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JT
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Have you ever been curious as to how the Hundred Islands was formed? Then you’re in luck! There are several versions about the legend of Hundred Islands which I happen to have been told about by the natives of Alaminos which I’m really willing to share.
The Lost Ladylove
A primeval giant was said to have tears when he lost his ladylove. The tears of the giant supposedly formed the Hundred Islands.
The Lost Lemuria
It was said that the Hundred Islands are actually remnant tips of the lost continent of Lemuria, fabled as the Pacific continent at war with Atlantis before both advanced civilizations disappeared under the sea.
Volcanic Eruption
It could have been the product of a volcanic eruption during the early civilization which caused major upheavals and changes in the sea and dry land. The people then were astonished to find the numerous droplets of lava and volcanic debris floating in the sea like scattered jewels, which eventually turned into the Hundred Islands.
Frozen Flotilla
Looking at the islands from afar, they could look like a flotilla of ancient ships leaving the harbour, and through some sorcery of magic, these were frozen in time and in place until itinerant seeds were sown by the wind on their solid surface, Those trees, looking ancient, are natural bonsais, many growing only to a few feet tall.
Anita and Akong
There used to be only one island in the place where the Hundred Islands can be seen today. Akong is a fisherman and his wife Anita sells the fish he catches every day. But discontentment soon crept in Akong’s heart and thought of ways to earn money in a faster and easier way. While he set out to sea one night, Anita had a dream about an old man who visited their hut and told them that if they work hard, they will eventually get rich after three years. She shared this with her husband when he returned but he dismissed her impatiently.
One night, he set out to sea again; his first throw of the net didn’t yield any fish but the second one caught black stones the size of a fist. In disgust, he threw them back to the sea, accompanied by some complaints. And just then, he heard a rumbling sound and saw the waves becoming bigger, making him paddle faster towards the shore. Unknown to him, the black stones he threw to the sea became islands. He died that night in his sleep. And once more, the old man appeared in Anita’s dream, telling her about the islands and the fate her husband brought about himself. Anita just cried as she looked at her dead husband.
The Lost Ladylove
A primeval giant was said to have tears when he lost his ladylove. The tears of the giant supposedly formed the Hundred Islands.
The Lost Lemuria
It was said that the Hundred Islands are actually remnant tips of the lost continent of Lemuria, fabled as the Pacific continent at war with Atlantis before both advanced civilizations disappeared under the sea.
Volcanic Eruption
It could have been the product of a volcanic eruption during the early civilization which caused major upheavals and changes in the sea and dry land. The people then were astonished to find the numerous droplets of lava and volcanic debris floating in the sea like scattered jewels, which eventually turned into the Hundred Islands.
Frozen Flotilla
Looking at the islands from afar, they could look like a flotilla of ancient ships leaving the harbour, and through some sorcery of magic, these were frozen in time and in place until itinerant seeds were sown by the wind on their solid surface, Those trees, looking ancient, are natural bonsais, many growing only to a few feet tall.
Anita and Akong
There used to be only one island in the place where the Hundred Islands can be seen today. Akong is a fisherman and his wife Anita sells the fish he catches every day. But discontentment soon crept in Akong’s heart and thought of ways to earn money in a faster and easier way. While he set out to sea one night, Anita had a dream about an old man who visited their hut and told them that if they work hard, they will eventually get rich after three years. She shared this with her husband when he returned but he dismissed her impatiently.
One night, he set out to sea again; his first throw of the net didn’t yield any fish but the second one caught black stones the size of a fist. In disgust, he threw them back to the sea, accompanied by some complaints. And just then, he heard a rumbling sound and saw the waves becoming bigger, making him paddle faster towards the shore. Unknown to him, the black stones he threw to the sea became islands. He died that night in his sleep. And once more, the old man appeared in Anita’s dream, telling her about the islands and the fate her husband brought about himself. Anita just cried as she looked at her dead husband.
