Hundred Islands National Park is a protected archipelago of 124 islands and islets located in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, along the Lingayen Gulf, roughly 260 kilometers north of Manila. The day-tour entrance fee is ₱120 per person and boat rentals under the updated 2026 rate ordinance start at ₱1,920 for a small vessel. This guide covers everything a first-time visitor needs to plan and budget the trip, updated after my return visit in April 2026.
I’ve covered 69 of the country’s 82 provinces since 2015, and Hundred Islands remains one of the most accessible island-hopping destinations in Luzon for a group willing to plan just a day ahead. The operational gateway is Lucap Wharf, also called Don Gonzalo Montemayor Wharf, in Alaminos City. That is where registration, boat arrangement, and departure all happen. If you understand Lucap, you understand how the whole trip works.
Key Takeaways
- The Hundred Islands National Park covers 1,844 hectares of the Lingayen Gulf in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, and comprises 124 islands at low tide and 123 at high tide.
- The day-tour registration fee is ₱120 per person; overnight is ₱200 per person. Children 5 and below enter free. Senior citizens, PWDs, and Pangasinan residents get a 20% discount on the environmental fee component.
- Boat rentals are charged per boat, not per person. A full-day small boat (1–5 pax) costs ₱1,920 under Ordinance No. 09-2026. The per-person cost drops sharply the more people share.
- Bus travel from Manila to Alaminos takes 6 to 7 hours. Plan to arrive in Lucap the night before to get the best boat slots and a relaxed departure.
- The best months to visit are December through April, when the amihan (northeast monsoon) keeps the Lingayen Gulf calm. Habagat season from June to October brings choppy water and restricted boat operations.
- As of February 18, 2026, pre-registration is available through the HINPMS online system before you travel.
Table of Contents
Where Hundred Islands Is Located and How Many Islands There Are
Hundred Islands is located in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, on the western coast of Luzon, facing the Lingayen Gulf. The park sits approximately 260 kilometers north of Manila by road. If you search “where is Hundred Islands located” or “100 islands location,” the short answer is: Alaminos City, Pangasinan, jump-off at Lucap Wharf. That is the only access point for island-hopping, and all registration and boat hire happens there.
On the island count: the park is now officially presented as 124 islands and islets at low tide and 123 at high tide. The difference comes from how certain limestone formations are classified when water levels rise. Both numbers appear in valid references and both describe the same destination. If you are looking at older material using 123, that is the high-tide count.
The limestone formations here are the result of millions of years of tidal erosion on ancient coral reefs, which gives each island its distinctive mushroom or umbrella silhouette, most pronounced at low tide. Spread across Pangasinan’s Lingayen Gulf coast, Hundred Islands is one of the most geologically distinct coastal parks in the country, and the variety of the islands is real: each one has a different profile, a different mood, and a different reason to stop.
2026 Entrance Fees, Discounts, and the Trash Deposit
The Hundred Islands entrance fee for a day tour is ₱120 per person, broken down as: ₱80 environmental fee, ₱30 entrance fee (designated for the Integrated Protected Area Fund or IPAF), and ₱10 emergency coverage. For an overnight stay, the registration fee is ₱200 per person, with the environmental fee component rising to ₱160 while the entrance and insurance components remain the same.
These rates have been in effect since the Alaminos LGU revised its tourism code and remain the enforced standard in 2026.
Discounts and exemptions:
- Senior citizens, PWDs, and Pangasinan residents receive a 20% discount on the environmental fee component.
- Children 5 years old and below enter free.
- Bring a valid ID to claim any discount at registration.
| Fee Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Day tour registration | ₱120 per person |
| Overnight registration | ₱200 per person |
| Children 5 and below | Free |
| Senior / PWD / Pangasinan resident discount | 20% off the environmental fee |
| Trash deposit (per group) | ₱200, refundable |
The “Basura Mo, Iuwi Mo” deposit is a ₱200 refundable deposit collected per group at registration. The tourism office issues two garbage bags, one for biodegradable waste and one for non-biodegradables. You get the ₱200 back when you return to the mainland with your sorted waste and hand it over to the Alaminos Tourism Office. On top of the refund, compliant groups historically receive a non-expiring gift certificate covering the environmental and entrance fees for two people on a future visit. That is a meaningful incentive, not a formality.
Online pre-registration: As of February 18, 2026, the park operates the HINPMS online registration system. You can pre-register your group before you travel, which shortens the queue at Lucap and ensures your passenger manifest is already filed. If you are visiting on a weekend or a holiday, pre-register first. Contact the Alaminos City Tourism Office at 0917 828 4001, 0917 828 6592, or alaminoscitytourism@gmail.com to confirm the current HINPMS access link and procedure.
