REVIEW · PANAY ISLAND
Boracay Island Hopping + Hot Kawa + Parasailing + Helmet Diving
Book on Viator →Operated by CTPH TOUR · Bookable on Viator
Sun and sea, with a weird-but-fun twist.
This shared day trip layers classic island time with parasailing over White Beach and a helmet oxygen session to see marine life up close, all while you’re also getting built-in snorkeling gear and a buffet lunch. I like that it’s structured enough to feel like you got a full day, but flexible enough that you’re not stuck on one beach the whole time. One thing to consider: optional stops like Crystal Cove and Magic Island aren’t included, so you’ll want cash ready if you want to add them.
The itinerary balances “float and relax” stops with active water time, starting at Puka Shell Beach and then moving through Boracay’s shoreline islands and reefs before wrapping back at the meeting point. I also like that the hot kawa bath is part of the plan, so you’re not just sailing and swimming all day with no real cooldown. The possible drawback is timing: you’ll spend several short windows at different beaches, so if you want long beach marathons, this won’t feel as slow and laid-back as a private tour.
Key Points I’d Highlight Before You Go
- Season-based marine stops: Puka Shell Beach varies by month, with options like Coral Garden and Balinghai Beach depending on the season.
- Hot kawa bath included: you’ll get the warm, herb-and-flower bath at the Tabon Beach area after your first swim.
- Parasailing is short and scenic: about 15 minutes in the air over White Beach.
- Helmet oxygen session included: gear is provided and you get about 20 minutes underwater.
- Several beaches in one day: Ilig Iligan Beach, Crocodile Island (or a seasonal alternative), plus optional Crystal Cove and Magic Island.
- Optional islands cost extra: pay on the spot for Crystal Cove and Magic Island if you want them.
In This Review
- What This Boracay Combo Tour Really Gives You
- Morning Start: Puka Shell Beach + The Hot Kawa Bath
- Where you’ll go (season matters)
- Lunch + hot kawa at Tabon Beach area
- Parasailing Over White Beach: The Sky Time (About 15 Minutes)
- What to know
- The Helmet Oxygen Session: Seeing Marine Life With Gear On
- Where it fits in the day
- A heads-up on fees
- Ilig Iligan Beach: A Short, Scenic Swim Window
- Crocodile Island (or Alternatives) + Crystal Cove and Magic Island Options
- Why optional stops can still be a good deal
- Budget reality check
- What’s Included (and What You’ll Still Need to Pay For)
- Group Size, Timing, and How to Make the Day Feel Easy
- The timing rhythm
- Packing tips that match the schedule
- Reviews Reality Check: Value vs. Communication Problems
- Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)
- Should You Book This Boracay Island Hopping + Hot Kawa + Parasailing?
- FAQ
- How long is the tour?
- Where does the tour take place?
- What’s the price per person?
- What’s included in the tour package?
- Are Crystal Cove Island and Magic Island included?
- Is snorkeling gear included?
- Is there any extra fee you might need to pay?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
- Can you change or cancel the booking?
What This Boracay Combo Tour Really Gives You

For $125 per person, this tour is built for one thing: maximizing shoreline and sea views without paying for private boats and separate activities. You’re basically buying a full-day bundle—transport by boat, a guide on each boat, buffet lunch, snorkeling equipment, plus three big experiences: hot kawa, parasailing, and a helmet oxygen session.
You’ll start at 8:00 am and you’re looking at about 6 to 7 hours total, then you end back at the meeting point. The group is capped at 30 travelers, which matters because it keeps things from feeling like a massive party bus at sea. Still, it’s a shared setup, so you’ll move as a group and you won’t control the pacing.
If your idea of value is seeing multiple beaches and reefs in one outing—and getting a real “wow” moment from parasailing—this format fits. If you want one beach, one long meal, and hours of wandering at your own speed, you’ll probably feel the schedule is a little tight.
Morning Start: Puka Shell Beach + The Hot Kawa Bath
Stop 1 is Puka Shell Beach, and this is where your day gets its “beachy” foundation. You’ll have time to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe, and the exact marine area you visit depends on the season.
You can also read our reviews of more scuba diving tours in Panay Island
Where you’ll go (season matters)
Depending on the time of year, you might visit:
- June to November: Ilig Iligan Beach, Crocodile Island, Starfish Garden
- December to May: Coral Garden, Balinghai Beach, Puka Beach
That seasonal swap is useful because it means you’re not locked into one location year-round. You’re still getting the same core promise—clear, reef-adjacent water and snorkeling—just in a location that’s more season-appropriate.
Lunch + hot kawa at Tabon Beach area
After your water time, lunch is served at the Tabon Beach area (Tabon Beach Parameters Place). Lunch is buffet style, and you’ll also experience the hot kawa bath there.
Hot kawa is one of those activities that sounds like a carnival trick until you realize it’s part wellness routine. You’ll look like you’re being boiled alive, but the heat is controlled and meant to keep the bath warm. The bath often comes with flowers and herbs, which is there for a more relaxing, spa-like feel after the swim-and-snorkel portion of the day.
Practical note for comfort: if you’re the type who gets chilly easily, this is a good time to think about water-to-dry clothing. You’ll likely move from beach water to bath area, then back toward the boats later.
Parasailing Over White Beach: The Sky Time (About 15 Minutes)

