hundred islands national park

We've been intending to visit Hundred Islands for many years and feel somewhat disappointed by the experience. Why, because considering it's supposed to be protected (conservation) area it is poorly looked after - specifically the amount of rubbish on the otherwise beautiful coves/beaches. Our very nice boat man took us for a tour around many of the islands and dropped us off at a quiet cove to relax and swim. We immediately noticed several plastic bags of rubbish strewn across some rocks. Bear in mind this was January, low season when most people are at work, school etc so not many tourists. Soon after arrival several other boats arrived with the usual Filipino groups having a beach picnic. Some of whom simply added more rubbish to the piles after their meals and moved off by boat again. We do not want to blame the boatmen (it's clearly the local tourists!!!!) but feel that they should take more conservation responsibility - they take the tourists to the islands and should ensure the said tourist leave with all the rubbish they bring! It's their future livelihoods but we feel they simply do not want to stand up to the Filipino tourists.Added to this is the fact that this conservation area now has a zip wire joining two islands - it's the usual 'disneyfication' of many of the Philippines beautiful places. Perhaps a McDonalds on an island soon.On a positive note the coordination and regulation of the boat trips seems very good and safe with fixed and clear pricing.Overall we were disappointed with our visit. If it's dirty in the low season we'd not want to visit during high season.We will never return as there are far more beautiful and cleaner places elsewhere in the Philippines.JandS

It was a fun place to visit without having to spend a lot of money. Aside from island hopping, you can do rapelling, mountain climbing, and experience zip-line adventure.

My family has done island hopping in many parts of the Philippines and this trip to Hundred Islands is the worst so far. The boatmen did not offer to accompany the guests as they swam. They just stayed in the boat even if we asked if they could accompany our companions. The older boatman kept on saying negative things about the islands that were recommended to be visited. The younger one was just quiet even if we asked both of them to give us more info about the islands. There was no sense of excitement and pride of their own tourist attraction. The facilities at the islands are poorly done. Some of the activities were fun though including the zipline, kayaking and the cliff dive. Don't expect too much from Hundred Islands if you have already traveled to other local beach destinations, such as in Palawan, Cebu, Bohol and Boracay, especially if you have foreign guests. I was informed that it is the local government that runs this park. I hope they could hire skilled and creative people to further develop this place. Once there are more options for lodging, the facilities in the islands are improved and the boatmen are trained to be good guides, this park will be highly recommended.

after 8 years, Here we are visiting Hundred Islands again, but at this moment I am with my husband..He enjoyed roving around the Islands with the bangka..I was amazed by this new cottages at Quezon Island, which was before..It has only 4 nippa hut, no current, no clean water (aside from sea water)..but Now, I was very happy that somehow, They slowly develop each Islands and good thing is, It binds with electricity, water, even activities such as ziplines, We really enjoyed the whole trip even If we just started from 10am-2:00pm.

About 5.5 hour drive from Manila, 3 hours from Baguio, this attraction is not worth even a one hour drive. It is a very poorly managed, mediocre tourist attraction in the Philippines. The small boats to take one around the islands congregate near an ugly wharf area. To get on a boat, we had to scramble over pilings, fallen logs, step on a plastic chair and required the assistance of 2 guys to climb onboard. Considering a boat ride is neccessary to see the islands, and the tourist authorities collect a fee, it is amazing that there is no safe way, steps or landing to get onto boats. When we wanted to get off on an island, out came the plastic chair which the boatman held down with his leg while offering his shoulder and hand to help us off. Most of the islands have no facilities or shelter which makes enjoying their small beaches difficult. There are two or three islands with some facilities, nothing charming. The wharf area is full of trash, broken pavement, scrubby vegetation. There is a small souvenir marketplace, but again, just haphazard dirty booths. The one bright spot in the entire shore area is Maxine's By the Sea Restaurant, a pleasant place for a meal.Having seen pictures of Hundred Islands, we thought to combine it with a trip to Baguio. The reality-- ugly concrete buildings, rusty galvanized sheets for roofing and fences, scrubby landscape, really disappointed. We were to spend two nights in the area but we quickly cut our trip short. While the islands themselves are alright; a pleasant place to stay, explore or while away the time waiting for a boatride was just not available. Combine the lack of acceptable activities, lodgings with ugly surroundings, and presto... a very disappointing holiday. I love beach holidays and done many all over the world, this is one holiday place all four of us regret visiting.

