Capones Island

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.
  • 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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Filed under: Destinations, Luzon — Lakwatsero @ March 30, 2008 - 11:36 am

54 Comments »

  1. Thanks! Really helpful..I’ve been seeking your help regarding my various plans for the summer y’know. ;p

    No problem chamia! Lakwatsero at your service ü

    Comment by chamia — April 1, 2008 @ 12:40 am

  2. Hi! My partner and I are planning to visit capones next week. I’ve been there once back in ‘99 pero day tour lang. This time,we’re planning to stay overnight. Among the hotels you’ve seen in Pundaquit, can you suggest one which is best in terms of the price and ammenities? Are there restos in the area? Thanks a lot. Your site is a lot of help to us lakwatsero like you! =)

    Hi CJ, during my stay in Pundaquit, I checked-in at Nora’s Beach Resort, since they have cheaper rooms, I got my room for P1000.00/night, they also have resto and I say, their facilities is just average to below average. Facilities/amenities wise, I prefer Punta de Uian, though Punta de Uian rates are quite higher but their facilities is above average. Wild Rose Beach Inn on the other hand looks great but some complains about them is that they have no chair and TV in the room, very confined room space and small bathroom, they have a swimming pool and a picnic area but the charge is on top of your room rate. Most hotels here have restos btw. Thanks for visiting Lakawtsero.com.

    Comment by CJ — April 3, 2008 @ 11:25 am

  3. hi, just want to ask from Pundaquit, how do we go to Capones Island? sori hah, ngayon ko lng ksng balak pmnta sa zambales so medyo clueless tlga ko.. thanks!

    Hello budtz, from Pundaquit, there are bancas that can be rented to get you to either Capones Island or Camara Island. It is just 10 to 15 minutes boat ride for a standard rate of P700.00, roundtrip. The banca will drop you to Capones and will be back to fetch you on your planned day/time of return to Pundaquit.

    Comment by budtz — April 8, 2008 @ 8:27 pm

  4. ei ask ko lang kun may source of water ba sa capones?were planning to go there kc this weekend e. thanks!

    hi mye, there is no source of potable water in the island

    Comment by mye — April 10, 2008 @ 4:03 pm

  5. ganun po ba? e meron po ba kahit na pang banlaw lang at pang luto? kc overnight po kami.. tnx po! :D

    hehe, sorry, there is none… I’m afraid you cannot rinse after swimming in the beach (that applies to all don’t worry), just bring enough drinking water and packed or cooked foods if possible para drinking water na lang talaga ang dala nyo

    Comment by mye — April 10, 2008 @ 5:18 pm

  6. Mas okay bang anawangin kaysa sa Capones? Sorry ang daming tanong. :)

    Both are great camping sites. But what I like about Capones Island is that you can add the trekking to the light house in your itinerary. I met a group the last time I went there (March 2008), they stayed in Anawangin and just made a day trip to Capones.

    Comment by mye — April 10, 2008 @ 5:42 pm

  7. Very well! Are you dudes agree with me? When I read it I was like: oh man!Sounds great! This is just what I was searching for! All is true, and checked, I’m sure.

    Thanks Jason!

    Comment by Jason.V — April 11, 2008 @ 2:17 pm

  8. kakagaling ko lang dun last march.. kelan ka pumunta dun? baka nagkasabay pa tayo

    Comment by deluca — April 11, 2008 @ 2:43 pm

  9. whoa!?! i went there last holy week…

    Comment by Lakwatsero — April 11, 2008 @ 2:55 pm

  10. ako rin huwebes santo hanggang sabado de gloria!! kaw?

    sayang ngkita sana tau..cno kasama mo?

    Comment by deluca — April 11, 2008 @ 3:01 pm

  11. haha! kami nung friend ko, where did you stay? kaw?

    Comment by Lakwatsero — April 11, 2008 @ 3:12 pm

  12. dun sa house ng frend ko sa san antonio. para ngang familiar face mo eh. kaw ba yung nsa pik sa bora piks mo?

