterns are weird, I never figured out the tidal swing (Low to High)
-Dont take your camera and wallet out with you on white beach
-Kite safari to Seco Island was amazing and definately worth the money ($600)
-Cheaper accommodation can be found on the beach so dont book online, we could have saved hundreds
-Predominantly Euro's and Asian tourists
-Filo people are freindly and willing to help, service wasnt great at some restaurants but on the whole good experience
-Beer & Cocktails for the win
My 2 cents
Looking forward to my next trip, albeit with a Filipino girlfriend this time. Better communication will help a lot!