Lucaf Whaf Alaminos Tourisim Center1. You can rent a boat for 2000php good for 10paxw/ free helmet diving for 1 person2. They have environmental fee of 40php3. Marcos Island try cliff jump inside the cave4. Zip Lines cost 100-150 there are 2 options5. Helmet diving cost 300 per 1pax6. Goggles 150 Life Vest 1007. Best when high tide a nice place to visit :)

We went here via the tour agency under the Attraction website here and has been assisted by very friendly, accommodating and considerate staffs. Lots of souvenir item buys at the port per se. Commuted to get here! the travel time was around 5 hours from Castillejos-Alaminos.We took a bus from -Castillejos to Sta. Cruz (approx. P500 RT) and then to -Dagupan and stopped at Alaminos, Pangasinan (approx. P200 RT). -Then took a tricycle (P20/pax one-way) to Brgy. Lucap Wharf to meet our tour agent and ride the boat we rented.The environment is good, only little amounts of litters but all in all, I can say it's well-maintained and developed. Friendly staffs too. Even the ice cream vendor helped us take a group picture.Other Activities from the Hundred Islands:- Zip Line (P100-250/U$2.5-6)- Kayaking (P100/U$2.5)- Snorkeling (included in my tour purchase)- Helmet Diving (P300/U$8 for 30 minutes.) - I dare you try this and see and touch the giant clams ;)- Cliff diving- Caving- Corals ViewingI attached an image of Environment fees, check my photos for people who just wants to go alone and not arrange a tour from an agency like I did.

Hundred Islands is a beautiful regions to experience however the local people do not know what they have enough to value and protect it the way it should be and you need to be prepared for the mentality and the ways of the Filipino culture. It can vary the quality of the boat the you receive to tour around the islands. We had two boats, one was fine...the other (ours) kept breaking down. Our boat also had a seat (2X4 piece of wood) that was not secured nor was it long enough so we fell (my mother and I) and I ended up bruised as a result. A majority of them use plastic lawn chairs to help you out of the boat which I fell through. There are never any apologies. Governors Island has an awesome zipline that runs 526 meters from one island to the next. It was beautiful and fun! Located at another island is a beautiful snorkeling area full of fish, coral, and life size clams!! It is an awesome experience however there are is not quality control or rules to reinforce and educate tourists on the importance of not stepping on or breaking of the coral. It was sad to see the disrespect of such a beautiful and sacred place! The different islands to visit are all beautiful however, lots of visitors from other countries that are not respectful and just plain dirty (trash everywhere!). If you want to experience a beautiful place while it is still there, one must push through the experience of the clashing cultures. I am happy to have had the experience now however will not go back in the future. I rated average because of the amazing sights however everything else we had to deal with....soon will make it not worth it. Oh, and if you do not speak the language.....who knows where the boatman will take you! ;)

The adventure that you want in one package. Really had an amazing experience with my college friends. There are several adventures that are waiting for everyone, from underwater to the air. Make sure to prepare your sunglasses to protect your eyes, sunblock to protect your skin from scorching heat of the sun and swimming gears. When you are prepared, go ahead and plunge yourself to the adventure that awaits for you. In addition, we also spent overnight in one of the islands and it is such a great experience and pleasure to the eyes seeing the sky filled with stars.

