Capones Grande Island

             Capones Lighthouse! It's located in Capones Island, Pundaquit, Zambales.  It was known as the "Isla de Gran Capon" during the Spanish Era.  This is one of the famous landmark in Barangay Pundaquit.  This is four kilometers off Pundaquit shore which is located in San Antonio - one of the famous town of Zambales.  The lighthouse used to light the international vessels coming from the north towards to Subic Bay or Corregidor Lighthouse Island, fronting Manila Bay.  It's hard to believe this Faro de Punta Capones or Capones Island Lighthouse started way back 1890.  The solar-powered lighthouse still looked-like it was build couple of years back - the brick house still intact except for the care taker's house that looks like it'll collapse anytime if hit by strong wind.  It really needs an urgent repair.  the original lamp and lantern were already replaced by Philippine Coast Guard which happen to be the care taker of the island itself as part of their Maritime Safety Improvement.  Going to the lighthouse is definitely not a walk in the park but worth the effort.  

            Been wanting to visit this island and the famous lighthouse for months now but not able to find time and spare a budget.  Finally, one day during my day off from work, a friend agreed to spend sometime with me exploring the place.  A 'surfer-wanna-be' that I am, I love the waves and the quiet beach.  No crowd and big waves are more than perfect.  For other beach bummer, you may not like the beach for its not plain white sand, in fact, it is a mixture of rocks and sand from the big waves hitting the shore - directly coming from the open sea.  The long stretch of white sand beach is conducive for day swimming, picnic and even overnight camping.  Though the waves are big, some part of the island offers a calm water experience.  Marine life are rich which is suitable for snorkeling and even scuba diving.

            The place boost no resorts, no hotels, no restaurants or shops and no source of food or other things that provides comfort in the beach (sunblock, goggles, shampoo and conditioner, etc.).  Before going to the island, we made sure we purchase enough food to last us for the whole day.  You may buy it from the main road of San Antonio where you can find a lot of mini-groceries and stores or you can buy it from Olongapo City during your stopover.  You must bring with you all of your equipment (tent, cooking materials, water, etc.) for you cannot go back and forth to Pundaquit.  The banca trip will take half an hour and its not a nice ride, quiet rough and you will definitely get wet. 

            To get to the island, you can take a bus to the town of San Antonio in Zambales.  Preferably a Victory Liner bus for they have a trip to Sta. Cruz or Iba, you may inform the driver to drop you off San Antonio plaza.  No need to ride different buses to avoid the hassle.  Don't forget to inform the cashier that you will be going to San Antonio otherwise you will be charge full price of the destination of the bus. Coming from Victory Liner terminal in Cubao, it will cost you 270P/pax.  If there's no trip to Sta. Cruz or Iba, you may take the Olongapo City route (P207/pax) and take another Victory bus  (located in same terminal) to Sta. Cruz or Iba (44P/pax).  From the plaza, you can take a tricycle (30P/pax) that will take you to Barangay Pundaquit.  As you arrived, you will notice a lot of available banca - you may ask the tricycle driver to help you find a banca for rent or ask the people on the shore - obviously waiting for some tourist to arrive.  The standard rate is 700P (Capones Island) good for four persons.  It's cost you around P1,000 if you want to visit the nearest Camara island and around 1,500P if you ask the "bangkero" to tour you around Nagsasa Cove or Anawangin.

For those who wants to reserve a banca for their future trips, you may call Manong Mike (my 'suking-bankero') thru this contact number: 09283405136 (Smart) and 09277801312 (Globe).