If the Philippines has indeed 7,107 islands during low tide and 7,106 during high tide then that island difference can be seen in the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos, Pangasinan.
These group of islets and islands can be seen at the northeastern part of Alaminos City. Of the 124 islands, only 3 are developed- Children’s island, Governor’s island and Quezon island. My fave spot is the Lopez island (see 3rd photo) or Papaya island as the locals call it.
I wanna share with you my DIY tour of the islands and my overnight stay on my hammock.
This is my second visit to the #1 attraction in Pangasinan and it didn’t fail me the second time. I just noticed that there are so many students nowadays (to think I came on a Monday and its not a holiday) visiting the islands for a picnic.
Quezon Island, the most developed island among the 124
As this is part of my 100 Days Journey, I can’t afford to pay Php800 for the banca. So I just asked if I can join the service boat for maintenance crew. So I went there for free.
This is my fave spot back in 2004 when I first came here. I visited again (via kayak) and reminisce the memories
How to get to Hundred Islands?
1. Take a bus Manila to Dagupan or Alaminos like Victory Liner. Travel time: 3-3.5 hours
2. Get off at Alaminos City proper, look for the public market and walk towards SUKI supermarket and go to LUCAP Terminal just infront of SUKI. Fare is Php15/person to Lucap wharf (pantalan), the jump-off to Hundred Islands. You just have to wait for 3 more passengers. Travel time is just 15minutes or less.
If you are on a hurry, you can rent any tricycle you see for Php50-60.
3. Register at the Tourism Info Center at the Lucap Wharf. Boats are available from 7am-5pm. Choose according to how many you are. If you are traveling solo, I suggest you wait for a group where you can tag along to save expenses. Entrance fee to island hopping is Php20 during day tour, Php40 for night trips. Boat rental and parking fees are published below:
Motorboat Rates
Parking Fee
Camping or pitching your tent?
I suggest you camp on Quezon Island as there are a handful of people living there.
Camping Fee: Php200/night/tent
Tent Rental: Php400
Others:
Kayak rental: Php250/hour (good for 2 persons). I suggest you do this and hop from one island to another. Experience the thrill and excitement when conquering waves; serenity when in between large rock formations.
Snorkeling gear: Php100, use as long as you want. I have seen both big and small fishes when I snorkled.
Cottage Overnight rental: Php 2,500 (good for 4-6pax)
CR: Php5
Tips:
1. There is cellphone signal (Smart & Globe) in the islands. I’m not sure with Sun.
2. There is no fresh water supply. Be sure to bring enough drinking water as basic necessities are sooooo f****** expensive in the island. Yes, more expensive than Boracay. Buko Juice is Php100, Sardines is Php80, etc.
3. Bring enough food. See #2 tip again.
4. There is no electricity except for the generator for the cottage. Charging of cellphone is Php50.
___ ___ ___
Trip happened during Days 6 & 7 of ISANG DAAN Journey at Hundred Islands National Park, Alaminos, Pangasinan. Thanks to Sir Rey Livara for allowing me to camp on the island for free. Thanks also to boatmen who let me hitch going and coming out of the islands.
#ISANGDAAN is a personal journey and challenge to backpack around the Philippines the cheapest way possible for 100 days.
If you want real time updates, you can check my facebook page: www.facebook.com/journeyingjames or follow me on twitter: @journeyingjames
If you want to follow my steps, I have an interactive map- ISANGDAAN Journey map.
hmmm I think do the same thing when I go there this summer
hope it will be a success journey, enjoy the islands!
FYI po. There are now two ziplines (Php250.00/px and Php100.00/px) at hundred islands
I’ve been to Papaya Island before. Yes, the place is truly amazing. scary waves though
nice noh? is this part of your R&R after the mission trip?
is papaya island part of hundred island? how much po lahat ng gastos niyo?
Lapit ng Pangasinan sa ‘min panyero pero di pa ko nakapunta Hundred Islands 🙁
talaga lang ha? mag eenjoy si Luna dun, haha beach baby naman sya diba
wow!…honestly kuya,i myself don’t have any idea how much are the prices out there kahit pa it’s my hometown..good to know!…thanks!
yan so kapag may ngtanong sayo, isuggest mo nalng yung post na ito. thanks!
