Capones Island Tour

Capones Island is the dramatic, cliff-edged islet just off the coast of Pundaquit in San Antonio, Zambales, and it makes for one of the most rewarding day trips in Central Luzon. Your adventure begins with a 20-30 minute banca (outrigger boat) ride from Pundaquit Beach across the West Philippine Sea, weaving past the smaller Camara Island before the rugged silhouette of Capones comes into view. The island has no resorts, no food stalls and no permanent residents, so what you get instead is raw, uncrowded coastline: pockets of white sand tucked between boulders, clear turquoise shallows, and rocky shelves perfect for snorkeling.

The headline attraction is the Faro de Punta Capones, a Spanish-era lighthouse built in 1890 to guide ships entering Subic Bay. The short uphill hike to the lighthouse rewards you with sweeping panoramas of the Zambales coastline and the open sea, and the weathered stone structure is a favorite for photographers. Because Capones is so close to Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves, most boatmen offer it as part of an island-hopping circuit, so you can easily combine the lighthouse with a swim and lunch on the famous pine-fringed cove beaches.

This is a do-it-yourself style escape best for travelers who like a touch of wildness. There is no fresh water or food on the island, so packing your own supplies is essential, and footwear with grip helps on the rocky trail. With an early start from Manila (roughly 3-4 hours by car or bus to San Antonio), Capones is very doable as a single-day getaway.