Weather in Boracay is generally divided into two seasonal weather patterns known locally

as the Amihan and Habagat seasons. In the Visayan language, Amihan means a cool
northeast wind, and Habagat means west or southwest wind; southwest monsoon.[37] The
Amihan season is characterized by moderate temperatures, little or no rainfall, and a
prevailing wind from the northeast. The Habagat season is characterized by hot and
humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the west. [38]
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 rule of thumb, Boracay will be in the Amihan weather
pattern from sometime in October to sometime in June and in the Habagat weather
pattern for the remainder of the year.[39]
Daytime temperatures on Boracay generally range from 7790 F (2532 C) from the
beginning of the Amihan season into February or March, and increase to the 82100 F
(2838 C) range with the onset of the Habagat season.[40] 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.[41]

Tourism[edit]

The White Beach in Boracay

Partly because of its wind and weather patterns, tourism in Boracay is at its peak during
the amihan season (start from September or October and ends sometime in May or June)
. During amihan, the prevailing wind blows from the east. Boracay's main tourism area,
White Beach, is on the western side of the island and is sheltered from the wind. During
the Amihan season, the water off White Beach is often glassy-smooth. On the eastern
side of the island, hills on the northern and southern ends of the island channel the
Amihan season wind from the east onshore, onto Bulabog Beach in the central part of the
island's eastern side. This makes the reef-protected waters off that beach ideal
for windsurfing and kiteboarding / kitesurfing.
In June 2011, it was reported that Megaworld Corporation, a real estate development
group led by Andrew Tan had earmarked PHP20 billion to develop tourism estates
"featuring an integrated, master-planned layout and world-class resort offerings and
amenities" in Boracay and Cavite. The planned Boracay project, Boracay Newcoast,
involves four hotels with 1,500 rooms, a plaza and entertainment center.[42]

Leisure activities[edit]

Paraws used for paraw sailing

Leisure activities available on or near Boracay include horseback riding, scuba

diving, diving helmet, snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, cliff diving, parasailing and
beach relaxation.

Boracay is the site of an 18-hole par 72 golf course designed by Graham Marsh.[43] In
addition, as of 2010, Boracay has in excess of 350 beach resorts offering more than
2,000 rooms ranging in quality from five-star to budget accommodation. [44] In addition,
Boracay offers a wide range of restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs.
Boracay may be a small island, but it is huge in its offering of a variety of activitiesfrom
just swimming in its pristine blue water, strolling along the sugary white sanded beach,
enjoying the nightlife, making choices on restaurants featuring multi-ethnic foods, and just
relaxing in wonderment of the island's amazing scenery viewed from a range of affordable
to five-star hotels. A landmark natural rock formation, Willy's Rock, juts prominently
directly in front of Willy's Beach Resort.