Want to visit Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos, Pangasinan on a tight budget? Here's latest information on how to get there plus standard price of island-hopping/boat ride rentals for day tour or overnight tours.

UPDATED: November 2015

Travel Guide to Hundred Islands National Park:

One of the large boats for hire for island-hopping in Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan

Hundred Islands Rates/Fees (to be booked at Lucap Wharf in Alaminos, Pangasinan)

Entrance Fee and Island-hopping rates are standard, no worries against overcharging here

Day Tour:
Entrance Fee: PhP40.00
Small Boat (1-5 persons): Ph1,000.00
Medium Boat (6-10 persons): PhP1,300.00
Big Boat (11-15 persons): PhP1,500.00

Overnight Tour:
Entrance Fee: PhP80.00
Small Boat (1-5 persons): PhP2,000.00
Medium Boat (6-10 persons): PhP2,500.00
Big Boat (11-15 persons): PhP3,000.00

A bit of spelunking/caving on one of small islands



How to get to Hundred Islands National Park:

How to Commute to Hundred Islands

from Manila, take a bus to Alaminos, Pangasinan

Bus to Alaminos, Pangasinan:
Victory Liner
Cubao to Alaminos, Pangasinan via Camiling, Tarlac
Fare: PhP393.00
Trip Schedules: 4am (first trip), 5:30am, 6am, 7am, 8am, 9am,
10am, 11am, 12nn, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
10:40pm, 11:50pm (last trip)
Travel time around 5 hours

Five Star Bus
Cubao to Alaminos: PhP393.00 (air-conditioned) PhP300.00 (ordinary)
Pasay to Alaminos: PhP403.00 (air-conditioned) PhP308.00 (ordinary)
Trip schedules: please call Five Star hotline +63.927.712.4349 for the latest bus trip schedule


Driving Directions to Hundred Islands:

From Manila, head to EDSA then NLEX and SCTEX all the way to Tarlac then take the road going to Camiling, San Clemente, Mangatarem (Pangasinan), Aguilar, Bugallon, Labrador, Sual, and Alaminos

Activities:

swimming, snorkeling, diving, beach bumming (some beaches have lots of jelly fishes (dikya) if in season), rappeling

Coming Up:

Hundred Islands Beach Resorts, Hotels, Accommodations

Labels: Ilocos Region, Islands, National Parks, Pangasinan, Travel Guides

Magalawa Island, an island lined with white sand beach can be found in Palauig, Zambales. It's mostly divided into three parts, the first is settled by a small community of fishermen, the second is owned by a politician who owns Ruiz Resort and the third is by the Armada family who owns Armada Resort Magalawa Island (who claims to own the whole island which is disputed in court against the owners of Ruiz Resort).

the white sand beach of Magalawa Island Armada Resort

Magalawa Island Resort Entrance Fee/Daytour rate:

PhP700.00/head, free for children/babies, inclusive of parking fee, round-trip boat transfers, lunch, and use of resort facilities (including rooms if available) from 8am to 5pm
Overnight accommodations are available, latest rates posted on their official website. Snorkeling is included in the Magalawa Island itinerary and rates, including free use of snorkels, masks and even underwater pictures by the boatmen.

How to Get to Magalawa Island:

Online map of Magalawa Island can be found here via OpenStreetMap. You can use Garmin GPS Navigators or iOS and Android apps (e.g. OSMAnd) to easily find the place.

How to Commute to Magalawa Island (Public transportation, the backpacking way):

1. Take a Victory Liner bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Zambales at Victory Liner Caloocan just near LRT Monumento station. Bus Fare is around PhP650.00
2. Request the bus driver to drop you off in Barangay Pangolingan, Palauig Zambales (near Radio Veritas Road), expect total travel time of around six hours where you will pass by
San Fernando, Bacolor, Guagua, Lubao in Pampanga, Dinalupihan (Bataan), Olongapo City, and the Zambales towns of Subic, San Marcelino, San Antonio, San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, Iba (the capital of Zambales), Palauig town proper.
3. Take a tricycle to take you to Armada Fish dealer compound in Brgy. Luan where you can find a small pier (Fare is PhP150.00/trip, negotiable)
4. Ride the boat to Magalawa Island (this is included in the package of PhP700.00/person day tour rate). Boat ride is around 10-15 minutes

Driving Directions to Magalawa Island:

1. Follow one of these two routes:
1.1 NLEX -SCTEX - Tipo Exit to reach Olongapo City or Subic Bay Freeport
1.2 NLEX - left San Fernando Exit and follow Jose Abad Santos Avenue to pass by Bacolor, Guagua, Lubao (where Double Happiness Restaurant is, the stop-over of Victory Liner buses), Dinalupihan (turn right here, if you missed this you'll find yourself on Bataan Provincial Highway going to Balanga), pass by Olongapo city proper (Rizal Avenue) then turn right when you see the Ulo ng Apo monument, a rotonda (roundabout, with landmarks Victory Liner Olongapo and Jollibee)

2. After Olongapo City, you'll pass by town of Subic, Zambales, San Marcelino (the hometown of Ramon Magsaysay and where you can find vendors selling singkamas), San Narciso (you won't pass by San Antonio, where you can find Pundaquit, the gateway to Camara Island, Capones Island, Capones Lighthouse, Anawangin Cove and Nagsasa Cove) San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, Iba (the capital of Zambales), and Palauig.

3. After passing by the intersection of the highway and the road leading to Palauig town proper, you will pass by a zigzag road (twisties) then turn left to a corner. This road (mostly rough road) leads to the jump off point to Magalawa Island. Travel time here is around thirty minutes.

4. Enter the Armada Resort compound and park there, board the boat to Magalawa Island.

Enjoy!

