Capones Island
Posted on 30. Mar, 2008 by Lakwatsero in Destinations, Luzon
Four kilometers off Barangay Pundaquit, Zambales in the main island of Luzon, Philippines is the Capones Island or “Isla de Gran Capon” during the Spanish era. It is a two kilometer long bone-shaped island surrounded by white sand and rocky shores.
This island can boast of having an average waves ideal for beginner surfers; white sand beaches conducive for overnight camping, day picnic and swimming; turquoise water and rich marine life that is great for diving and snorkeling.
There are no commercial establishments on the island and the only structure there (aside from an unfinished building) is an old Spanish lighthouse (Faro de Punta Capones) that was built in 1890 to guide ships entering and leaving the bays of Manila and Subic, and to warn passing ships of the dangers of rocky shores around the island. The solar-powered lighthouse is Capones best kept secret, with its original brick house structure still in place, though ragged and neglected, but still draw a dramatic picture.
Close to Capones Island is the Camara Island, which is virtually two islands connected by a sandbar.
How to Get There:
By Land
To get there, one must go to Barangay Pundaquit, San Antionio, Zambales where a banca to Capones Island can be rented for a standard rate of P700.00 (~$17). It is a 15 minutes banca ride from Pundaquit.
To go to Pundaquit, ride a bus bound to Iba or Sta. Cruz, Zambales. Victory Lines has scheduled trips to those destinations. Tell the driver to drop you off at San Antonio. If you are coming from their terminal in Sampaloc, it will cost you P220.00 (~$5.25), don’t forget to tell the cashier that you are up to San Antonio only, or they will charge you the full fare to its destination. Travel time is around 3 to 4 hours via NLEX.
From San Antonio, ride a tricycle to Barangay Pundaquit, standard rate is P20.00 (~$0.5), you may opt to add some tip since it is quite far.
By Air/Water
By ferry, take a Mt. Samat Express (Contact No: 551-5290) ferry ride to Subic in CCP. It is an hour ferry ride to Orion Bataan, for around P250.00 (~$6.00) . From there catch a bus to Subic for another hour or less and then a bus to Iba, Zambales, passing to San Antonio.
By air, charter an aircraft to International Subic Airport, Castillejos Airstrip, or to Iba Local Airport.
Where to Stay:
Since there are no commercial establishments in this island, you may bring a tent or camping equipments (plus foods and drinking water) if you are planning to stay there overnight. Just tell the boatman your planned date and time of return to Pundaquit.
Most tourists, however, stay in Pundaquit where numerous hotels and restaurants can be found. You can have a room for as low as P1000.00/~$25 (or even lower). For Lakwatsero’s compilation of hotels in Barangay Pundaquit click here:
Activities:
- Trek to Capones Lighthouse: If you are coming from the east side of Capones Island, you have to trek for an hour or less, to a rocky shore, passing to an unfinished building and statue of Mama Mary. I suggest you have someone with you who knows the place since the trail up has no signage and you may get lost. But if you are coming from the other side of the island (where Marimar shot some scenes), the lighthouse is already visible so it is easier to reach the place passing through a field, this side of the island however has rocky shore and some huge waves making it impossible for bancas to dock.
- Camping: Just bring your own camping equipments, enough foods and water supply.
- Swimming, Snorkeling and Diving: Just bring your own equipments.
- Island Hopping: You can visit the nearby Camara Island, Nagsasa Cove, Silanguin Cove and Anawangin Cove.
- Aquatic Sports in Barangay Pundaquit: Jetski is available for rent.
- Visit Pundaquit Falls: Walk along the beach southward towards the Pundaquit river. If your resort is too far north of the river, you can take your vehicle and get back to the main Pundaquit road and head southward until the road ends by the river. From the river, it is only a short walk by the seashore until you reach the end of the beach where there is a cliff and a smaller river (or a big stream, you might say). This small river comes from the falls, so, technically speaking, just follow the river upstream for about a hundred meters and you will end up at the foot of the falls. But remember, you may have to cut your own trail or walk along the shallow portions of the stream to get there. As you explore the falls, it gets more interesting as you climb from cascade to cascade. This falls is worth going to only during the wet season (or a little after the wet season) when there is plenty of fresh flowing water filling up the numerous “tubs” along the stream. Too little flowing water during the dry seasons makes this falls nearly stagnant, dirty and even stinky. (Source: waypoints.ph)
Lakwatsero Experience:
Lakwatsero has been to Capones in 2008. Watch out for the narratives of his travel in “My Travels”.
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TENG
Jan 21st, 2010
Hi tanong ko lng po kung san pwede maligo sa capones island?? my balon ba dun ?? or poso ??? Balak sana namin mag overnight stay sa capones..
Lakwatsero
Jan 21st, 2010
yes there is, but it is on the light house not on the beach, and from beach to lighthouse requires some time trekking…
Faye Vitan
Nov 21st, 2009
Hi!
May I know po the contact person of the organized trip you had. And is it advisable to visit the islands on December? Thank you so much for your site.
Lakwatsero
Nov 23rd, 2009
I didn’t join organized trip for my Capones/Anawangin trips. I’ve been here twice on a DIY tour. Go DIY, it’s easy and cheaper
son-ji
Aug 18th, 2009
@ dookesa_08
kagagaling ko lng ng potipot islang lasy May. It’s true na may mga kubo na dun. 500php ang rent nung mali and 300php ung maliit.
konti lng ung ngka-camping sa potipot nung andun kmi..isa lng ung ngovernight na nakatent. maganda pa din sa anawangin dre.
dookesa_08
Aug 11th, 2009
ei lakwatsero!..ask q lng po ano mas better if we’re going to potipot dis sept to stay on a hotel or go camping @ potipot island?..may accommodations n b sa potipot?..i’ve read some reviews telling n may mga kubo n dw dun..we’re thinking p if potipot or capones?..
Anawangin Cove | Lakwatsero
Jul 5th, 2009
[...] the nearby Nagsasa Cove, Capones Island, Camara [...]
ana
May 14th, 2009
ok. if we plan on trekking and coming from the north side, can you refer a guide for us? thank you.
ana
May 13th, 2009
hi! we’re planning to go to Capones this coming monday, may 18. ung boat ride ba to Capones is still P700 and ilan ang pwede sumakay? saka will the boat stay with us while we’re there? how will we get to the lighthouse? thanks
joan
May 9th, 2009
hi! we’re planning to do our anawangin adventure this may 23-24. alin po mas ok n kunin? ung package n which is usually per head or kmi na lng gawa ng iterinary nmin? mga 12-14 pax kmi and we’ll be coming from manila. please advise how… thanks.. btw, thanks for your website.. got a lot of info..
jonathan
May 5th, 2009
Hi Ask ko lang po kung how much ung boat ride to capones island? kung 2 lang kmi plus baby? how much it will cost? or meron din kami kasbay na pasahero dun?