Posted by
Rocky
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No man is an island
As I look upon the bright emerald green waters, I couldn’t help but reflect upon the very good friends that came along with me in my trip. It’s not where you go that makes the trip fun but it’s who you’re with that makes it fun. The Hundred Islands is very good place for bonding with your friends and loved ones. Whether you’re gathered around a bonfire telling stories or swimming along the white sandy beach, it is in those moments that we forgot about our troubles and thank God for surrounding you with other islands, indeed no man is an island.
A Helping Hand
The local residents of Alaminos highly rely on tourism as a form of earning a living, from the tricycle drivers to the souvenir vendors and the island guides/boat operators. The locals are very friendly, they speak Tagalog, Ilocano, Pangasinense and English. When in need of assistance don’t hesitate to ask for help. Our very helpful and patient guide Mang Roger together with his little son was very nice to us and told us all sorts of stories. He definitely knew the history of the islands, he knew the best spots for food and he was able to convince the Kayak renters to give us a discount. Traveling around the islands all day may seem hard to Mang Roger but I could see in his eyes that his profession was also his passion.
Sands of time
Unlike some beaches who use artificial sand or sand taken from another beach, the sands in the Hundred Islands are 100% natural. Not all the sands are the same though, some are very refined and when you walk on them you quickly sink while some are very compressed making it perfect for frolicking. The sands, not to mention the whole islands, are very clean thanks to the locals who take care of it. When I placed my foot upon the white grainy sands decorated with colorful seashells, I quickly felt the tingles in my toes that made me crinkle my nose. I found myself relaxing in the warmth of the sand, standing in the water clear with the tender breeze upon my face and the sun shining on my shoulder as each passing moment seems to last forever.
As I look upon the bright emerald green waters, I couldn’t help but reflect upon the very good friends that came along with me in my trip. It’s not where you go that makes the trip fun but it’s who you’re with that makes it fun. The Hundred Islands is very good place for bonding with your friends and loved ones. Whether you’re gathered around a bonfire telling stories or swimming along the white sandy beach, it is in those moments that we forgot about our troubles and thank God for surrounding you with other islands, indeed no man is an island.
A Helping Hand
The local residents of Alaminos highly rely on tourism as a form of earning a living, from the tricycle drivers to the souvenir vendors and the island guides/boat operators. The locals are very friendly, they speak Tagalog, Ilocano, Pangasinense and English. When in need of assistance don’t hesitate to ask for help. Our very helpful and patient guide Mang Roger together with his little son was very nice to us and told us all sorts of stories. He definitely knew the history of the islands, he knew the best spots for food and he was able to convince the Kayak renters to give us a discount. Traveling around the islands all day may seem hard to Mang Roger but I could see in his eyes that his profession was also his passion. 
Sands of time
Unlike some beaches who use artificial sand or sand taken from another beach, the sands in the Hundred Islands are 100% natural. Not all the sands are the same though, some are very refined and when you walk on them you quickly sink while some are very compressed making it perfect for frolicking. The sands, not to mention the whole islands, are very clean thanks to the locals who take care of it. When I placed my foot upon the white grainy sands decorated with colorful seashells, I quickly felt the tingles in my toes that made me crinkle my nose. I found myself relaxing in the warmth of the sand, standing in the water clear with the tender breeze upon my face and the sun shining on my shoulder as each passing moment seems to last forever.
Posted by
JT
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Ever seen clams that looks as big as humans? Then what are you waiting for!? Located approximately 15 feet underwater between several islands is a marine sanctuary containing hundreds of them! These giant clams are locally known as Taklobos and regarded as the world’s largest bivalve molluscs. These clams can weigh over 225 kilograms! However, it’s not only the massive sizes of these clams which make it spectacular, but their mesmerizing hues which shimmer underwater proves to be a magnificent attraction for the tourists diving or snorkelling around the area.
But, that’s not all! The experience of snorkelling far from the boats while browsing through all these underwater wonders such as coral reefs, species of fish you may not have seen before, and getting to swim along with these is what makes the marine sanctuary truly unforgettable!
I personally spent almost an hour just snorkelling around and viewing the wonderful sights underwater. I felt the need to see everything that I could possibly see down there. And I actually could have spent my whole time there just looking underwater without noticing how long I was there already, if it weren’t only for my friends who forced me back to the boat.
