Alaminos / Hundred Islands

Overview

Hundred Islands National Park lies off Alaminos City in Pangasinan, where more than a hundred limestone islets and reefs break the surface of Lingayen Gulf. Trips begin at Lucap Wharf with a chartered outrigger banca that hops between developed islands such as Governor's, Quezon, and Marcos for swimming, snorkeling, and short viewpoint treks. It is one of the region's most accessible island-hopping trips, and an overnight in Alaminos gives a calmer morning start than a long day trip from Manila.

Standout experiences

• 01 Island-hopping from Lucap Wharf

  A chartered banca between the developed islands, with swimming and snorkeling stops arranged around the tide and weather.

• 02 Governor's Island viewpoints

  The park's classic panoramic deck, linked to a neighboring island by a zipline.

• 03 Marcos Island and Imelda Cave

  A cave mouth that opens onto a cliff jump over clear water, taken only where guides advise it is safe.

• 04 Reef snorkeling

  Shallow coral and giant-clam areas around the islet bases, clearest in the drier months when the gulf settles.

• 05 Pangasinan add-ons

  Bolinao's lighthouse coast to the west and the Manaoag pilgrimage church inland for travelers with extra days.

Getting there

Alaminos has no scheduled commercial airport, so visitors arrive overland. Buses run from Metro Manila to Alaminos in about five to six hours, and tricycles then carry passengers from the bus terminal to Lucap Wharf, where the city tourism office arranges boat rentals for island hopping to the Hundred Islands. Boats are the only way to reach the islands themselves.

When to go

The dry season from December to May gives the calmest crossings and clearest water for island hopping at the Hundred Islands; the rainy months from June to November bring rougher seas and reduced underwater visibility. The dry season also hosts Pangasinan's Bangus Festival in Dagupan, a celebration of the province's milkfish industry.