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Friday, June 24, 2016

HUNDRED ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

Location: Brgy. Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan, Philippines



Note: This is a part of my June 5 – 6, 2016 Alaminos City-Bolinao-Camiling Tour which includes: Patar Beach, Saint Joseph Cathedral Parish Church, Alaminos City Hall and Colegio San Jose de Alaminos, Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, Giant Taklobo Resto Grill and Accommodation and Camiling Quick Tour.

Hundred Islands is one of the national parks of the Philippines with a total of 124 islands during low tide and 123 during high tide, scattered in Lingayen Gulf of Pangasinan which is in northern Philippines covering an area of 16.76 square kilometers or 6.47 square miles. It has a centralized port or wharf in Barangay Lucap of Alaminos City which is 240 kilometers north of Metro Manila or 4 - 5 road drive under normal traffic condition.

A panoramic photo taken from Marcos Island of the Hundred Islands National Park


As tourism activities continuously boom in this destination, five of its islands, namely: Governor's, Quezon, Marcos, Lopez and Children's have been developed with structures like cottages, gazebos, operating offices, grilling stations, water fun facilities and even with zipline. With this, service providers in this destination do not experience lean season as local and foreign tourists visit it in any month of the year.

This is my fourth time to visit Hundred Islands but the first three were done during those times when I was not yet writing my travel blog. You see, the pictures I have taken during those trips were more personal and not a blogging material.

Arriving at dawn in Lucap Wharf


Since coming from Manila takes at least four hours, it is ideal and practical to travel at midnight and reach Lucap Wharf at 4:00 A.M. Boat can be arranged in the wharf but it is advisable to book your hotel accommodation earlier as tourists come in high volume most particularly during weekends.

The rewarding sunrise scenery while waiting for the boat


Check-in time is at 12 Noon and so when our group arrived at Lucap Wharf, we stayed in the bus but we were allowed by the hotel to use the comfort room facilities. While we waited, we enjoyed the refreshing beach park. We had our breakfast in the hotel but others opted to have theirs in other restaurants around the area. Enterprising locals who sell food were seen roaming around the park but I just bought the famous "Puto Kalatiao".

Operating boats abound the wharf


Waiting for the boat at 7:00 A.M. to start the island hopping was not boring as we stayed in the bus watching a movie. Others opted to sleep comfortably on their seats.

The Lighthouse on its splendor


One of the places to include in your stroll while killing your time waiting for the boat is to visit the lighthouse which is just barely 40 meters away from the park's welcome arch.

The Hundred Islands National Park arch marker


The park's arch marker is the busiest when it comes to the volume of those taking pictures. You will barely see it without somebody taking pictures. As a matter of fact, I politely asked a favor to the tourists around to vacate it because I told them I am taking a picture without somebody appearing on it. But some just like in the picture were senseless.

Approaching Governor's Island


The first island we visited was the Governor's Island. As you approach the island, you will see that tourists are taking pictures fronting a small cave.

Concrete stairs leading to the viewdeck


From the cave, we headed to the island's viewdeck where we have to climb concrete stairs. Though, it is high, you have no choice but to trail on it as the boat will be waiting on the other end.

Photo taken from the viewdeck


The viewdeck offers a 360 degrees scenery and a photographer can capture best shots from it. However, a solo picture is almost impossible to achieve and much more a group photo.

The orange structure at the extreme right is a monoblock-made-up-material-bridge


On top of the viewdeck, the monoblock bridge (the only term I knew based on its material) that connects Governor's Island to an islet as this serves as the zipline launching pad.

Governor Island's Tablet Marker


The island's tablet marker is also one of the busiest photography site as high volume of tourists queue for picture taking. Selfie picture taking takes time before a certain group is done with their turn.

How many can this tablet marker accommodate for picture taking?


The flatform of the tablet marker is big enough to accommodate people for souvenir photos and noticeably, bigger islands has this kind of tablet marker.

The connecting link to the zipline launching pad


Governor's Island has a zipline with a launching pad coming from the annexed islet connected through a mono-block-like-bridge. The bridge itself is not stable as it just floats on the water.

Braganza Island


Braganza island is just one of the islands near Governor's Island though we did not land here. Noticeably, it has no structures erected and with no beach line.

Romulo Island


Another island we had passed was the Romulo Island where it is visibly not erected with structures like cottages but it has beach line where some tourists opt to have a swim. Like Braganza, this island is not a part of our packaged tour.

Approaching Marcos Island


I remember the last time I visited Marcos Island wayback in May 1997, I've got the chance then to have a cliff diving and there were not so much gazebos and cottages erected here.