    Comment by deluca — April 11, 2008 @ 3:16 pm

  13. teka wait kaw ba yung frend ni ker? na meet ko kc sya sa beach eh. parang namumukaan ko kayo mgkasama nun..

    Comment by deluca — April 11, 2008 @ 3:23 pm

  14. yep ako nga yung nasa bora pic… wait, pero ang kasama ko ay di ker ang pangalan, i have an old classmate na nandun din nung time na yun, kerwin ang name, kung sya yung tinutukoy mo na ker, he was with their company team building naman… small world ah!

    Comment by Lakwatsero — April 11, 2008 @ 3:43 pm

  15. wat a small world..kayo nga nkita ko together nun..dats y i remember you.. tapos now nkita ko pa blog mo na toh..

    Comment by deluca — April 11, 2008 @ 3:48 pm

  16. haha! are you sure ako yun? magkaiba kasi kami ng group ni ker that time… eniwei, thanks!

    Comment by Lakwatsero — April 11, 2008 @ 3:52 pm

  17. i think so..nway nice blog you have here. congrats!

    do you happen to know ker’s cp no.?

    Comment by deluca — April 11, 2008 @ 3:56 pm

  18. oi thanks, hehe, anyway, mukhang di ako yun, haha, d kasi kami nagkita since sa ibang side nagstay yung company nila. yep i have his cp no.

    Comment by Lakwatsero — April 11, 2008 @ 4:10 pm

  19. Tanong lang po….first time po namin pupunta as zambales… ganu katagal po ba ang travel time pag nag ferry ka sa manila hotel hangang sa subic

    Comment by marvin — April 12, 2008 @ 8:58 pm

  20. A ferry ride from Manila to Subic takes an hour to one and a half.

    Comment by Lakwatsero — April 13, 2008 @ 2:36 am

  21. thanks

    Comment by marvin — April 13, 2008 @ 5:46 pm

  22. is that Php700 banca ride charged per head? and meron pa bang mas cheaper rates ng hotel? thanks.. I’m planning to have a vacation din kasi to san antonio this year.

    Comment by alex — April 16, 2008 @ 11:55 pm

  23. Alex, the P700 is for round trip boat rental and not per head, the boat can fit up to 6 people excluding the boatman. You can have a room for as low as P800.00 per night.

    Comment by Lakwatsero — April 17, 2008 @ 12:08 am

  24. ask ko lang po if there are toilets near sa camp site sa capones?

    Comment by john — April 24, 2008 @ 1:42 pm

  25. Hi John, I believe there’s none. I haven’t seen one eh.

    Comment by Lakwatsero — April 24, 2008 @ 2:42 pm

  26. ei, anybody there wants to join us this coming weekend?

    Comment by excited — April 24, 2008 @ 4:06 pm

  27. Wow! Enjoy your Capones trip excited!

    Comment by Lakwatsero — April 24, 2008 @ 5:01 pm

  28. Lakwatsero, very informative! we are planning to go there this weekend.

    Comment by lloyd — April 29, 2008 @ 12:19 pm

  29. Thanks lloyd! :)

    Comment by Lakwatsero — April 29, 2008 @ 3:29 pm

  30. hi lakwatsero,

    pupunta kase ako ng zambales this weekend. sa potipot naman. hehe. may ferry ride na bang derecho pa subic? kse ang nakikita ko lang sa internet kadalasan, hanggang orion lang. eh nabanggit mo ngang meron na agad sa subic. magkano ba ung ferry na un? tsaka san sa manila bay? hehe. do u hav contct number? :) kase gusto namin itry ung alternatives. baka kase mas mabilis at mas mura.

    salamat :)

    Hi potipot, apparently the Manila-Subic direct ferry ceased operating, so let me correct my post, the only option left for a ferry ride is through Mt. Samat Express in CCP terminal that will get you to Orion, which will definitely cut your travel time by one hour compare to a bus ride.

