Stopovers and Detours: Zambales: Potipot Island

During the first week of March, my colleagues booked a trip to Potipot Island thru sulit.com. The trip was scheduled on March 27, 2010. I had reservations in joining them since the bar exam results was rumored to be released the day before, March 26. However, being the lakwatsero that I am, I decided to go. We paid Php 2,000.00 per person for the trip. Sometimes, it pays to travel in a group of ten or more persons since it becomes cheaper than DIY travel.

On March 26, the day before the trip, the bar exam results were released. I was the happiest person then. Since I knew that I passed the bar, I hurriedly packed my stuff for the Potipot trip.

My friends and I met at Farmer’s market in Cubao at around 5 o’clock in the morning. There we met with our travel guide and rode the van to Potipot. During that time, I had no idea on what and where Potipot is. All I knew was it was an island in Zambales. After searching Potipot in Google through my mobile phone, I learned that Potipot is a small island in Candelaria, Zambales.

Our route to Potipot was through NLEX. We exited at San Fernando exit and proceeded towards Olongapo. From Olangapo, we continued the journey to Candelaria, Zambales. Since we got lost on the way, we reached Dawal Beach Resort, our residence during our stay; at around lunch time (we had approximately 6 hours of travel). Please take note that there are no resorts or hotel in Potipot Island itself. However, to save more, you may bring your tent and camp in the island.

On our way to Potipot...

Upon reaching Dawal Beach Resort, we proceeded to the counter to check-in. We availed of three rooms for the group. We then proceeded to our respective rooms to freshen up and prepare ourselves for the journey to Potipot that afternoon. Dawal has nice rooms. Its rooms are spacious and well lit. We have a clear view of Potipot Island from the balcony of our room. After freshening up, we proceeded to the beachfront of our resort to wait for our boat to Potipot.

While waiting, we sat on the beach. Although the sand was not white, it is clean enough; you may even take a dip in the water there. After a few minutes, our boat arrived and we are now on our way to Potipot Island. Travel time from the beach to Potipot is approximately 30 minutes.

Facade of Dawal Beach Resort


Balcony of our room, the island at the back is Potipot...

We arrived in the island at around 2 o’clock in the afternoon. We were greeted by clear blue waters and white sands. Potipot Island boasts of white powdery beaches and clear blue waters. It is raw nature at its finest. There were no stores and hotels. It is advisable to bring your own food, toiletries, and tents.

Touchdown Potipot!

There are lots of things to do while in the island. You can lie on the beach and read a book, snorkel, swim, camp, picnic, and the list goes on. As for our group, we first looked for a table and had a picnic. There are lots of tables in Potipot which you can rent for Php 20.00. After eating, all of us swam in the beach. The water is clean and warm and the waves were calm. After about an hour of swimming, we laid on the beach and rested.

Nice view from our picnic table...

Picnic by the sea...

Atty. Noel enjoying the waves...

At around 4 o’clock in the afternoon, we decided to explore the island. The island is really small, and it will only take you 30 minutes to explore it. In our case, it took us an hour and a half to explore since it is very beautiful that it is hard to resist the urge to take pictures. At around 6 o’clock in the evening, our boatman fetched us in the island so we can go back to the resort.