Other notable islands in Zambales with white sand beaches:
Capones Island in San Antonio
Potipot Island in Candelaria
Hermana Mayor Island in Sta. Cruz
Hermana Menor Island in Sta. Cruz
Balaki Island in Infanta
San Salvador Island in San Salvador
Matalvis Island in Masinloc
Agat Island
Pilapir Island

lots of islands indeed to explore in Zambales!

Labels: Beaches, Central Luzon, Islands, Travel Guides, Zambales

What would you do with three hours to spare in a place where you have to leave and probably not re-visit again in the near future?

Well, maximize the stay, go out and explore, of course! This was what Tutubi did when he visited Bato, Leyte, having heard of the Cuatro Islas, part of the towns of Inopacan and Hindang, north of Bato town, one late afternoon.

Tutubi asked around Inopacan Barangay Poblacion where people let him to the barangay hall where friendly locals assisted him and pointed him fishermen who rented out their boats for PhP1,500.00 to do the island hopping tour of Cuatro Islas, literally meaning four islands consisting of Apid Island, Mahaba Island, Digyo Island and Himokilan Island touted as Leyte's "Hidden Gem" or Secret Hideaway.

Is there any truth to the claim?

Boat launching bayanihan-style on the beach of Inopacan, Leyte

Images of Cuatro Islas, Inopacan, Leyte:
(pictures taken early dusk at low light thus you can't see how white is white here like the sand)

Digyo Island "beach resort": you can pitch a tent to camp overnight here if you're looking for a place to stay

The most popular due to the most picturesque among the four islands is Digyo Island. It's also the smallest, you can actually circle the island on foot for about 30 minutes. It has a long beach tail that looks like a sandbar during low tide, with white sand a bit coarse but still something very good as it's not
developed (there's no entrance fee/environmental fee to be paid on the island (or the collectors were no longer around when Tutubi got there as it's already late)

the white sand of Digyo Island is a bit coarse (shown here is Tutubi's hand, rare appearance)

Late afternoon on Digyo Island white sand beach, no other people as it's getting dark

Mahaba island features a long beach and island form, thus the name which means long in Tagalog (Tagalog visitors named the island). There you can see white sand beaches fringed by limestone cliffs while under the water live colorful corals and fishes worthy good for snorkeling, and diving

Boats docked on the beach of Mahaba Island where several families live

Himokilan Island, is the fourth and last island visited, the nearest of the four to Inopacan town but is politically part of Hindang town. Quite a number of families live on the island, mostly fishermen. The beach here is surrounded with images of saints, perched on poles, and sort of take the role of guardians of the fishing village on the island.

Himokilan Island, part of Hindang town, has images of saints guarding the beach

Tutubi would love to re-visit these islands in the future, should the waves or the wind take him to that part of the world again. But next time, he wants to explore the underwater citizens around the islands

------------------

Notes:

there are numerous dive sites near Cuatro Islas that can be explored by divers/snorkelers. No beach resorts but you can try asking local fishermen for homestays or you can pitch your tents for overnight camping. For hotels, there are some in Inopacan town, Hindang, Hilongos or Bato

The following day, Tutubi visited Canigao Island for lunch before going back to Tacloban to catch his flight back to Manila. He was also told about Calanggaman Island (Kalanggaman) further north in but it's too far to be visited, someday maybe, someday.

Boat rental rates start at PhP1,500.00 up depending on the size of the boat, how many you are in the group and, of course, how good your haggling skills are.

These islands are sometimes spelled as Quatro Islas, Digyo Island as Digjo Island.

Apid Island is not featured on pictures here as Tutubi didn't realy land there, farthest from the four and there's just no time left before the sunset. Pictures were blurry due to the shaky boat and low light conditions.


How to Get to Cuatro Islas, Inopacan, Leyte:

map of Cuatro Islas in the Camotes Sea between the islands of Cebu and Leyte (map via OpenStreetMap)

It's basically a flight to Tacloban Airport, or ferry to the Port of Tacloban, then a jeepney to Tacloban Transport Terminal, followed by a van/jeepney/bus to Inopacan (Duptours and Van Van comes to mind).

From Araneta Center Bus Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City, there are also overnight RORO bus to Leyte (CUL Transport, Ultrabus, Eagle Star etc.) if you don't have the moolah but lots of time and your butt can endure long bus trips. (Fare is around PhP1,200.00 travel time about 24 hours)

You can also take the overnight ferry from Cebu to Bato Leyte then board a jeepney to Inopacan or alternatively take the fast craft from Cebu to Ormoc, Leyte then take a jeepney to Baybay City followed by another jeepney to Inopacan town.

Labels: Beaches, Eastern Visayas, Islands, Leyte

Canigao Island is a small island with fish sanctuary, surrounded by white sand beach and beach resort run by the local government of Matalom, Leyte. The island was visited by Tutubi as a sidetrip, where his friends from nearby town of Bato took him just to have lunch.

The island can be reached from the town of Bato by short southbound jeepney ride from Bato transport terminal then a short boat ride to the island.

The "welcome arch" and lifeguard station on Canigao Island where you can also see the resort telephone numbers

the main beach with Matalom locals, facing the seashore of Matalom Town of Leyte Island

The small island, surrounded by white sand beach (with a small segment rocky coral stones), can be circled on foot for about fifteen minutes. there's also a nearby fish sanctuary where you can snorkel, freedive, if not SCUBA dive at the site

Canigao Island Review:

The island is worth the visit by backpackers for a cheap place to stay, meet locals and eat seafood at low prices. The beach has fine white sand (though not as fine as you other famous beaches) it's actually good enough to stay a day or camp out overnight. There is barangay tanod (security) at the place, the beachfront is clean, even crystal clear water without any sign of pollution.