    := Bleue (aka Lakwatsero) =:

    Comment by potipot — May 1, 2008 @ 5:22 pm

  31. hi we’re planning on an island hopping on the 16th. we might start in potipot and we plan to visit capones again.can you suggest a route or should we just ask the bangkero to send us in capones after our trip to potipot?(we’ll just add fare for the bangka)

    hi anne, potipot is in Candelaria, Northern Zambales, while Capones is in San Antonio, Southern Zambales, and they are approximately 80km apart, I am not sure if the bangkero’s from Potipot can go to as far as Capones and vice versa, if they, expect the fee to double (or even triple). Why not just stay in Anawangin, island hop in Camara and Capones, then the next day travel by land to Candelaria/Masinloc and from there island hop in Potipot, you may also try island hopping in the privately owned Hermana (Mayor and Menor), and Salvador Island that is best for scuba diving, although these islands are quite far from Potipot :)

    := Bleue (aka Lakwatsero) =:

    Comment by anne — May 5, 2008 @ 7:59 pm

  32. Hello, thanks so much for this feature. We’re planning to go to Capones this year. May I ask where Anawagin is? Can’t seem to find it in the map =)
    Thanks so much!
    More adventures to you

    shem, Anawangin is in San Nicolas, south of Pundaquit, it is actually a cove and in the main island of Luzon but the easiest, convenient and common way to get there is via 30-minute boat ride that cost P800.00(round trip) from Pundaquit.

    I found a map of the area showing Pundaquit, Capones, Camera Island and Anawangin Cove in PinoyMountaineer site.

    := Bleue (aka Lakwatsero) =:

    capones anawangin pundaquit map
    Image courtesy of PinoyMountaineer.

    Comment by shem — May 6, 2008 @ 1:05 pm

  33. Hi, its been like 20 years i didn’t step on capones island & I’m planning to come home on december, i am looking forward to spend overnite to capones island and bring some hot girls to spend the night with me, is it safe there? I’m also grown up and live in barrio san miguel for some years. Drop me a line when you can..say hi to all my cousins there too?

    Comment by Butch — May 6, 2008 @ 1:16 pm

  34. ohh by the way i’m from san diego california…regards to all lakwatsero..kumbatchero..

    Comment by Butch — May 6, 2008 @ 1:30 pm

  35. What was the camping like on Capones Island during Holy Week? Were there any Holy Week events on Capones? Were the hotel rates at Pundaquit more during Holy Week than other weeks? Would I have to book a hotel in advance. I am planning to visit San Antonio and Capones next year during Holy Week.

    Hi, there are no events whatsoever in Capones during Holy Week. The events are in neighboring towns of San Antonio. As usual, hotel rates in Pundaquit are higher during this time, it is actually their peak season so you have to book in advance.

    := Bleue (aka Lakwatsero) =:

    Comment by Sean Manzano — May 21, 2008 @ 10:48 am

  36. hi, we’re planning to go to capones and/or anawangin this weekend.. i’m a bit concerned since i’ve been hearing about the rough open waters going to the island/cove respectively. is it safe to go there at this time? checked weather forecast and there’ll be light to moderate winds.. any advice? thanks!

    Hi trixy, the waters surrounding Capones is generally rough any time of the year. Personally if I were you, I would still push through with my plans (but you decide) unless there is a typhoon. Just take EXTRA, SUPER EXTRA care.

    Another trivia about Capones is that, the white beaches move around throughout the year. So don’t be surprise if you find the white beaches on the north side when some say that it is on the south side. They in fact move, depending on the current of the water.

