Magalawa Island in Zambales: DIY Travel Guide

Zambales is a coastal province located besides South China Sea and its known for long shoreline of beaches perfect for family getaways and barkada trips. Aside from its beaches and coves, Zambales also has a number of beautiful islands great for beach bumming and vacations. One of these is the Magalawa Island in Palauig, Zambales. Although the island is 6 hours away from Manila, its peaceful and serene atmosphere is truly rewarding. We went for a quick 2-day trip in Magalawa Island and here’s our DIY travel guide and review.

This post is updated on November 15, 2020: We added the current status of Magalawa Island in this time of the pandemic. Details came from the local govenment of Zambales.

Aerial shot of the southern part of Magalawa Island with the South China Sea in the horizon.

Magalawa Island: Brief Details

Magalawa Island is located in Palauig, Zambales and is enveloped with the waters of South China Sea. It has a total land area of 56 hectares and it is accessible through a 10-minute boat ride from Sitio Luan. The island boasts creamy white sand beaches, towering coconut trees, rich marine life and sea corals perfect for snorkeling and diving.

Even though the island is surrounded with sea water, potable drinking water is enormous in the island acquired through jetmatic and pitcher pumps. Fishing is a common livelihood, but rice is not grown in this island; thus, the locals have to buy grains from the mainland.

Unlike other beaches, Magalawa island has a calm and quiet environment; a zen place away from the noisy and stressful atmosphere of the metro.

An Interesting History

According to the elders living in the place, the Magalawa Island was once connected in Sitio Luan Barangay Lipay with a river bisecting the two places. As years passed, the current from the river became stronger and wider. Due to continuous erosion, the land started to separate creating an island. The natives called this formed island “MAG-LUWA” which means “about two places”.

How to go to Magalawa Island?

Option 1: Bus from Manila to Palauig, Zambales

In our case, we went to Victory Liner Caloocan Express Bus Terminal and took the 0430H bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Zambales. At the ticket booth, inform the staff that you will alight in Palauig, Zambales so you will not be charged with a bus ticket going to Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

This is Radio Veritas Road in Barangay Pangolinan, Palauig, Zambales. You will alight here, and there’s a tricycle station across the street going to Barangay Luan.

Bus fare going to Palauig, Zambales costs PHP 490/pax (USD 9.8/pax) (as of November 15, 2020) and this will take the San Fernando / Lubao route. The bus ride takes around 5-6 hours depending on the traffic. Inform the bus conductor that you will alight in Radio Veritas Road in Barangay Pangolinan.

Option 2: Bus from Manila to Iba, Zambales

You can also take a bus bound to Iba, Zambales, but you have to take a jeep or a bus again from Iba Terminal going to Palauig. Bus fare going to Iba, Zambales varies from different terminals. (Fares posted in the table below are updated as of November 15, 2020)

Once you arrived at Iba Bus terminal, you can take a jeep bound to Sta. Cruz, Zambales. Inform the driver that you will alight in Radio Veritas Road in Barangay Pangolinan. Jeepney fare is PHP 23/pax.

We recommend the first option since this will take you to Palauig in just one ride rather than the second option; but this depends on your location and schedule.

Tricycle from Radio Veritas Road to Barangay Luan

Once arrived at Barangay Pangolinan in Radio Veritas Road, you can take a tricycle going to Oslet Armada Fishdealer Compound in Brgy. Luan. Tricycle fare is PHP 100/pax and the ride is around 20-30 minutes. The ride going to the port is smooth except on the last 1/3 of the ride due to its unpaved path and ongoing road construction.

The path going to the port in Barangay Luan is smooth at first (left), but the latter part is unpaved and bumpy (right).

TAKE NOTE: Magalawa Island has two available resorts, Ruiz and Armada Resort. We recommend the Magalawa Island Armada Resort since they have a better beach front, longer shoreline of white sand beach, and a sandbar. It is recommended to contact your chosen resort before going to Magalawa Island; because, most of their packages include boat transfers to and fro the island. For visitors of Magalawa Island Armada Resort, you will alight in Oslet Armada Fishdealer Compound in Brgy. Luan, and their staffs will be waiting there.

Boat Ride from Brgy. Luan to Magalawa Island

At Oslet Fish Dealer Compound in Barangay Luan, Palauig, Zambales.

Like what I mentioned earlier, it is recommended to contact your chosen resort before going to the island for boat transfer arrangements. We notified the staff of Armada Resort when we arrived in Radio Veritas Road. As we reached the port, the resort staff was already waiting for us. The boat ride going to the island is around 10 minutes.

TRAVEL TIP: Please contact Ms. Rechie Armada-Rivera for reservations in Magalawa Island Armada Resort. Contact # 09198196725. FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/rechie.armada.71

Magalawa Island Armada Resort

Just arrived at Magalawa Island Armada Resort.

We arrived in the island at around 1040H, my sleepiness were gone as I stepped down from the boat and see the beauty of the island. Magalawa is indeed peaceful and quiet; a signature most travelers will take note of. A member of the staff greeted us upon arrival and she gave a brief reminder on the house rules, and features and amenities of the place.

