Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ISLAND
HOPPING IN THE HUNDRED ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
The best way to visit the pretty cluster of islets that form part of the One Hundred Islands
National Park is through an island-hopping trip. The only three islands with any form of
development are
Governor's Island
,
Children's Island
and
Quezon Island
. A day-trip to all
three from Lucap costs P800 for a small boat for five people (larger boats are also available).
You'll need to choose one island on which you will spend most of your time - the boatman
will leave you there for a few hours then return, and you'll visit the other two more briefly.
A much more appealing option is to pay P1400 for a “service boat” allowing you to visit the
more interesting undeveloped islands. Some of these dots of land are so small and rocky it's
impossible to land on them, while others are big enough to allow for some exploring on foot,
with tiny, sandy coves where you can picnic in the shade and swim. One of the prettiest
islands is
Marta
, actually two tiny islets connected by a thin strip of bright white sand that
almost disappears at high tide.
Marcos Island
has a blowhole and a vertical shaft of rock; you
can clamber to the top and then dive into a seawater pool about 20m below. A number of
islands, including
Scout Island
and
Quirino Island
, have caves; on
Cuenco Island
there's a
cave that goes right through the island to the other side. Shell Island has a lagoon in which
you can swim at high tide, while birdwatchers should ask to stop beside
Cathedral Island
.
Boats are available from 6am and will return to Lucap no later than 5.30pm; if you are
planning to stay overnight on one of the islands then you need to leave Lucap by 5pm, and
you will be charged P1400 for a small boat to drop you off and pick you up next day. Whatever
your plans, the park o
ce (see below) may be able to arrange for you to join another group if
you do not have enough people to fill a boat and want to save some money.
3
30min; 1hr 30min) from where you can change for Baguio
or San Fernando La Union.
By tricycle
Tricycles connect Alaminos with Lucap (15min;
P60) and can drop you at your hotel or at the national park
o
ce at the nearby pier.
By van
From Alaminos a/c vans serve Dagupan (1hr
30min; P65) and Baguio (3hr; P175).
INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES
National park office
You can pay your park entrance
fee (P20/day, P40/night) and arrange camping permits
at the National Park office by the Lucap jetty (daily 24hr;
T
075 551 2505,
W
alaminoscity.gov.ph). They also rent
out snorkelling equipment and camping gear, although
you should call ahead to check on availability of the
latter. The office has a handy ATM.
Hundred Islands Ocean Sports Centre
Lucap water-
front (
T
0999 800 8180,
W
hundredislandsoceansports
.com). Activities include parasailing (from P1500/15min)
and sea kayaking (P150/hr or P500/day).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
The accommodation options in
Lucap
are largely uninspiring, so if you are planning on staying in the area for a few days
you may want to consider basing yourself in
Bolinao
(see opposite). The hotels that we list are on Lucap's main strip and
are within walking distance of one another. You can
camp
overnight for P200/tent on Governor's Island, Children's Island
and Quezon Island. Eating options are very limited, although most hotels have their own restaurant.
The Boat House
Lucap
T
0920 227 7239.
An unusual
find among Lucap's unexciting eating places, this octagonal
restaurant serves imported Hawaiian black angus steaks
(P490) and fresh local fish including blue marlin (P290).
Plus about twenty wines from around the world.
Fri-Sun
5-10pm.
Governor's Island Guesthouse
Governor's Island
T
075 551 2505.
The only accommodation option within
the One Hundred Islands National Park, this guesthouse,
sleeping ten, is a good choice for groups. The interior is a bit
run-down and could do with a lick of paint, although there
are plans to renovate. You'll have the entire island to
yourself once the day-trippers have gone.
P8000
Maxine by the Sea
Lucap
T
075 696 0964,
W
maxine
bythesea.com.
Seven simply furnished rooms with a/c,
cable TV and private bath. There's wi-fi in the public areas
and a popular open-fronted re
stauran
t serving fresh
seafood - try the calamari (P245).
P2110
Villa Antolin
Lucap
T
075 696 9227,
W
villa-antolin
.com.
Run by a welcoming retired Filipino couple, this is
one of Lucap's best options, with clean rooms spread across
two storeys and kitsch knick-knacks dotting the hallways.
Not all roo
ms hav
e hot water - make sure to check first.
Free wi-fi.
P1800