From Canigao Island, you can also do some sort of Leyte Island-Hopping by visiting Calanggaman Island in Palompon or the Quatro Islas (four islands) of Inopacan town: Digyo Island, Apid Island, Mahaba Island, and Himokilan Island


Canigao Island Resort:
Contact Number: +63.949.913.7893; +63.908.682.5781
Telephone Number: +63.53.569.9077
For reservation: +63.919.495.8961

The are no private rooms on Canigao Island, you can only find a camp site and a tent rental facility if you want an overnight camping stay. There's a small canteen serving snacks and softdrinks, water, juices but most of your food like fresh seafood, fishes can be ordered at the nearby pier (like the fish locally called mulmul and balyong sea shell, and bolinao fish)

Canigao Island Rates:

Canigao Island Resort rates/entrance fee/price for cottage/overnight, chair/table rental, camping tent posted This is also where you pay your entrance fee

How to get to Canigao Island, Matalom, Leyte:

For a map of Canigao Island via OpenStreetMap, please click here (map was updated by Tutubi when he visited the place, do help out in updating the best online map of the Philippines)

1. Book a flight to Tacloban (either ZestAir, Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines/PAL Express) or a ferry (2Go Travel) or an overnight ferry to Bato, Leyte (from Cebu or Ubay Bohol)
2. At Tacbloban Airport, ride the San Jose jeepney to Tacloban Transport terminal
3. At the terminal, take the shuttle/van/fx to Bato
4. at Bato terminal, ride the jeepney that goes to Matalom town and request the driver to drop you off to the road of Canigao Island (fare: minimum), travel time is about fifteen minutes
5. Walk to the pier or take a tricycle (minimum fare)
6. Take the short banca ride to Can Island

Labels: Beaches, Eastern Visayas, Islands, Leyte, Leyte Resorts

An unexpected Calaguas Island redux, and reluctantly too!

Tutubi was able to visit again his favorite backpacker beach during his trip to Paracale, Camarines Norte. Due to his friends insistence to have lunch on Maculabo Island by hiring a boat at Paracale port


These are what Tutubi saw on Tinaga Island the second time around:

the big boat that ferried Tutubi to calaguas island for the 2nd time (PhP3,500.00 rate)



Tutubi's companion didn't really intend to swim but quickly dove into the water when he saw the awesome beach that Tutubi avers was really very good



sand so fine and not hot to the feet

the owner of the large part of Mahabang Buhangin is experimentin in growing bermuda grass on the island plus the use of solar power to charge car battery


Changes to Calaguas Island:

there's a confirmed mobile phone signal from Smart at a certain location on the beach marked by bamboo "totem" poles. You can bring solar power chargers to charge your cellphones due to the presence of cellphone signal on Calaguas Island

You can find battery charger using solar energy owned by the Patents holder of much of Mahabang Buhangin Beach Resort

Beach property is for sale, a few hectares of this paradise is for sale by a whopping PhP3.5M, no title yet but a Patent owned by Lolo whom Tutubi personally met.

Drinking water is still fetched from a fresh water well (from where Sadako climbed up)

How to get to Calaguas Island:

Board a bus to Daet, Camarines Norte via Sta. Elena (Piltranco, Amihan Express, Daet Express, fare: PhP500.00), get off at a junction called Batobalani in Jose Panganiban town, ride a tricycle to the port of Paracale (fare: PhP20.00) then look for boats going to Tinaga Island (PhP60.00 fare) or rent a boat to Calaguas Island (PhP3,500.00 boat rental rate).

You may get in touch directly with the owner of Mahabang Buhangin Beach resort for the latest "accommodations/room rates," camping/pitching of tents, water, electricity or simply boat rentals and contact numbers.

Related Posts:
Maculabo Island
Calaguas Island
Apuao Grande Island

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

An attempt to visit Paracale's Pulang Daga Beach, named after the red colored sand beach (daga means soil in Bicolano), did not materialized due to Tutubi's friend's insistence to have lunch in an island that's so near the "gold rush" town of Paracale.

It turned out it's on the list of Tutubi's islands he wanted to visit: Maculabo Island, just to verify claims of some people (and bloggers) that it's like this famous island teeming with tourists down south.

The trip to Maculabo Island is just a mere thirty minutes from the Paracale Port via motorized banca, an hour more, you'll find yourself in the mesmerizing Mahabang Buhangin of Tinaga Island, Calaguas Islands. Both Tinaga Island and Maculabo islands are part of the Calaguas Group of Islands though Tinaga Island is politically part of Vinzons, Camarines Norte.
.
Pictures of Maculabo Island, the white sand beach of Centro (or Sentro) as the locals call the place.





The white sand beach boasts white sand alright but it's not as white nor as fine as the sand of Mahabang Buhangin, (erroneously called Calaguas Island).

Centro of Maculabo is inhabited with a small barangay (village) where Tutubi's friend bought freshly-caught fish (talakitok and tanigue).

Maculabo Island
GPS Coordinates/Waypoints: N14 24 04.5 E122 49 04.0

Related Posts:

Calaguas Island
Apuao grande Island Resort

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

Inijakan Island or simply Inijakan, part of General Island in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur is a private resort and refuge of the true hero of EDSA-- Gen. Charles Hotchkiss (who was then a major when he defied then President Ferdinand Marcos' orders to attack the rebels holed up in the military camps during EDSA People Power revolution).