Rugged and rocky topography but a tropical charm in itself


Truly, Marcos Island deserves to be part of the 5-island tour package as its clear and inviting waters is in itself rewarding. Those who do not like to be exposed to scourging heat of the sun can have a longer swim beneath its hanging cliffs which give ample shade of its beach line.

The clear inviting waters of Marcos Island (Model: Diane Marie S. Ching)


The sea level has a gradual depthness enabling others to swim a bit off the coast. The sea bed is soft and friendly to the sole of the feet.

Just one of the solo pictures I had in the entire trip


As much as I always wanted to have good solo pictures, I am always disappointed because only a handful of my travel buddies can take nice solo pics of mine.

The image of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Cathedral Island


On our way to Quezon Island, we happened to pass in Cathedral Island where the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected there but by the looks of it, it does not qualify as Our Lady of Lourdes nor the Immaculate Conception.

Quezon Island: The most developed of all the islands


Landing Quezon Island is the grandest part of the trip. Why not, it has a lot of facilities and amenities. It is where we had dined in for our lunch as part of our tour package.

Another connecting bridge to the zipline launching pad


Just like Governor's Island, Quezon Island has its own zipline. The picture above was taken on top of the pavilion atop the hill just annexed to the island's wharf.

Lopez Island as captured from atop the Pavilion


The Pavilion of Quezon Island serves its viewdeck where if offers 360 degrees scenery. More islands can be viewed from this point. It has jetski facility for rent.

A closer look of Lopez Island as viewed from Quezon Island's wharf


Another island is now being developed and that is Lopez Island. It is just around a kilometer off from Quezon Island. Cottages were being erected and tourists who are decided to stay overnight can either pitch a tent or rent a cottage.

Just descending the statue of Manuel L. Quezon (Model: Allan Revilla De la Trinidad)


As I can see, most of the facilities have been invested in Quezon Island and it will take one awhile to tour around it. It has concrete benches where families on picnic can rest and leave their stuff.

Water fun activities in the island


Water fun activity operators in the island are making big bucks of money as they charge for jetski P2,500 for 45 minutes and P3,500 for 1 hour. The banana boat ride charges P250 per person with a maximum of 10 riders. A certain group who is less than 10 riders will pay P2,500 for the whole trip.

Mermaids statues in the island (Model: Allan Revilla De La Trinidad)


The island has two statues of Manuel L. Quezon and two mermaids. More cottages can accommodate visitors at the back of the entry point of Manuel L. Quezon statue.

A relaxing view from other side of the island (Model: Allan Revilla De la Trinidad)


While the high volume of visitors are concentrated at the Pavilion and dining hall near the wharf, this part of the island has lower density of visitors.

The bridge towards the zipline launching pad


For me, the picture above looks like a boardwalk, similar to that when I was in General Luna of Siargao Island. It is so refreshing to walk here most particularly in the late afternoon.

Cuenco Cave in Cuenco Island (Pandi Island)


They call it a cave but in reality it is just a natural tunnel. Prior to this, we were suppose to dock in Children's Island but because there was a downpour and waves became rough then such move was aborted. But as we approach our last island destination, rain had stopped and rough waves calmed down.

Flatform diving at Cuenco Island


Cuenco Island was our last destination and unexpectedly I enjoyed the flatform diving where even in the late afternoon, the water was warm. Stores were available in the island. This is also the island where I spent longer in a swim.

Ma. Liza Island as viewed from Cuenco Island


One of the islands which can be viewed from Cuenco Island is Ma. Liza. It has an approximate distance of four kilometers. So far, I have not seen structures built on it.

A captured rock formation on our way back


We were lucky enough that the sea was so calm and the sky was clear with cumulus clouds (rain clouds). What was dominant above the skies were the majestic cirrus clouds (fiber clouds).

Lucap's wharf late in the afternoon


It was already 4:30 P.M. when we arrived back in the mainland of Alaminos City and we were already checked in by that time in our hotel. We cleaned up inside our respective hotel rooms and had sumptuous dinner together.

Island Tropics Hotel and Restaurant


Island Tropics Hotel where we stayed was just accessible a few meters from the wharf. They have good service and a comfortable accommodation. Dinner served was festive and overflowing with mostly seafoods. Yum yum yum!!!! I got so full!!!

