Backpacking Philippines: Zambales: Capones Island and Lighthouse Adventure

Zambales: Capones Island and Lighthouse Adventure

After Pinatubo and the brief stopover at Capas National Shrine, the group headed to San Antonio town in Zambales and checked in at Megan's resort (it's low budget resort with good enough facilities for backpackers like us) in barangay Pundaquit.

We hired outrigger boats (banca), for a few hundred pesos, to take us to Capones Island for us to satiate the beachbums in all of us. Stretches of white sand beaches can be found on Capones and the larger Camara island.

Do you remember Juris of MYMP singing "Get Me" on this very same beach? On the background are Camara (named after Antonio de la Camara, a Spaniard who surveyed the islands in 1884) and Capones islands (Isla de Gran Capones) :)

A short boatride took us to the island of Capones where beaches, fascinating rock formations inviting for rockclimbers, corals and turquoise water beckons.

On the island beach, we found a nice, cozy cave where the Tutubi hibernated and dozed off for a few minutes.

picture of a limbless, but not lifeless, crab i found on the lee shore of the island (not actually limbless since the pincers are also limbs)

History of Capones Island Lighthouse

What we're really after, as you already know, is the old lighthouse (Faro de Punta Capones on the Isla de Gran Capon) finished in 1890 and built purposely to guide ships entering and leaving Manila Bay and Subic and warns passing ship of the dangers of rocky shores surrounding the island.

In search of the lighthouse on the island, I hacked my way out of tall grass, rocky shores and unmarked trail before finding the right path to take to the top of the rocky hill where the "romantic" lighthouse proudly stands.

The old structure still stands, made of red bricks, but the facility inside already has a creepy feel to it with broken windows and rubbish littered on the floors.

The stairs leading to the top of the tower is closed and we're not pasaway enough to enter the restricted area.

The lighthouse is now powered by solar energy, mush like its brother in the island fortress of Corregidor

After exploring the surrounding beaches, rocks and interesting coral formations, without actually swimming, we boarded the boat for the return trip to the beach resort.

Another romantic lighthouse "conquered" by the Tutubi!

On our way back to Manila, we stopped by for a hearty dinner in Subic bay; tired and sunburnt, most of os slept thoughout the return trip to reality we call Manila.

How to go to Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales and Capones Island:

From Manila, take a the NLEX exit at San Fernando Pampanga, from San Fernando, head southwestward to Olongapo city. In Olongapo city, at the the head boundary of Olongapo, make a right turn going to Subic Castillejos then San Marcelino, at San Marcelino, take westward to San Antonio. In San Antonio, head southwestward to Pundaquit. The road to Pundaquit is circuitous so better ask around when you're there.

For an idea about the room rates, try to contact Megan's resort through ther website here or try camping on the slopes of Mt Pundaquit

List of other Historic Lighthouses in the Philippines visited by Tutubi:

Faro de Rio de Pasig (Pasig River Lighthouse
Faro de Isla Corregidor (Corregidor Lighthouse)
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

Labels: Beaches, Central Luzon, Islands, Lighthouses, Zambales

posted by GingGoy @ 11:46 PM,

45 Comments:

At Jun 30, 2007, 8:09:00 AM, admindude said...: great pictures. that crab looks kinda scary.

it's interesting to know that they are using solar energy in the lighthouses. i think we should have more of this (solar energy) in the philippines :-)
At Jun 30, 2007, 10:47:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Ganda!

I love the photos; really nice and it shows how beautiful the beach is.

(:

I pity the limbless crab though, I wonder how does it survive.
At Jun 30, 2007, 5:47:00 PM, carlotta1924 said...: so capones is the name of those islands. i remember going there on a family trip with friends more than ten years ago. i collected so many shells and i still have them. ^^

kawawa naman yung limbless crab...
At Jul 1, 2007, 2:51:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I pity the crab there. Yung unang punta namin dyan, nahirapan din kami hanapin yung lighthouse.

