Trip Report: Flying from Clark to Caticlan (Boracay) with SEAir
Although summer has already ended, my excitement to spend another getaway in the beach hasn’t receded yet. I don’t mind if it rains, it’s the time off and the view of the beach that I’m really after for. While I did island hopping, snorkeling and camping during the summer; this time, I’d like it to be relaxing – and what comes into my mind when it comes to this kind of vacation? It’s Boracay!
Boracay is one of my favourite destinations in the Philippines. Never mind if it’s hyped, congested, commercialized or whatsoever but this place is undeniably pleasing and entertaining. It has been more than a year already since the last time I had visited the island, and I’m just so grateful that my longing to see the paradise again had happened sooner than I’ve thought through SEAir.
SEAir, which is known as one and only leisure airline to Boracay, went back on its operation again. The airline now offers flights to Caticlan and Puerto Princesa out of Clark. I felt glad that on their return, I was able to go in one of their flights bound for Caticlan.
Flying from Clark International Airport
Clark International Airport is located 2 to 3 hours away from Metro Manila. There are two options to get to the airport, by riding a direct bus or via Dau Terminal.
P2P bus costs around Php300, and it departs from NAIA terminals, Robinson Galleria and Trinoma Mall. The P2P buses depart from these area on specified schedule. Another way to reach the airport in Clark is by riding a bus from Pasay or Cubao Terminals that passes by Dau. Buses ply the route on a daily basis and it costs around Php150. From Dau, ride a tricycle or jeepney that goes to Clark Main Gate; and from there ride another jeepney that passes by the airport. Grab is also already available in Clark.
I’ve tried taking flights from and to this airport several times in the past and I must say I find this airport convenient in terms of check in process and flight arrival and departure. The airport isn’t crowded with passengers that make the check in process easier and relaxed. There are only few airlines which fly from and to this airport thus providing a lesser chance of flight delays compared to the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
My SEAir Flight Experience
SEAir check in counters open 1 1/2 to 2 hours prior to scheduled departure, and strictly closes 45 minutes before departure. Each passenger is allowed 5kg of hand carry luggage plus 1 laptop computer. Each passenger is also provided with free 10kg check in baggage. We arrived early for our flight. It seems we were the first one to arrive for our flight to Boracay. Feeling excited, eh. The check in process was a breeze. After we were provided with our boarding passes, we proceeded to our boarding gate and patiently waited for our flight.
SEAir uses a Dornier 328, the fastest Jet Props in the region. I haven’t flown with such type of aircraft yet in the past which made me more excited to get in to our flight to Caticlan.
The aircraft can accommodate about 20 passengers. It has 2 pilots and 1 flight attendant assisting the passengers on board. Our flight left the airport on schedule. The flight was smooth, never felt any intense turbulence. Our flight attendant, Sharmaine, took care of us very well. She was very friendly and accommodating. It feels like we were all VIPs during the flight as we were just small number of passengers on board compared to a normal flight that I am used to. One of the moments that made us feel that we were like on a private plane.
Touchdown Boracay
We arrived at the airport of Caticlan 45 minutes after.
Caticlan Airport is the gateway to Boracay Island. It is the nearest airport to reach the island paradise through a 45 minutes land and sea transfer.
Outside the airport, there are tricycles bound for either Jetty or Tabon Port. The ride costs Php 50 to Php 80 which can fit up to 3 persons. From the port, there are boats bound for Boracay Island. The fare is Php 25 per person. Please also note that environmental fee and terminal fee need to be paid in the port. These fees cost Php 100 to Php 150. The boat ride takes about half an hour or less if the weather is fine.
In Boracay Island, there are tricycles available which can take you to your destination. A tricycle ride from the port to Boracay Station 1 costs about Php 120.
I must say, my recent flight to Boracay was a remarkable one. It let me experience the leisure of riding a SEAir Dornier plane; as well as, an opportunity of vacationing in the island paradise. But I know that won’t be the last. With affordable fares that come with leisure of flying through SEAir, I think I’ll be seeing myself again flying to the island paradise. Testament to their brand, SEAir is now my favorite airline to Boracay.
About SEAir
SEAir flies daily from Clark to Caticlan, except Tuesdays and Saturdays and flies Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Caticlan to Puerto Princesa and vice versa. Book your flights now through SEAir and enjoy the convenience of flying to island paradise.
Hi Marxtermind
I have a question regarding booking internal flights – I am from Australia and am not sure what exactly is considered cheap/well priced for domestic flights. I need to fly from:
Manila – Boracay
Boracay – Cebu
Cebu – El Nido (Ideally I don’t want to have to fly into Puerto Princesa, but I am happy to fly out of there as I want to experience the Underground River!)
El Nido/Puerto Princesa – Manila
This is all in the month of April. Hoping you can help me! I love your blog and it has given me plenty of great tips. I’m making a google document with heaps of tips I find for each island so thank you for your help!
Hi, Georgia.
April is a peak season in the Philippines. Flights can really be expensive. Flights that costs around Php 2,000 (~US $40) per way are good enough already. Check cebupacificair.com or airasia.com to check for affordable flights. You can book Manila to Caticlan or Kalibo if you’re going to Boracay. Then Caticlan or Kalibo to Cebu. But I’m not sure if there’s a direct flight from Cebu to El Nido. You can either go back to Manila then take an expensive chartered flight to El Nido or book Cebu to Puerto Prinsesa flight.
Let me know if you have further questions. Hope this helps.
Boracay is a tiny island in the Philippines positioned about 195 miles south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island. I have visited there before coast bus tours. In this tour we saw Ariel's Point, Yapak Beach, Crystal Cove Island and Scotty's Action Sports Network, Boracay. We enjoyed there a lot. We did 6 Dives with Scotty's and what a great experience it was! This full service dive shop took us to some great sites by short boat ride and we saw tremendous reefs teaming with fish and creatures of all sizes.
Boracay is a tiny island in the Philippines positioned about 195 miles south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island. I have visited there before coast bus tours. In this tour we saw Ariel's Point, Yapak Beach, Crystal Cove Island and Scotty's Action Sports Network, Boracay. We enjoyed there a lot. We did 6 Dives with Scotty's and what a great experience it was! This full service dive shop took us to some great sites by short boat ride and we saw tremendous reefs teaming with fish and creatures of all sizes.