Our Boracay Family Trip: Sunburns, Sibling Roasts & Sandcastle Showdowns

March 30, 2022 - Boracay Island, Philippines

Let me paint you a picture: a group of wild, sun-hungry humans—me, my siblings, and a crew of energetic nieces and nephews—landing on one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

What could go wrong?
More importantly... what could go right?

Spoiler: Everything.
Welcome to our Boracay family adventure—equal parts tropical chaos and unforgettable bonding.

Day One: We Came. We Saw. We Face-Planted in the Sand.

We barely made it off the boat when the kids spotted the beach.
Shoes? Gone.
Luggage? Forgotten.
Screams of joy? Immediate.

White Beach looked fake—it was that perfect. I had to stop for a second and just stare. Turquoise water. Powdery white sand. Gentle waves. I felt like I had walked into a travel commercial… except I was dragging three beach bags and chasing a child with zero concept of personal safety.

Welcome to vacation.

Station Hopping Like Pros

We made it our mission to conquer all three stations of White Beach like a beach-loving army.

• Station 1: Luxury vibes. Soft sand. Perfect for pretending we were in a lifestyle magazine while the kids buried each other in sand up to their necks.

• Station 2: Energy central. Live music, food stalls, souvenir shopping, and the occasional "Wait, where’s my nephew!?" panic.

• Station 3: Chill central. Hammocks, cheap massages, early-morning walks, and time to catch our breath.

Every station had a personality—and somehow, we fit into all of them.

Island Hopping = Bonding With Bonus Waves

We booked an island-hopping tour and instantly turned into a boat full of overly excited tourists.

We snorkeled. We fed fish. One niece accidentally screamed “SHARK!” at a floating plastic bag.
We visited secret beaches, explored caves, and lost a beach towel to the wind (RIP, towel).

Then came the sunset paraw sailing—and I swear, for five whole minutes, the entire family was silent. The golden sky. The still water. The wind brushing our faces.
It was peace.
And then a wave hit us and we all screamed. Still worth it.

Eat. Bond. Repeat.

Boracay fed us like royalty.

Fresh seafood grilled right on the beach? Yes.
Filipino classics like sinigang and adobo? Yes.
Desserts we couldn’t pronounce but devoured anyway? DOUBLE yes.
And of course: halo-halo. The kids went feral for it. Honestly, so did I.

Dinner was when the bonding really happened—around plastic tables, under palm trees, barefoot in the sand. We laughed, roasted each other, and tried bites of whatever looked weird and delicious. It was chaotic and perfect.

Family Moments That Deserve a Sitcom

• My brother got way too into a beach volleyball game with strangers.

• One of the kids tried to catch a crab with their bare hands. Failed. Cried. Tried again.

• My sister tried paddleboarding and accidentally took out two other tourists.

• We all got sunburned in weird places, including someone’s ears. Just the ears.

We made memories in real time, with no scripts and no filters—just pure, goofy, sun-soaked joy.

Shoutout to Boracay’s Comeback

I had heard about Boracay’s cleanup back in 2018, and wow—they nailed it.
Clean beaches. Eco rules that make sense. Friendly locals who care.
As someone traveling with family, it felt good knowing we were in a place that’s being taken care of—for us, and for the future.

Leaving Hurt (Emotionally, Not Just the Sunburn)

Our last day hit hard.
The kids didn’t want to leave. None of us did.
We stood on the beach for one last group photo (which turned into 47 blurry attempts), and made a pact: We’re coming back.

Final Verdict: Should You Do a Family Trip to Boracay?

YES. YES. AND YES AGAIN.

If you want a trip that’s:

• Equal parts chaotic and calm

• Packed with laughter, sun, and sibling roasts

• Full of connection, fresh air, and unforgettable moments...

Boracay is it.

So grab your crew—big or small, loud or louder—and head to this island paradise.
You’ll leave with tired feet, happy hearts, and a million inside jokes.

Post it. Frame it. Never forget it.
Boracay gave us more than a vacation—it gave us a core memory.

Let’s go again. Who’s in?

By: Meme Borja