It was only the second time na nalaman namin na pwede naman pala pumunta yung boat sa likod ng island para mabisita yung lighthouse directly.
At Jul 1, 2007, 3:18:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I like the color that came out of the crab. What camera did you use?
At Jul 1, 2007, 7:19:00 PM, Ronnie said...: gala ka tutubi patrol ha.
that crab looks scary...
At Jul 1, 2007, 9:14:00 PM, Anonymous said...: ganda at ang galing.

very interesting!
At Jul 2, 2007, 2:15:00 PM, Any given madness said...: i like the blue, red and green color of one of the pictures. I like looking at old houses, you know, you imagine what people did there in the past, that sort of thing.
At Jul 2, 2007, 5:52:00 PM, spanx said...: 22B!!!

surely, i'll link you up!
At Jul 2, 2007, 7:35:00 PM, sadako said...: i'm speechless on the pics. they're really great. very much alive... (applause).
At Jul 2, 2007, 7:39:00 PM, Nick Ballesteros said...: Waaah ang ganda nung photos. Kahit yung crab, ang ganda. Paano kaya naging limbless yun? Ilang lighthouse na na-conquer mo?
At Jul 2, 2007, 7:40:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Ang ganda ganda, lalo na ang mga seashore scenery!

Buti naman at hindi inipit ng crab ang tutubi! hehehe.. Alam ko kung bakit ganyan ang kulay ng crab na yan - kasi naluto na siya! :)
At Jul 2, 2007, 7:49:00 PM, Anonymous said...: you take wonderful photos!
i particularly like the crab shot, what a strong little fella...limbless yet he looks healthy to me.
At Jul 3, 2007, 9:17:00 AM, Ukaya Explorer Nikoy said...: ang ganda ganda ganda ganda mong kumuha ng picture! gustong gusto ko yung 2nd to the last picture.
At Jul 3, 2007, 1:34:00 PM, Anonymous said...: What a lovely place!
At Jul 3, 2007, 11:06:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Fantastic! Wish I could come here too!
At Jul 3, 2007, 11:35:00 PM, Anonymous said...: wow! tutubi may surf ba? or just baby surf? we go there everytime may north swell eh. pro now habagat season na relatively flat na ang waves.

still, the place is paradise...isnt it? amazing for a weekend getaway! :-) san ang other photos mo? do you have link? :-)
At Jul 4, 2007, 5:02:00 AM, Anonymous said...: capones island was the last place i went to before summer ended this year. the place was great ;) hey, nice shots :D
At Jul 4, 2007, 2:20:00 PM, Marco said...: uy capones! ayus! di p ko nkrating dyan pero dami ko na nabalitaan... hehe
At Jul 4, 2007, 2:49:00 PM, Mari said...: Those beaches are lovely, so pristine.

I've read some of your past posts and I find your blog very interesting...makes me long to be back home and see it once more.

Can I link you?

Thanks for your visit to my blog.
At Jul 4, 2007, 4:48:00 PM, Tinunuy said...: Wow! the photos are really nice! Very lovely place! :) Nice shot there tutubi! Im looking forward to your next adventure! :)
At Jul 29, 2007, 6:45:00 AM, Anonymous said...: hi...just visited your blogs....loved the pics and trekked only once in Subic,would like to make it a hobby.Just wondered, Why do you like lighthouses so much?
At Jul 29, 2007, 2:48:00 PM, Anonymous said...: mye, I love lighthouses for they evoke a certain romaticism in them.

sentinels of the sea; always in some small island in the middle of nowwhere

also love heritage structures and their conservation :)
At Aug 14, 2007, 12:11:00 PM, Deng's Outdoor World and Travel said...: astig ang kuha! panalo sa cam at swerte sa panahon!
At Jun 17, 2008, 7:54:00 AM, Anonymous said...: try ANAWANGIN COVE! it's near capones lang,, really REALLY BEAUTIFUL! :)
At Nov 21, 2008, 11:52:00 AM, Lantaw said...: Love the photos! been there several times but still can't get enough
At Nov 21, 2008, 8:38:00 PM, GingGoy said...: allan, i returned there last summer, wasn't able to post new pics hehe
At Feb 1, 2009, 3:57:00 PM, Unknown said...: how long is the travel time buy car from manila ( ortgas ) to anwangin cove? thanks
At Feb 1, 2009, 4:03:00 PM, GingGoy said...: rossifumi, it's about 6 hours via the old route but probably about 4 hours now via SCTEX
At Feb 6, 2009, 12:31:00 PM, Anonymous said...: From Mt. Pinatubo, how do you get to Pandaquit? How long did it take? Thanks!
At Feb 6, 2009, 10:02:00 PM, GingGoy said...: michelle, the most popular trail in mt pinatubo is in tarlac while pundaquit is in zambales. it's about an hour from capas but we were in a rented van. have to check how to commute from capas tarlac to san antonio zambales
At Apr 29, 2009, 10:13:00 AM, marcelo said...: I know the the islands but didn' t know about a lighthouse there ...interesting !
Shot of the crab is great :-)
At Apr 30, 2009, 10:42:00 AM, GingGoy said...: marcelo, i returned there last year but didn't post the new photos here :P
At May 2, 2009, 5:39:00 PM, imom said...: Wow, I'm planning a Subic trip with my family, and Capones island is part of the plan. Great photos!
At Oct 22, 2009, 6:21:00 PM, Unknown said...: you've got really nice pictures here; we should have gone to the capones islands than in potipot... :)