2026 Boat Rental Rates Under Ordinance No. 09-2026
Boat rentals at Hundred Islands are charged per boat, not per person. The Alaminos City Government enacted Ordinance No. 09-2026 to adjust motorboat rates, citing inflationary fuel costs and livelihood sustainability for boat operators. These are the rates currently in force.
| Vessel Class | Capacity | 3-Island Drop-off | Full Day Tour | Overnight / 2-Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 1–5 pax | ₱1,680 | ₱1,920 | ₱3,600 |
| Medium | 6–10 pax | ₱2,160 | ₱2,400 | ₱4,560 |
| Large | 11–15 pax | ₱2,400 | ₱2,880 | ₱5,400 |
| Deluxe | 16–20 pax | ₱4,000 | ₱5,000 | ₱7,000 |
Boats operate from 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM and are regulated by the Marina, which inspects all tourist motorbancas for safety compliance.
The math is simple: a small boat for a full day at ₱1,920 costs ₱384 per person if five people share it. That same boat with two people costs ₱960 per person each. Group size is the single biggest lever on your per-person budget. If your group is below five, find other travelers to share with or accept the higher per-head cost.
For exclusive use of a specific island, the park offers an Island Exclusivity Package priced between ₱80,000 and ₱150,000 depending on the island’s size and scheduling. That is aimed at corporate retreats and large-scale events, not at most visitors reading this.
Gear rentals:
- Life vest: ₱50 (mandatory for all inter-island transit and swimming in deep areas)
- Snorkel set (mask and tube): ₱150
How to Get to Hundred Islands from Manila, Clark, Dagupan, or Baguio
Hundred Islands is accessed through Alaminos City, Pangasinan, then a short tricycle ride to Lucap Wharf. Here is how to get there from the most common starting points.
From Manila (Pasay, Cubao, or Avenida)
The honest travel time from Manila to Alaminos is 6 to 7 hours, not five. That figure reflects actual road conditions and departure-time variables. Plan accordingly, especially if you want a morning boat slot.
Five Star Bus, Victory Liner, and Philippine Rabbit all serve the Manila–Alaminos route. Check current fares directly at the terminal or on the operator’s booking platform before travel, as rates adjust with fuel. The Pasay to Alaminos and Cubao to Alaminos routes are the most frequently serviced.
From Clark (Dau Terminal)
Travelers coming from Clark route through Dau Terminal, then board a bus to Alaminos. Check current fares at the Dau terminal on the day of travel.
From Dagupan
Dagupan is the easiest regional jump-off if you are already in Pangasinan. Buses connect Dagupan to Alaminos frequently, and the journey is short, under two hours. This makes Hundred Islands very doable as a one-day side trip from anywhere already in the province.
From Baguio
Two strategies work from Baguio. The direct route uses Partas (two departures daily) or Victory Liner (typically 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM), with travel times of 4.5 to 5 hours and fares ranging from ₱280 to ₱650 depending on bus class and season. The more flexible route goes Baguio to Dagupan first (Victory Liner or JoyBus, ₱154–₱300, near-hourly departures from around 3:00 AM to 7:00 PM), then Dagupan to Alaminos (5 Star Bus, ₱170–₱310, roughly every two hours). The two-leg option runs more frequently and reduces the risk of missing a single daily direct bus.
By private car from Baguio, budget for roughly 131 kilometers and 2.5 to 3 hours of driving. Fuel costs approximately ₱1,700 and toll fees run around ₱1,000 for EasyTrip and ₱1,000 for AutoSweep on the NLEX and SCTEX networks.
From Alaminos City to Lucap Wharf
Once at the Alaminos bus terminal, take a tricycle to Lucap. The shared ride is ₱15–₱20 per person. Chartering the whole tricycle runs ₱100–₱200 for the trip, which is worth it if you have luggage.
My standing recommendation: stay near Lucap the night before, especially on weekends. Arriving in the dark and rushing to register the next morning is avoidable, and the hotels within walking distance of the wharf are reasonably priced. Getting to the boat early means getting the best island sequence before the crowd.
Best Time to Visit Hundred Islands: Amihan, Habagat, and Lingayen Gulf Conditions
The best months to visit Hundred Islands are December through April, when the amihan or northeast monsoon keeps the Lingayen Gulf relatively calm and the skies mostly clear. April is the warmest and driest month, and also the most crowded. I went back in April 2026 and the park was genuinely packed on the main islands by mid-morning. Early departure matters more during this period than at any other time of year.
