If I remember it right, Capones Island is the first island I visited for travel. Yes, I’ve been to an island in Sorsogon before but that’s strictly for Archaeology and Anthropology fieldwork back in college. When I fell in love with solo travel, I visited Pundaquit village in San Antonio, Zambales. I remember standing on the shore of Pundaquit beach and watching the nearby Capones Island. That time, I met a boatman who offered me island hopping to Capones Island, Camara Island and Anawangin Cove. But then I figured, it would be fun if I tag along my sisters, so I told him I will return a week after. And we did.
Recently, I returned to San Antonio, Zambales to go island hopping in Capones Island, Anawangin Cove and Nagsasa Cove. And surprisingly, despite having visited some other beaches in the Philippines, I still find Capones beautiful. This bone-shaped island has rocky shore, lapped by denim blue water. Its wind-swept cliff that plunges into the maddening surf is crowned by a charming, age-old white lighthouse making it more dramatic, like a scene from a travel movie. It’s the kind of place where you’ll get a true taste of island life, no crowd, just you and raw nature. You can picnic and eat the grilled seafood on the beach with your feet on the sand. And best of all, its sister islands are sprinkled around, just a boat ride away!
If you are planning to travel to Capones Island soon, here’s a travel guide with itinerary and budget to help you plan your trip.
TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS
CAPONES ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE
WHEN TO VISIT CAPONES ISLAND
The best time to visit Capones Island is during the dry season – March to May, so your boat won’t have a hard time bringing you to the island. The sea is also calmer during the said months, so you can enjoy swimming.
HOW TO GET TO CAPONES ISLAND FROM MANILA
So how to get to Capones Island from Manila? It’s quite easy.
1.From Manila, Cubao, Earnshaw, Pasay or Caloocan take a bus (like Victory Liner) to Sta.Cruz or Iba, Zambales. Bus fare is roughly PHP 270/$ 5.41/€4.49 and travel time is around 4-5 hours.
2.Get off at San Antonio bus stop. Fare is PHP 60/$1.20/€1.
3.Take a tricycle to Brgy.Pundaquit. Transit time is about 20 minutes.
4.Hire a boat to take you to Capones Island.
HOW TO GET TO CAPONES ISLAND FROM CLARK, PAMPANGA
1.If you are coming from Clark, Pampanga since the nearest airport is Diosdado Macapagal Airport, you can ride a shuttle to Dau Bus Terminal for PHP 100/USD 2/EURO 2.
2.Take a bus to Olongapo. Travel time is 1.5 hours. Bus fare is PHP 140/USD 2.66/EURO 2.28.
3.At Olongapo bus terminal. Transfer to a bus to Sta. Cruz, Zamables or Iba, Zambales.
4.Alight at San Antonio, Zambales. Fare is about PHP 45 (USD 0.90 / EURO 0.75/SGD 1.20/MYR 4)
HOW TO GET TO CAPONES ISLAND FROM SUBIC, OLONGAPO
1.From Manila (Pasay, Cubao, Caloocan or Earnshaw), you can take a bus (Victory Liner) bound for Olongapo (I suggest you take the Olongapo bus via SCTEX for faster travel time). Travel time is about 3-4 hours and fare is around PHP 245 (USD 5 /EURO 4/SGD 7/MYR 20).
2.Change bus at Olongapo Victory bus terminal. Ride the bus to Iba or Sta. Cruz, Zambales and alight at San Antonio, Zambales. Fare is about PHP 45 (USD 0.90 / EURO 0.75/SGD 1.20/MYR 4).
3.At San Antonio, Zambales, charter a tricycle to take you to Brgy. Pundaquit. Fare is PHP 60 (USD 1.20 /EURO 1/SGD 2/MYR 5) if you are alone and PHP 30 (USD 0.60 /EURO 0.50/SGD 0.80/MYR 2.41) each person for two or more passengers. Travel time is around 20 minutes.
4.At Brgy. Pundaquit, charter a boat to take you Capones Island.
CAPONES BOAT RATE RENTAL
Boats for island hopping are readily available in Brgy.Pundaquit, just approach a local to inquire and they will point you to a boatman. Rates for island hopping are standard. Here’s a list of island hopping rates in Capones Island.
| BOAT RENTAL | CAPACITY | DESTINATION |
| PHP 1,000/$20/€17 per boat | 1-4 persons (small boat) | Capones + Anawangin |
| PHP 200/$4/€3 per person | 6 or more (large boat) | Capones |
| PHP 2,500/$50 /€42 per boat | 1-4 persons (small boat) | Capones, Anawangin,Nagsasa |
THINGS TO DO IN CAPONES ISLAND
SWIMMING – There’s not a lot of activities to do in Capones Island. You can go swimming, just be careful, choose the area where the sea is calm because Capones is known for its dangerous waves during the wet season.
SEE THE LIGHTHOUSE – There’s a beautiful Spanish-era lighthouse in Capones Island that you can trek. The lighthouse is named Faro de Punta de Capones, it was constructed sometime in 1890.
PHOTO OP – Capones Island is one my favorite islands in Zambales, as it is very picturesque. You can find many spots that are truly Instagram-worthy. This is a perfect beach to unleash the inner model in you! haha
WHERE TO STAY INCAPONES ISLAND
There are no resorts in Capones Island. You can book a resort in the village of Pundaquit or in San Antonio town or go camping in Anawangin Cove or Nagsasa Cove. Here’s a list of beach resorts in San Antonio, Zambales.