Resort Packages

Armada Resort has a bunch of tour packages depending on the length of stay and the number of people in a group. We availed their 2D1N Complete Package for 2 for only PHP 1,600/pax. This includes a round trip boat transportation, entrance fee, 4 set of meals, and snorkeling activity.

I think the price is reasonable because it already includes the boat rental fee to and fro the island, and the snorkeling activity. The 4 set of meals is also a great deal, thus this rate is already a bang for the buck. Although we bring our own tent for our accommodation, this is their cheapest package available for a group of 2.

If you don’t want to stay in a tent overnight, you can avail their AC or non-AC rooms for an additional price. Here are their rates for 2D1N complete package: (Updated as of November 15, 2020)

Package above includes a round trip boat transfers to and fro the island, entrance fee, 4 set of meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast and lunch), and snorkeling activity.

About the Resort

The insignia of Armada Resort is a chocolate chip sea star; which is ubiquitous around the island. Although you will see these sea stars scattered all over the shore, visitors are prohibited in touching and capturing these creatures for souvenirs.

Generally, the whole place is calm and relaxing, and loud music is prohibited. The place for pitching tents is surrounded with tall trees perfect for providing comfort and shade in the middle of the day. The sand here is coarse yet white in color, and the beach waves are mild and timid. There are available nipa huts around the beachfront where you can stay and savor the wind.

The beautiful sandbar of Magalawa Island.

My most favorite part of the island is the sandbar decorated with colorful beach flags. There are nipa huts in the sandbar too where we spent most of the afternoon.

At the sandbar of Magalawa Island; avoid swimming near the riptide to prevent accidents.

Take caution because of a riptide near the sandbar. Don’t go near the riptide to prevent any accidents.

Common Bath

Their common bathroom though is not impressive. Water supply in the afternoon is limited, and the locks in some shower cubicles are defective; which is a nuisance. If you’re concern with your own privacy and bothered with the sanitation of their common baths, then we would recommend availing their room accommodations with private toilets.

Seafood Everywhere

Our 4-set meals include lunch, dinner, breakfast and another lunch for the following day. Most meals served were abundant in seafood like fish, shrimp, crabs, mussels and seaweeds. If you’re allergic to seafood, just inform the staff for assistance.

Enjoying the calm and serene atmosphere of Magalawa Island.

Our Solo Experience in the Island

The number of guests were few when we visited Magalawa Island since it’s a weekday. By afternoon, we were the only guests left in the island! So we enjoyed our stay in the whole Magalawa Island Armada Resort all by ourselves.

There’s also a snorkeling site near the island, and the snorkeling activity is part of the resort package.

Snorkeling in Magalawa Island

After having our breakfast on the next day, we went out and availed their snorkeling activity. Snorkeling gears and fee are already included in the package.

Going Back to Manila

We checked out in the resort at 1200H, and rode a boat going back to the port. After it, we took a tricycle going to the main highway. From the main highway, we took a jeep going to Victory Liner Iba Bus Terminal; jeepney fare is PHP 23/pax. From Iba Bus Terminal, we took a bus going back to Cubao; bus fare is PHP 375/pax.

Conclusion

Overall, we enjoyed our 2D1N stay in Magalawa Island. The place is not crowded unlike the other popular islands and beaches, and it is perfect for people who are looking for a quiet and peaceful place to stay away from the metro.

Magalawa Island Itinerary

Here’s our sample itinerary in Magalawa Island for 2 days and 1 night.

Magalawa Island Trip Expenses

Here are our travel expenses for this 2D1N trip in Magalawa Island for 2. Please take note that additional food and pasalubong expenses are not included in the list. If your group consist of more than 5, then you will save more money and decrease expenses.

Magalawa Island Travel Tips

Inside Oslet Armada Fish Dealer Compound in Barangay Luan, Palauig, Zambales

• Make sure to contact your chosen resort before going to the island for proper boat transportation arrangements and seamless travel. You can contact Ms. Rechie Armada-Rivera for reservations at 09198196725. Here’s her FB Account: https://www.facebook.com/rechie.armada.71
• Keep yourself hydrated by bringing water filled bottles with you all the time. There is a free water dispenser in the restaurant of Magalawa Island Armada Resort, so utilize it.

A cheaper and more adventurous option is pitching a tent overnight in the island.

• Bring mosquito repellents like lotions for protection especially for travelers availing a tent accommodation.
• Also for tent accommodations, bring your own bag locks for safety and security.
• The signal reception for both Smart and Globe in the island are inconsistent.
• Don’t forget to bring your underwater camera. Marine life is rich in the island so don’t miss a shot!
• Bring first-aid kit! This is self-explanatory.
• Bring sunscreen for protection from the harmful UV rays.
• If you’re uncomfortable with common baths, then avail their AC rooms. These rooms have their own private baths but it come with a hefty price tag.
• There are 2 mini stores inside Magalawa Island Armada Resort where you can buy beers, junk foods and other stuffs.

Enjoying the sunset at the sandbar of Magalawa Island.

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