Tutubi was able to gain entrance to the private property built out of a cove on Inijakan Island (or General Island) through an employee of Cantilan Bank. He was able to spend several hours, ate a full meal mostly of kilawin and grilled fish, before hurrying back to Cantilan town proper before dark.

the wharf of Inijakan closely guarded by a dog


A breakwater or seawall was built to close the cove to prevent fishes inside from going out of the sea. Fishes reportedly seen were barracudas (supposed to be deep water predators), small flying fishes, lobsters and even the expensive and endangered mameng (napoleon wrasse). Lush forest lines the shore with wild plants, monkeys (philippine macaques), trees and birds can be seen flying around.

a racing boat parked at the green lagoon of Inijakan.


a seaweed farm that surprisingly grows lato, perfect for super-fresh seaweed salad or kilawin lato

many corals can be seen without getting wet but signs of dying and coral bleaching are visible. The man-made seawall that prevents water and waves from reaching them may have contributed to the death of corals.

the view from the highest part of Inijakan, where a chapel stands. There supposed to be a beautiful Ayoke Island nearby but was not able to visit by Tutubi. He wanted to see and taste a kolo fruit there

Also located on General Island is the reportedly enchanted Lake Danao where the tide is opposite that of the sea i.e. high tide when the sea is low tide and vice versa. A few minutes trek is needed to reach the lake but again, due to lack of time and clothes, was not even attempted by Tutubi.

As mentioned earlier, this is a private resort/hideaway of the Hotchkiss family of Cantilan but it's open to daytrippers, particularly wedding pictorials (prenups) for engaged couples. Tutubi has no information on contact numbers and rates though but you can try asking from people of Cantilan.

Location: General Island, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur (Northwestern Mindanao)
Coordinates: N9 24 50.3 E126 00 43.4

Labels: Caraga, Islands, Surigao del Sur

A small island off the coast of Samal Island, owned and maintained by Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Malipano Island hosts the most expensive accommodations in Pearl Farm with its houses on stilts facing Davao Gulf.

Pictures of Malipano Island, part of Samal Island (who wouldn't love szure blue skies enhanced with a polarizer?)

the floating bridge on the beach of malipano island

the lonely kayak on the beach with the mangrove. again, the problem with day tours is that you get to resort during the unholy hours, best to sleep and lay back but not to hit the beach

the expensive Samal Houses of Pearl Farm Beach Resort. No chance to even have an ocular inspection of the interiors

you get to a beach resort and sleep on a hammock to stay away from the heat of the summer sun

on the pontoon bridge made of rubber to catch the speedboat to Pearl Farm Beach resort's parola for lunch


Malipano Island is part of IGaCoS or Island Garden City of Samal, politically a part of the province of Davao del Norte, though it's usually mentioned part of Davao City.


Related Posts:
Pearl Farm Beach Resort
Davao Zipline
Kadayawan Festival

Labels: Beaches, Davao Del Norte, Davao Region, Islands

After a hearty lunch of laing, a Bicol specialty of taro leaves in coconut milk and chili, and grilled yellow fin tuna in Apuao Grande Island, Tutubi and his group "sailed" on for more than two hours to reach their desired destination that fueled the whole tour of Camarines Norte: the virgin beach of Calaguas Island.



The journey was long even made worse by the not so placid water of the Philippine Sea with sightings of small islands with rolling hills and small patches of white sand beaches visible from afar, but the distance and time was immaterial to the ultimate quest was at hand.



There are many islands belonging to Calaguas group of islands but the main island has the longest white sand beach of them all that locals call Mahabang Buhangin (literally long sand, translate loosely as Long Beach).



Upon setting foot on Mahabang Buhangin, the fine white sand of the beach is truly something to behold. The sand is as fine, if not finer than the powdery white sand of Boracay, and also not hot to the feet despite the heat of the summer sun, must be due to the rare chemical composition of the sand also present on Boracay Island.



first sight of Mahabang Buhangin on the "undiscovered" island



Trudging slowly over wet sand towards the "resort," birds of various species flew away on sensing the presence the group while butterflies fluttered in every direction indicating a still intact ecosystem unharmed by the few inhabitants of Calaguas, mostly living on the other side of the island in Vinzon's barangay Banocboc. At dusk, the sound of male kuliglig (cicada), calling the female species for mating, add very rural setting to the place to be enhanced further at night when alitaptap (fireflies) light up nearby trees for a spectacular display of nature's beauty.



There are no resorts on Calaguas, accommodations are either native huts or tents pitched on the beach and some camp sites. There's toilet and bathroom (with tiled floors and walls) inside the bahay kubo but you need to fetch water or hire a local to fetch for you for a minimal fee. There's fresh water supplied by a deep well while drinking water used by the locals from the saluno (aqueduct) (it's is advised though to bring your own drinking water if you can't stand natural mineral water). About a kilometer trek through the thick forest leads to a village where you can buy basic supplies in case you need something.



the bahay kubo (native hut) is the only "high-end resort" on the island



walking on the pristine beach, lonely planet style (does this picture look familiar?)



footprints on the sand...sand that does not feel hot to the feet



After a sumptuous dinner around a bonfire, Tutubi and his friends chose not to sleep inside the bahay kubo, and instead slept on the beach, using blankets, with the sound of lapping waves, croaking frogs, chirping birds, gentle ocean wind and under the canopy of stars with the mythical hunter Orion and the Pleiades keeping watch.


cheap place to stay on the beach!



Nature, adventure, birds, butterflies, seclusion, serenity, cerulean skies, amazing landscapes, rolling hills, turquoise waters, cool fine white sand without the maddening crowd and hint of civilization all rolled into one: Calaguas Island!



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Other activities in Calaguas Group of Islands:



Island-hopping, SCUBA-diving and snorkeling at Banocboc coral reef, trekking/mountain climbing, Butterfly watching, bird watching. The recommended Calaguas itinerary is just an overnight stay on the island unless you really prefer to live like that on a remote island.



Other places to see in Vinzons, Camarines Norte: Wenceslao Vinzons Shrine and Vinzons Church


Trivia: Vinzons town was first called Tacboan, later renamed Indan. It was changed to Vinzons after Wenceslao Q. Vinzons, a former governor of Camarines and guerilla leader executed by the Japanese in World War II. Vinzons Hall in the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman is named after him.

