Carabao Island

Carabao Island - San Jose to its residents - lies just south of Boracay and belongs administratively to Romblon, which is most of the explanation for how different it feels. The beaches are the same white sand: Lanas on the west side, long and quiet with a handful of resorts; Hambil, Tagaytay and Inobahan on the coast around. The cliffs are the difference - limestone bluffs on the eastern and northern shores with caves and tidal pools like Bito-on and Koding-koding cut into them, and a coastal viewpoint or two reached on foot or by motorbike. Getting around is by habal-habal or bicycle on rough tracks, accommodation is small guesthouses and a few beach resorts, power and water can be intermittent, and nightlife is a beach fire. It functions as the day trip or overnight escape from Boracay's crowds, and its residents seem in no hurry to become the next one.

What you actually see

• Lanas Beach - the long white strip on the west side.
• The limestone cliffs - caves and tidal pools on the east.
• The rough tracks - habal-habal rides across the island.
• Boracay across the water - the busy neighbour in view.

When to go

November to May for calm crossings; the channel between Boracay and Carabao gets rough in the amihan and monsoon. Weekdays are quietest.

Honest expectations

Facilities are simple - limited power, few ATMs, cash economy. Roads are rough and mostly motorbike-served. Boat crossings depend on sea conditions.

Nearby

Boracay is twenty minutes north; Romblon's other islands lie south and east across the passage.