Lapuz Lapuz Beach

Lapuz Lapuz is one of Boracay's genuine hidden corners, a small cove on the quieter side of the island, enclosed by rock formations that screen it from view and keep it calm. Sitting roughly between Puka Beach and Bulabog and tucked below the Fairways and Bluewater Resort, it has fine white sand, clear sheltered water and small reefs close to shore, and it sees only a trickle of visitors compared with the famous west coast. For a snorkel away from the crowds it is a small treasure.

For the family pragmatist, the honest framing is about access rather than the water. This is not a beach you can simply wander onto. The land route is through the resort above, where non staying guests can usually expect to pay an entrance fee, with the amount to be confirmed directly, and the other way in is by boat on an island hopping trip. That gatekeeping is the reason the cove stays so pristine, but it also means a visit takes a little planning and a little budget, which is worth knowing before you set out with children in tow.

Once you are there, the appeal is real. The cove is usually calm and clear, the small reefs at the edges hold coral and fish, and confident young swimmers and snorkellers can have a lovely time exploring close to shore. The flip side is that it is small and rimmed with rock rather than open sand, so it suits a careful family more than toddlers wanting to run and splash. Water shoes earn their place over the coral, and children should be kept close in and around the reef.

Who should come here: snorkellers, couples and families with confident swimmers who want seclusion and clear water and do not mind the access. Who should look elsewhere: families with very small children, and anyone wanting a free, casual beach to drop onto for the day, who will find White Beach or Puka far simpler. Plan the access in advance, bring your own gear, and Lapuz Lapuz rewards the effort with a quiet, scenic swim.

Lapuz Lapuz sits on the quieter side of Boracay, roughly halfway between Puka Beach to the north and Bulabog to the south, hidden inside its rock headlands. The land route is through the Fairways and Bluewater Resort that sits above the cove, where staying guests have direct access and day visitors can usually pay an entrance fee, the amount to be confirmed with the resort. The other way in is by boat, often as part of an island hopping or snorkelling trip, which can be the easier option with children.

For a family visit, plan the access before you go rather than turning up and hoping. Confirm entry and any fee with the resort, or book a boat trip that includes the cove, and bring your own snorkel gear, water shoes, sun cover and water, since you cannot count on hiring anything on the sand. Aim for the dry season and a calmer morning for the clearest water, keep children close over the reef, and read the sea on the day rather than assuming a safe swim.