Great information for hundred island !! thanks for sharing your info ..
hope it helped!
ganda-licious ng mga pics, inviting ang shot ng dagat. I have to print this itin. gagamitin ko to this summer in Hundred Island
glad it helped! 🙂
enjoy the islands
I’ve been to that spot where you were sitting with the sunset view…some years ago…it sure looks nice with the sunset noh:) so transcending:) sarap mg emote! harhar…
transcending is the term im looking for. yes, indeed! after minutes of kayaking, WHAT A VIEW!
thanks for the info..we are planning to visit hundred island next week…boat pricelist is a big help to make out budget tour…
enjoy the islands! dont forget to take your trashes with you po. magdal narin ng maraming food at water.
Very useful. Thank you very much! Will travel to Alaminos this weekend
pleasure is mine! enjoy the 100islands
The Hundreds Islands is one the places you need to visit before you die!
its touristy on weekends but i agree!
ive been there before.. actually last march 2012, and gsto ko ulit maulit this coming Sem Break.. and when i read ur post on how to get there and sa mga expenses.. kinopy-paste ko na.. and ready to print na lang.. para pag balik ko.. mas malaki masesave ko..baka kc makalimutan ko.. inabot kasi ako ng 2500 nung nagpnta kmi ng friend ko. THANKS for sharing the information.It helps me a lot :)))
enjoy your come back nica! buti you found this site
yeap! buti na lang talaga.. naghahanap kasi ako ng mga site that can helps me a lot wen i get back there. and i found your site 🙂
you are heaven sent… 😀 my friends and i are planning to visit the place by june… we were hoping we can get your number… :))
Will there be a bus from Laoag to Pangasinan? I badly need some tip po. Thanks
i believe there is. try farinas or autobus
kudos sa info na binigay mo! ^___^ ask ko lang san ba makakakita ng murang pwedeng pagtulugan for 2 plan namen icelebrate ang monthsary nmen jan this december? hope you can help me (tight kc ng budget ko hehe)
ask around sa wharf. ask the tricycle drivers too, they know the cheapest places to stay
can i ask something if ever ba can we bring our own food and drinks and its up to sawa swimming din ba for kid?thanks..
yes, you can bring food and drinks. and your kids can enjoy swimming to sawa.
can i also get your contact number to ask some details..
do you have any photos of the overnight cottage? or is there any rooms to rent for overnight?thank you..
its just a simple wooden cottage. there are rooms for the overnight stay too, all in quezon island
May we add. As noted in some comments we made there have been changes at hundred islands. Nipas have been eroded and will be placed by concrete ones. The target is it’ll be done my summer of 2014. You may read the article for further information “Gov’t Of Alaminos Started Clearing Hundred Islands ‘EYESORES’“
Hi! How long does the daytour last? Thanks!
I’m glad that u enjoyed your stay in Alaminos, Pangasinan. This is my hometown and i loved going back home every now and then. Hundred Island is genuinely an amazing place and i have a suggestion to those who wish to go there, try also BOLO BEACH in telbang, alaminos city. Can go there by tricycle, the terminal is near the victory liner terminal and it’s just 7kms from the public market. There are cottages in bolo which is much cheaper and all of them are beach front and much safer for kids, u can swim all day. From there you can also rent a boat going to hundred island at the same price as in Lucap wharf, and can make “tawad” to the boatman. Hope u can visit BOLO beach also.
Hi Joy,
Thank you very much for ur help.. I’m really looking for some info about where we can stay safe with my baby. We’ll be going there at Hundred Islands on March for my birthday, but we’re planning to go to Manaoag Church first. Can you suggest an itinerary for us from Manila to Manaog to Alaminos? Thank you very much for ypur help 🙂
thanks for the added info joy. is bolo beach white sand?
In addition to what Joy mentioned about Bolo beach, there are also motorboats that you can rent there and it’s not commercialized, so you can bargain to the owner of the boat. You can stay at Bolo beach during night time and rent a boat during daytime to visit the islands, this will help you a lot on your budget. I’m not from Alaminos but I’ve been there many times since I worked there before in LTO Alaminos.
Hi
Thanks for this wonderful site..;)
Is there Any updates for motorboats rates? (2013 room rates,entrance fee,etc)
My hubby and i were planning to go there this coming tuesday..
And we just wanna make sure about the fees and evrything 😉
Its better to go there weekdays right? 😉
i dont know about the latest rates po… if ever na magtaas, konti lang naman po. yes, i always suggest travelers to visit on weekdays
Been to Hundred Islands 3 weeks ago. Indeed a very nice place! Nice entry James!
thanks missy! i want to see other island when i return
I’m planning to go back there this March with my kids. I want them to see the beauty of Hundred Islands.