Note: there's no electricity. Smart mobile phone signal can be received at a marked point on the beach :(

How to get to Calaguas Island, Vinzons, Camarines Norte:

Board a bus to Daet, Camarines Norte via Sta. Elena (Piltranco, Amihan Express, Daet Express, fare: PhP500.00), get off at a junction called Batobalani in Jose Panganiban town, ride a tricycle to the port of Paracale (fare: PhP20.00) then look for boats going to Tinaga Island (PhP100.00 fare) or rent a boat to the island (PhP3,000.00 boat rental rate).

the nearest jump-off point to Calaguas Island is via the gold mine town of Paracale, where you can even drop by the rural white beach of Maculabo Island

Daily Boat schedule to Calaguas:

Paracale Port to Brgy. Mangcawayan: 1pm (be there early, Fare: PhP100.00)
Brgy. Mangcawayan to Paracale: 7am (fare: PhP100.00
One trip only, travel time is between 2 to 3 hours

Fees, Fares, Rates:

Beach Entrance Fee: Php 100/head (per day)
Cottage Rental: PhP300.00
Baranggay fee: PhP20.00

Calaguas Island can also be reach by a boat ride, about two hours, from Daet's Bagasbas Beach

Calaguas Island package tours are offered by tour operators and local travel agencies. there's no such thing as calaguas itinerary since all you do in the island is swim and do island hopping
There are hotels on Calaguas Island, resorts are not yet there too.

NOTE (updated May 2013):

Tutubi went back to Calaguas Island Mahabang Buhangin in 2012 and saw development being made there, a part of the white beach was bought, reportedly by Shangri-la resort (but unconfirmed). Foreign plants like a green grass was being planted right on the beach that will someday wreck havoc on Calaguas Island eco-system, being an exotic plant species to the island.

many recent blog posts on calaguas Island reports garbage left by backpackers and usual tourists alike, development of the area (which will someday make the beach exclusive to the future Calaguas Island Resort) and off-limits to the public.

Should Tutubi publish a requiem to Calaguas Island now?

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

On the second day of Tutubi's Camarines Norte Tour the took him and his friends to Daet, Mampurog River and Bagasbas Beach, the group then hied off to the town of Mercedes' fish port, called pandawan by the locals to board a rented boat and go island hopping.



There were several islands with visible white sand beaches and interesting rock formations along the way but the group's mainly headed to an abandoned resort on Apuao Grande Island with sandbar, mangrove forests, nine-hole golf course and the adjacent Apuao Pequeña Island.

one of the tropical huts on the resort island you can rent for P2500/night good for 15 persons.

the virgin beach of Apuao Pequeña Island

Similar to Anawangin's beach lined with agoho (an evergreen species of trees that look like pine trees), Apuao Grande Island, one of several islands belonging to the so called Mercedes group of islands, has beaches without the dangerous undercurrent of Anawangin.



the Bantay Dagat boat, with markings BFAR-BDP-2806, that ferried other tourists to the island.

mangrove forest in between the two Apuao islands
Tutubi's companions frolicking on the sandbar

Apuao Grande Island Resort used to be operated by Swagman Hotel chain. It's funny that when Tutubi was inquiring for booking accommodations on the island regarding the resort, the booking officer reserved a room for Tutubi at Swagman Hotel in Malate! The misunderstanding was cleared when Tutubi again inquired about Calaguas Island

For your appreciation, herewith is a satellite image of Mercedes group of islands from wikimapia.org:



Other islands belonging to Mercedes Group of Islands: Canton Island, Quinapagihan Island, Caringo Island, Canimog Island, and Malasugui Island.


Other Places to see in Mercedes:

Colasi Falls - about 70 meters in height and can be reached by hiking/trekking. located in barangay Colasi.
Canta Cave, Caringo Island Resort on Caringo Island

How to get there:

Commute: from Daet, board a jeepney bound for Mercedes. Ask around for the fish port (pantalan or pandawan) then hire a boat to take you there for about 45 minutes.

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

How many islands does the Philippines have? The usual quick reply is not an answer but a question, high tide or low tide?

Too many islands yet so little time, whether thinking of living an Island life in the Philippines or just travel and backpacking hopping from island to island, Tutubi will take you to an exhilarating virtual island-hopping around the Philippines' more than 7107 tropical islands-- regardless of height of the tide.

The country, geographically divided into three island groups-- Luzon, Visayas and Mindano-- the largest of which is Luzon, the seat of "Imperial Manila," second largest is Mindanao and the Visayas, named after Sri Vijaya empire.

The islands visited by Tutubi in his flight chronicles for a virtual guided tour as well as those still on his wish list:

Island Fortress of Corregidor, a 45 minute ride from the CCP Complex and politically part of Cavite City takes you back in time during the gloom days of World War 2 in the so called Pacific Theater where defenders of the "the Rock," led by the megalomaniacal MacArthur, delayed Japanese war timetable thereby saving Australia from the Japanese juggernaut.

Potipot Island, a small island with white sand, off the beach of Candelaria, Zambales To reach the island from Manila, board a Victory Liner bus bound for Sta. Cruz then drop off at Dawal Resort. There you can negotiate for a boat to take you to the island in 15 minutes.

Hundred Islands, Alaminos City, Pangasinan is a national park with more than a hundred islands, the most prominent of these are Quezon Island, Children's Island, Governor's Island, Cathedral Island and PADI Island (where cave can double as a camp site). An ambitious development plan was unveiled recently byt Alaminos City government with the aim of interconnecting some islands using underwater tubes planned by Palafox.

