Puka Shell Beach

Puka Beach (Yapak Beach)

A one-kilometer-long natural beach at the island's north end, with sand mixed with white puka shell fragments. There are no hotels or shops, only coconut palms, vendors and a few shack restaurants, making it the escape from White Beach's crowds.

Puka Shell Beach is located in Yapak village at the northernmost tip of Boracay. About 1 km long, it is the island's second-longest beach. It takes its name from the abundance of puka shells in the sand. These are white shells with a natural small hole in the middle, which were heavily harvested in the 1970s to make necklaces that were all the rage in Europe and America. The sand is coarser than White Beach's, creamy white to pale yellow, and it makes a faint squeak underfoot. There are no resorts or commercial streets here, just coconut palms, a few shack restaurants selling grilled fish and coconuts, vendors renting beach chairs, and stalls selling shell jewelry. The beach is rarely crowded. The water deepens quickly from the shallows to a brilliant blue. In the dry season, it's safe to swim in the morning when the waves are small, but afternoons often bring swells. At the east end of the beach, there are some rocks and a small hill you can climb for views of the coastline. Most visitors include it as a stop on an island tour or island-hopping boat trip. The boat docks for 30 to 45 minutes, but you can also come by tricycle and spend a morning here. Costs: the beach is free, beach chairs cost ₱100 to ₱300, and restaurant restrooms are available to use. Getting there: from D'Mall, a tricycle takes about 15 to 20 minutes and costs ₱100 to ₱150. Negotiate the return fare or ask a restaurant to call one for you. From White Beach, a boat takes about 20 minutes. Notes: there are no lifeguards, so stay out of the water when the waves are big. Shells are protected, so please don't collect them in quantity. Bring plenty of cash and drinking water. The headland blocks the sunset, so if you want to see it, return to White Beach or Diniwid Beach.

Puka Shell Beach

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