Posted by
JR
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Welcome to hundred Islands
Tickets to Alaminos Available Here
The following are the expenditures I incurred with a group of 5 people:
PHP 381 - Bus Ticket (one way) - If you are a student, the price becomes PHP 270
PHP 400 - Room Accomodations (overnight)
PHP 550 - Boat Trip including mask, snorkel, and the life vest
PHP 255 - Food ( Saturday Lunch and Dinner & Sunday Breakfast)
PHP 400 - Souvenirs
PHP 355 - Miscellaneous Expenses
Souvenirs
From this short list, I realized that I wasn't actually able to use all the money I saved up for this trip. We also realized, that the next time we wanted to visit, we could invite more friends to come with us and we could actually use less money per person. We could also retain our expenditure even with the greater number of people and use the extra money for more activities that we were not able to do during our trip.
Satisfied Travelers
Even with a tight budget, there were a lot of things we were able to do at the Hundred Islands.
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Anonymous
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Here are the prices if you plan to stay on an island overnight
Entrance Fee:
5 years old. and below are free
20% Discount for Senior Citizens
Php 20.00 (Day Tour)|Php 40.00 (Overnight)
Boat Rates:
Small(1-5) - Day Tour: Php 800.00|Overnight: Php 1,400|Service Boat: Php 1,400
Medium(6-10) - Day Tour: Php 1,000.00 |Overnight: Php 1,800.00 |Service Boat: Php 1,800.00
Large(11-15) - Day Tour: Php 1,100.00 |Overnight: Php 2,000.00 |Service Boat: Php 2,000.00
Day Tour: Will only go to the main islands (Governor's, Children's and Quezon)
Overnight: The boat will pick you up the next day if you plan to have an overnight at the islands. The route is also the same as aboce
Service Boat: You can go anywhere in the area but only for a day, you can visit the underwater caves, marine sanctuaries and visit the underdeveloped islands for rare birds
Quezon Island
Cottage w/o Room - Nipa 1, 2, 3 Day Tour: Php 350.00 | Overnight: Php 500.00
Cottage w/o Room - Nipa 4 Day Tour: Php 500.00 | Overnight: Php 1,000.00
Cottage w/ Room - Nipa A Day Tour: Php 500.00 | Overnight: Php 900.00
Cottage w/ Room - Nipa B Day Tour: Php 600.00 | Overnight: Php 1,100.00
Picnic Table & Picnic Area
Tent Space/ Pitching Fee Php 200.00
Children's Island
Table for Rent - Day Tour: Php 200.00 | Overnight: Php 300.00
Tent Space/ Pitching fee - Php 200.00
Governor's Island
Big Brother's House (10 pax) - Php 10,000.00 with generator from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM
Extra Container of Water - Php 100.00
Extra Pax/ Bed - Php 200.00
Table for Rent & Picnic Area - Day Tour: Php 200.00 | Overnight: Php 300.00
Bahay Kubo (3 pax) - Day Tour: Php 1,200.00 | Overnight: Php 2,000.00
Tent Space/ Pitching fee - Php 200.00
Hundred Islands Pension House
for Room Reservations Contact (075)551-2505
201 - Aircon w/ Cr | 6 pax | Php 1,800.00
202 - Aircon w/ Cr | 8 pax | Php 2,400.00
204 - Aircon | 6 pax | Php 1,650.00
