REVIEW · BORACAY
Boracay: Parasailing, Island Hopping, ATV Ride and Kawa Bath
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Purple Diaries Travel and Tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Parasailing in one day is a very specific kind of fun. This Boracay package strings together parasailing, island hopping, a buffet lunch, a kawa bath, and an ATV ride through the mainland, with plenty of water time like snorkeling and river swimming. If you care about variety, it’s hard to beat a day that goes from sky views to muddy ATV splashes.
I especially like the way the guides keep things organized and personal. Names like Aira/Aria, Lynn/Lynne, Monda, and Mando come up again and again for being attentive, helping with bags, and pitching in when boats or waves make people nervous. The parasailing part also tends to feel surprisingly comfortable even if you’re not a thrill-seeker.
One consideration: the schedule can shift with weather, and the kawa bath can be hit-or-miss depending on how warm the water feels and whether it’s more photo time than long soak. If you’re the type who needs every minute to go exactly as planned, build in some patience.
In This Review
- Key Points to Know Before You Go
- A One-Stop Boracay Day: Sky, Sea, Mud, and a Herb Bath
- Parasailing Off the Water: What the Ride Feels Like
- Island Hopping at Puka Shell Beach and Snorkeling Time
- Buffet Lunch on the Beach: The Break That Actually Helps
- Kawa Bath: Relaxing Herb Soak or Quick Photo Stop
- Nabaoy River Mainland Adventure: ATV, Zipline Option, and Water Play
- Transfers, Waiting, and Why Timing Can Feel Tight
- Price and Value: Is $70 a Smart Buy?
- What to Pack So You Don’t Waste the Fun
- Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)
- Should You Book This Boracay Parasailing + ATV Package?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point?
- What’s included in the $70 package?
- How long is the tour, and how much time should I plan for?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- What age requirement applies for the ATV ride?
- What if weather affects parasailing?
Key Points to Know Before You Go

- Parasailing tends to be the standout with clear-water views and strong guide support
- Puka Shell Beach + snorkeling gives you a classic Boracay feel without overthinking it
- Kawa bath can be relaxing, but it may be brief and sometimes not hot enough
- Nabaoy River mainland time adds real action: ATV plus water play like paddle boarding and kayaking
- Buffet lunch is part of the plan, so you’re not hunting food between activities
- Expect a busy day with transfers and waiting, especially when weather causes changes
A One-Stop Boracay Day: Sky, Sea, Mud, and a Herb Bath

This is the kind of tour that’s built for people who get restless doing only one thing. You start with the high point: parasailing above bright water. Then you move through island stops, snorkel time, and a beach lunch. After that, you shift gears into off-road fun and river activities, plus the signature kawa bath moment.
The value is that you’re paying for a bundle. At $70 per person, you’re not just booking one attraction. You’re getting a full day of mixed experiences under one guide and one plan, which usually means fewer separate bookings and less time figuring things out on your own.
That said, you should expect it to feel like a packed itinerary even when everything runs on time. If you want a slow, sit-by-the-water type of day, this may feel like a sprint.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Boracay.
Parasailing Off the Water: What the Ride Feels Like

Parasailing is the headline for a reason. You’ll be lifted into the air and gliding above the coast, with wide views of white sand and the sea below. Even if you’re nervous at the start, guides tend to work hard to get you comfortable before you’re harnessed and moving.
A pattern I keep seeing from real experiences is reassurance. People mention guides helping them feel safe and at ease, and in some cases handling practical needs like holding bags, towels, and phones while you’re getting ready. If you’re prone to motion sickness on boats, it’s worth noting that some guides adjust how they support you throughout the day.
One reality check: parasailing is subject to weather. If conditions aren’t good, it may be rescheduled or canceled. That means your day could run later, or you might need to swap in alternatives depending on timing.
Island Hopping at Puka Shell Beach and Snorkeling Time

Your island hopping leg includes a stop at Puka Shell Beach, where you’ll have time for a photo stop, a visit, and swimming. This is your first “wipe the sand off your feet and take another photo” moment, and it’s a great warm-up before snorkel time.
Then there’s snorkeling—about 45 minutes of it—where you’ll get a look at marine life in the water around Boracay. If you’re bringing your own gear, you’re set. If not, you may find that snorkeling-related additions can cost extra, since some experiences like additional spots or specialized gear aren’t always included.
Time matters here. Island hopping tours are often fast-paced by design, and you should expect transitions between stops. If you want a slow swim with no schedule pressure, you may wish you had separate time carved out.
Buffet Lunch on the Beach: The Break That Actually Helps

The buffet lunch is a real part of why this tour works. You’re not just taking snack breaks between activities—you’re getting a full meal (about an hour) after the morning’s water time.
In the better moments of this kind of tour, lunch gives you:
- a chance to rinse off or dry off,
- a break from sun and boat movement,
- and a mental reset before the more physical mainland segment.
Food quality can vary by day and crowd, but the lunch is widely described as plentiful. Still, don’t expect a gourmet meal if you’re used to top-tier restaurants. This is functional beach food done at tour speed.
Kawa Bath: Relaxing Herb Soak or Quick Photo Stop

