Boracay: When the island becomes a lifestyle destination, not just a vacation spot

What transforms a tourist island into a place where people choose to stay and build their lives? In Boracay, the answer goes beyond idyllic beaches and postcard sunsets. For those who have decided to settle here, there is a common factor: they discovered that this corner of the Philippines exhibits characteristics of what experts call “Blue Zones” — territories with significantly lower rates of chronic diseases and greater longevity, where diet, natural movement, and community are fundamental pillars.

Stories of those who chose to stay

Kit arrived as a digital nomad. Once COVID lockdowns ended, he asked himself a crucial question: “Why would I stay in Manila if I can develop my work from Boracay while enjoying kitesurfing?” His logic was simple: remote productivity combined with a passion for water sports.

Will, who surpassed the age of 50, sought to escape the hectic pace of the capital. As the only single person in his circle, he decided to move to the island to oversee operations at CaféGotSoul Boracay. What started as a temporary management role became a reason to stay.

Dian, originally from Cebu, accepted a job position at Willy’s despite her reservations. That initial determination led her to leadership roles in establishments like Levantin, located on Bulabog Beach. Her experience reflects how the island creates opportunities for professional growth.

And then there is Julia. Born in Sweden in 1989, she arrived in Boracay after volunteering at hospitals in India. The island captivated her intensely enough to stay. Here, she started a family, raised two children, and developed a business portfolio that includes Lemon Café in D’Mall, Dinibeach Bar and Restaurant, and Diniview Resort — located on a hilltop offering sunset views comparable to those from a viewpoint like Railay Viewpoint. Her daily life precisely reflects what makes Boracay a “Blue Zone.”

The lifestyle that prolongs life

“Everyone walks around the island constantly,” Julia comments. “It’s absolutely natural for us to move without relying on motorized vehicles.” This active mobility is one of the defining characteristics of Blue Zones.

Access to fresh seafood and locally sourced vegetables is another distinctive factor. Julia emphasizes that her restaurants do not serve processed meats or ultra-refined foods. “We have clean air and fresh oxygen permeating every corner,” she adds.

The community fabric here is palpable. Will enjoys his walk to work. Recently, local businesses — Jony’s, The Lazy Dog, Lemon Café, and others — collaborated to redistribute employees during the COVID crisis, avoiding mass layoffs. There is a foreign athlete who runs 18 kilometers daily along local roads, and an 82-year-old Japanese kitesurfer remains active at Freestyle Academy Kitesurfing School. “That’s how life works here,” reflects Dian from her office just five minutes on foot from her residence.

Challenges and resilience

However, living on a paradise island comes with its vulnerabilities. The COVID lockdown left deep scars. Although Boracay avoided mass infections, many businesses closed permanently due to the decline in tourism. The crisis compounded the “clean-up” ordered during Duterte’s administration in 2018 and a devastating typhoon in 2019. The result was traumatic: 40 suicides during the lockdown.

Residents reinvented themselves. Some workers learned multiple trades — security, cooking, cleaning — to keep essential operations running. Entrepreneurs showed solidarity, sharing staff among their businesses to avoid total unemployment.

Guardians of the ecosystem

Julia also takes on an environmental leadership role as president of Friends of the Flying Foxes (FFF), an organization established in 2002. The flying foxes (frugivorous bats) are responsible for 90% of Boracay’s natural reforestation, a critical aspect for maintaining the island’s habitability.

Monthly monitoring of the bat population has documented a worrying decline caused by illegal hunting and excavators that continue to operate illegally, cutting down trees without permits and destroying natural refuges. FFF does not oppose development but insists it must be carried out under strict environmental regulations.

Julia summarizes the shared philosophy of committed residents: “We are fortunate to live on this beautiful island, our blessed home. The community spirit is what sustains us regardless of circumstances. Caring for the island, its environment, its people, and fauna is our permanent priority.”

Boracay, then, is not just a vacation destination. For those like Julia, Will, Kit, and Dian who chose to stay, it is a living laboratory where longevity, community, and environmental commitment naturally intertwine.