I’m not sure but local folks said that the name Borawan was a portmanteau, a blend of two words — Boracay and Palawan. The island was named so because it possesses white sand similar to that on Boracay and rock formations reminiscent of Palawan’s limestone cliffs. The question is, is the island worthy of its name?
Well, I’m not the right person to judge. But Borawan Island is beautiful. Although its sand is not as fine or as white as Boracay’s, it was pretty enough for photos and therapeutic enough that one will surely enjoy rolling on it. And yes, the rocky cliffs reminded me so much of Coron or Sabang, Puerto Princesa. Not to mention that the water was crystal clear when we were there.
We also heard that the name Borawan actually meant gold, which is apt since it sure is a treasure to me.
When we arrived on the island, we immediately noticed the colorful tents on the shore. Apparently, other beach bums also choose to spend the night on this island.
Anyway, we hopped out of the boat and started exploring the island. There were so many people when we were there. The problem was that the shore was a bit narrow than the usual beach. (High tide, maybe?) The beach looked crowded at the time. After all, it was the third week of May when we were there so it was expected that people were still on a summer euphoria.
There’s a restroom made of bamboo in the area but that was the only restroom we saw along the beach. There’s also a small store beside the rest room.
As always, we camwhored around the island. One of my friends even climbed up to the top of one tall cliff. Cool.
Warning, though. The locals kept warning us of jellyfish in certain parts of the water. Of course, we took their advice and swam in areas that they said were safe and where most people were in. Thankfully, we didn’t have any jellyfish moment.
We only stayed at Borawan Island for a bit over an hour. 
How to Get to Borawan Island
Although we availed the services of a budget travel agency for this trip, let me share you how to get to this place from Manila by public transport.
- Ride a bus to Lucena City. There are many terminals in Metro Manila that go to Lucena. Fare is somewhere between P250-260. Travel time: 3 hours.
- Alight at Lucena Grand Terminal.
- From the terminal, take another bus to Unisan. The bus is not air-conditioned and fare is around P35-40. Travel time: 1 and a half hours.
- Get off at QCRB Bank (Padre Burgos) or ask the driver to drop you off here.
- Take a tricycle to Aplaya. Tell the driver you intend to go to Borawan.
- There are boats for rent in Aplaya. These boats can take you on an island-hopping tour with stops in Puting Buhangin (Pagbilao), Dampalitan Island and Borawan Island.
That’s it! Enjoy Padre Burgos and Pagbilao, Quezon!
Borawan Island - Padre Burgos, Quezon, Philippines,
It was so amazing seeing these kind of Island.. Actually our School planned to have a Tour there. We’re so exited about it.
Wow, sana matuloy kayo. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
hey poor traveller.. panu un pauwi from the island hopping?? madami din ba masasakyan? planning to go there via public transport..
May i just ask how much wiLL be the boat rentaLs?
thanks much…
Namiss ko ang padre burgos . tsk tsk
sa mga nkapunta..mg.kano budget punta don?frm manila..
1000 php
budget per head ok n ksama n pagkain no restaurant small sari2 store only virgin island no house in sight bring ur own food and drinks perfect camping site
less thank 2K, ull pay less if ull go there in a group..
sobra gnda ng place but there are no amenities on the islands…just nature at its best!
Good place. Been in borawan last Christmas! Look at my photos. PM me i have the owner of vista playa resto numbr.
hi there ..levi hir..ilang tao ang puede sa bangka going to borawan pati hired na ba yon for other islands.. pahingi naman ng number ng vista aplaya.. punta kasi kami sa 26 and 27 thanks.
how much yung boat rental?
And the other thing….I luv your name….close to angel…lol…colors is sync with music….music to our soul and colors are to eyes and perception …art….make us relax and beauty is connected to our souls….and its Connected to serenity mother.nature and balance and contentment to blessings…..blessings and generosity is like a giant magnet…it creates positive energy of richness and abundance of things….
Been there, it’s a nice place. wala nga lang accommodation na bongga, good thing we found ate irma xa ngprepare ng food nmin and she let us rent their rest house for a very reasonable price. About 1k my 1 day food and accommodation ka na and boat rental+manila-padre burgos fare which about 600 I think balikan n, so less thab 2k nga.
hi milan! saan ung rest house? can i have the number nung owner? tnx! i was thnkng na parang whole day trip lng xa since wla ngang accom dun…
very nice place for summer…
two thumbs up… b (^^) d
Fyi: borawan comes the visayan word bulawan which means GOLD. ,
i thought borawan is owned by a anchorland already and is being developed into an island resort? are there still places to go there just to enjoy nature for free o kelangan na ng entrance fees to get to enjoy the island? =D
I’ve been here, Survivor ang set up namin…island overnyt! so memorable!
Grabe naman…why are the people being deprived of beautiful beaches kung may magmamay-ari ng mga beaches? FYI, beaches are for public use and cannot be owned by any individual. Maybe they can own the island but not the beaches as well sa the waters surrounding it.
sa amin ‘to… one of the beautiful places in Quezon Province.
superrr nice place to unwind together with family and friends.
can’t wait to have a break to go there..
pag mangaling po kau manila at commute bus lang po byahe lucena, then baba kayo grandcentral terminal, me bumibiyahe po dung mini bus at jeep byahe unisan at padre burgos po. sbihn nyo n lng s kundoktor sa padre burgos kau then me mga banca n po dun magdadala senyo sa island. 4hrs frm manila 45mins frm grand to padre burgos tpos mga 3o min lng po to isla borawan.
ma borawan ka gd ni d gro kung diri ka ky relaxing katama..
@restie ramirez ditto tau
ganda po jan. .entrance fee 30,to 50,only,
Been there, done that (plus more!)
cover photo says it all
i’ve been to Borawan din..super ganda! check my blog: http://cheerfuljen.blogspot.com/2012/03/borawan-is-love.html
we are going to visit Borawan this Lenten season, and hope we will enjoy the beauty of the island.
Thanks for featuring my hometown Padre Burgos, you definitely help our tourism industry.. I hope you guys visit us and for those who visited already, thank you and you are all welcome here to enjoy.
For more information about Padre Burgos (Borawan, Dampalitan and other places within it) please feel free to email me at ronjames_gonzales@yahoo.com or contact me @ 09178989750.
Thank you and more power.. Enjoy traveling
You have a beautiful hometown!!!
yup nakarating na ako sa lugar na yan. Maanda at malinaw ang tubig. hindi masyado mainit
how much po ang bayad sa boat? tnx!! gusto ko pumunta d2 ksma ang mga friends ko..
we will be there tom morning. see u borawan.contact person ate irma….package deal. at 900 pesos only food, boat rental and entrance all in…
Hi cai yu!
I would like to know ate irma’s number.
We’re planning to go there tomorrow.
perfect place!!! we were there last holy week….. u can contact Ate irma for more affordable package at convenient stay……
..we’ve been here with group of ten..nice yun place but the time we arrived its very crowded because Holy Week.. Nag-avail kami ng package tour kay Sir Ron James at very reasonable price na-avail namin yun 3 islands, masarap yun food they prepared for us. Sea foods, veggies and fruits ang request nmin at na-provide nmn niya.. May kasama nang dalawang tent to use for free at nka-avail na din kami ng free cottage sa kanya.. We stayed at Dampalitan Island for overnight. Buti na lang at nagpa-reserved kagad sya ng space for pitching ng tent that time..
hi ask ko lang magkno ung package??
Sir Ron’s # +639496362087 if you want to avail the package