Camara and Capones Island off the coast of Barangay Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales is a romantic place due to secluded white sand beaches and the romantic Faro de Punta Capones lighthouse shows the way to boats and ships out in the sea.

a fisherman fixes his net on the beach with Camara Island on the background. Beyond Camara is Capones Island

Calaguas Island, a virgin white sand island accessible by a two-hour boat ride from Vinzons, Camarines Norte (alternately, a boat ride from Daet's Bagasbas beach or Mercedes town). Still undeveloped and touted to be as beautiful as Boracay sans the madding crowd.


Palawan, the country's largest province in terms of land area, with a geography different from the rest of the islands, looks more like mainland Asia. It's home to two UNESCO world Heritage Sites: the longest navigable underground river, called St. Paul Subterranean River, and Tubbataha Reef, worthy of pride for its enviable marine biodiversity. It also sits on huge deposits of natural gas.

Busuanga, Coron, Calamian Group of Islands in Northern Palawan offer magnificent wrecks of sunken Japanese ships of World War 2 (wreck diving), Coral Bay offers great snorkeling/dive site (it was here where Tutubi met clown fishes looking for Nemo) while jellyfish bay teems with jellyfishes (of course). Nearby Calauit Island is where to experience African safari in Asia due to the presence of various African animals like giraffes, zebras, impalas, waterbucks, gazelles, eland, topi and bushbacks brought to the island in 1976 by then president Marcos. Calamian Group of Islands is also the home of the endemic Calamian deer.

aerial picture of Calamian group of Islands in northern Palawan, taken from a 19-seater SeaAir plane using Canon Ixus 30

The island of Mindoro, where the beaches of Puerto Galera (White Beach and Sabang) is most popular with Metro Manilans also boasts of popular dive sites. It's the home of Mangyan indigenous people living on the slopes of Mt.Halcon, two Mangyan tribes still use the ancient scripts similar to Baybayin (alibata). The tamaraw is also endemic to this island.

Part of Mindoro off coast of Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental is Pandan Island where pristine beach awaits bold adventurers. Only one resort is located there, the North Pandan Island Resort, where a food feast awaits every visitor. By the way, there's no electricity so be prepared for a very tranquil life in paradise.

Sandwiched by Tayabas bay and Sibuyan Sea is Marinduque that comes alive during Holy Week with the Moriones Festival.

Romblon boasts of marble deposits while nearby Tablas and Sibuyan Islands invites backpackers to their unexplored beaches, waterfalls and caves. Virgin beaches of Carabao Island beckons intrepid explorers looking for an alternative to nearby congested Boracay Island. Some 45 minutes from Sibuyan Island is Cresta de Gallo, 5 hectare virgin island surrounded by coral reefs and fine white sand beaches.

Panay, divided into four provinces of Aklan (home of Ati-atihan and the famous beaches of Boracay), Antique, Capiz and Iloilo (home of Dinagyang Festival) was said to have been the site of the legend ofthe ten datu from Borneo. Aklan's Batan town still can't shake the belief in their Code of Kalantiaw which was proven years ago to be a sham. Panay is one of the places where the rare Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world can be found.

Boracay Island, the Philippines' most famous island part of Malay town in Aklan province is a the most visited and famous tourist destination in the Philippines.

Negros, the boot-shaped island divided into two provinces. It used to called Buglas before Spaniards christened it Negros due to the black inhabitants of the place when the white men arrived. It's the fourth largest island of the sprawling archipelago.

Cebu, the country's top retirement haven of Americans and Europeans and the playground of Japanese and Korean tourists, is home to Cebu City, dubbed the "Queen City of the South," Ce-boom economy and place full of history, beaches, waterfalls, dive sites and the heritage City of Carcar.

Mactan Island, adjacent to island province of Cebu, was the site of the historic battle between Ferdinand Magellan (the Portuguese explorer in the service of Spain) and local chieftain Lapu-lapu where the locals repulsed the soon-to-be colonizers of the archipelago in an early morning, ill-planned battle. It hosts the Cebu International Airport and über-pricey and exclusive Plantation Bay Resort

Pescador Island, Moalboal, Cebu is the best snorkeling site Tutubi has seen so far. It's a popular dive spot centered on a small limestone formation and visible from Panagsama beach of Moalboal town in southwestern Cebu province.

Bohol, the island province that enjoyed 80 years of freedom from Spanish tyranny under Dagohoy is full of tourist attractions that include Loboc River Cruise, old churches, the world famous Chocolate Hills, pristine beaches, majestic waterfalls, and the new adventure mecca of Danao. Never mind the anachronistic Sandugo Festival that commemorates, wrongfully, the blood compact, supposedly a treaty of friendship between Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. It's the 10th biggest island of the country.

Panglao Island, merely fifteen minutes away from Tagbilaran City, Bohol, is proud of its dive sites and beaches and is among the top tourist destination in the Philippines. A study claimed that Panglao alone has more marine diversity than the whole of Japan or Mediterranean Sea.

Balicasag Island is a small island with marine sanctuary accessible by boat from Panglao Island. A government operated resort is presence as well as a lighthouse.

Pamilacan Island, usually paired with Balicasag, it's a site where dolphin watching trips in the morning is the "in" thing.

Siquijor Island, the mystical and enigmatic island, a ferry ride away from Dumaguete City, infamous for witches, ghouls, rituals, amulets, shamans, faith healers, and soothsayers. Where every Holy Friday is a day to recharge powers of Talisman, locally called anting-anting. The island's mysticism, most of the time, turns off tourists, but is a come-on to the adventurous few and backpackers, like Tutubi, who dislike the "usual" tourist crowd. Siquijor island is a great, off-the-beaten track destination in the Philippines, so you're missing out on this if you haven't been to the place. Please keep this a secret though until Tutubi returns there to fully explore the place.

the white sands of Alubihod beach in Guimaras

The island province of Guimaras, the home of the sweetest mangoes and once the victim of an environmental disaster in the form of an oil spill is back on its toes with steady increase of tourist arrivals. Part of Guimaras is Isla Naburot in Sinapsapan, Jordan, that takes you back to the days when there's no electricity, telephone and television for a true escape-from-civilization paradise.

