Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Zambales coast
Zambales
is an undeveloped rural province - known for its succulent mangoes - that is
still largely undiscovered by foreign tourists. It is, however, worth a stop for its scenic
beaches
, good surfing and relaxing resorts. For a break from beaches you can head
inland to
Lake Mapanuepe
, formed after Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991.
Zambales beaches
he
beaches
along the Zambales coast benefit from wonderful sunsets and views of
the South China Sea. One lovely long stretch of white sand lies close to the fishing
village of
San Antonio
and its popular barangay of
Pundaquit
(sometimes spelled
Pundakit), which is also the access point for
Camara
and
Capones islands
- the latter
a great place to camp. If your passion is for surfing, make a beeline for
Crystal Beach
Resort
just north of the town of
San Narciso
; the best surf is between September and
February. Some 35km further north,
Botolan
offers a couple of sleepy but well-run
resorts on a nice wide beach in the barangay of Binoclutan, and there's another
attractive (brown sand) beach just 8km north of here in the provincial capital
Iba
;
the tourist o
ce can arrange tours focusing on mango production, or activities such
as mangrove planting. Another 40km further north, the towns of
Candelaria
and
Santa Cruz
serve as jumping-off points to the
islands
of
Potipot
,
Hermana Mayor
and
Hermana Menor
.
3
Potipot Island
You can hire a bangka from Candelaria's northern district of Uacón (5min; P400/boat)
Tiny
Potipot Island
is an idyllic little white sand getaway that you can walk around in
just thirty minutes. At times you may have the island to yourself, although it can get
busy at weekends and during school summer holidays (mid-March to early June).
The Hermana islands
SeaSun Beach Resort
in Santa Cruz (see p.136) can arrange a day-trip to the Hermana islands (45min; P1200/boat)
Close to the border with Pangasinan province,
Santa Cruz
is the main access point for
two privately owned islands in Dasol Bay:
Hermana Mayor
and
Hermana Menor
.
Neither island has accommodation for visitors, but both have some picturesque coves
of fine white sand and good snorkelling.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
ZAMBALES BEACHES
By bus
Victory Liner and Saulog have services straight up
the coast from Manila, stopping at major towns like Iba
and Santa Cruz but able to drop you en route on request,
and can often stop right by your resort - make sure to tell
the driver where you're going. For Pundaquit, buses stop at
San Antonio, a short tricycle ride away (10min), while to
get to the Botolan resorts you'll have to catch a tricycle or
jeepney (5min) from the spot on the main highway where
buses drop you off. Regular local buses also connect all the
towns along the coast.
By jeepney
A number of jeepneys connect the towns along
the coast.
By bangka
Bangkas connect the Zambales towns with
small islands off the coast - Pundaquit to Capones Island,
for example (20min; P1200). Hotels can often help organize
bangka hire.
Tourist information
Iba has a tourist o
ce on the
second floor of the town's Capitol building (Mon-Fri 8am-
noon & 1-5pm;
T
047 811 7296,
W
zambalesnow.com).
Tours can be arranged from here.
ACCOMMODATION
SAN ANTONIO
PUNDAQUIT
Nora's Beach Resort
T
0918 278 8188.
This basic,
welcoming place has two little fan-cooled nipa huts on
the beach and more comfortable a/c rooms set around a
courtyard. The resort rents out bangkas (P1500/day); good
for exploring nearby Camara and Capones islands,
as well
as Anawangin Cove where there's good snorkelling.
P1000
Punta de Uian
T
0918 800 8426,
W
puntadeuian
-resort.com.
Probably the most upmarket place to stay
along the Zambales coast, this large resort offers a selection