Lalyn’s Home in San Antonio, Zambales House
Pundaquit – San Antonio, Subic (Zambales)
CHECK ROOM RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
DG Paraiso Restaurant
Pundaquit Street, Purok 3, Zambales, Pundaquit – San Antonio, Subic (Zambales)
CHECK ROOM RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
Sir Williams Lodge & Beach Resort
Purok 5, Brgy.Pundaquit, Pundaquit – San Antonio, Subic (Zambales)
CHECK ROOM RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
Prince Ludwig Beach Resort
Pundaquit, San Antonio,Zambales
CHECK ROOM RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
ALSO READ: ZAMBALES BEACH RESORT
CAPONES ISLAND SIDE TRIPS
CAMARA ISLAND – When traveling to Capones Island, you can maximize your time by going island hopping. You can also visit Camara Island, which is located nearby.
ANAWANGIN COVE– This is another picturesque island in San Antonio, Zambales, about 30 minutes away from Capones Island. It has deep blue green water and powdery grayish ash sand hemmed in by agoho trees.
NAGSASA COVE, TALISAYEN COVE AND SILANGUIN COVE– Other islands nearby with similar topography as Anawangin Cove are Nagsasa Cove, Talisayen Cove and Silanguin Cove.
PUNDAQUIT BEACH – You can go surfing in Pundaquit beach. Some locals offer surf lesson with surfboard here.
CAPONES ISLAND DAY TRIP ITINERARY + BUDGET
If you have limited time and you just want to just do a day tour to Capones Island, here’s a sample itinerary with budget.
| TIME | ACTIVITIES | EXPENSES |
| 04:00 AM | Bus to San Antonio, Zambales via Iba. | PHP 270/USD 5.41/EURO 4.49 |
| 08:30 AM | ETA San Antonio, Zambales. Buy food and drinks at San Antonio Public Market. | |
| 09:00 AM | Tricycle to Brgy.Pundaquit | PHP 60/USD 1.20/EURO 1 |
| 09:50 AM | ETA Pundaquit. Hire boat for island hopping. | |
| 12:00 PM | Island hopping : Capones + Anawangin | PHP 1,000/USD 20/EURO 16.64 |
| 05:00 PM | End of tour. ETA Brgy. Pundaquit. | |
| 05:30 PM | Tricycle to San Antonio town. | PHP 60/USD 1.20/EURO 1 |
| 06:00 PM | Bus back to Manila. | PHP 270/USD 5.41/EURO 4.49 |
| 10:00 PM | ETA Manila. |
CAPONES ISLAND 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT ITINERARY WITH BUDGET
If you plan to stay overnight, here’s a sample Capones Island itinerary. I suggest you camp in Anawangin instead.
| TIME | ACTIVITIES | EXPENSES |
| 04:00 AM | Bus to San Antonio, Zambales via Iba. | PHP 270/USD 5.41/EURO 4.49 |
| 08:30 AM | ETA San Antonio, Zambales. Buy food and drinks at San Antonio Public Market. | |
| 09:00 AM | Tricycle to Brgy.Pundaquit | PHP 60/USD 1.20/EURO 1 |
| 09:50 AM | ETA Pundaquit. Hire boat for island hopping. | |
| 12:00 PM | Island hopping : Capones + Anawangin | PHP 1,000/USD 20/EURO 16.64 |
| 02:00 PM | End Anawangin Cove. Set up tent. | |
| 06:30 PM | Dinner + socials | |
| 08:00 PM | Lights out | |
| 09:00 AM | Pack up. Boat to Pundaquit. | |
| 10:00 AM | ETA Pundaquit. | |
| 10:30 AM | Tricycle to San Antonio town. | PHP 60/USD 1.20/EURO 1 |
| 11:00 AM | Bus back to Manila. | PHP 270/USD 5.41/EURO 4.49 |
| 04:00 PM | ETA Manila. |
CAPONES ISLAND BUDGET/EXPENSES
Here’s a list of possible expenses when traveling to Capones Island. This is good for a solo traveler. If you are traveling with someone or you are a group, trip expenses will most likely be cheaper since you will be sharing the boat rental.
| ACTIVITIES | EXPENSES |
| Bus from Manila to Zambales | PHP 270/$ 5.41/ € 4.49 |
| Bus from Zambales to Manila | PHP 270/$ 5.41/ € 4.49 |
| Tricycle to Pundaquit from San Antonio | PHP 60/$ 1.20/€1 |
| Tricycle to San Antonio from Pundaquit | PHP 60/$ 1.20/€1 |
| Capones Island Boat (small boat good for 1-4 person) | PHP 1,000/$20/€17 per boat |
- Food and drinks expenses as well as hotel is not included.
CAPONES ISLAND TRAVEL TIPS
Always check the weather updates before proceeding to Capones Island for your safety especially during the rainy season.
There are times when you can’t dock at Capones Island because of the waves, if that’s the case, proceed to Anawangin Cove instead if possible.
Always wear life vest whenever riding the boat. Capones waves are quite dangerous.
Be careful when swimming, choose a calm beach area, as the waves and current in Capones Island can be pretty strong especially during the rainy season.
There’s no electricity and mobile signal in Capones Island.
Bring your own tent, food and drinks as there no stores, restaurants or any establishments in Capones Island. It is an uninhabited island.
Bring sunblock and insect repellent if you plan to visit here.
Do not throw your trash anywhere nor leave it in the island. Take your trash with you.
About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina travel blogger. Her work has appeared in local and international publications.
Follow her on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.
For advertisements, sponsorship and partnerships, you may reach her at gaelhilotinblog (at) gmail (dot) com.
LIKE MY PAGE ON FACEBOOK FOR TRAVEL GUIDE UPDATES
Check out my Batangas YOUTUBE video!
Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE here.