The captivating Island of Camiguin , Tutubi's favorite island destination due to it's rustic and laid back atmosphere, where you can find 7 volcanoes and 5 towns, hot and cold springs, white sand beaches and sandbars, majestic waterfalls and sweet vjandep pastel and lanzones/langsat.

Samal Island, a short boat ride from bustling Davao City, hosts the Paradise Island beach resort with its mini-zoo, the famous Pearl Farm Resort, Crododile Farm, an interesting "Bat Cave" (where the world's highest concentration of fruit bats can be found) and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS). Nearby is Talicud Island and the white sand beaches of Isla Reta.

Other Fantasy Islands in Tutubi's wishlist for the coming years:

Batanes Islands, the land of the hardy Ivatan people, with the largest islands Itbayat, Batan, and Sabtang. Frequented by typhoons and isolated from the rest of the Philippines, the unique culture and picturesque landscape is nominated and awaiting listing in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list (so better hurry, Tutubi, before the place is overran by tourists)

Babuyan Islands, an archipelago of five major islands: Babuyan island, Calayan, Camiguin (different one from more famous Camiguin Island of Mindanao), Dalupiri, and Fuga, between the Philippines' main island of Luzon and Batanes where the only breeding ground of humpback whales in the Philippines was found. The group of islands is politically part of Cagayan province.

If Corregidor is for Manila Bay, Grande Island is for Subic Bay with its bunkers and batteries guarding the mouth of the bay that's the former home of a US base.


Magalawa Island, Palauig, Zambales, off the coast of Masinloc town is another not so well known gem of an island with nice white beach and fish sanctuary ideal for snorkelling. Other islands hear the area is San Salvador Island, Matalvi Island, Luan Island, Pilapir Island and Little Island.


Verde Island (Isla Verde), Batalan, Caban Cove, Ligpo Island, Merriel's Rock, Sombrero Island, Bonito Island off the coast of Anilao, Batangas are popular dive spots. In a recent study conducted by marine biologists led by Kent Carpenter of the World Conservation Union, the Verde Island Passage was hailed as the "center of marine biodiversity in the world." The study put the passage at the peak of the so called "Coral Triangle" spanning an area of the Sulawesi and the Sulu Seas in the southern Philippines, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Island.

Balesin Island, an unspoilt Fantasy island in Polillo, Quezon. Four hours land travel from Manila and another three hours by boat but you'll be away from civilization while you're there.

Fortune Island off Nasugbu, Batangas, is near where the San Diego galleon, exhibited at the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila, was recovered.


Cagraray Island, part of Bacacay, Albay on the eastern slope of Mayon Volcano and near Sula Channel in the Bicol Region. It's home to fine white sand beach of Misibis Beachfront Resort and near the grand Misibis Resorts, Estates and Spa.

Samar, the third largest island of the Philippines, is always at the receiving end of typhoon reports due to its being the easternmost part of the country to receive incoming tropical depressions. Samar, likewise, boasts of forest reserves and other natural attractions. It's in this island where the regal Philippine eagle was first "discovered" by John Whitehead.

Olango Island in Cebu features a bird watching paradise where thousands of migratory birds escaping the cold winter of Russia and China seek refuge and food abundant in the area.

Bantayan Island fine white sand beaches without the crowd of most popular beaches. To get there from Cebu airport, flag a taxi to take you to Cebu North Bus Terminal, board a bus bound to Hagnaya. In Hagnaya, board a ferry for a 30-minute ride to Sta. Fe town on Bantayan Island.

Near Bantayan is Malapascua Island that caters to diving enthusiasts and a short boat ride from Daang-Bantayan town in Cebu Island or directly from Bantayan Island.

Camotes Islands, named after sweet potatoes, part of Cebu province and located between Cebu, Leyte and Bohol islands, consist of four islands, Pacijan Island, Poro Island, Ponson Island and the small Tulang Island. Virgin beaches await the intrepid explorer to these tiny island paradise devoid of people.

Jandayan Island off Barangay Handumon, Gedafi, Bohol boasting of a marine sanctuary of seahorses that glow in the dark (diving after sundown is recommended)

Sumilon Island, an island, whose name means "to take shelter," off the coast of Oslob a southern town in cebu. It offers spectacular diving experience once ravaged by Muro Ami fishing methods but now brought back to life.

Lakawan Island, a mere hour away from Bacolod City, means "puntahan" in Filipino, is an island getaway for tired souls of the city of smiles.

Danjugan Island in Barangay Bulata, Cauayan, Negros Occidental is showcase of Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI) for its ecosystem and wildlife conservation.

Apo Island, politically part of Dauin, Negros Oriental and accessible by boat from Dumaguete City, is a popular dive site and snorkeling destination for tourists boasting of an impressive list of fish and coral species.

Nogas Island, 3 miles from the shore of Anini-y town of Antique and a government naval reservation.

Leyte, immortalized during the second world war where the surrounding played silent witness to a great naval battle in history.

San Pedro Island off Hinunangan in South Leyte offers secluded white sand beaches.

Canigao Island, seven minutes by boat from Nonok village in the town of Matalom in Leyte is a seven-hectare island with fine white sand beaches

Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, in the north-eastern tip of Mindanao is a world-class surfing destination famed for its "cloud 9" waves.