The kawa bath is the most unique item in the package. It’s served as a big cauldron of water with fragrant herbs, and you’re meant to unwind in warm, soothing conditions.
But here’s the honest heads-up: the experience can be more photo-oriented than you’d hope. Some people felt it was too quick—basically posing more than truly settling in. Others noticed temperature issues, like water that wasn’t hot enough.
So what should you do?
- Go in expecting a short, novelty-style soak, not a spa session.
- If you’re sensitive to cold water, plan to dry fast afterward and keep a towel handy.
- Bring the right attitude: this is an experience, not a luxury hotel bath.
Even when kawa bath time isn’t perfect, the rest of the day often still delivers, especially if parasailing and the ATV segment hit your personal “yes” button.
Nabaoy River Mainland Adventure: ATV, Zipline Option, and Water Play

After the island and beach portion, you shift to the mainland side. This is where the day turns wet, muddy, and energetic.
You’ll have time at Nabaoy River (Aklan) with a guided segment that includes off-road adventure. The ATV ride is a highlight for first-timers, and it’s described as fun, wet, and muddy—so wear gear you don’t mind getting ruined a little.
There’s also a zipline option that you can add on top of the main package. If ziplining is on your list, it’s worth clarifying your timing with the guide once you’re there, because a packed schedule can affect what you finish that day.
Beyond the ATV, the river time can include activities like paddle boarding and kayaking, plus river swimming. That’s great because it gives you a chance to cool down after off-road heat. It also helps balance the intensity: you’re not only doing one kind of movement all day.
One important rule: the ATV ride requires you to be at least 18 years old. If you’re traveling with younger riders, they’ll need another plan for this portion.
Transfers, Waiting, and Why Timing Can Feel Tight

This tour runs about 5 to 8 hours, and it’s built around multiple transport hops—water transport, then land movement, then more water/river time. Even when everything runs smoothly, you’ll have waiting.
Guides help a lot here. People repeatedly mention guides taking photos and helping manage bags and towels, which reduces the chaos you’d normally deal with when moving between activities. Still, you should mentally prepare for a schedule that’s not “airport-on-the-dot.” It’s an action day, and sometimes weather forces changes.
Parasailing delays can also ripple the rest of the day. When that happens, your guide may adjust the order or offer alternatives. In at least one example, alternatives like jetskiing were suggested when parasailing couldn’t happen on the original day.
Price and Value: Is $70 a Smart Buy?
For $70 per person, this package is usually a strong value if you want a long list of experiences in one day:
- parasailing
- island hopping with swimming and snorkeling time
- buffet lunch
- kawa bath
- ATV ride
- river activities like swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking
You’re also not stuck arranging separate boats, separate guides, and separate meals. That “one day, one plan” structure is what you’re really paying for.
Where the value can drop a bit is if you only care about one or two items. If you only want parasailing, for example, you might find better value by booking just that experience plus a dedicated island hopping day afterward.
Also, keep in mind what’s not included. Entrance fees aren’t included, and optional add-ons like snorkeling extras or the zipline adventure can cost more. You’ll want cash set aside for these “if we have time” moments.
What to Pack So You Don’t Waste the Fun

Bring what you need for water activities, and bring a spare plan for getting comfortable again.
I’d pack:
- Swimwear and an extra change of clothes
- towel
- comfortable shoes (and ones you’re fine getting wet or muddy)
- hat and sunscreen
- camera (and consider a waterproof bag)
- cash for optional activities or additional expenses
Also, bring a waterproof way to protect your phone and valuables. A recurring theme in guide support is helping manage your belongings, but you’ll still feel safer if you pack smart from the start.
One more note: smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. Keep it clean for the group and for your own comfort.
Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)
This is a great fit if you’re:
- a thrill-friendly traveler who wants parasailing and ATV in the same day,
- someone who likes guides who take photos and handle the busywork,
- and you don’t mind a structured, fast-paced day.
It’s not a good fit if you:
- are pregnant,
- have back problems,
- or have mobility impairments.
That’s not about attitude—it’s about the physical nature of ATV riding, getting on/off transport, and moving around for water activities.
Should You Book This Boracay Parasailing + ATV Package?
I’d book this if you want a full, high-energy day where parasailing is your anchor and the rest of the activities fill in the gaps with sea time, river time, and a cultural snack-like stop with kawa bath. The real difference here is often the guide. If you get guides like Aria/Aira, Lynne, Monda, or Mando-type energy, you’ll likely feel supported from start to finish, including photo help and bag care.
I would think twice if you’re chasing a slow and relaxing day, or if you’re counting on kawa bath as a long soak. Weather can also change the day, so don’t book this on a “nothing else matters” day unless you’re okay with rescheduling.
FAQ
Where is the meeting point?
You meet at Astoria Station 1 Beachfront. Look for your guide wearing Purple Diaries uniform.
What’s included in the $70 package?
The package includes parasailing, island hopping, buffet lunch, kawa bath, ATV ride at the mainland, paddle boarding, kayaking, and river swimming at Nabaoy.
How long is the tour, and how much time should I plan for?
Plan for about 5 to 8 hours total, depending on starting time and how the schedule runs.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
What age requirement applies for the ATV ride?
Participants must be at least 18 years old for the ATV ride.
What if weather affects parasailing?
Parasailing is subject to weather conditions and may be rescheduled or canceled. Island hopping destinations may also vary depending on weather.