205 - w/o Aircon | 14 pax | Php 3,850.00
206 - Aircon w/Cr | 16 pax | Php 4,800.00
207 - Aircon | 6 pax | Php 1,650.00
208 - Aircon | 10 pax | Php 2,750.00
FOR ISLAND RESERVATIONS CONTACT:
Tel. (075)575-2505 | 696-0936
www.hundredislands.ph
Entrance Fee:
5 years old. and below are free
20% Discount for Senior Citizens
Php 20.00 (Day Tour)|Php 40.00 (Overnight)
Boat Rates:
Small(1-5) - Day Tour: Php 800.00|Overnight: Php 1,400|Service Boat: Php 1,400
Medium(6-10) - Day Tour: Php 1,000.00 |Overnight: Php 1,800.00 |Service Boat: Php 1,800.00
Large(11-15) - Day Tour: Php 1,100.00 |Overnight: Php 2,000.00 |Service Boat: Php 2,000.00
Day Tour: Will only go to the main islands (Governor's, Children's and Quezon)
Overnight: The boat will pick you up the next day if you plan to have an overnight at the islands. The route is also the same as aboce
Service Boat: You can go anywhere in the area but only for a day, you can visit the underwater caves, marine sanctuaries and visit the underdeveloped islands for rare birds
Quezon Island
Cottage w/o Room - Nipa 1, 2, 3 Day Tour: Php 350.00 | Overnight: Php 500.00
Cottage w/o Room - Nipa 4 Day Tour: Php 500.00 | Overnight: Php 1,000.00
Cottage w/ Room - Nipa A Day Tour: Php 500.00 | Overnight: Php 900.00
Cottage w/ Room - Nipa B Day Tour: Php 600.00 | Overnight: Php 1,100.00
Picnic Table & Picnic Area
Tent Space/ Pitching Fee Php 200.00
Children's Island
Table for Rent - Day Tour: Php 200.00 | Overnight: Php 300.00
Tent Space/ Pitching fee - Php 200.00
Governor's Island
Big Brother's House (10 pax) - Php 10,000.00 with generator from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM
Extra Container of Water - Php 100.00
Extra Pax/ Bed - Php 200.00
Table for Rent & Picnic Area - Day Tour: Php 200.00 | Overnight: Php 300.00
Bahay Kubo (3 pax) - Day Tour: Php 1,200.00 | Overnight: Php 2,000.00
Tent Space/ Pitching fee - Php 200.00
Hundred Islands Pension House
for Room Reservations Contact (075)551-2505
201 - Aircon w/ Cr | 6 pax | Php 1,800.00
202 - Aircon w/ Cr | 8 pax | Php 2,400.00
204 - Aircon | 6 pax | Php 1,650.00
205 - w/o Aircon | 14 pax | Php 3,850.00
206 - Aircon w/Cr | 16 pax | Php 4,800.00
207 - Aircon | 6 pax | Php 1,650.00
208 - Aircon | 10 pax | Php 2,750.00
FOR ISLAND RESERVATIONS CONTACT:
Tel. (075)575-2505 | 696-0936
www.hundredislands.ph
Posted by
JT
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For those who have no idea of The Hundred Islands’ whereabouts, it is located in Alaminos City in Pangasinan.
Directions in getting to Alaminos City
From Cubao to Alaminos
• 5:00AM
• 6:20AM
• 7:40AM
• 9:00AM
• 10:20AM
• 11:40AM
• 1:00PM
• 2:20PM
• 5:00PM
• 6:30PM
• 12:00MN
The motorboat rates are as follows:
Day Tour
Small (1-5 pax) - Php 800
Medium (6-10 pax) - Php 1,000
Large (11-15 pax) - Php 1,110
Overnight
Small (1-5 pax) - Php 1,400
Medium (6-10 pax) - Php 1,800
Large (11-15 pax) - Php 2,000
So below is a step-by-step commuter’s guide to get to the hundred islands:
1. Ride a bus (ticket costs Php 381 or Php 270 for students) in a terminal such as Victory Liner heading for Alaminos City.