RATES IN HUNDRED ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK


(Effective as of February 15, 2016)


Tariff Rates Per Person



Particulars Day Tour Overnight
Entrance Fee
P30
P80
Environmental Fee
40
40
Insurance Fee (Effective for 24 hours)
10
10

Totals

P80
P130




Motor Boat Rates



Particulars Day Tour Overnight
Small (1 - 5 persons)
P1,400
P3,000
Medium (6 - 10 persons)
1,800
3,800
Large (11 - 15 persons)
2,000
4,500




Additional Information:

Free: 5 years old and below
Discount: 20% for Senior Citizens and Persons With Disability (PWD)
* Discounts are implemented on Entrance and Environmental Fees ONLY
* Rates are subject to chance without prior notice

This LINK will be useful for all other rates particularly in cottages, gazebos, pavilion, wall climbing, rappelling, helmet diving, kayaking and snorkeling. It will also provide you important contact numbers.

Five Star Bus Rates



Book Hotline at 09277124349 or for more updated fare, visit this LINK



Regular Airconditioned Fare from Cubao to Alaminos Regular Airconditioned Fare from Pasay to Alaminos Airconditioned 20% Discounted Fare for Senior Citizens, PWD and Students from Cubao to Alaminos Airconditioned 20% Discounted Fare for Senior Citizens, PWD and Students from Pasay to Alaminos
P393
P403
P314
P322




Ordinary Bus Fare from Cubao to Alaminos Ordinary Bus Fare from Pasay to Alaminos Ordinary Bus 20% Discounted Fare for Senior Citizens, PWD and Students from Cubao to Alaminos Ordinary Bus 20% Discounted Fare for Senior Citizens, PWD and Students from Pasay to Alaminos
P300
P308
P240
P246




NOTE: When you are travelling by bus, it will drop you on its bus terminal just along the national road in the city proper and you have to find the Tricycle Terminal for Lucap Wharf which is the jump-off point to the Hundred Islands island hopping which is more than five kilometers away. It has a fare of P15 one way and it does not leave unless full. However, you can have the option to charter the tricycle for P60.

Accommodation



Have an early hotel reservation at Island Tropics Hotel with the following contact details:

Address

Boulevard Street, Barangay Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan, Philippines 2404

Contact Numbers:

Landline: +63.75.551.4913 / +63.75.696.9405 (PLDT)
Mobile: +63.906.469.7888 (Globe) / +63.999.517.8411 (Smart)

13 comments:

  1. You see, I was with you in this travel but I never expected you to give the details of this tour. I learned a lot from this blog post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. How can I forget Hundred Islands when I was here with my family and the rest of my colleagues. This post reminds me of how much I enjoyed the place.

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  3. I would want to travel here with my family. Thanks for sharing this post.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a good share!!! very informative. I am quite amazed to see all your blog posts. They are not only informative but inspiring so I will also plan for my Philippine trips visiting these destinations.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for sharing your trip. I intend to go to the islands with my family (all adults) for 4 days and 3 nights. Can you give me tips on how we can maximize our trip? From your blog, it seems there are so many water and air activities in different islands. I am wondering how we can do all these. What island would be the wise choice to land first for the 4-day trip and what island to land last. What Island is a good place to stay overnight and are all major developed islands have hotels with air-conditioned rooms or accomodations? Please advise. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. So sorry for such a very late reply. To maximize your time and enjoyment, start with the Governor's Island where there is a zipline there and you can have a short trekking to the connecting island. Then push for Marcos Island. It has such an excellent beach coast for a best swim. Finally, stay long with the Quezon Island where this is the most developed island offering a lot of water fun activities. I am afraid there are no airconditioned hotels in these three islands but you can spend overnight at the Governor's island with few non-aircon cottages. On your way back to the mainland at Alaminos wharf, you may drop in the Children's Island and Pandi Island to have the Cuenco Cave which is not really a cave by real definition but it is just like a natural tunnel and empties into a diving flatform. If you like to have airconditioned accommodation, you may book your hotel at the Alaminos wharf and you will have a lot of choices there.

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  7. Hundred Islands is my most recommended thing to visit or do in Pangasinan. For a great drone video, pictures, and more about Hundred Islands you can visit this article: http://bit.ly/HundredIslandsNationalPark

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like to Siargao, I want to experience surfing
    Siargao

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's good. Surfing in Siargao is better than any other surfing area in the Philippines. In Cloud 9 of General Luna in Siargao, windswells are much more common than groundswells and the best wave direction is from the northeast. There are left and right breaking reefs. Best around high tide when the tide is rising. Even when there are waves, it's not likley to be crowded.

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    2. Is there other place here in the Philippines that have huge waves too?
      pagadian city

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  9. This is the best place for me, I guess. I have a number of islands to choose with.

    ReplyDelete