Hundred Islands, Philippines

Fast Facts

Location: Alaminos City in Manila
Time to Visit: October to March
How to Reach: The capital city of Manila is located around 254 kms away and it takes around 5 hours to reach the place by driving. From Alaminos, you can take a tricycle ride to Barangay Lucap. The fare ranges between 20 and 30 pesos.
Nearest International Airport: Manila International Airport
Time required for sightseeing: 2-3 days

When you have a hundred islands to choose from, confusion is bound to arise. Fortunately, some islands are more attractive than the others and all you have to do is choose a destination that suits your taste. Bilinao, for example, is a tourist's paradise. Visit the lighthouses, the waterfalls or explore the exquisite Cindy's Cave. Then, of course, there are the white and pristine beaches, the chief attractions of Hundred Islands. Abrak Beach in Bolinao is extremely popular. Colibra Island has a wonderful shoreline and Tambobaong Beach has a great fishing village as a backdrop. If you are looking for a place to surf, visit Arnedo Beach in Bolinao. It also has a number of wonderful resorts. Wherever you go in the Hundred Islands, relaxation is guaranteed, whatever the definition of relaxation be for you. Enjoy the scenic beauty of blue sea or breathe in the fresh air amidst the sprawling rice and paddy fields.

The Hundred Islands comprise a total of 124 islands which are situated amidst the Lingayen Gulf. The islands are spread over an area of 18.44 sq kms. Out of the 124 islands, around 3 of them have been developed for the tourists: Quezon Island, Governor Island and the Children's Island. The region has been made into a national park and it is the first of its kind in Philippines.

The islands are located near the Alaminos City in the province of Pangasinan. It is the best known attraction of the region. Due to its scenic beauty, natural ambience and high scientific importance, the National Committee on Geographical Sciences declared the Hundreds Islands as a national geological monument.

The Hundred Islands in Philippines date back to around 2 million years. The islands were created out of coral deposits caused through the erosion of groundwater and rainwater. The islands are of various shapes and sizes. The ideal time for embarking trips to the islands is between the months of October and March. The weather in this part of the year is pleasant with scanty rainfall.

Visiting the Hundred Islands, Philippines is a unique experience. During your trip to the islands, you will see huge clams, also known as Taklobos in the local dialect. The clams are around one meter in length and around 225 kg in weight. They have been beautifully named after local myths and rock formations. There is a superstition that tourists on their first visit should kiss the statue of Princess Urduja to protect them in their trip.

The beaches of Hundred Islands in Philippines are ideal retreat amidst scenic beauty. You can enjoy bathing in the blue waters of the sea or enjoy basking on the sandy beach. Some of the beaches also have provisions for a number of water sports like swimming, scuba diving, kayaking and so on. The beaches are surrounded by sprawling pine and coconut trees. There are picnic huts, log houses, rest rooms and other entertainment hot spots in the beach.
A boat ride to the various attractions of Hundred Islands is an experience that you will cherish for a lifetime. An all round trip in the boat costs around 400 pesos for 10 passengers, while a single trips costs around 10 pesos. There are plenty of hotels and resorts where you can enjoy pleasant accommodation. To get a taste of mouth watering sea food and local delicacies, visit the local restaurants and dining hubs.

Getting to Hundred Islands, Philippines is easy and convenient. The capital city of Manila is located around 254 kms away and it takes around 5 hours to reach the place by driving. From Alaminos, you can take a tricycle ride to Barangay Lucap. The fare ranges between 20 and 30 pesos.