    := Bleue (aka Lakwatsero) =:

    Comment by trixy — May 29, 2008 @ 12:33 pm

  37. hi bleue - thanks for the quick reply!! appreciate the advice and hopefully, the weather will cooperate as well :)

    Comment by trixy — May 29, 2008 @ 1:39 pm

  38. Hi,our company planning for an outing this coming 8&9th of june.Can u suggest cheaper accommodation & have set up for team building games?Included also the food package?Coz i don’t have any idea in that place.tnx a lot.. *ves

    Hi ves, i am not sure if hotels in Pundaquit provide packages for company team building. For cheaper accomodations, try wild rose, megans or nora’s, but they don’t have function room for activities and games like most if not all hotels in the area. But I think the beach is a great place for your activities. You may try contacting these hotels: Link

    := Bleue (aka Lakwatsero) =:

    Comment by Vessy — May 30, 2008 @ 3:37 pm

  39. Sepcifically were planning to go at san antonio and capones island..

    Comment by Vessy — May 30, 2008 @ 3:38 pm

  40. hi lakwatsero, san mas safe mag ovrnyt? sa anawangin or sa capones? tnx….

    Comment by dickies — August 4, 2008 @ 4:34 pm

  41. kung walang cr sa capones san kami posible mag-cr? balak kasi namin punta this coming october e. Safe ba ng ganong month? thanks ulit…..

    Parehong safe naman ang Capones and Anawangin for camping. CR, wala tala on both place, so magpaka boys and girls scouts kayo. Hehehe :D

    October is a good month, just watch out for the weather bulletin, in case of typhoon, cancel your trip.

    Comment by dickies — August 4, 2008 @ 4:38 pm

  42. Hi!

    I’ve heard na s capones daw is mejo rocky pa ung place pero s anawangin soft n daw sands don pero kc my forums bout anwangin na mejo delikado daw (http://pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=335661&page=2).. my balita pa na may namatay n don… ano kaya pwede mo suggest…balak kc namin magswimming either s anawangin or capones. thanks a lot :)

    Yep it is true that Capones beach is quite rocky and Anawangin’s beach is better considering the abundance of pine trees in the area. The news about someones death in Anawangin is also for real, but some people added myth to the story. I would still recommend Anawangin and Capones for camping, but of course you should take care. Accidents do happen.

    The best option would be to camp in Anawangin, and have a day trip to Capones and/or Camara, Capones has this beautiful lighthouse so don’t miss it :D

    Comment by shhh — August 6, 2008 @ 12:38 am

  43. thanks thanks…your recommendations would be of great help..If we have things that need to clarify I’ll be leaving a comment again…. :D

    Comment by shhh — August 7, 2008 @ 2:05 am

  44. hi lakwatsero, first of all great site, first time visiting your site as i was looking for information about going to anawangin cove. will regularly visit this site from now on,thanks!

    would like to ask a favor though, do you have a map going to san antonio zambales particulary here in pundaquit where we are planning to stay. Also since open na SCTEX im assuming un travel time is significantly cut short tama b? hoping for your advice and cooments on how i can get there?

    Hi james, if you are looking for a road map, sorry I don’t have. But I think there is an A-Z Road Map of the place, available in bookstores. Anyway, going to this place from Manila is easy, just follow the buses going to Zambales that pass through NLEX, Bataan and Subic. About the SCTEX, well if you are coming from Tarlac, travel time will definitely cut short but if you follow NLEX, Bataan, Subic route (which is the common route from Manila to Zambales) then it will take you three to four hours.

    Comment by james — August 24, 2008 @ 9:55 pm

  45. hi lakwatsero, thanks for the reply! am i correct to say that the important thing is that i must reach SBMA first? then after there madali na b? pasensya na im not familiar with the roads. my plan is NLEX-SCTEX supposedly to subic/SBMA then from there pnta na san anotnio zambales

    Yes James, you have to reach SBMA first, then drive northward pa, passing to Castillejos and San Marcelino before reaching San Antonio. You were right, take the NLEX then SCTEX, via SPUR-NLE Interchange (after DAU) or via SCTE-NLE Junction, but I suggest the SPUR-NLE Interchange since mas mauuna yun. Yun na din siguro ang mga route ng Zambales bound buses now. Travel time will definitely cut short.

    Comment by james — August 25, 2008 @ 10:13 am

  46. thanks a lot!!