visit:
http://themeatgallery.blogspot.com/
At Jan 26, 2010, 10:55:00 PM, Anonymous said...: nanggaling kmi d2 ..grabe sobrangg ganda.. sa bandang paakyat ng lighthouse may stairway..tapos ang dudulas ng mga bato sa dagat.hehehe tas pinunta kami sa kabilang island..doon naman daw shi-noot ung marimar ^^ aw yeah! ..tas sa anauagin cove kami nagpalipas ng gabi..sobrang tahimik !! ganda!sarap balikan! sarap mag bonfire tas walang signal ang phone!haha..
may swamp din doon .nakakita ako ng swan! tas un.. halos white sand na din.tas sarap mag swimming. pag umaga lowtide. babalik ako doon promise :\
At Feb 7, 2010, 9:12:00 PM, Anonymous said...: ang ganda talaga ng ating bansa...panatilihin nating maganda ito..wag magkalat please...

thanks for sharing your beutiful photos! GBU
At Mar 15, 2011, 11:42:00 PM, dindo said...: Hi po sa lahat, Just wanna update you guys about the new BOAT RATE in PUNDAKIT….Eto po ang bagong ordinansa ng brgy Pundakit para sa mga Bangkero. At pag kami po ay hindi sumunod ay maaari po kaming magmulta o di naman ay tuluyang alisan ng permiso para magbiyahe ng mga bangka….

SMALL BOAT….(max of 4 pax)balikan
Pundakit to CAMARA island = P700
Pundakit to CAPONES = P1,000
Pundakit to Annawangin = P1,000
Pundakit to Talesayen = P1,500
Pundakit to Nagsasa = P1,800
Pundakit to Silanguin = P2,500
Island HOPPING (CAMARA, CAPONES to ANNAWANGIN) = P1,500

BIG BOAT
Pundakit to CAMARA island = P150/head
Pundakit to CAPONES = P200/head
Pundakit to Annawangin = P200/head
Pundakit to Talesayen = P300/head
Pundakit to Nagsasa = P400/head
Pundakit to Silanguin = P600/head
Island HOPPING (CAMARA, CAPONES to ANNAWANGIN) = P300/head
NOTE: All passenger will be issued with a lifjacket.
Tent
3 person = P250
4 person = P300
6 person = P500

At kung may gusto pa po kayong malaman o katanungan ay maaari nio po kaming tawagan o itx sa 09172022692 at hanapin po si DINDO or LIEZEL…. salamat po and GOD BLESS….
At May 8, 2011, 2:54:00 AM, gilda said...: is it ok to stay overnight in one of those islands in a tent? is the car safe at megan's resort overnight? can i ask the boatman to come back for us the following day on a specific time?
pls text me your reply via 09153118436
thanks!
gilda
At Jul 26, 2011, 6:04:00 PM, Matt said...: Good to see solar power being used, just wish the prices would come down in the Philippines
At Sep 29, 2011, 8:26:00 PM, Portrait Photography Denver said...: San Antonio i really very nice place. good photo shoot. i like all photos.
At Oct 23, 2011, 7:33:00 PM, Unknown said...: hi po mam/sir im reynald "kulot "lokal surfer dito sa pundakit which is the only acess way to any island and coves (anawangin,capones,camara,talisayen,nagsasa,silanguen)at the same time boatman,tour guide,trek guide, surf instructor din po ako.i have a big boat can load 15-30pax,and surf boards for rent,tents,and cottges,rooms,.if youre interested to visit hre just call me anytime 09108162974..salamat have a safe trip to all...spcial rate would apply at negotiable price..
At Nov 11, 2011, 12:43:00 PM, Ang Isla Ko said...: May iba pa po kayong option maliban sa resort nila Grace Armada na yan. May camping area po sa harap ng isla kung saan mas malamig at may mga cottage din. Nakapunta na ba kayo ng Anawangin or Nagsasa cove? Parang ganun din ang style. Mahangin din at mas maganda ang Magalawa Island hindi naman sa nagyayabang...
Kung gusto niyo pong i-try na pumunta tawagan niyo po ako sa Manila at tutulungan ko po kayong magcoordinate sa caretaker na isla na uncle ko din na si Uncle Mulo. Ito po yung landline number ko sa Maynila (02)983 0432 or sun number 09222688111 or smart number 09475181409 hanapin niyo lang po si Raymond (ako po yun).