Went to pangasinan for a business meeting and just checked out that place they called Lucap(this is where you will ride your boat to explore the islands) to see the islands from afar since we have a meeting in manila in the evening.. behold! the water is calling us and we just cannot say "no" for an answer.. we only brought ourselves and no extra clothes, good thing there are a lot of souvenir stalls around wer we bought our shirts and food stalls where we bought something to eat (tho i don't recommend buying there.. expect very expensive drinks, chips and breads.. but we have no choice.. :D ) we rented a "service" boat at the tourists center for a nice price and paid minimal amount as an environmental fee.. (service means the boat will be for your use only, they will service you from one island to another for the whole day, while regular boats will only tour you in selected islands and drop u at your chosen island for swimming and will return to pick u up at ur given time, they also allow overnight stays in d islands). for me, Governor's island's zipline is better dan the one in Quezon island since it has a majestic view of almost all the islands.. my only comment is that Quezon island was made a bit commercialized. We enjoyed swimming in Children's island because there were no waves. indeed, our tour is a great experience, awesome islands, pure and fine sands but of course our stay is "bitin" since we only have limited time.. will definitely be back there with my family.

There's only one(I guess) tour company that offers helmet diving at very low cost. The beach is also very clean and perfect for getaway. You can find them on the internet by searching helmet diving in hundred islands. John and Jay, the owners, were very helpful to our team of 20 people from Cambodia. Better to go there early morning so you can visit all the islands. I suggest staying in one of the hotels near the port so you can save time even if they don't have beaches, since the islands do have beaches. Stayed in Lingayen and traveled nearly an hour to Alaminos Port. Great experience!

Amazing experience beautiful sights awsome zip line helmet diving is spectacular and snorkelling givez you the opportunity to see tropical fishes

It is far from manila but the roads are convenient as well as the access towards the islands. It is an old attraction which I believe the government of Pangasinan should invest in, it is really a nice experience to be in a number of islands, hop on a boat, eat, drink, and bathe on every island such an exciting adventure specially if you are going in a group of around 4-5.Try this and you will not regret but never it is not as beautiful as the Caramoan islands though. But it worthwhile cause it is cheap.Tip: Be there early or even spend a night to one of the islands so that you will enjoy the entire trip. There are so much things to do in this place but it gets old and needs a new facelift that would make it more competitive and exciting.

The best part of the Hundred Island Adventure is the Island Hopping. You get to see the different islands and isles with weird and attractive names. I also like the Zipline wherein you will cross two islands. As well as the Helmet Diving and Kayaking! Is is great place to have a vacation with your family!

Considered to be one of the highlight attraction in the Northern part of Luzon, Hundred Islands remain to be one of the most visited . Budget wise: Affordable when in groupsWe stayed in the Governor's Island overnight and it was really serene. One can only hear how the waves hit the shore. Since this is an enstranged island, expect not to have a power supply (get ready with your powerbanks) and a rare index of your mobile network. Power generators will be opened once the Governor Villa is occupied/rented overnight amounting to Php 5-6k. An overnight stay inside a tent beside the shore was fun (rent: around 250php) but I wasn't able to enjoy the night cold breeze because there was none. If you're planning to sleep here with friends, don't forget to bring food, sleeping bags, pillow and water. Toilets are available but uncomfortable to use. As the sun struck it's rays to the island, it's beauty made me want to see what this island has to show. We climbed a hill that showcased the majestic beauty of the islands. Postcard perfect beauty. After climbing around 200 steps, we traversed the rest of the islands by a small boat. The boatman showed us the rest of the islands and why these islands were named such (Turtle Island, Crocodile Island, Bat Island etc.). I thought I will be bored because the usual island hopping activities (snorkel, island tour and sight seeing) were our routine for the day. Not until the best part of the trip came - it was when we reached the Marcos Island. We climbed the highest part of the island (the cave), jumped inside it and landed on a freezing cold, clear, deep water.If travelling without any tour package from Manila (Cubao/Pasay) to Alaminos, one can ride a direct bus (Victory Liner) going to Alaminos. Fee: 400 php Travel period: 4-5hrs drive Non stop.Once you reach Alaminos City (bus terminal), you can ride a tricycle going to the pier/boat terminal. Fee: 40 php Travel period: 10-15 minsInns are everywhere near the port. Boat rentals and Island hopping tour fees are in a range of 2000 php-2500 php good for 2pax.