From textbooks to storybooks, I read about the Philippines’ Hundred Islands. As a kid, I couldn’t imagine how and what dozens of islands would look like.
I only heard how beautiful the marine life is and how many islands there are that you won’t be able to see all in just a day. Oh boy, how true the stories were! When Ryk and I went there, it was truly a wonderful place!
From a bridge that connects two islands to a free fall into a cave plunging down to the waters below to camping with only the sea and stars as your companion for the night.
We’ve been to Pangasinan’s Hundred Island twice. We wrote the first version of this article way back 2016. We recently visited Alaminos in August 2022 so we’ve updated this post.
Here are tips on visiting this National Park.
About Hundred Islands National Park
Hundred Islands National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the province of Pangasinan. It is made up of 123 islands at high tide (and 124 at low tide) and islets stretching over an area of 16.76 square kilometers.
The park is a popular tourist destination due to its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, and water activities.
Best Time to Visit Hundred Islands Alaminos
The best time to visit Hundred Islands is from December to May when the weather is dry. Avoid the rainy season from June to November. Boats have a hard time going to the islands during the rainy season. The ocean waves can get really high and it becomes dangerous to go out to sea.
How to Get There
Hundred Islands is located in Alaminos, Pangasinan. The best way to get there is by taking a bus from Manila to Alaminos. You can find buses bound for Alaminos from Cubao or Pasay. Travel time is approximately 4-6 hours.
If you’re joining an organized tour, there are many tour agencies on Facebook that offer Hundred Islands tours. Tour packages typically include boat rental, entrance fees, life vest rental, and snorkeling gear rental.
Travel Tip: Check schedules and availability of buses to Pangasinan to book online with 12Go Asia.
Once you’re in Alaminos, you can take a tricycle to the Lucap Wharf where the jump-off point is located. You need to pay an environmental fee and boat rental before going to the islands.
There are 2 ways to explore Hundred Islands: Do-It-Yourself or join an organized tour. If you’re doing it on your own, you can rent a boat from the Tourism Information Center at the Lucap Wharf. See fees below.
Rates And Other Information In Visiting
Note: Rates are subject to change without prior notice
Day Tour
- Environmental Fee – P60 per person
- Entrance Fee – P30 per person
- Coverage Fee – P10 per person
Free for children 5 years old and below
20% discount for Senior Citizens & PWD
Overnight Tour
- Environmental Fee – P120 per person
- Entrance Fee – P30 per person
- Coverage Fee – P10 per person
Free for children 5 years old and below
20% discount for Senior Citizens & PWD
Motorboat Rent
- Small Boat (max 5 persons) – P1,400 (one day tour) and P3,000(two day overnight tour)
- Medium Boat (max 10 persons) – P1,800 (one day tour) and P3,800(two day overnight tour)
- Large Boat (max 15 persons) – P2,000 (one day tour) and P4,500(two day overnight tour)
Things to See and Do in Hundred Islands National Park Alaminos, Pangasinan
Island Hopping
One of the most popular things to do in Hundred Islands is island hopping. You can visit some of the popular islands like Governor’s Island, Children’s Island, Quezon Island, and Marcos Island. There are many other smaller islands that you can explore as well.
Snorkeling and Swimming
Hundred Islands is a great place to go snorkeling and swimming. The water is crystal clear and there are many colorful fish to see. Be sure to wear reef safe sunscreen as the sun can be quite strong.
We went snorkeling on one of the islands. The water was crystal clear and the visibility was great. We saw a lot of colorful fish and corals just a few meters away from thee island. Hundred islands is teeming with marine life. It’s a great place to snorkel in.
Kayaking
If you’re looking for a bit of adventure, you can go kayaking around the islands. Rent a kayak at Children’s island and paddle your way around the different islands.
Hike Up Pilgrimage Island
For a great view of the islands, you can hike up to the top of Pilgrimage Island. It’s a bit of a climb but it’s worth it for the views.
Have a picnic
One of the best things to do in Hundred Islands is to have a picnic on one of the many islands. Be sure to pack your own food and drinks. Food can be expensive on the islands. You can rent a shed or a table for lunch.
Zipline
If you’re looking for a thrill, you can go ziplining. Unfortunately, it was drizzling when we arrived on Quezon island. They do not operate the zipline when it’s raining. It’s also important to note that there’s a weight limit. When we visited, the max weight allowed was 60 kg.
Banana Boat
Imagine touring around the islands on a banana boat. That’s what this is. We were impressed with how far the boat took us. We were waiting for one of us to fall off but no one did (bummer).
Cliff Jumping
This is for the adrenaline junkies out there. You can cliff jump into the water on a bat cave in Marcos island. It’s a must-try!
Helmet Diving
This was the highlight of our trip! Compared to the helmet diving in Boracay, you’ll see a lot more in Hundred Islands. Plus, it’s way cheaper than in Boracay. We saw giant clams underwater and lots of fishes!
Travel Tips to Hundred Islands
This place has so much to offer and considering how little time there is to explore all of it, I would just go out of line to give you at least a list of what we should have done to make our trip better.
Bring your own drinking water and snacks
Save some money. Buy food at the Lucap Wharf before riding the boat to the islands. The canteen in Quezon island sells expensive food.
Charter a boat
Having a boat all to yourselves would hurt your wallet but in exchange, you would have the liberty to go where you want, at your own time, at your own accord. That means, you go where you want to and you can even bargain with the boatmen to stop by some islands that others don’t usually go to as opposed to chipping in with a few strangers that get you just about only 15 minutes per island.