    Comment by james — August 25, 2008 @ 1:43 pm

  47. hi angel,

    balak kasi namin ng friend kong mag potipot at anawangin (kasama na ang camara at capones) sa november. ano kayang mas convenient na unahin? syanga pala commute lang kami atsaka wala kaming tent so magoovernight lang kami sa pundaquit.

    thanks in advance

    Hi jen, wow, may trip ka na naman? Hehe! Parang mas okey unahin ang Potipot dahil baka masyado kayo mapagod sa Capones/Camara (I assume kasi na magtretrek kayo sa Capones Lighthouse), so parang anti-climatic yun, baka di nyo na maenjoy ang Potipot. Kaya parang mas ok ang Potipot muna, then Anawangin/Capones/Camara. Better spend the night/camp in Anawangin para maenjoy nyo talaga yung place, then day trip in Capones/Camara. But if you plan to stay in Pundaquit, madami namang mga resorts/hotel.

    Comment by jen — September 16, 2008 @ 12:32 am

  48. your blog is very helpful… thank God for kind soul like you

    Thanks aimee!

    Comment by aimee — September 24, 2008 @ 5:27 pm

  49. wow sobrang informative ni m.lakwatsero! hehehe. we’ve been there last holy week din e. pero unfortunately, di namin narating ang lighthouse kc wala kaming guide and wala po talaga treail. next week punta kami. this time kukuha na kami ng guide para maakyat ang lighthouse. gusto ko lang sana malaman,san ang part na maganda at safe mag overnight sa capones? un malapit na din paakyat ng lighthouse and camara island? thanks!

    thanks mye! to answer your question on where is the best place to camp, actually depends on the time of the year, the water current/wave changes throughout the year. During southwest monsoon (Habagat) around summer, boats usually dock in the northern beach due to strong current and big waves. During northwest monsoon (Amihan) around October to February, boats usually dock in the north shore near the lighthouse.

    Comment by mye — October 9, 2008 @ 10:36 pm

  50. we’ll be planning to go to capones isalnd this weekend
    hirap pala mag plan esp kapag hindi maxado lakwatsero mga kasama mo

    and i believe dapat naka sapatos tama ba? hindi ata pde ang naka slippers lng all through out?

    dame ko natutunan sa site mo mr.lakwatsero. muah!
    sama ako minsan sau

    thanks secret! ok lang naman nakaslippers/sandals lang. i was only wearing sandals when i went there :D

    Comment by geron — October 16, 2008 @ 11:41 am

  51. hi lakwatsero.. i am a lakwatsero too, so i am planning to go to capones island.. i really want to see such a place.. when do you think will be the best time to go there? coz i want to see good sandlayouts.. i also want to see the sandbar in capones but they said that is visible during rainy season only..

    Hi lexia, there is no sandbar in Capones Island, but there is in the nearby Camara (Camera) Island. This sandbar links the two landmass of Camara Island, the best way to go there is around October to January, because this sandbar moves away on other time of the year due to changing water current.

    Comment by lexia — October 22, 2008 @ 11:51 pm

  52. I am seaching for some idea to write in my blog… somehow come to your blog. best of luck. Eugene

    Comment by Eugene — October 23, 2008 @ 6:20 am

  53. thanks alot geron!!

    i shall come there soon!

    Comment by lexia — November 4, 2008 @ 11:41 am

  54. Hi! We are planning to have our prenuptial pictorials at Anawangin and Capones. What itenerary could you suggest for a 2-day zambales tour? We are planning to rent a room at Pundaquit because our photographers would need to charge their camera batteries.. :) Are there other options to reach the Capones lighthouse aside from trekking? Thanks! :)

    At this time of year, medyo malakas na ang alon from the west, so hindi na makaka-dock ang mga boat near the lighthouse, that means, na you can only reach the lighthouse by trekking, unless of course you hire a chopper :-P Anyway, Anawangin is really a great setting, at syempre lalo na ang Capones light house. You can also go to the nearby Camara Island.

    Comment by Anna — November 10, 2008 @ 3:03 pm

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