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Paradise by a Hundred (Alaminos, Pangasinan, Philippines)

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent. — John Donne

A trip to Hundred Islands National Park and its home, Alaminos City, is a great distraction from the hustle and bustle of the demanding, city life. The invigorating seascape views – with the islands looking like emerald gems atop cerulean waters and the bucolic landscapes as you make your way to Alaminos City – is a great respite.

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The Hundred Islands National Park is a marine park/reserve in Pangasinan, Northern Philippines. The islands, with a total number of 124 at low tide and 123 at high tide, are dotted in theGulf of Lingayen.  Four  of them have been developed for tourism: Governor Island, Quezon Island, Marcos Island and Children’s Island. The Lucap Wharf in Alaminos, the entrance to the National Park, is about 240 kilometres north of Manila.

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The islands are believed to be about two million years old. They are actually ancient corals that extend well inland, in an area previously comprising the seabed of an ancient sea. The lowering of the sea level has exposed them to the surface. The peculiar “mushroom-like” shapes of some of the islands were caused by the action of the ocean waves.

Here’s the list of prices of services or fees you could avail if you are planning a Hundred Islands Tour.

  • ENTRANCE/ENVIRONMENTAL FEE (PHP):

– Day Tour – Php 40.00
– Overnight – Php 80.00

Note:
– Children 5 years old and below are free of charge and 20% discount for the Senior Citizen.
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  • MOTORBOAT RATES:
    • SMALL (good for 5 persons)

Day Tour:
– Regular – Php 1,000.00
– Day Tour Service Boat – Php 1,400.00
Overnight:
– Regular – Php 2,000.00
– Overnight Service Boat – Php 3,000.00

  • MEDIUM (good for 10 persons)

Day Tour:
– Regular – Php 1,300.00
– Day Tour Service Boat – Php 1,800.00
Overnight:
– Regular – Php 2,500.00
– Overnight Service Boat – Php 3,800.00

A natural pool inside Marcos Island
A natural pool inside Marcos Island
  • LARGE (good for 15 persons)

Day Tour:
– Regular – Php 1,500.00
– Day Tour Service Boat – Php 2,000.00
Overnight:
– Regular – Php 3,000.00
– Overnight Service Boat – Php 4,500.00

Note:

*Day Tour covers island hopping that is limited to three islands including: Quezon Island, Governor’s Island and Children’s Island. 20 minutes only per island, just choose one island were you opt to stay and the boat will leave you and will be there to fetch you upon agreed time.

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*Service Boat covers island hopping to all islands you want to visit including caves and coral garden. No time limit and the boat will stay with you until you finish your Hundred Islands journey.

For accommodation rates in the major islands, please do check this site for a complete rate list: http://www.asensopangasinan.com/hundred-islands-national-park-rates-and-rental-fees/

Some of the islands now offer various activities like inter-island ZIPLINE, ROCK CLIMBING AND RAPPELLING adventures.

  • Zipline (120m) – Php 100.00 / Jump
  • Zipline (546m) – Php 250 / Jump
  • Wall Climbing – Php 50.00 / Pax
  • Rappelling – Php 50.00 / Pax
  • 3 in 1 Package – Php 175.00

Where to eat in Hundred Islands?

You can prepare and bring your own food. There’s a food court in Lucap wharf. There are also fast foods available in the town proper. You can also try some restaurants near the Lucap wharf.

For further inquiries, you may call the Lucap Wharf Tourism Welcome Center:  0928-244-9011

Hundred Islands Sunset
Hundred Islands Sunset

How to get to Hundred Islands… 
Public bus lines, like Victory Liner, Five Star, and Philippine Rabbit have scheduled rides from Manila, Baguio, Dagupan, Subic, Tarlac, and Zambales bound straight to Alaminos City and vice versa.

From the terminal, either by private vehicle or tricycle, the Lucap Wharf is only a 10 to 15-minute ride away. You can find boats bound for the islands docked near the Wharf, with the Hundred Islands National Park Center staff eager to assist you with information and other things you’ll need for your island adventure. The nearest islands from the Lucap Wharf are Sulpot Island, Monkey Island, Abad Santos Island and Hernandez Island, which are all 15 to 20 minutes away. The major islands, Children’s, Governor’s and Quezon can be reached after a 25 to 45-minute boat ride.

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15 comments

      • The only time I was here was unforgetable. It was on 16 July 2000. (Oh-emm-geee!! Ang tagal na pala. Pero I was still a student then.)

        I accompanied a friend who brought his Korean friends (siblings – brother and sister) for an unplanned overnight stay in one of the islands (i don’t even remember which island. Basta yung taniman nila ng mga giant clams). Meaning, isinabit lang ako. The typical Filipino attitude na nagsama yung isinama ng isinama.Kasi I am not so sure kunģ ako ba nag-invite din sa mga 2 pang common friends namin. Lol!!!

        Since unplanned, we had no tent nor other paraphelnalias for an overnight except cooked food na medyo hirap pa iwelcome ng stomach namin noon kasi Korean foods. Pero it was this time when I started to appreciate their food. Masarap din naman!

        Sinabihan na lang namin yung boatman na tawagan na lang namin siya the next day kapag sunduin na kami.

        The night came! Ang lamig! Unplanned eh kaya wala kami kumot o unan! Kanya-kanyang pwesto doon sa nag-iisang concrete shed malapit sa giant clam sanctuary. Bonfire lang nagpapainit sa amin mula sa mga inipon naming twigs and leaves.

        No one expected that it rained heavily that night! At ang hangin ang lakas! Looked like there was a storm! We were so worried that time. We all thought we wont survive the night. Basang-basa kami! Walang tulugan. We felt soooo helpless kasi wala rin signal ng cellphone para ma-contact namin yung boatman na sunduin na kami. We entrusted everything to God!

        After hours of agony, the dawn broke out. Lumiwanag na konti ang paligid so with our faces with smiles, only to realize the rain had stopped also! Parang niloloko lang kami!

        So tawanan na lang kami sa mis-adventure namin at sa thrill it brought us.

        Napakwento ako, Lester. Ikaw kasi! Itong entry mong ito brought me down memory lanes!! At ang haaabbbaaa!! Jajaja.

        PS.. the Korean brother was so eye candy jajajaja.. parang yung mga lead actor sa mga Koreanovelas. Parang si Captain Yoo Si Jin! And the sister?? Ah, I no longer have memories of her jajajaja

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      • Kuyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, parang blog na rin ung sharing mo. Galing! what an experience!! Ang sayang basahin, it made me reminisce din some of my travels na almost similar sa nangyari senyo. hihi. Cheers to more lakwatsa manon!!

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      • jajaja wag ka nga ma-concious sa grammar mo kasi i’m not a grammar police…im not really very specific din sa grammar, a thing i’ve learned from native english speakers.. sila nga wala sila pakialam, ako pa kaya na second language lang siya. Jajaja Ang importante ay nare-relay yung message you want to convey. Besides, you are doing great kaya. Talo mo pa nga ako. And i like when you associate yung mga scientific names ng mga nababanggit mo jejeje…keep it up!

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