Off the coast of the city of Mati, Davao Oriental lie the islands of Waniban and Pujada with their white sand beaches ideal for backpackers. Waniban Island is a 15 minute boat ride from Cinco Masau Resort where you can rent a banca going to the island.

Internationally disputed Spratly Islands, called Kalayaan, lies within Philippine area of responsibility yet claimed by neighboring countries that include China, Taiwan, Vietnam is said to have huge deposits of gas and oil besides straddling a vital sea lane in the region.

Sta. Cruz Island, fifteen minute by boat from the pier of Zamboanga City boasts of a rare pink sand beach. In order to go there, you need to coordinate with Zamboanga Tourism office near Lantaka Hotel for booking, and security escorts since it's too proximate to Basilan Island.

Basilan Island, an island province notorious as haven of terrorists, has the potential for tourism destination if not for the "sword of Damocles" perpetually hanging over intrepid visitors. Secluded beaches and lush jungles create a perfect mix for eco-tourism in the area-- if the present conflict is resolved!

Sulu, a site of the regular Balikatan (shoulder to shoulder) military exercise by the US ironically is also the site of the Bud Dahu massacre of about 600 Tausug men and women, including children, were killed by US soldiers in 1906. It's also in Sulu and nearby islands where the langgal, a local meeting place and mosque featured in the P1000 bill, can be found.

On the small island of Simunul Islam was introduced Muslim missionary named Makdum in in the year 1380. The ruins of the mosque in Tubig-Indangan that he built can still be seen. People of Simunul also use and still builds boats that resemble the the ancient balangay ng Butuan up to this day

Tawi-tawi, the southernmost province of the Philippines, part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with capital town of Bongao. It shares sea borders with the Malaysian State of Sabah and the Indonesian Kalimantan province.

Turtle Islands, part of Tawi-tawi province is geographically close to Malaysia's Sabah state in the island of Borneo. It boasts of a turtle sanctuary where you can find the only living area of Green Sea Turtles (pawikan) in the world. Declared a protected area, it's also a site of international turtle protection and conservation program.

Besides these Philippine Islands, Tutubi was able to set foot on the Island of Singapore, Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, Elephanta Island off the coast of Mumbai India and wishes to be able to visit Palau, Easter Island, Christmas Island, Galapagos, Komodo Island in Indonesia to see the Komodo Dragon and lots of islands more.

What can you do in these islands? lots of activities: snorkel, beach bum, surf, windsurf, jet ski, dive, parasail, kiteboard, kitesurf, yatch race, even join the annual Philippine Hobie Challenge, Paraw Regatta (Iloilo), dragon boat races and other water sports activities.

Tutubi dreams of living on a small island, away from it all where life begins and ends with the sun while days pass by lazily slumped on a hammock...but life's not a beach!

Consummatum Est. Finished his virtual island-hopping.
Question: How many islands have you been to?

you may leave a comment if you want to know "how to get to" the places mentioned here

Labels: Islands

After Pinatubo and the brief stopover at Capas National Shrine, the group headed to San Antonio town in Zambales and checked in at Megan's resort (it's low budget resort with good enough facilities for backpackers like us) in barangay Pundaquit.

We hired outrigger boats (banca), for a few hundred pesos, to take us to Capones Island for us to satiate the beachbums in all of us. Stretches of white sand beaches can be found on Capones and the larger Camara island.

Do you remember Juris of MYMP singing "Get Me" on this very same beach? On the background are Camara (named after Antonio de la Camara, a Spaniard who surveyed the islands in 1884) and Capones islands (Isla de Gran Capones) :)

A short boatride took us to the island of Capones where beaches, fascinating rock formations inviting for rockclimbers, corals and turquoise water beckons.





On the island beach, we found a nice, cozy cave where the Tutubi hibernated and dozed off for a few minutes.



picture of a limbless, but not lifeless, crab i found on the lee shore of the island (not actually limbless since the pincers are also limbs)

History of Capones Island Lighthouse

What we're really after, as you already know, is the old lighthouse (Faro de Punta Capones on the Isla de Gran Capon) finished in 1890 and built purposely to guide ships entering and leaving Manila Bay and Subic and warns passing ship of the dangers of rocky shores surrounding the island.

In search of the lighthouse on the island, I hacked my way out of tall grass, rocky shores and unmarked trail before finding the right path to take to the top of the rocky hill where the "romantic" lighthouse proudly stands.

The old structure still stands, made of red bricks, but the facility inside already has a creepy feel to it with broken windows and rubbish littered on the floors.







The stairs leading to the top of the tower is closed and we're not pasaway enough to enter the restricted area.
The lighthouse is now powered by solar energy, mush like its brother in the island fortress of Corregidor

After exploring the surrounding beaches, rocks and interesting coral formations, without actually swimming, we boarded the boat for the return trip to the beach resort.

Another romantic lighthouse "conquered" by the Tutubi!

On our way back to Manila, we stopped by for a hearty dinner in Subic bay; tired and sunburnt, most of os slept thoughout the return trip to reality we call Manila.

How to go to Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales and Capones Island:

From Manila, take a the NLEX exit at San Fernando Pampanga, from San Fernando, head southwestward to Olongapo city. In Olongapo city, at the the head boundary of Olongapo, make a right turn going to Subic Castillejos then San Marcelino, at San Marcelino, take westward to San Antonio. In San Antonio, head southwestward to Pundaquit. The road to Pundaquit is circuitous so better ask around when you're there.

For an idea about the room rates, try to contact Megan's resort through ther website here or try camping on the slopes of Mt Pundaquit

List of other Historic Lighthouses in the Philippines visited by Tutubi:

Faro de Rio de Pasig (Pasig River Lighthouse
Faro de Isla Corregidor (Corregidor Lighthouse)
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

Labels: Beaches, Central Luzon, Islands, Lighthouses, Zambales