2. Once you getto Alaminos City, ride a tricycle (costs Php 50) heading to Lucap Wharf.
3. Get down near a hotel of your choice or directly to the Hundred Islands National Center.
4. Hire a motorboat heading towards the Hundred Islands.
That's it! Hope this guide was useful. =D
Directions in getting to Alaminos City
Alaminos can be reached from Metro Manila by land through North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). It is 250 kilometers away and it would take approximately 4 to 6 hours to get there via private or public vehicle (Five Star Bus Inc., Victory Liner, Dagupan Bus Inc., and Philippine Rabbit Inc.). The bus leaves from Cubao Quezon City Station and Avenida, Manila Station from 4:30 A.M. until 12:00 Midnight. The departure time of the bus is as stated below:
From Cubao to Alaminos
• 5:00AM
• 6:20AM
• 7:40AM
• 9:00AM
• 10:20AM
• 11:40AM
• 1:00PM
• 2:20PM
• 5:00PM
• 6:30PM
• 12:00MN
Me and my friends commuted using the Victory Liner bus in the Cubao Terminal to get to Alaminos. The one-way trip ticket normally costs Php 381 but we only had to pay Php 270 each since a disount is offered for students. The trip is long but it was bearable since the bus plays certain movies for the duration of the trip. So without noticing it, we have already arrived Alaminos City.
Once we got down from the bus, we immediately rode a tricycle costing Php 50 heading to Lucap Wharf which is a 10 to 15 minute ride away. The Hundred Islands National Park Center where you’ll find information about the hundred islands and hotel accomodations such as Maxine by the Sea can be found there. Motorboats that are bound for the hundred islands are just docked near the Wharf. And once you come into agreement with one of the rates that the boatman offers, the you’ll soon see yourself heading towards the hundred islands parsadise.
The motorboat rates are as follows:
Day Tour
Small (1-5 pax) - Php 800
Medium (6-10 pax) - Php 1,000
Large (11-15 pax) - Php 1,110
Overnight
Small (1-5 pax) - Php 1,400
Medium (6-10 pax) - Php 1,800
Large (11-15 pax) - Php 2,000
So below is a step-by-step commuter’s guide to get to the hundred islands:
1. Ride a bus (ticket costs Php 381 or Php 270 for students) in a terminal such as Victory Liner heading for Alaminos City.
2. Once you getto Alaminos City, ride a tricycle (costs Php 50) heading to Lucap Wharf.
3. Get down near a hotel of your choice or directly to the Hundred Islands National Center.
4. Hire a motorboat heading towards the Hundred Islands.
That's it! Hope this guide was useful. =D
Posted by
JT
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(Click image for a larger preview)This map above shows us the names if various islands and fun activities which can be done there such as scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling, and lot's more! As you can see, there are various activities which simply astound you and which you may have never tried before. And what's surprising is that you can actually do all these activities in just one place.
So what are you waiting for?? Come and visit the Hundred Islands now!
Posted by
Meril Arenas
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Nothing completes a trip more than buying souvenirs as proof of their escapade.Here at the Hundred Islands Souvenir Shop, you can buy different kinds of goods from apparel like t-shirts, board shorts and caps, accessories for cellphones and key chains, to household decorations.
Thankfully enough they have a very wide price range in order to accommodate every kind of customer need. From prices as low as Php 5.00 for key chains to a staggering Php 5,000.00 for fully designed home decorations.
Some Points to Remember:1) When visiting the shops try to bargain the price and hopefully you'll get a discount.
2) You'll see more interesting and rare stuff inside.
3) Common sense. Protect your belongings,this does not imply that there are lot of bad people there, on the contrary they are all kind, this reminder only serves as a preventive measure.
4) Try the write-your-name on the seashell feature here. The prices here varies depending on the kind an size of shell you want to use.
5) You may even add the name of your loved one with it.
Posted by
Rocky
comments (2)
1. Island hop! Explore and have fun. The more the merrier.
2. Snorkel and see the giant clams, don’t be scared they won’t bite.
2. Snorkel and see the giant clams, don’t be scared they won’t bite.
3. Jump into the waters of Imelda Cave or you can go around it if you don’t want to jump.
4. Kayak around the islands.
5. Be on the lookout for exotic animals like the flying fish and birds
6. Have a lunch of Alaminos Boneless Bangus or Alaminos Longanisa on the sandbar
7. Watch the sunset and the sky turn from yellow to pink to fiery red while set against a canvass of blue sky that slowly morphs into beautiful shades of purple.
Posted by
Meril Arenas
comments (1)
We didn't expect our swimming/island hopping/snorkeling adventure to have gone as far as to have some trekking added into it too.
