Capones Beach, Zambales

Luzon has many island destinations, and among those that can be easily reached from Metro Manila are the idyllic white sand islands in Zambales province.

With the connection of the North Luzon Expressway and the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway or SCTEX, Zambales is just two hours away from Manila by car.

Subic Bay in Zambales is about 110 kilometers from Manila via the two expressways.  The trip to Subic via SCTEX provides a magnificent view of rolling hills and calm greeneries that are soothing to the eyes of motorists and passengers. 

From Subic and Olongapo City, San Antonio town is about 50 kilometers or 45 minutes away, depending on traffic condition.  Another 15-minute drive to Pundaquit puts you in a jumping point for several awe-inspiring resort islands and coves.

Pundaquit, a fishing village, is one of the 14 barangays of San Antonio town in Zambales.  This peaceful fishing community has several resorts of its own.  Pundaquit has also a beautiful beach, but it is lined with fishing and tourist boats going to the islands.  It serves as a jump off point to these destinations.

From Pundaquit beach, tourists need to take the boats to the beautiful Camara Island, Capones Island, Anawangin Cove which is actually a part of the Luzon mainland, Nagsasa Cove and Sinlanguin Cove.  One can also go to Potipot Island from Pundaquit, although Potipot Island would beach reached more comfortably through Uacon in Candelaria town also in Zambales.

Camara Island is about 2 kilometers or 20 minutes away from Pundaquit while Capones is about 5 kilometers or 40 minutes from the jump off point in Pundaquit.

Camara Island has white sand bar which is good for swimming and frolicking in its calm green water.

Capones Island boasts of white sand beaches and calm, crystal clear water as well as some magnificent rock formations.  The two-kilometer-long Capones Island is also the site of a beautiful lighthouse.

Both Camara and Capones Islands have no resort facilities, although some campers stay on these islands overnight under their own tent.  Boat trips can be arranged at Pundaquit resorts for morning drop off and afternoon departure from Capones or Camara beaches.