Hundred Islands – A Scenic and Fun Destination in the Philippines

Hundred Islands: A Scenic and Fun Destination in the Philippines

Hundred Islands is a national park and a protected area located in Alaminos, Pangasinan. It consists of 124 islands and islets scattered in the Lingayen Gulf, covering an area of 16.76 square kilometers. Only four of these islands have been developed for tourism: Governor Island, Quezon Island, Marcos Island, and Children’s Island. In this blog post, I will share with you some of the reasons why you should visit Hundred Islands, as well as some of the best places to see and things to do in this amazing destination.

Why Visit Hundred Islands?

There are many reasons why you should visit Hundred Islands, but here are some of the most compelling ones:

• Scenic and diverse islands: Hundred Islands offers a scenic and diverse landscape of islands and islets, each with its own unique shape, size, and features. Some of the islands are rocky and rugged, while others are sandy and smooth. Some of the islands have caves, cliffs, and coves, while others have forests, grasslands, and mangroves. You can admire the beauty and variety of these islands from the boat, or you can explore them on foot or by kayak.
• Fun and exciting activities: Hundred Islands offers a fun and exciting array of activities for all ages and preferences. You can enjoy water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, and fishing, or land activities such as hiking, biking, camping, and ziplining. You can also try the unique attractions of some of the islands, such as the giant clam sanctuary, the floating bridge, the helmet diving, and the banana boat. You can also join the island hopping tour, which will take you to the four major islands and some of the minor ones.
• Rich and colorful history and culture: Hundred Islands has a rich and colorful history and culture, which you can learn more about by visiting its museums, monuments, and landmarks. Some of the notable places to visit are the Hundred Islands National Park Museum, which showcases the history and biodiversity of the park, the Marcos Island Shrine, which commemorates the late President Ferdinand Marcos, and the Pilgrimage Island, which features a 17-meter statue of Christ the Savior. You can also witness the festivals and events of the city, such as the Hundred Islands Festival, the Mango Festival, and the Sibit-Sibit Festival.

How to Get to Hundred Islands?

Getting to Hundred Islands is easy and convenient, as there are many ways to reach the city from Manila and other nearby provinces. Here are some of the options you can choose from:

• By plane: The fastest and most comfortable way to get to Hundred Islands is by flying directly to its airport, which is located about 10 km from the city center. There are daily flights from Manila to Hundred Islands, operated by Philippine Airlines, the only airline that serves the destination. The flight time is about an hour and a half. You can book your tickets online through the Philippine Airlines website¹ or through travel agencies. From the airport, you can take a tricycle or a van to your hotel or resort, which will cost around 200 to 300 pesos per ride.
• By bus: The cheapest and most accessible way to get to Hundred Islands is by taking a bus from Manila or other nearby provinces. There are many bus companies that offer trips to Hundred Islands, such as Victory Liner, Five Star, and Dagupan Bus. You can board the bus at various terminals in Manila, such as Cubao, Pasay, and Caloocan. The fare is around 400 to 600 pesos per person, depending on the bus company and the destination. The travel time is about 5 to 6 hours, depending on the traffic and the weather. The bus will drop you off at the Alaminos Bus Terminal, which is located near the city center. From there, you can take a tricycle or a jeepney to your hotel or resort, which will cost around 50 to 100 pesos per ride.
• By car: Another way to get to Hundred Islands is by driving your own car or renting one. You can take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and exit at Tarlac City, then follow the Romulo Highway until you reach Alaminos. The travel time is about 4 to 5 hours, depending on the traffic and the weather. You can also take the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) and exit at Urdaneta, then follow the MacArthur Highway until you reach Alaminos. The travel time is about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the traffic and the weather.

Where to Stay in Hundred Islands?

