Gala La Travels: Camara and Capones Island, San Antonio ~ ZAMBALES

Our 2- day trip to Zambales includes island hopping to the wonderful Capones and Camara Islands. Originally, our island hopping was scheduled on the first day, but since we arrived at Pundaquit Beach late, we decided to have it on the second day.

We spent our first day and overnight at Anawangin Cove that gave us one-of-a-kind camping experience. [CLICK HERE] Our boatman and tour guide picked us up at 7:30 on the next morning and head on to visit the Capones and Camara Islands. Excitement filled our faces as we leave the cove.

The Shoe-like Island

Ronald Mcdonalds once hopped & played in this island, and he left his big shoe =c lol!

Capones Island is indeed the highlight of island hopping activity in Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. It is known for the century old lighthouse located at the back of the island built during the Spanish era to guide local and international vessels coming from north to northwest going to Subic Bay or Corregidor Islands in Bataan. The island is a big lump of rock formations with very little soil. It can be reached through an outrigger boat, 15-20 minutes from the shoreline of Pundaquit.

Getting into the island can be quite rough as you have to fight with your fear of water and deal with raging waves. This is because the island is at the western most part of the Philippines facing the open coastline of West Philippine Sea. You must also be prepared to get a little or a lot wet. They say, these are all part of the adventure. I said, yes if you are braver than out boatman, who used to take visitors in and out of the island and learned the movements of the wind and the sea. But he said that time is different and the waves are really big. We can even see worries on his face. Our outrigger boat is really struggling with the big waves as we get near the island. He said that it is not possible for us to get into shoreline because of the strong push of water. If we insist, the boat might get damaged.

With nothing to do, we decided not to continue with our island hopping. Although we were all disappointed for not seeing the Light house, at least we are safe. We just satisfied ourselves taking pictures of the big rock formation in front of us and head our way back to Pundaquit.

The other side of Capones Island

By the way, here's what you will see when you climbed and reached the peak of Capones. I wish I will be able to see this on our next trip to San Antonio, Zambales.. ;)

Photo credit: ERICK DANTOC [www.islandsofthephilippines.com]

The Camara Island

Near the Capones Island, about 5 minutes boat ride is the Camara Island. This is supposed to be our next stop. Camara Island is actually a twin island separated by a flat stretch of white sand. When the water is low, the white sand bar connecting the two islands is very visible allowing you to transfer from one to the other without getting wet.

A mummy-like rock formation, which is the other part of Camara Island. This island look-like a lying person in the middle of azure waters.

Boatmen are really struggling taking their passengers out of the boat because of raging water.

View of the Camara Island from Pundaquit shoreline

Fishing boats aligned at the shore


The beautiful shoreline of Pundaquit and the picturesque view of Pundaquit Mountanin Range, the alternative by land route going to Anawangin.

Island hopping is FUN. Don't forget to wear your life vest for safety purposes.

Rock formations and rolling hills charm the passengers along the way to Anawangin cove.

The team is getting ready. Everyone is excited to get into the boat. Oh, by the way, this is taken upon our arrival to Brgy. Pundaquit before heading to Anawangin Cove. Brgy. Pundaquit is the getaway to Anawangin Cove and the closest shore to Capones and Camara Islands