Hundred Islands is a national park in Alaminos, Pangasinan. This is one of the listed tourist attractions taught to us during elementary and high school days. Now that we're old enough to travel, it's better to actually see and experience the islands rather than remain a black and white image from the textbooks.
Islands in Hundred Islands aren't really 100 by count, they total to 124 islands during low tide, and 123 islands during high tide. Be warned though, island hopping requires a lot of hiking, and swimming so ready your bimpos, umbrella, goggles, swimsuit, floaters, and most especially your sunblock.
How we got there
This adventure was actually a continuation from Explore Bolinao Island, From the bus terminal of Bolinao, we rode a bus going to Alaminos, Pangasinan. Travel time takes 1 1/2 hours. As soon as we landed in Alaminos, we rode a tricycle going to Lucap Wharf worth P80 for 4 people. It was already dark outside, and we're tired from the tour we had earlier at Bolinao, so we had dinner and rested in the resort.
Where did we stay
We booked a 2-night stay worth P2,000/night at Island Tropic Hotel. The room we got has 4 beds, spacious restroom, living room, and a dinning room.Though the wifi connection was unable to reach our room, you have to stay at their lobby so you can enjoy browsing the net.
At the front desk of the hotel, we already paid the Hundred Island entrance fee, P40/person. Boats also have uniform rate:
Small boat (1-5 pax) -- 1,400 day tour -- 2,500 overnight
Medium boat (6-10 pax) -- 1,800 day tour -- 3,000 overnight
Big Boat (11-15 pax) -- 2,000 day tour -- 3,800 overnight
The hotel, by the way was just in front of the Lucap Wharf where boats for island hopping are docked.
The Islands
1. Governor's Island
The first Island we visited was the Governor's Island, one of the main islands where there's electricity, facilities and water available. The Island is also famous for the Pinoy Big Brother House.
We then started climbing the stairs to reach the top of the Governor's Island for us to be able to see a panoramic view of the the islands/islets, and FYI there are 165 steps.
2. Virgin Island
There's this a connecting man-made bridge to reach Virgin Island. Ready yourself, this has a lot of hiking because boats are restricted to pass through the boundary.
3. Children's Island
It is called a Children's Island because of its shallow water. Regardless if it's a high tide, the water level is just waist-deep. Kids can actually have fun and play around in this island.
4. Lopez Island
This island is great for sunbathing. It has clear water and fine sand.
5. Quezon Island
This island is also one of the main islands. There are dining facilities, cottages and nipa huts where family and friends can sit back, relax and enjoy.
Also, near this island is where the helmet diving and snorkeling activities ensue. For the helmet diving, it cost P500 per person for 30 minutes.
6. Marcos Island
This island doesn't have picnic areas, it's more on brief sightseeing and swimming. However, in the middle of the islands is a cavern, where at its base is a deep 20-feet pool that opens up to the ocean. Daredevils can leap from a height of roughly 20 feet to the pool.
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| There are bats living here, so avoid screaming! hahaha |
7. Cathedral Island
Cathedral Island doesn't have a shore, so our boat just passed by it. The island has a cathedral opening where a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was placed.
8. Scout Island
This island is still underdeveloped, but there are some who prefers to set up their tents here. Good for swimming and sunbathing as well.
9. Romulo Island
This island is famous for the TV shooting of Marina, Claudine Baretto's mermaid show.
These are some of the few islands found in Hundred Islands. You can set up a tent there and enjoy the wilderness.
After a long day at sea, we headed back to the resort and rested. The following day, just before we headed back to Manila, we decided to drop by at Lady of Manaoag, Dagupan Pangasinan.
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