By Maria Santos | Local Boracay Resident & Tourism Guide | Last Updated: September 2025
The first time someone asked me about my favorite beach on Boracay, I almost blurted out “White Beach” like every other tourist guide would. But then I caught myself, smiled, and said “Puka Beach” instead. The confused look on their face told me everything – they’d never heard of it. That’s exactly why it’s become my sanctuary after three decades of calling this island home.
Now, Boracay has dozens of beautiful beaches scattered around the island, each with its own personality and loyal following. But ask any local which one they escape to when they need to remember why they fell in love with this place, and Puka Beach comes up again and again.
Tucked away on the northern tip of Boracay, Puka Beach is what White Beach used to be before the world discovered it. While everyone fights for Instagram-worthy spots down south, I’m up here collecting actual shells and watching the sun paint the sky in colors that no filter could ever capture.
The Shell Secret That Locals Guard
Here’s something the guidebooks won’t tell you: the best puka shells aren’t found during the day when tourists are hunting for them. I’ve been walking this stretch of sand since I was knee-high to a coconut tree, and the magic happens at dawn when the tide retreats. The locals call it “shell time” – that golden hour when the ocean gifts us its treasures.
My grandmother taught me to look for the shells with the most perfect holes, the ones that sing when the wind passes through them. She used to say these were messages from the sea spirits. Superstition aside, these naturally perforated shells are what gave Puka Beach its name, and finding them feels like discovering buried treasure every single time.
What makes puka shells special:
- Natural holes formed by marine borers over time
- Best found during low tide at dawn (5:30-7:00 AM)
- Traditional use in Filipino jewelry dating back centuries
- Each shell’s hole pattern is completely unique
Getting There: Why the Journey Matters
Getting to Puka Beach requires a bit of effort, and that’s precisely its charm. Here are your options:
- Tricycle from Station 1: About 200 pesos for the 10-minute ride
- Walking route: 20-minute coastal walk during low tide (my personal favorite)
- Motorbike rental: Navigate narrow dirt roads (requires confidence)
- Private tour: Most expensive but includes transport and guide
I always recommend the walking route along the coastline if the tide is low. The path winds through a small fishing village where my neighbor Mang Rudy still fixes nets every morning, just like his father did before him. The motorbike rental option works too, though navigating the narrow dirt roads requires some confidence.
My Morning Ritual at Puka Beach
Daily schedule: 5:30 AM coffee and beach walk
The fishing boats return around this time, and watching them navigate the morning surf is better than any meditation app. Old man Tito, who’s been fishing these waters for forty years, once told me that the early morning light at Puka shows you the island’s true colors – literally. The way the rising sun hits the white sand creates this ethereal glow that photographers spend hours trying to capture.
During these morning walks, I’ve collected enough stories to fill a dozen books:
- The German couple who got engaged here with the entire beach to themselves
- The solo traveler from Japan who sketched rock formations every morning for two weeks
- Local kids teaching backpackers how to catch hermit crabs using coconut bait
The Real Puka Beach: Beyond the Postcard
Puka Beach isn’t all sunset perfection, and I appreciate that about it. Here’s what you need to know:
Swimming conditions:
- Stronger currents than White Beach, especially during monsoon months
- Limited lifeguard presence – swimming smart is your responsibility
- Northwest-facing exposure catches swells that other beaches don’t
Practical challenges:
- No immediate food vendors (except Kuya Berto’s afternoon truck)
- Basic restroom facilities near main access point
- Limited shade during midday hours
- Nearest convenience store requires trip back toward main road
The lack of immediate amenities keeps the beach pristine, but forgotten water bottles can become serious problems under the afternoon sun.
Secret Spots Only Locals Know
Hidden coves beyond the main beach
The northern end of Puka Beach, past where day-trippers congregate, hides several unnamed coves accessible during low tide. I call one “Coffee Cove” because it faces perfectly east for sunrise viewing with my morning brew.
Evening tide pools
Near the southern rocks, marine life comes alive during early evening:
- Small tropical fish and hermit crabs
- Sea anemones and coral formations
- Best viewing with small flashlight after 6 PM
- Perfect for teaching kids about marine ecosystems
My nephew learned to snorkel in these shallow pools before graduating to deeper waters – they’re natural training grounds.
