(Non) Summer in Boracay 3: Crystal Cove

Next to April-March, August-September is the second-busiest couple of months for me because it’s that time of the year when I’ve to draw up the Budget Proposal of our Department for the next Budget Year. It’s exhausting work and, piled on top of my regular (and irregular) functions, it spells out “Hell Weeks” for me.

I cannot wait until August 20 comes (so I can get a reprieve by catching Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno in the cinema) and September 19 finally rolls around so I can watch CNBLUE in concert. Simple joys, really.

On a day tour or island-hopping gig in Boracay, one of the major pit stops is Crystal Cove.

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Crystal Cove Island Resort is a private island that can be reached by banca in an average of 15 minutes from the main island of Boracay (provided there aren’t stops along the way). It is famous for its 2 coves and a stretch of white beach. Other facilities, even an aviary housing exotic birds is also found in the island.

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As mentioned earlier, the 2-hectare Crystal Cove has 2 coves: Cove 1 and Cove 2 (duh). Just follow the walkways and the signs, and you’ll easily find them.

(Oh, and have I mentioned how we loved that there was NO CROWD? When we got there, there were probably only 2 other groups, and one of them was a couple, if my dodgy memory serves me right.)

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There were stone structures built on top of the cliffs, overlooking the blue, blue sea, giving you UH-MAAAAY-ZING views. This is basically a picnic area. Well, the whole island has a number of great places to have a picnic, but this area, with these sheds and tables and stone structures, counts as the main picnic zone.

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But let us not be distracted. Since we’re already here, let’s go check out Cove 1 and what it has in store for us. It is right under the main picnic area, and you have to go down through a hole (roughly the size of a manhole) with twisty, narrow stairs carved from stone.

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When you get there, you will find yourself in a cave and, on the corner, a small pyramid of sorts with crystals on top. Perhaps this is where the island got its name (or it could be because of its crystal clear waters? Personally, either or both works.).

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Of course, you can stay a bit and snorkel. We didn’t stay long here, though, and went back up to head over to Cove 2. We hung out for a moment, enjoying the spectacular views of Sibuyan Sea.

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Along the way, we passed by a watchtower named – surprise, surprise – Baywatch. 🙂

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Oh boy, they do love tricky paths to get to the coves, don’t they?

The second cove is reachable via a walkway lined with bamboos and another flight of twisting stairs. There is a whole that you have to crawl into (it’s a tight fit so you gotta watch your head), but once you’re past the opening, you can walk on a squat until you come through on the other end, which is the cove itself.

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It is so easy to see why Crystal Cove is always included in the itinerary of Boracay island hopping adventures. It offers a lot of possible activities and attractions that you can check out. Or you can simply sit back, and feast your eyes on one of the greatest sights you’ve ever seen of the sea and sky seemingly meeting and merging seamlessly as one in the horizon.

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