Friday, 11 November 2011

Sights: Island Getaway in POTIPOT ISLAND, ZAMBALES

Potipot Island is a small island found in Candelaria, Zambales. It is said to be beautifully peaceful, calm and serene.

Potipot Island

After a five to six hour drive from Manila, we arrived at Candelaria, Zambales. We checked in at Dawal Resort, one of the more famous resort in the area. This place would serve as the take off point to go to Potipot Island.

Dawal Beach Resort

 The beach itself in Candelaria is surprisingly nice enough to take a dip. In spite of the blackish-grayish color of the sand, it is smooth and fine.

The Beach Area at Dawal



But from afar, the view of Potipot Island lures people into it. For Php 400, you can rent a boat to go to the Island. It only takes around five minutes to reach its shore, a fee of Php100 person will be collected upon reaching Potipot, the minimal fee will allow you to enjoy the island for the whole day. For those who plans to camp it out for a whole night, each person has to pay Php 200.


Small Boat for hire with a View of Potipot Island behind

The Island is relatively small, you can leisurely walk around it in less than an hour.




Here are some of the things you can see around the island...


Trees surround the whole Island


A Tree House at the center of the Island (Its off-limits though)

An Old Fallen Tree

A Field of this White Bush Plant

Hermit Crabs

The swimming or beach area has a lovely fine white sand and clear waters.


Potipot Beach Area


I had a blast snorkeling around the shallow waters. There were some marine life in there.


Sea Grass

A Fish Swimming around

A Starfish

A Sea Urchin with Black and White Thorns


Be extra careful not to step into one of these like I did. Stepping on the thorns felt like my skin being split opened.

The Dreaded Black Sea Urchin

When we returned from the Island, we hanged out around the Candelaria beach as the moon light up the sky.


A Full Moon Out


Its hard not to compare Potipot from Anawangin since both islands are from the same province. Each island has its pros and cons. What I liked about Potipot was you can have a choice of whether to go camping or to stay over at a resort.  Moreover the place wasn't too crowded when we were here. For me as long as I can feel the smooth sand on my toes and clean pristine water on my skin. I'm happy.


Posted by Yaj at 12:08

26 comments:

  1. darwinfdalisay4 April 2012 at 00:44

    nice experience with potipot island, like what i've experienced, please try to visit www.darwinfdalisay.com

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  2. Albert-ERT24 October 2012 at 06:07

    Nice place, hope I can visit it with my son - Papillion.

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    Replies
    1. Yaj24 October 2012 at 14:49

      hi albert! You definitely should visit the island! It is relatively very easy to get to it. I'm pretty sure your son would love it.

      Delete
  3. Vanity de Leus18 January 2013 at 22:41

    Hi. We are planning to go to Potipot Island. Is there any other way to get there without checking in to Dawal beach resort? Because we are planning to just pitch a tent in Potipot Island. If we really have to check in first, how much do you think would it cost (for just checking in, because we're going to stay over night in Potipot)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yaj19 January 2013 at 12:28

      Hi Vanity Keys! From what I remember you don't have to check in the resorts to go to Potipot Island. Once you make your way to Rizal St. in Candelaria, there are already a lot of bangkeros/boatman who will offer their bangkas for you to go to potipot. But if you plan to check in at Dawal, prices would range from 500php per person for dorm type rooms and 800php per person and above for standard rooms. You might want to check out Dawal's facebook page.If you'll have more questions, you can email me. Thanks! Enjoy!

      Delete
  4. Geejay Gelogo6 February 2013 at 00:25

    Cool photos. I didnt had a chance to shoot under water. Maybe next time.

    http://geejaytravellog.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous11 March 2013 at 17:36

    Hi,

    I just want to ask the directions on how to get there (Potipot Island), I am from Pampanga. We're planning to visit there for just a day.. Is there a nipa hut to stay on? How much is the Entrance fee there?

    - Kaye

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yaj13 March 2013 at 06:43

      Hi Kaye! I really cant remember which route we took going to Candelaria. One important thing to remember is to be on the look out for Rizal St. cause the street is relatively small. This is where you can find boats for hire to go to the island. With regards to nipa huts, yes there were a few of them on the island. We weren't charge for using them before but am not sure if they do now. Entrance fee is Php100 per person for day trips. Enjoy!!!

      Delete
  6. Anonymous12 March 2013 at 23:32

    I've been there 8 years ago and it was really a nice experience. I really love the place and we are planning to be there again this summer.

    -bridgette

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    Replies
    1. Yaj13 March 2013 at 15:12

      Hi Bridgette! It was indeed a lovely place! Do tell me if it's still the same after all the years.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous12 March 2013 at 23:34

    I've been there 8 years ago and it was really a nice experience. I really love the place and we are planning to be there again this summer.

    -bridgette

    ReplyDelete
  8. Unknown16 April 2013 at 21:44

    hi from manila what is the right route going to potipot island.im interested

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous2 May 2013 at 17:34

    Hi..I just want to ask if that 400 pesos for the boat ride is already a back and forth one? or its 400 going to the island and another 400 going back..tnx for the reply

    -Joy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yaj3 May 2013 at 08:08

      Hi Joy! the 400php amount is for the back and forth boat ride. you can tell the bangkero your preferred time to be picked up from the island. Enjoy!

      Delete
  10. Ａｓｈｅ8 May 2013 at 06:36

    Hi! You took such lovely photos of the island! Thanks for posting this - it was very informative! We are planning to visit Potipot very soon and I'm wondering if they have a fee for using the grill there to cook our meals. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yaj10 May 2013 at 14:37

      Thanks Ashley! I didn't notice any bbq grills/pits during my visit a few years back. Enjoy Potipot!!!

      Delete
  11. Anonymous5 June 2013 at 07:54

    hi i just want to ask if the p400 boat ride is good for howany persons po?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yaj9 June 2013 at 08:03

      hi! the boat we rode can fit 6 people.

      Delete
  12. Unknown7 August 2013 at 17:45

    Hello. :)
    Should we bring our own tent or we can rent a tent there?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yaj11 August 2013 at 14:01

      Hi regine! When we went there, I didn't find any tents for rent. to be safe better bring your own. Enjoy Potipot!

      Delete
  13. Anonymous13 April 2014 at 23:49

    nice blog you have here. why not buy a domain and make this sightsandspices.com? Drop "blogspot" man. Just my two cents. keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yaj14 April 2014 at 06:33

      Hi! Thanks for very valid suggestion! I'll definitely do it soon.

      Delete
  14. Shevhy15 April 2014 at 03:32

    I hope you could visit there someday! Thanks for sharing your experience! :)
    You have lovely pics btw!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yaj16 April 2014 at 07:37

      Hi Shevhy! Thanks! It's pretty easy going there so start planning ;) I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the place.

      Delete

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