Bring your own tent
Bringing your own tent lets you save a few hundred pesos compared to renting one. I would say that our overnight stay via camping in the Hundred Islands was the best part of our trip.
We were able to choose where to pitch our tent, by the beach, or by the island’s peak. The joy of having an island to yourself for the whole night while waiting for the sunrise and getting contented with how clear and bright the stars shined, it was awe-inspiring.
Get a better snorkeling gear
If you’re in this blog that means you’re no stranger to big masses of water, with that said renting a poor snorkeling gear is not advised since its price is the same as buying a new one.
In addition, if you lost the one you rented, you’d have to pay for it. Also, get those flippers to have better control under there.
READ: Cheap Camping Essentials for Budget Campers at Decathlon
Live it before taking the shot
I know, taking pictures helps keep the memories preserved but please take some time first to close your eyes, feel the breeze, caress the sand, listen to the waves and birds, and enjoy the moment through your eyes before you put it on a screen.
What to Pack for Your Trip to Hundred Islands
Be sure to pack your sunscreen, hats, swimwear, and snacks. You’ll also want to bring your own snorkeling gear if you plan on going snorkeling (or you can rent one). Life jackets are required on the boat when island hopping.
Where to Stay in Hundred Islands Alaminos
You can either camp on the islands or book a room:
Where to Camp in the Hundred Islands
Camping? You can rent a tent or bring your own. Here are the three most recommended islands to camp in.
Tent Rentals
- Large Tent (5 to 6 persons) – P1,000 includes 5 pillows, 2 bedsheet, 1 mat & 2 container of fresh water
- Medium Tent (3 to 4 persons) – P700 includes 3 pillows, 2 bedsheet, 1 mat & 2 container of fresh water
- Small Tent (1 to 3 persons) – P500 includes 2 pillows, 1 bedsheet, 1 mat & 1 container of fresh water
Governor’s Island
This island is usually the first go-to place for boatmen. It’s pretty famous for having a peak where you can get a view of all the other islands. The island is connected to a nearby island by a bridge. How cool is that? Another thing is there’s a zip line connecting the island to another.
If you decide to camp here, there is a sari-sari store but the prices are expensive. There is also an available toilet and shower area on the island which is a plus for comfortable camping in the Hundred Islands.
Quezon Island
From the usual banana boat rides to jet ski’s, the island offers a lot of water activities. It is near the snorkeling site where you get to see giant clams. By giant, I mean B.I.G. Getting to see one up close was wow! and scary. I couldn’t help but admire their beauty but at the same time, I was imagining how it might suck me in. Haha. I know that would be close to impossible but hey it’s my brain. I get to imagine things.
Among other islands, Quezon Island is the most developed so expect picnic areas, cottages, comfort rooms, showers, and electricity at night.
READ: Manuel Uy: Beach Camping
Children’s Island
The shallow water and rich marine life near the beach convinced us to give Children’s Island a try. We pitched our tent and camped the night. Thinking back, it was one of the best camping in the Hundred Islands experience I’ve ever had!
We had the island all to ourselves excluding the caretaker, of course. Just like Quezon Island, there’s electricity, a nearby bathroom, and toilet. But I have to warn you, the bathroom and toilet aren’t maintained, there are even holes on the roof so don’t expect much.
While beach bumming on the island, some locals came to sell crabs at P280 a kilo. Since we were both fans of seafood, we grabbed the chance and bought some for dinner. I’m not sure though if they really do sell these on the island or if it’s just a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Accommodations Near Lucap Wharf
There are also rooms for rent on Quezon island but they are quite expensive. I’d recommend you book one of the accommodations near Lucap Wharf.
We stayed in Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant. The rooms are clean and affordable. They even provide free breakfasts! It’s just behind the Tourism Information Center so you don’t have to walk far to get to your boat.
Here are other accommodations that we recommend:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book a tour?
No, you can DIY your trip. Just head to the Lucap Wharf and rent a boat.
How much does it cost to rent a boat?
Boat rentals start at P1,500 for a group of 5. The price goes up depending on how many people are in your group and which islands you want to visit.
How many days should I spend in Hundred Islands?
I recommend you spend at least 2 days in Hundred Islands. This will give you enough time to explore the different islands and do some activities. But a day tour is also possible if you’re short on time.
What is the best time to visit Hundred Islands?
The best time to visit is during the dry season to avoid the rain. March to May are the busiest months so it’s best to avoid these times if you want to avoid the crowds. Weekdays are also less crowded than weekends.
Is Hundred Islands worth it?
Yes, Hundred Islands is definitely worth visiting! There’s something for everyone here whether you want to relax on the beach, go snorkeling, or cliff jumping.
You might also like…
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- Where to Camp: 8 of the Best Pangasinan Beach Campsites
- Where to Camp Near and Around Baguio for Less Than 250 Pesos
- 16 Things To Do in Bolinao That You Shouldn’t Miss
Kindly keep in touch. Let me request you to join us on our Motorcade from anywhere in Mindanao, Visayas, Luzon going towards Alaminos, Pangasinan on 25th May 2018 Friday and meet like minded people.
But I don’t have a car …. T_T
can you tell me if the 200 pesos is per person for camping. or per tent?
Question pls! What was your arrangement with the boatman? Did you have to rent him overnight since you decided to camp on the island or did he go back to fetch you the following day? Please help! Thanks!
Hi Maureen! The boatmen left us on the island and came back the next day to fetch us 🙂
Hi! What do you think is the best time to get there?