Hundred Islands has a lot of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. You can choose from hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, hostels, guesthouses, and homestays, depending on your needs and wants. Here are some of the best places to stay in Hundred Islands, based on customer reviews and ratings:

• Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant: If you want to splurge on a luxury stay, you can’t go wrong with Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant, which is one of the most elegant and modern hotels in Hundred Islands. Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant offers cozy and spacious rooms and suites, with contemporary amenities and stunning views of the sea. You can also enjoy the hotel’s facilities and services, such as the outdoor pool, the spa, the restaurant, and the bar. You can book your stay online through the Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant website² or through travel agencies.
• Vista De Las Islas Hotel and Restaurant: If you prefer a more affordable and family-friendly stay, you can opt for Vista De Las Islas Hotel and Restaurant, which is one of the newest and most popular hotels in Hundred Islands. Vista De Las Islas Hotel and Restaurant offers comfortable and stylish rooms and suites, with traditional amenities and garden views. You can also enjoy the hotel’s facilities and services, such as the indoor pool, the restaurant, and the souvenir shop. You can book your stay online through the Vista De Las Islas Hotel and Restaurant website³ or through travel agencies.
• Hundred Islands Homestay: If you want to experience a more authentic and rustic stay, you can choose Hundred Islands Homestay, which is one of the most charming and quaint homestays in Hundred Islands. Hundred Islands Homestay offers exquisite and spacious rooms and suites, with basic amenities and friendly hosts. You can also enjoy the homestay’s facilities and services, such as the garden, the kitchen, and the laundry. You can book your stay online through the Hundred Islands Homestay website⁴ or through travel agencies.

What to Do in Hundred Islands?

Hundred Islands has a lot of activities and attractions to offer to its visitors, from scenic and fun to historic and cultural. You can enjoy water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, and fishing, or land activities such as hiking, biking, camping, and ziplining. You can also try the unique attractions of some of the islands, such as the giant clam sanctuary, the floating bridge, the helmet diving, and the banana boat. You can also join the island hopping tour, which will take you to the four major islands and some of the minor ones. Here are some of the best things to do in Hundred Islands, that you should not miss:

• Island hopping tour: The most popular and must-do activity in Hundred Islands is the island hopping tour, which allows you to visit and experience the beauty and diversity of the islands and islets. You can join a guided island hopping tour, which will take you to the four major islands and some of the minor ones. The four major islands are Governor Island, Quezon Island, Marcos Island, and Children’s Island. Each of these islands has its own attractions and activities, such as the view deck, the zipline, the cave, and the beach. The minor islands are also worth visiting, such as the Pilgrimage Island, which has a 17-meter statue of Christ the Savior, the Lopez Island, which has a giant clam sanctuary, and the Cuenco Island, which has a tunnel and a cave. You can book your island hopping tour online through Klook⁵ or at the tour agencies in Alaminos. The rates range from 1,400 to 2,000 pesos per boat, depending on the size and the duration.
• Water activities: Another great attraction in Hundred Islands is the water activities, which offer fun and thrilling experiences for all ages and preferences. You can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, diving, and fishing in the clear and blue waters of the Lingayen Gulf, where you can see various fishes, corals, and clams. You can also try the unique water activities of some of the islands, such as the helmet diving, which allows you to walk on the seabed and feed the fishes, the banana boat, which is a inflatable boat that is pulled by a speedboat, and the jet ski, which is a personal watercraft that you can ride and maneuver. You can book your water activities online through Klook or at the tour agencies in Alaminos. The rates vary depending on the activity, but expect to pay around 200 to 500 pesos per person.
• Land activities: You can hike to the top of some of the islands, such as Governor Island, Marcos Island, and Pilgrimage Island, where you can see the panoramic views of the park and the sea. You can also bike, camp, and zipline in some of the islands, such as Quezon Island and Children’s Island.
• Culture and history: You can learn more about the history and culture of the park and the region by visiting its museums, monuments, and landmarks. Some of the notable places to visit are the Hundred Islands National Park Museum, the Marcos Island Shrine, and the Pilgrimage Island.