First Stop: The Walk to the Boat
Well this walk couldn't be considered as trekking per se but no doubt about it, this is no small feat. We had to use our (sorry for the term) Ninjustu to just climb the boat. With the sharp rocks beneath our feet, we treaded the treacherous waves controlling the boat. In more simple terms be very careful when climbing your boat, beneath you are rocks and a single step could cause a disaster. I think enough has been said about that, and moving on we continued only to find more difficult tasks.
Second Stop: Cave Walk
First Stop: The Walk to the Boat
Second Stop: Cave Walk
As soon as we arrived at the Governor's island, which by the way is the first Island you'll be landing on and where you'll also pay the Php 20.00 Hundred Island Park fee, we walked inside the caves which is somewhat not for the faint-hearted like me. That is why I was the one taking these pictures.
Third Stop: Unforgiving Slopes and Steppes
Heed my advice and don't underestimate this climb. When you're gonna climb the Governor's Island be sure to hold on to the ropes and watch your steps because some of them are really slippery.
Did I mention the angle of the slope here? No, then good. Experience it yourself, promise it's a drag.
But whatever the hardships we've encountered, we all forgot them the moment we reached the top and saw the wonderful view of most of the hundred islands. At the top, you could take pictures and here are some of ours...
Third Stop: Unforgiving Slopes and Steppes
Heed my advice and don't underestimate this climb. When you're gonna climb the Governor's Island be sure to hold on to the ropes and watch your steps because some of them are really slippery.Did I mention the angle of the slope here? No, then good. Experience it yourself, promise it's a drag.
But whatever the hardships we've encountered, we all forgot them the moment we reached the top and saw the wonderful view of most of the hundred islands. At the top, you could take pictures and here are some of ours...
Posted by
JR
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Entrance of Imelda Cave
Though, if you are afraid of heights or do not want to jump of the open cave ceiling, there is another way to get to the inside of the cave. There is an opening on one side of the island leading to the entrance of the cave. I went through the latter and just swam to the entrance. And even though I did not jump, the cave was a great sight. It was as if the height of the cave was also the depth of the water below. It would also be advisable to wear goggles or snorkel gear in order to appreciate the marine life underwater. Since the water was deep, there were fish of different sizes gathering at the deeper part of the water.
New Friends
This place was also memorable to our group since we actually met new people in this island and got to talk to them. And even though our ages had some sort of gap since we were still students and they were already working, we were able to bond as travelers discovering the islands for the first time. And even as we parted ways as our boats drifted to different directions, we still kept in touch with each other until now.
Posted by
Rocky
comments (1)
Beach attire would be the most appropriate for the sunny environment. For the boys, I recommend wearing a sando or t-shirt bottomed with board shorts and for the ladies you can flaunt your sexy body with a bikini or shake your tail feather with a pair of shorts. Footwear is a must since some islands are rocky and the sands are decorated with a variety of seashells. Whether it’s flip-flops, sandals or swim shoes just make sure you don’t lose them when getting down from the boat. I didn’t notice people wearing thongs or bathing topless, that maybe due to the conservative nature of Filipinos, but that didn’t stop me from having fun.
Even though it’s a beach don’t hesitate to bring an umbrella because it gets really hot in the mainland. Be sure to bring sunscreen lotion because the island adventure can last for as long as a day. Too much sun and you’ll end up like the local delicacy they sell, smoked fish called tinapa, it’s golden copper and a little salty. The hotel I stayed in had Wi-fi so for the workaholics and businessmen you can bring your laptop. Bringing a cell phone to the island would be pretty much useless because there is no signal there. Some hotels don’t have television so be sure to bring other forms of entertainment. Additionally, if you want to save money bring your own life vests and snorkeling gear.
If you’re one of those people who like a good old fashioned cook out don’t forget to bring the necessary materials like a grill, plates and charcoal or you can just buy them at one of the islands. Grills are located near huts you can rent. If you ever decide to bring food and disposables make sure to bring trash bags, this is to maintain the beautiful environment of the islands.