Hi, we’re planning to go to hundred islands this March, do you have contact number which we can call to reserve a cottage/tent.
Hi James, regarding boat service, if its just day tour, we cant stay longer in one place because time is limited and boatmen have to wait for us right? If that so, how can we enjoy the beach? what if we want to stay in one island say Quezon Island, are there available safe cottages? and just choose overnight instead? I understand resorts with electricity are only available in town proper/hundred islands office right?
If you’ll take day tour for 3 major islands then the policy is 20-30min stay/island but you can choose which of the 3 you wanted to stay then you can ask them to pick up at 4-5pm by so doing you can enjoy the beach. The policy would be different if you took an all island tour of which you can stay for as long as you want in an island but you must consider other islands to be visited. There are safe picnic table/area in major islands (Php250/area). Overnight is a different thing as boat rate rates would be changed (rates would be changed by summer 2014 hopefully as the new tariff are now approved at alaminos but will be reviewed by DOT). There have been a lot of changes going on recently (jul2013 onwards) of eroding nipas (with elect) and replace by concrete ones.
Any contact numbers po Pra pagpunta dun sa area e may sasalubong na? Ilang hrs po kaya from Manaoag? Thank u 🙂
hi,
we are planning to go to hundred islands this may,is it safe? kalam ba ang dagat by that month and may lifevests ba sa banca?
tnx,
bhongskii
Hi! For the motorboat rates, is that per person? or the entire boat? Thanks!
entire boat po
Thanks to this blog..question, my water ba dun na pangligo and also restroom? sa quezon island.
Yes there are. P5-10 per use per person. However, it’s all salt water. There are no fresh water (so far) in any of the islands except at govenor’s island which is provided when the island is reserved for your group.
Bhong: Ok naman ang alon pag summer, pero usually start na mag high tide after 3pm kaya mas maalon na, pero ok pa naman…. may provide din naman na lifevest sa banca.
Mac: yung boat rates ay standard rate provided by 100 island tourism office, per boat ang rate depende sa number of pax or boat capacity. I’m not sure if same rates pa rin now.
Teresa: I think may shower room naman sa quezon island, may mga toilets din dun at gripo. pero Kung mag island hopping ka pa on way back to Lucap, may mga toilet and shower area dun sa lucap for a minimal fee.
Been dreaming seeing the Hundred Islands since I was a kid and even included it in our bucket list. Last month me and my husband went there. The view and tour was awesome. The Philippines is really a treasure. 🙂
Is there any chance na magka hightide or tsunami doon? or any possible risk especially to children pag nag-stay kami don overnight? I’m afraid kc we are all can not swim?
everything is possible. but i think you are just scared. di pa naman ngyari yun before
200php fee to camp on Quezon Island? Para saan yun? What the F. 🙁
Policies are discussed then approved by Alaminos Gov’t. One of which is fees for the table/picnic areas as well as camping/pitching tent areas. Furthermore, pitching time is 5pm-6am (shore/baseline areas). However there are areas at the island where you may picth anytime which are located near the nipa areas. Note that nipas are now eroded.
ok ba pumunta dun bukas(August 24, 2013) ? Hindi kasi ako makahanap ng site para malaman kung papayagan ba kaming magcamp sa isa sa Hundred Islands kahit ganito ang panahon.
Need ASAP reply.
thanks in advance 🙂
Thanks a lot for this blog James… Seems very helpful and has inspired me and a group of collegues to go there this weekend, using your method…
Hopefully, with your guide it will be a great manila getaway trip.
Hi!
Do you think it’s better to go there without any reservations (e.g. hotel)?
It would depend with current weather and your intuition. There are pros and cons either way hence it would depend on your character. If you’d love to meet new challenges and choose to be happy when issues arrives then go w/o one. Should you wish to have a less stress getaway but will increase your costs then get hundred islands tour package. NOTE: there’s nothing wrong by making tawad.
there is no hotel in hundred islands. i suggest you book ahead for the guesthouse
Thank you for sharing this. It’s a great way for tourists to have a birds eve view at hundred islands. BTW: there’ll be great changes in this place and hope to finish before summer of 2014. Recently, nipas have been eroded and will be replaced by more stable edifice.
thanks for the updates!
No Problem Sir James.