Next comes parasailing on Boracay’s White Beach. This is one of the easiest “big memory” makers on the schedule: you’ll be strapped into a seat with a colorful parachute and pulled by a boat, which lets you view the shoreline from above.
You’ll have about 15 minutes for this, and the main value is the change of perspective. Even if you’ve seen beaches from shore before, parasailing gives you that high-angle sweep—coastline curves, the break of the water, and the way the islands stack along the bay.
What to know
Parasailing is weather dependent, so if conditions aren’t right, the overall tour may get adjusted. In general, the time is short enough that you’re not “stuck” for a long ride, but long enough to feel like an actual experience rather than a quick photo moment.
If you’re nervous around heights, you’ll want to approach it as a seated ride with a clear start and stop, not as something you do for hours. And if you’re sensitive to motion on boats, give yourself a bit of buffer by drinking water before you go.
The Helmet Oxygen Session: Seeing Marine Life With Gear On

This is the other headline stop: a helmet oxygen session. The basic idea is simple—hop onto a boat, put on a heavy helmet connected to an oxygen tank, and go down into the water. Underwater, the helmet is said to weigh around 2 kilos, which helps explain how you can actually stay comfortable enough to observe marine life.
You’ll get 20 full minutes of helmet time, and snorkeling/helmet gear is included. That’s a big deal for value because you’re not paying extra for equipment rental.
Where it fits in the day
This kind of activity works best when you’re mentally ready for something different from regular snorkeling. Instead of just floating face-down with fins, you’re working with a helmet setup, so your focus becomes more about slow observation than quick exploration.
A heads-up on fees
Even though helmet gear is included, there can be a one-time snorkeling fee that isn’t included and may be due at multiple sites. So keep a little cash aside for that possibility. It’s not presented as a huge add-on, but it’s important for budgeting so you aren’t surprised at the dock.
Ilig Iligan Beach: A Short, Scenic Swim Window

Stop 4 is Ilig Iligan Beach with about 30 minutes on the schedule. This is one of those “get back in the water, take in the view” stops.
Because the window is relatively short, I recommend treating it like this:
- Swim first if you want that immediate reef/sea contact
- Then switch to sunbathing and simple drifting once you’ve had your fill
This stop is a good reminder that Boracay’s coast looks different depending on where you stand. Even without long walking time, a 30-minute beach chunk can still feel like a mini-reset.
Crocodile Island (or Alternatives) + Crystal Cove and Magic Island Options