Habagat season runs roughly June to October. The southwest monsoon brings rougher water in the Lingayen Gulf, stronger winds, and rain patterns that can close boat operations with little warning. The park does not close entirely during habagat, but the number of islands you can safely reach shrinks, boat operations may be suspended on bad days, and the experience is considerably less reliable. If you are planning a first visit, do not plan it between July and September.
November and May sit in the transition periods between monsoons and can go either way. November often brings residual typhoon-related weather, while late May starts the shift toward habagat. Both are workable but carry more uncertainty than the core dry months.
If your travel window falls during Holy Week or summer school break (March to May), book accommodation near Lucap at least two weeks ahead. During my April 2026 visit, several guesthouses near the wharf were fully booked by Thursday of Holy Week. The park stays open but the experience shifts toward managing crowds more than enjoying the islands.
For a more relaxed version of the same region, Patar Beach in Bolinao stays quieter during the peak Hundred Islands rush and works well as a two-day Pangasinan combo.
What to Do in Hundred Islands and Which Islands to Prioritize
Hundred Islands has over 120 islands to choose from, but in practice your route should be built around a handful of specific stops. The island-hopping system is flexible enough that your boatman can adjust the sequence on the water, so knowing what each major island offers is more useful than locking in a fixed itinerary before you leave Lucap.
Governor’s Island
Governor’s Island is the most physically demanding stop and the most rewarding for the view. You climb 180 steps through forest canopy to reach the park’s highest elevation view deck, where you get a 360-degree survey of the limestone clusters across the Lingayen Gulf. A 16-foot statue of St. Joseph the Carpenter stands at the summit. The island is also the launch point for the park’s longest zipline, a 546-meter inter-island run suspended roughly twenty stories above sea level, priced at ₱250 to ₱500 depending on season and operator.
You land on Virgin Island, which has a calm dome-shaped cave and gentle water, making it a natural recovery stop before your boat picks you up. Ride the zipline from Governor’s to Virgin Island if you do one activity here. The aerial view from that run is unmatched in the park and the transit saves you a boat stop.
Quezon Island
Named after President Manuel L. Quezon, this is the operational center of the park. It has the most commercial infrastructure: dining pavilions, picnic tables, guest houses, and the park’s shorter 120-meter zipline priced at ₱100 per run. The surrounding waters hold the coral and giant clam garden, making it the best island for helmet diving (₱400 for 15 minutes) and supervised snorkeling. If your group wants to do a Boodle Fight, the designated grilling areas here make it practical. It is 30 minutes from Lucap by boat.
Marcos Island and Imelda Cave
Marcos Island is where you go for the cliff jump into Imelda Cave. You trek briefly into the limestone interior to reach a cave with a deep, clear subterranean pool below a cliff face. Park rules require you to remove your life vest before jumping, because contact with it on impact at speed causes injury. The free-fall is 12 to 20 feet depending on tidal conditions. After the plunge, you swim through a subterranean channel that connects directly to open sea. This is the most physically committed stop on any first-timer route and it is genuinely thrilling if you are comfortable with open water.
Children’s Island (Cuenco Island)
For families or anyone who wants a calm, flat water experience, Children’s Island has the shallowest, most protected wading area in the park. It is the best launch point for kayaking (₱250 per hour, 2-person capacity). Nearby is the Cuenco Tunnel, a massive natural limestone passageway that cuts entirely through the island. Folklore connects it to the 16th-century Chinese raider Limahong, who allegedly used it as a hiding route. The far end of the cave has a smaller, lower platform jump suitable for kids, and a bamboo-themed grill on the open side of the channel.
Pilgrimage Island
This island has a 56-foot statue of Christ the Savior at its summit, alongside life-sized installations of the Last Supper and the Stations of the Cross. It is a serious pilgrimage destination during Holy Week and a genuinely different mood from the rest of the park. If your group wants a stop that breaks the rhythm of pure beach-and-swim, include this one. The views from the base of the statue are excellent.
Snorkeling tip: Ask your boatman to drop you in the open water between Lopez Island and Quezon Island rather than just keeping to the crowded beaches. The coral cover in that channel is richer, and you will have it largely to yourself.
