Jessycarcher: CRYSTAL COVE : WORLD TOP BORACAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

If you're planning a trip to Boracay ( in the top 10 list of best beaches in the world ) in Philippines,

Tell you,

Your Boracay vacation is definitely incomplete without visiting the Crystal Cove Island ( station 2 ), which is only 20 minutes away by boat ride from the mainland of Boracay. Crystal Cove is one private island that comes with two coves that allow visitors to swim, dive, snorkel and discover the big awesome rock cave by walking, trekking,and climbing. Crystal Cove private island open from 7am to 5pm everyday and i would suggest you to look up for a travel guide package ( optional ) to avoid missing out those interesting parts and activities or lost your way while discovering within the island.

We have made a search with Boracay activities site and booked the Crystal Cove Island day tour at PHP 999 per person ( reasonable and isn't a lot to pay ). We took a shuttle bus from our hotel to Boracay De Mall and being picked up by using tricycle ( motorcycle with attached passenger sidecar that can fit a maximum number of 6 people - pretty much like our taxi service ). De Mall is located in between station 1 and 2 of the Boracay Island and it is a one stop open air shopping area where you can find souvenirs, all sorta swimming, snorkeling and diving equipment, restaurants with various types of cuisine, and also a big convenience store ( The Mart - air conditioned store that sell a range of daily items eg toiletries, foods, groceries ) just located right infront of De'Mall entrance, which is the pickup/drop off point of the shuttle service from most of the resorts in the island. The interesting part of De Mall is that it has a public white sand beach too with all the beach chairs and unbrellas provided without any extra charges that allow visitors to swim, play and enjoy the sunrise and set view from that beautiful wide beach. That explains why you will see mostly people in bikinis or men with their top naked strolling around looking for foods or shopping.

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The tricycle journey was only 20 minutes from the De Mall to the Boracay white beach and followed by another 20 minutes boat ride to the Crystal Cove Island where you can see the big sign board at the entrance from far. Long story short i'll just highlight the important parts that might be useful for you when you're planning to visit Crystal Cove Island.

The entrance

The mini map

We were first being taken for a short tour introducing the island and the special 'cave room' exclusively for honeymooners or couples to experience the life of living in a cave like those human in early life.

sitting area ( i missed out the bedroom photo )

toilet

Our day package inclusive of the personal tour guide ( 21 year-old local people ) and also one lunch ( rice, meats, drinks and fruits ) and the lunch time will be our own preference. We started off with the short trekking journey to Cove 2 first due to small rain and slippery path that may create a dangerous situation while exploring. Cove 2 is much challenging as compared to Cove 1. You will need to climb some stairs and caves before you reach the cove that reveals the fantastic breathtaking crystal clear sea view. You're allowed to walk into the water ( it's quite deep make sure you know how to swim ) to take as many photos as you like.

COVE 2

That path that leads to, the ocean ? Yeah, just jump into the sea, no way turning back.

The rocky staircase that leads to the cove but first, you have to walk into the water before you find another path that leads to the destination.

The spiral staircase along the cliff, make sure you don't slip and fall because you'll be throwing yourself into that big ocean waiting for someone to rescue. Yes, not joking. It just right above the middle of crystal clear ocean.

Yes, i left my footprint in this staircase. Please remember me, crystal cove.

Picture below is taken from the other blog cause mine were totally all blurred out.

Walk, climb, and crawl to enter, it's dark inside here you might accidentally hit the rock above your head when you try to stand. ( When you're tired of squat walking too fast like myself )

Tips : Squat walk slowly, or climb all the way out ( you won't be able to see anything inside ).

Me almost approaching the other end of the cave.

I can barely see anything around. It just that my flash being turned on while taking this photo.

Tadaaa.....reached ! Get ready with your life jacket if you can't swim. Its kinda deep over there.

Then some photos when we were heading to another station after we left Cove 2. Gloomy sky due to small rain earlier. But the view was still awesome.

Lunch time!

It looks as if we are reaching somewhere in paradise, the only "village" that provides FOOD for tourists

COVE 1

No time limit for lunch. A table of 5 up on the cliff next to the ocean was being nicely setup and reserved for us. We then continued our climbing journey to the Cove one, no climbing, no trekking, but walking and swimming. You're required to wear life jacket and snorkeling equipment which is rentable at Php60 if you are not good at swimming. There's a narrow spiral staircase that leads the way down to Cove 1. I actually pondered a moment if i should take the staircase down to the dark hole and in the end i made my first step with lotsa courage because the curiosity in me just wanted to find out what's interesting thing that's hiding beneath.

Cove 1 journey started. Another path that leads to cove one. Less challenging. Good. I was dead tired already in this stage after walking up and down the hill and squat walking throughout the cave.

View from the top

Photo below taken from the other blog to show you how it looks like, the narrow spiral staircase that connects the top into the cave.

We were astonished by the beauty of this place as we took each step further down into the cove. It turns out to be, another view in heaven with the crystal clear green ocean that makes you have that weird urge to jump and swim like a mermaid with the fish in the water. The natural beauty of the water and rock formation just hurt my both eyes in a good way. We're given some time to swim, dive, and snorkel (optional ) otherwise you can climb around and take some nice photos like what i did.

Me with the peace sign.

Take all the time you need for the last activities before 5pm when you need to leave, don't forget there's another 20 minutes boat ride to get back to the other island. I kinda had a major pain with my muscles after climbing in and out the cave and going up and down the paths and stairs but it was all worthwhile.