Ito po ang presyuhan doon sa campsite :

Boatpick up (2 way)
-- 100/pax-kung galing luan
-- 200/pax-kung galing masinloc

Entrance fee 100\pax overnight,

Cottage 1000\night (kasya 6pax)

-- If you like all Package Foods,Entrance, Boat Ride,Cottage, and also Van pwede rin po..

Kasama na po sa entrance fee ang paggamit ng cr at maintenance ng lugar. Ingat lang po na huwag magkalat masyado kasi po maliit lang po na isla yun at mahirap kung magka garbage-problem. You will be spending about 300 or less for food siguro. Maraming nabibilhan ng pagkain sa loob ng island. Puwede rin po kayong magpaluto for a small fee. No available rental of snorkel/mask/fins dun for now so its a good idea to invest on a good set nalang. Wala pa rin po available na rental ng tent pero malapit na po. Mag inquire nalang po kayo kung may available na pagtawag ninyo. Kung magdadala po kayo ng sarili ninyong tent ay libre na po ang puwesto kasi po kasama na po sa entrance fee yun kaya entrance fee nalang at boatride nalang ang babayaran ninyo.

Ang puwesto na kung san nakatayo ang resort nila grace armada ay may problema kasi lumalabas na nagsquat lang sila dun.Dahil dito tuwing pumupunta ang may ari ng isla na si madam L.Ruiz ay pinapasara nila pang samantala ang resort nila Grace Armada. Dahil dito ay kailangan mag ingat kayo lalo na kung hinihingan kayo ng deposit ni Grace Armada. Kung magkabulilyaso tulad ng nabanggit ko ay hindi niyo na makukuha ang deposit niyo.

http://angislako.blogspot.com/
At Apr 12, 2012, 12:53:00 PM, Ann said...: How did you go from Pinatubo to San Antonio in Zambales? My group is also planning to go to Capones-Anawangin after our day trekking in Mt. Pinatubo. It will be greatly appreciated if you will share how to commute from Capas to San Antonio. Thank you very much!

please email me at su.ann16@yahoo.com
At Dec 20, 2012, 9:56:00 PM, Unknown said...: SPECIAL PROMO FOR ANAWANGIN Tour Packages
WITH FREE SNORKELING OR LIGHTHOUSE TOUR

PACKAGE A
>>>>P1200/head minimum of 12pax and above..
>>>>> P1300/head minimum of 10-11pax
>>>>>P1500/head minimum of 8-9pax
PACKAGED INCLUDE:
*Roundtrip AIRCON Van transfer all in
*boat tour anawangin, capones camara island OR/ snorkeling
*2 days 1 night stay in anawangin-entrance fee-
*TENT FOR YOUR GROUP CAPACITY
*gogles for snorkeling-cooking utensils
*cooler na with ice pa
*Mineral water(2container)
*Bonfire woods 1seT
*KITCHEN UTENSILS(kaldero, kaserola etc)

We also offers boat package only for those commuters or with their own vehicle...

Package B Rates
P 500 per head for 10 pax above
P 550 per head for 8 -9pax
P650 per head for 6-7pax
P550 per head for 5 pax
Inclusions:(Pick up point: Town proper of San Antonio, Zambales)
*Boat ride to Anawangin (round trip)
*Island hopping (Capones / Camara Island)
*Entrance fee / Environmental fee
*TENT USAGE FOR YOUR GROUP CAPACITY
*GOGLES FOR SNORKELING
*cooking utensils (ihawan, kaldero,kutsilyo,pitsel,etc)
*cooler WITH ICE pA..

Additional 400 per head for food (4meals)MIN OF 8PAX
FOR MORE INFO look for ALAN ARLANTICO: Smart: 09185595597 or 09399398456TM: 09358118095 Sun: 09223753555 please TExt or call for immediate response....
DIRECT BOAT OPERATOR PO KAME SA ANAWANGIN O PUNDAQUIT KAYA MAKAKASIGURADO PO KYO NG MURA AT MAGANDANG SERBISYO........

Zambales: Capones Island and Lighthouse Adventure

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