The sand castle makers rely on payments from tourists who have their photos taken with their creations
Browsing through any Boracay photo dump, you’ll probably be greeted by a familiar scene: vacationers posing beside intricately crafted sand castles with “Boracay” written on them.
But did you know that photos taken beside these towering creations are not free? They cost a minimum of ₱20 per person.
In a July 24 Reel, lifestyle vlogger JV Wanderer questioned why such a fee exists on top of environmental fees and other vacation expenses.
JV shared that he spoke with three sand castle makers on the island, who said they spend five to six hours completing a single creation. A video showed the trio using their bare hands, pails of water, and a shovel to bring the sand castles to life.
They are members of the Boracay SandCastle Makers Association, an organization of traditional sand artists recognized by the local government of Malay, Aklan.
The sand castle makers do not receive a fixed income. Instead, they rely on payments from tourists who have their photos taken with their creations, with earnings shared among the workers who collaborated on each sand castle.
“A ₱20 means you support a thriving community, you support a family, you support a livelihood,” JV said. “The next time you walk past a sand castle in Boracay, don’t just see the pile of sand. See the hours behind it. See the hands that carefully shaped every detail. See the people who wake up before sunrise hoping for someone to stop for photos.”
The sand castles may look like simple beach attractions, but their creation is a regulated livelihood for sand castle makers.
Under Municipal Ordinance No. 505, or the “Ordinance Regulating Sand Castle Building in the Beaches of Boracay Island,” the Boracay SandCastle Makers Association was granted permission to continue the tradition following the island’s 2018 rehabilitation and the intervention of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
To maintain their authorization, members must follow several conditions, including limiting sand castle construction from 10 AM to 10 PM, avoiding flammable materials and chemicals such as kerosene and cement that could damage the beach, and cleaning up the area after use.
Members also pay regulatory fees to the local government and must follow a price range of ₱20 to ₱50 per customer, as set under the ordinance.
Behind these efforts are members of the local community, including fishermen, construction workers, and small-time traders. Easily identified by their uniforms along the beach, they continue to help tourists bring home a memorable Boracay vacation photo—while preserving a long-standing island tradition.
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