Swimming outing to small but pristine Island of Potipot in Zambales, Philippines

"Tayo nang magpunta sa Potipot
Tuklasin sa Potipot
Ang tuwa, ang saya


Doon sa Potipot
Tayo na, tayo na
Mga bata sa Potipot "

This was the theme song composed by my not so creative sister which she proudly sang to us while going to Potipot island in Zambales. Yeah, I know. Not so funny theme song and ver much original, nevertheless the group were amused when we heard it so expectedly she teased by her friends.

We availed the POTIPOT ISLAND GETAWAY PACKAGE for 2 days and 1 night of Leisure 28 Tours (See our Itinerary, package inclusions and rates below). From Manila to Candelaria, Zambales is a long drive, the travel time is 6 hours, maybe longer if it’s via public transportation, but we took it for 5 hours and 30 minutes drive because we have a fast driver (lucky for us!). For that entire hours being in the van, you either sleep or chat with each other, so you must really bring with you a bag of jokes and stories as what our group did.

Wake up sleepy heads.

We arrived at the resort in time for lunch. Our original Potipot Island package had no food, but we opted to have food inclusion, it’s just that you’ll pay higher if with food inclusion. At the resort, they allow you to cook though, but you must provide for your own cooking utensils and groceries of course. And if you ask the resort to cook a food for you like fry some hotdogs, they’ll charge Php. 300.

Sunbloom Resort in Candelaria, Zambales where we stayed in has tidy rooms with comfortable bed, clean C.R. and standard space to move for 4 persons, the staff are quite accommodating to the guest and good food.  Funny thing during our stay there, no fish in the menu because of the news about fish kill as a result we ended up eating chicken throughtout our stay. (So we didn't ride anymore we flew back home instead :-) You can even ask the resort to make a bun fire for your group, however it rained that afternoon so they were unable to since the logs are wet. So bad, so sad.

After lunch we rest for a while then off to prepare for Potipot Island. The boat ride going to Potipot costs Php.400 and the entrance fee is Php. 100 if a day tour only while overnight stay is Php. 300. Travel time via boat from our resort to the island is less than ten minutes only, so no worries guys but if you're that scared you may still hug your someone special (why not) and say 'Nakakatakot naman' (OMG I'm scared') throughout the less than 10 minutes ride.

It isn't obvious girls that you're not afarid of the sun.

Sunblock here and sunblock there.

Potipot here I come!!!

By the way, little info about the island, Potipot island is a privately owned one. The island is a just a small patch of land as if floating up from the deep of the sea that you can go around the island with less than an hour or 30 minutes only without picture taking, but I doubt it. I’m pretty sure every rock formation, every spot available and every tree whether dead or not you’ll point and shoot. The island is surrounded with white sand and clear blue waters.

 

The long drive from Manila and the not so scary boat ride (well, for me) are all worth it once our eyes set on the beauty in front of us and our foot touch down on the fine white sand. The island is so peaceful (best place to read, write, swim or free your thoughts then swim again), not yet commercialized because there are only few cottages and no electricity. The calm blue waters is seemingly inviting everyone to dip and swim. For me, the white sand in Potipot is comparable to station 2 of Boracay. As we sauntered around the island, we saw rock formations and dead tree stretched out in the sand where we did picture picture with friends (It's a normal thing, your trip is incomplete without picture picture please. You know for profile pic. he he he.) And at the middle of the island is an open clearing of grass field which what else but to take our jump shot. Although there are certain area around the island that we saw dead sea grass scattered and as we plunged in the water we felt sea grass and a bit rocky sea bed touches our feet. We still enjoy every moment of it, as if we're like kids playing with the waves, building our castle, senseless chit chat, eating junk foods, drinking lambanog (bubble gum flavor but I din't taste the bubble gum. The group said maybe the gum is chewed already by someone before they added. Yuck!) Before we off from Potipot, it rained thus it added to the fun then we swim again (ha ha ha ha). Swimming while raining is so much fun, the wind is cold yet the water is warm.

 

We’ve seen some group of friends at the island set up there tents  for the overnight stay (how cool). Within the island, there is no store to buy something, its good thing we brought snacks, water and everything we need. I noticed the place was not crowded maybe because it's not peak season for tourist hence as if we own the place.

Potipot island is truly pristine and quiet creation of nature to make one’s swimming outing truly a happy one however we never forget our responsibility to the island. We cleaned up our place and put our trash in the proper place, the trash can. I’ve seen some cigarette butts and food wrappings surrounding the area and it so disheartening that several people took pleasure in the island yet ungrateful to do their part. Waste baskets are available in the island so please guys dispose our waste properly or might as well carry it in pocket if no waste basket nearby. Be respectful to the island. We should be concerned about our environment. If no one should who would?

POTIPOT ISLAND GETAWAY PACKAGE
Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales
2 Days/ 1 Night via SUNBLOOM RESORT
RATES:
6 pax Php 2,750 each
7 pax Php 2,550 each
8 pax Php 2,250 each
9 pax Php 2,050 each
10-12pax Php 1,950 each
Target Slots: at least 6 people
Van Capacity: 12-Seater
Accommodation: Sun Bloom Resort


Inclusions:
• Roundtrip Van Transfer (Manila- Zambales, Zambales- Manila)
• Overnight Accommodation on a beachfront resort in Candelaria Zambales
• Boat ride to and from Potipot Island • Entrance fee to Potipot Island
• Toll Fee, Gas, Driver
*Please note that the above quoted price is for minimum of 4 people in a room
*Food not included
*Rates are subject to change
ITINERARY:
Day 1
05:00am Assembly, starting point (Manila)
05:30am Departure 12:00pm Arrival in Candelaria, Sta. Cruz, Zambales
Check-in at the resort / Lunch (on pax own account) and Rest
01:30pm Start Boating to Potipot Island (swim & explore the island)
06:00pm Back to resort
07:00pm Dinner and socials (on pax own account)
Day 2
07:00am Breakfast (on pax own account).
08:00am Free time, Swim nearby beach
12:00pm Check out from the hotel
06:00pm Arrival in Manila