Kuya Berto’s Magic Food Truck
Around 4 PM daily, Berto arrives with his modified jeepney turned mobile kitchen. Eight years of the same route, selling:
- Fresh fish balls from morning’s catch
- Cold buko juice from personally-known trees
- Limited Filipino snacks and drinks
Timing your visit with his arrival feels like winning a small lottery. His fish balls use that morning’s boat catches, and the buko comes from trees he knows personally.
Puka Beach Through the Seasons
Dry Season (November-April)
- Calm waters perfect for families and floating
- Brilliant white sand almost painful under midday sun
- Peak tourist season with more crowds
- Ideal for: Photography, swimming, shell collecting
Monsoon Season (May-October)
- Dramatic waves and moody photography conditions
- Natural air conditioning from constant breezes
- Fewer tourists but unpredictable weather
- Ideal for: Storm watching, solitude, reading
Shoulder Seasons (April-May, October-November)
My personal favorites offering:
- Fewer crowds with decent weather
- Best value for accommodations
- Perfect reading weather under coconut trees
- Natural white noise from gentle waves
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to swim at Puka Beach during rough weather? I never recommend swimming when waves are high or during storms. Puka faces northwest and catches swells that White Beach doesn’t. Trust the locals – if we’re not in the water, you shouldn’t be either.
Can you buy puka shells from local collectors? While vendors operate near the entrance, authentic experiences involve collecting your own. Local collectors gather for Manila jewelry makers at premium prices. The joy is in the hunt anyway.
Are there bathroom facilities? Basic restrooms exist near main access but aren’t maintained to resort standards. Use your accommodation’s facilities before traveling, especially with children.
Best times to avoid crowds?
- Early mornings: Before 9 AM
- Late afternoons: After 4 PM
- Tour groups arrive: 10 AM – 3 PM (plan accordingly)
Can you camp overnight? Officially prohibited, but enforcement varies. I’ve seen successful overnight stays requiring discretion and environmental respect. Always clean up completely.
The Unexpected Puka Beach Community
Over the years, a loose community has formed around regular visitors:
- Swedish retiree returning every dry season, knowing locals by name
- Filipino-American family’s annual memorial flower ceremony
- British couple’s first-date spot, now bringing their toddler
Unspoken community rules:
- Pack out what you pack in
- Respect fishing boats and nets
- Share beach space gracefully with newcomers
- Practice sustainable tourism naturally
It’s a masterclass in sustainable tourism happening organically because people fall in love with this place.
Planning Your Perfect Puka Adventure
Essential items to bring:
- Extra water (more than you think you need)
- Small cooler with ice from nearby sari-sari store
- Sunscreen and hat for limited shade
- Small flashlight for evening tide pool exploration
- Waterproof bag for shell collecting
Timing recommendations:
- Avoid peak hours: 10 AM – 2 PM (tour group window)
- Photography golden hour: One hour before sunset
- Shell collecting: Dawn low tide (5:30-7:00 AM)
- Tide pool exploration: Early evening (6-8 PM)
Photography tips:
- Morning backlight: Beach faces northwest, sunrise creates natural backlighting
- Golden hour magic: Pre-sunset light ideal for portraits
- Storm season drama: Monsoon waves create moody shots
- Natural studio effect: Early morning light transforms entire beach
Why Puka Beach Matters
After decades of watching Boracay evolve, adapt, and sometimes struggle with its own popularity, Puka Beach represents what I hope we can preserve – authentic beauty that doesn’t need improvement or development to be perfect.
It stands as proof that sometimes the best experiences require:
- Extra effort beyond the obvious destinations
- Willingness to venture off the beaten path
- Wisdom to appreciate precious places exactly as they are
Every time I watch first-time visitors discover Puka’s magic, I’m reminded why I chose to build my life on this island, and why some secrets are worth sharing with people who understand their value. Whether you spend a quiet morning here or make it part of a larger island hopping adventure, Puka Beach will show you a side of Boracay that postcards can’t capture – the soul of a place that still remembers what paradise feels like.
Maria Santos has lived on Boracay for over 30 years, working as a certified local tourism guide and environmental advocate. She specializes in sustainable tourism practices and hidden gems throughout the Western Visayas region. Contact: [email protected]
