Weekend adventure: MAGALAWA ISLAND
How to turn an ordinary weekend into a a special one? Pack your things and go somewhere for a day. Just what we did last weekend. Remember those photos I've been posting in Twitter last week? Well, finally after less than a year of planning to visit this hidden paradise, nagkatotoo na! :)
Our journey to Magalawa Island
This secluded island is located in Zambales which requires around 5-6hrs of land travel and 10-15minutes of boat ride to cross the South China Sea. Upon seeing the island, it was serene. There are only few people around staying in the island so if you really want to have a peace of mind and to stay in a place away from the busy, crowded places and beach resort, this is the place to visit. The island resort has approximately around 8-10 kubo, 3 nipa rooms, 2 AC rooms and numerous tents. Yes. They also have tents.
I can say that the island is really preserved compared to other commercialized islands. the rooms don't have TV which will enable everyone to bond and really to get to know each other more. Beachfront side is richly embedded with seaweeds and star fishes. (NO PICKING OF STARFISHES pls.) and on the other side, you can swim your heart out in the open blue sea. Also, not far from the island is a big community of coral reefs which is as of now, still unprotected from illegal fishery. So as a solution, they included snorkeling in the said area in the package, which I will discuss later, to drive away illegal fishing. (ISN'T IT SMART?)
The package
There are numerous packages you and your family or friends can choose from depending on the number of tourist and length of stay. For us, what we had is the 2d1n package in the AC room. This includes the ff:
4 meals for the entire duration of stay. I strongly suggest you try their food. They cook really good plus the fact that all the fishes being served is from the local community on the other side of the island, then we are helping them somehow.
accommodation. What they have is a decent place to sleep. Back to basic. No TV nor radio aside from the one in the dining area. So it's either you relax or you enjoy the sea. :)
Snorkeling. This one is cute. Instead of riding the boat going to the area, you will ride a manmade raft pulled by a motor boat. Oha! better than banana boat! Then you can stay for 1 hour in the open sea to enjoy the scenery underwater.
Island transfer. All you have to do is just to inform them and they will pick you up at the port area. Very personalized.
We paid Php2,800 per pax since there's only 2 of us and we chose the aircon room. Not bad. The food alone is all worth it. Lapu-lapu, fresh tuna and dalagambukid just to name a few. :)
During our stay, typhoon Bebang came to ruin our vacation but thing is we're about to leave the island when the weather turned *&&%$*#).
So if you're also looking for affordable and new place to visit, try Magalawa Island. Check their Facebook fanpage here: Magalawa Island Fanpage where you can check all their rates. For faster transaction, you may contact the one who personally manages the island. Ate Grace Armada at 0920-948-3303 ( After our chit chat session, I therefore declare she's a Donya! haha!)
Visit Magalawa and enjoy nature. Believe me. You will not only enjoy your stay but you are also helping a lot of lives as well. I'd rather not elaborate this part for somebody might sue me. (clue? haha! don't kill me ate grace!)
Our journey to Magalawa Island
This secluded island is located in Zambales which requires around 5-6hrs of land travel and 10-15minutes of boat ride to cross the South China Sea. Upon seeing the island, it was serene. There are only few people around staying in the island so if you really want to have a peace of mind and to stay in a place away from the busy, crowded places and beach resort, this is the place to visit. The island resort has approximately around 8-10 kubo, 3 nipa rooms, 2 AC rooms and numerous tents. Yes. They also have tents.
 |
| Bawal kunin e. :( |
I can say that the island is really preserved compared to other commercialized islands. the rooms don't have TV which will enable everyone to bond and really to get to know each other more. Beachfront side is richly embedded with seaweeds and star fishes. (NO PICKING OF STARFISHES pls.) and on the other side, you can swim your heart out in the open blue sea. Also, not far from the island is a big community of coral reefs which is as of now, still unprotected from illegal fishery. So as a solution, they included snorkeling in the said area in the package, which I will discuss later, to drive away illegal fishing. (ISN'T IT SMART?)
The package
There are numerous packages you and your family or friends can choose from depending on the number of tourist and length of stay. For us, what we had is the 2d1n package in the AC room. This includes the ff:
 |
| yellow fin tuna |
 |
| pambungad na pa piging: Lapu Lapu at hipon |
4 meals for the entire duration of stay. I strongly suggest you try their food. They cook really good plus the fact that all the fishes being served is from the local community on the other side of the island, then we are helping them somehow.
accommodation. What they have is a decent place to sleep. Back to basic. No TV nor radio aside from the one in the dining area. So it's either you relax or you enjoy the sea. :)
 |
| Sisid time :) |
Snorkeling. This one is cute. Instead of riding the boat going to the area, you will ride a manmade raft pulled by a motor boat. Oha! better than banana boat! Then you can stay for 1 hour in the open sea to enjoy the scenery underwater.
Island transfer. All you have to do is just to inform them and they will pick you up at the port area. Very personalized.
We paid Php2,800 per pax since there's only 2 of us and we chose the aircon room. Not bad. The food alone is all worth it. Lapu-lapu, fresh tuna and dalagambukid just to name a few. :)
During our stay, typhoon Bebang came to ruin our vacation but thing is we're about to leave the island when the weather turned *&&%$*#).
So if you're also looking for affordable and new place to visit, try Magalawa Island. Check their Facebook fanpage here: Magalawa Island Fanpage where you can check all their rates. For faster transaction, you may contact the one who personally manages the island. Ate Grace Armada at 0920-948-3303 ( After our chit chat session, I therefore declare she's a Donya! haha!)
Visit Magalawa and enjoy nature. Believe me. You will not only enjoy your stay but you are also helping a lot of lives as well. I'd rather not elaborate this part for somebody might sue me. (clue? haha! don't kill me ate grace!)
 |
| Magalawa Island |
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Cheers.