Stop 5 is Crocodile Island, or it may be substituted by Balinghai Beach or Coral Garden depending on the season and how the day runs. You’ll have about 30 minutes here.
Stop 6 and Stop 7 are both optional, each around 30 minutes, and you’ll pay on the spot if you want them:
- Crystal Cove Island (optional, not included)
- Magic Island Boracay (optional, not included)
Why optional stops can still be a good deal
The included stops already cover a full day, so these optional add-ons are best thought of as “if you have energy and want one more change of scenery.” Since they cost extra, decide early whether you’re trying to keep spending controlled or if you’re okay adding a bit more for extra time in photogenic areas.
Budget reality check
If you’re trying to keep the trip close to the base price, plan for the included items and then treat optional islands as a bonus. If you’d rather spend without thinking, you may feel the add-ons as more hassle—but they also let you tailor the day.
What’s Included (and What You’ll Still Need to Pay For)
This tour includes:
- Boat and tour guide on each boat
- Buffet lunch
- Individual life jacket
- Snorkeling gear
- Hot kawa bath
- Parasailing
- Helmet oxygen session
Not included:
- Anything not listed above
- Non-compulsory tipping
- Snorkeling fee (one-time payment that can apply at multiple sites)
- Optional admissions: Crystal Cove and Magic Island
One reason this matters: snorkeling fees and optional island admissions are the two places where the day can drift away from the headline price. If you’re comfortable with that, this package stays a strong value. If you hate surprise costs, bring a bit of spending buffer so the day stays relaxed.
Group Size, Timing, and How to Make the Day Feel Easy
The tour is capped at 30 travelers, and that helps keep boat transfers from becoming chaotic. Still, you’ll be moving between short stops all day, so your comfort depends on how you prepare.
The timing rhythm
- Start: 8:00 am
- Total duration: 6 to 7 hours
- Many stops: mostly 30 minutes each, plus the shorter parasailing window
This schedule favors people who like variety. It’s not built for lingering deeply at one single spot.
Packing tips that match the schedule
You don’t have to overthink it, but you should assume you’ll get wet and you’ll repeat boat rides. I’d bring:
- A dry bag for phone and cash
- Sunscreen (you’ll be out in daylight for multiple swim windows)
- Water shoes or footwear you’re okay getting soaked
- Something quick to change into after snorkeling and before the bath/next boat portion
And if you’re sensitive to moving water, consider bringing your own solution for that comfort issue ahead of time.
Reviews Reality Check: Value vs. Communication Problems
The overall rating is 3.1, which usually signals that experiences are mixed rather than uniformly smooth. The positive theme is clear: people appreciated the value, the fact that the experience felt legitimate when booked, and a sense that the day was saved when they were dealing with the chaos that can happen around tourist activities.
The negative theme is also clear: there’s at least one unhappy situation tied to pickup timing and communication, where a traveler reported waiting a long time and not getting responses after contacting the tour platform. I can’t speak to what happened in that specific case, but it does point to one practical rule:
Before the tour, confirm your pickup details and keep your contact method ready. Don’t plan to rely on last-minute communication while you’re already stuck waiting. If your phone battery is low, charge it. If your messaging app is unreliable, keep a backup plan.
Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)
This Boracay combo tour is a strong fit if:
- You want multiple islands and reef stops in one day without separate bookings
- You’re excited by parasailing and want it included
- You want a helmet oxygen session with gear included
- You like the idea of relaxing with hot kawa after water time
- You’re okay with shorter beach windows rather than long unstructured time
It may be less ideal if:
- You want only one beach and lots of downtime
- You hate optional add-ons and extra site fees
- You’re the type who needs extremely flexible pacing
If you like the idea of a well-paced day—swim, snorkel, brief beach breaks, then adrenaline, then unwind—the structure works.
Should You Book This Boracay Island Hopping + Hot Kawa + Parasailing?
I’d book it if your goal is value and variety, not solitude. The price makes sense for the bundle: boat time, buffet lunch, snorkeling gear, hot kawa, parasailing, and a helmet oxygen session without making you piece together multiple providers.
The decision hinge is your comfort with a shared schedule and the possibility of extra site costs (snorkeling fee and optional islands). If you go in expecting a day that moves, and you keep a little spending buffer, you’ll likely come away feeling like you got your money’s worth.
If you’re booking during weather-risk season for sea activities, remember the tour requires good weather. If conditions are poor and it gets canceled, you may be offered another date or a full refund.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The tour runs about 6 to 7 hours, starting at 8:00 am and ending back at the meeting point.
Where does the tour take place?
The tour is in Boracay, on Panay Island in the Philippines.
What’s the price per person?
It costs $125.00 per person.
What’s included in the tour package?
Included are boat transport, buffet lunch, tour guide in each boat, individual life jacket, snorkeling gear, hot kawa, parasailing, and helmet oxygen session.
Are Crystal Cove Island and Magic Island included?
No. Crystal Cove Island and Magic Island are optional stops, and you pay on the spot.
Is snorkeling gear included?
Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with the equipment needed for the helmet oxygen session.
Is there any extra fee you might need to pay?
A snorkeling fee (one-time payment in multiple sites) is not included. Optional island admissions (Crystal Cove and Magic Island) also aren’t included.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Can you change or cancel the booking?
The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If canceled or amended, the amount paid is not refunded.












