Potipot Island Day Tour – January 2019

Introduction

Another lakwatsa I just had last January is when my church friends and I went to Potipot Island on a day tour. As usual, it was a DIY tour. Since Potipot is in Zambales, it is just 3-4 hours away from Metro Manila. An easy weekend getaway that suits your budget 🙂

How to Get There (Commute)?

Victory Liner Bus has 3 stations in Metro Manila. These stations have trips going to Candelaria, Zambales (Pasay, Cubao and Caloocan). We decided to ride the bus at Victory Liner Caloocan since it has a direct trip to Sta. Cruz, Zambales. Note that in Cubao station, they don’t have a direct route to Sta. Cruz. Instead, if you still prefer to ride the bus at Cubao station, you will get off at Olongapo station and ride another bus going to Sta. Cruz. So it’s going to be two rides which is a bit hassle especially if you want to take a nap or sleep during the trip.

With that when you’re on the bus, kindly ask the bus conductor to drop you off in Uacon, Zambales and tell him/her that you’re off to Potipot Island. Once you arrive in Uacon, you will need to ride a tricycle that costs Php 50 (as of the writing) good for 4 persons to take you to jump off of Potipot. You will need to ride a boat that will just take 10-15 minutes to arrive in Potipot Island proper. Once there, you will need to register and sign a waiver form and pay the entrance fee that costs Php 300 (Day tour) and Php 500 (Overnight).

Since we didn’t have any tent, we rented from the reception and it cost Php 200 plus Php 200 as the security deposit. If you’re not comfortable staying in a tent, you can rent their cottages that cost Php 2000 for 5 persons (Basic Kubo/Hut). Whilst the modern kubo with a fan is Php 2500 good for 5-6 persons.

If you want to rent a book in advance, you may contact Kuya Rapoy Hermogino at 09106147887. Boat rental (back and forth) is Php 800 (7 persons). He is accommodating and friendly. You can also ask them (family) to cook your food for an additional price if you don’t plan to cook your food. They also sell meat, rice, vegetables, fruits, etc. Hence, I strongly suggest to bring your own like adobo and cooked rice to save money.

Potipot Island Day Tour Itinerary

• 10:00 PM – Meet up at Jollibee Farmers near EDSA
• 10:30 PM – ETD from Cubao to Victory Liner Caloocan
• 11:55 PM – ETD Victory Liner Caloocan
• 6:00 AM – ETA Candelaria Zambales; breakfast (on personal account); registration
• 6:30 AM – Boat transfer to Potipot Island
• 6:45 AM – ETA Potipot Island; free time
• 4:00 PM – ETD Potipot Island
• 4:30 PM – ETD Candelaria Zambales
• 11:00 PM – ETA Cubao

Budget and Expenses

Bus to Uacon, Zambales – about PHP 470 one way
Tricycle – Php 50
Boat rental (back and forth) – PHP 800 good for 7 persons
Entrance Fee – Php 300 (Day tour) / PHP 500 (Overnight)
Accommodation – Bring your own tent (free)

Gentle Reminders

Guys don’t forget to bring the following:

• Bible (whether digital or hardbound)
• Pocket money
• Tent
• Swimsuit
• Aqua shoes (optional)
• Change of clothes
• Toiletries (i.e. body soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)
• Food and mineral water
• Sunblock lotion
• Medications (if needed)
• First aid kit (Say will provide)
• Slippers
• Sunglasses
• Power bank
• Camera
• Hand sanitiser, rubbing alcohol

The list above is just for your reference. You may add anything you want to bring 🙂

Please watch our drone video below:

Above all, our group enjoyed our day tour and we went home full of memories of the island and the stories we shared with one another 🙂