Hi James,
We are planning to visit most of the white beaches in Pangasinan plus HUndred Islands for only 2 days. Do you know how long does the tour in HUndred Islands would take?
Para mabudget namin yung oras..
Thanks!
Hope to be useful for future readers.
For smooth and relaxing tour, all islands tour should be done in 6 hours (at least on our end unlike others who will squeeze it at 4 hours). 3 Majors islands is done (or must be done) in 2 hours or less.
Note that all 3 motorboat association will have you choose which island to stay then pick the guests at 5pm back to Lucap (day tour) or the agreed time the following day for overnight stay.
it quite good for us who want to go there and traveling in the philippines. I feel very happy because from this I learn that the true happiness is help others. or may say that serve others. God bless you KUYA JAMES.
hi po. i’m interested to join some of the travel tours that you have posted.. please let me know how to… and its only 3d and 2n.. yan ung mga gusto kung travel…
Hi! I hope you can help me find the number of whatever good hotel my family can check in this Holy Week. I was trying to call this number – (075) 551 5753 but it doesn’t seem to work.. this will be an overnight trip, please help! 🙁 Thanks in advance!
2 days more and we’ll get there…yippie!
if we arrived at hundred islands at 1pm and rent a boat for a day tour and snorkelling gears, until what time pwede sila magamit? ano po ba ang basis ng day tour, number of hours used or fixed hour? if fixed hour, until what time? in island hopping, is there a boat driver who will guide us? how about during snorkelling, we are not good swimmers kasi. if we rent a cottage with room in one of the islands, safe po ba to leave our things there? Hope to hear from you soon since we are planning to go there on May 3… thanks po…
We plan to go there for a 3D2N camping trip. Any suggestion and tips? Since walang fresh water and you said it’s expensive..we’ll bring a gallon of mineral water. How about for the food and cooking? Is there a market or store where we can buy our stuff? Or we should buy it in Alaminos before taking the trike? How about cooking utensils? thre is for rent or we should bring our own? THANKS
We know this is late but we hope to be useful for future readers.
There are sari sari stores (offering cooked food or you can arrange a deal to send the food at the agreed island) at lucap wharf where you can eat and buy packed food. You can rent cooler and utensils as well. You may buy stuff at alaminos market then use a cooler.
Please be advised though (as we’re keep on trying to disseminate) there are no more nipas’ at any of the islands. Cottages? Yes but no nipas/room unlike before. The only house remaininh is the PBB house at Governors Island.
Learn more here: http://lovekohundredislands.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/govt-of-alaminos-started-clearing-hundred-islands-eyesores/
Hi! Tanong ko lang sa hundred islands, yung boat with island hopping diba? Kasama nadin ba snorkeling dun? And kung gusto namin pumunta sa marcos island pero ang nakita ko lang nakalagay sa island hopping yung gov, children and quezon pwede bang palitan kahit isa dun? Thanks.
Lahat po ng tour ay may island hopping Sir John. Rates varies from Major Islands (Governor, Children and Quezon), Service Boat and All Islands. Ang snorkeling po ay applicable lamang sa All Islands Tour at Service Boat. As per policy hinde po pwedeng palitan ang 3 Major Islands na tour ng isang undeveloped island/s gawa ng iba ang permit ng nasabing tours. Ito ang napagkasuduan ng tatlong motorboat association. Rules are highly implemented nowadays kesa dati. Pagdating sa isla may nakaabang na mga bantay dagat to check the permit/receipt paid at Lucap Wharf. Kaya pagpilinit po ninyo, isang buwan pong bawal bumiyahe ang bangkero and worst scenario is walang babalik na bangkero sa inyo sa isla. Mainam na wag nyo ng udyukin ang bangkero to violet a rule or any rule. Hit All islands tour para sulit and as we noted choose HIMA if possible.
Depende po yan sa usapan ninyo but make sure that the staff at lucap wharf are aware po. It’s a deal between you and the boatman parang photography deal din po yan like me (wedding photographer in quezon city.
Thanks for sharing Sir James!
Been there last April 2014 and feels great to be back. You can see and feel the difference unlike before. No nipa huts, corals are cleaner and a new Pavilion at Quezon Island.
Great time to enhance my photo shoot skills as well.
hello po=)) how much po lahat ng gastos niyo sa trip niyo??with overnight na rin po??=)) gusto ko po talagang pumunta jn=3 reply ASAP po