Magalawa IslandLoads of travel enthusiasts flock to Zambales to experience its spectacular beaches and islands. The famous ones are Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove, Camara Island, Capones Island and Potipot Island.

A friend of mine recommended Magalawa Island in Palauig.

Day 1. We assembled at the Victory Liner bus terminal in Caloocan and departed at 4:30 a.m. via a Sta. Cruz-Zambales bound bus. 

Since the trip would take more or less six hours, make sure to eat breakfast beforehand or buy at the bus terminal.  

Be early at the station because they don’t accept reservations for morning trips. As early as 3:30 a.m. the queue is already long and tickets are first come, first served. 

If taking the Sta. Cruz route, tell the conductor to drop you off on Veritas Road in Brgy. Pangolinan, Palauig. 

We arrived at the drop-off point at 11 a.m. Tricycles were parked nearby and we asked our driver to drop us off at Port Luan, which was the only place to get a boat ride to Magalawa Island.

Along the way we stopped at a sari-sari store to purchase mineral water and some food items because these are a bit costly when bought on the island. 

As the boat departed from Port Luan, we could see San Salvador Island in the distance. We touched down on Magalawa Island by 12:30 p.m.

After depositing our belongings in our room in Armada Resort, we headed to the beach.

The one thing you would definitely see on this beach would be starfish. There were starfish that had spikes on their bodies so be cautious when treading the waters.

There was a sign warning guests not to swim beyond a certain point on the beach due to the strong currents.

A mangrove can also be visited as you trek further south.

Day 2. As always, when I travel to beaches and islands, I never miss a sunrise or sunset shot, so as early as 5 a.m. I was already at the beach waiting for the sunrise along Masinloc Harbor.

Next on the itinerary was the snorkeling/rafting activity. You will ride a balsa being pulled by a motorized boat to a certain diving spot where you could view corals and marine life underwater using the life vest and snorkeling gear provided.

We departed for Manila around 10 a.m.

Among the islands in the Zambales area, Magalawa Island may be one of the least popular of them all, but it is a great place to visit—and at a very affordable cost. Worth the trip! (Excerpted from http://largabista.blogspot.com)(Story/Photos by: Gerbs de Castro)

Magalawa Island