Activity rates at a glance:
| Activity | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zipline (Governor’s Island) | ₱250–₱500 | 546-meter run to Virgin Island |
| Zipline (Quezon Island) | ₱100 | 120-meter run |
| Helmet diving | ₱400 | 15 minutes, seabed walk |
| Kayak rental | ₱250/hour | 2-person capacity |
| Banana boat | ₱250/person | Minimum 6 pax |
| Jet ski | ₱1,000 / ₱2,000 | 15 min / 30 min |
| Parasailing | ₱2,000 / ₱3,000 | Solo / dual |
| Snorkel set | ₱150 | Mask and tube |
| Life vest | ₱50 | Mandatory for transit and swimming |
Other islands worth noting for specific interests: Ramos Island functions as a retreat center with a function hall for over 100 people, suited for corporate groups. Cariaz Island hosts a DA-BFAR marine research facility cultivating sea cucumber, abalone, and grouper. Cathedral Island has a dome cavern with stalactites and a colony of fruit bats. Camantiles Island has mangrove forest and is a nesting sanctuary for the Philippine Wild Duck. Shell Island has tide pools and exposed molluscan shells at low tide. Milagrosa Island has sunlight-illuminated cave chambers.
Honest Assessment: What Has Changed and What to Expect
When I visited in April 2026, I noticed three things that any planner should factor in.
The first is over-commercialization. Several of the main islands, particularly Quezon, have concrete structures, food stalls with elevated prices, and a density of facilities that can feel more like a theme park than a national park on a busy day. The natural character of the limestone islands is real, but it competes with what I would call “cementification” on the high-traffic stops.
The second is on-island pricing. Food and drinks purchased on the islands themselves are significantly more expensive than the same items on the mainland. Buying water, snacks, and supplies at Alaminos public market before heading to Lucap is the move. Groups that bring their own food to cook at the designated grilling stations on Quezon or Cuenco get both the cost savings and the better experience.
The third is crowding during peak season. On weekday visits in the shoulder months, the park is genuinely peaceful. On a Holy Week Saturday in April, the main islands feel like a beach resort at full capacity. If your schedule has any flexibility, a Tuesday or Wednesday visit in February or March will show you a meaningfully different park.
None of these things make the trip not worth doing. They just change how you plan it.
Budget Breakdown for a DIY Hundred Islands Trip (Group of 5, Overnight)
This table is built around a group of five doing a full overnight trip from Manila or the nearest major hub.
| Cost Item | Per Person (Group of 5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bus to Alaminos (round trip) | Check at terminal | Fares adjust with fuel; verify at Five Star, Victory Liner, or Philippine Rabbit before travel |
| Tricycle, terminal to Lucap (round trip) | ~₱100 | Chartered whole tricycle split 5 ways |
| Overnight registration fee | ₱200 | Per person |
| Trash deposit | ₱40 | ₱200 per group, refundable |
| Small boat, overnight (₱3,600 ÷ 5) | ₱720 | Per person, full boat cost |
| Life vest | ₱50 | Per person |
| Snorkel set | ₱150 | Per person |
| Budget hotel accommodation | ₱400–₱500 | Per person, based on ~₱2,000/room |
| Food, 2 days | ₱1,500–₱2,000 | Lower end if you buy from Alaminos market |
| Estimated total per person | ~₱3,200–₱3,800 | Excluding optional water sports |
Optional activities can push this significantly higher. A helmet dive (₱400), zipline at Governor’s (₱250–₱500), banana boat (₱250), and parasailing (₱2,000) together add ₱2,900–₱3,150 per person on top of the base cost.
The most reliable way to compress the budget is buying provisions at Alaminos public market and using the island grilling stations rather than buying food on the islands or at the wharf restaurants.
Safety Rules to Know Before You Board
The park enforces these consistently, and knowing them ahead of time saves friction at the boat.
A passenger manifest (manifesto form) is required for every group before departure. This is filed at the Lucap Wharf Welcome Center during registration. Online pre-registration via the HINPMS system (active since February 18, 2026) completes this step before you arrive.
Life vests are mandatory for all inter-island boat transit and for swimming in any deep-water area. The rental is ₱50. At Imelda Cave on Marcos Island, life vests must be removed before the cliff jump specifically because impact with an inflated vest at speed can cause injury.
Boats operate 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM only. Plan your return to Lucap accordingly. Missing the cutoff means arranging special transport, which is a problem, not a convenience.
The Marina inspects all tourist motorbancas. If a boat looks unsafe to you, flag it before you board. This is a functioning national park with enforcement, not a free-for-all.
Bring cash. Card payment infrastructure is not consistent at Lucap, on the boats, or on the islands.
Tondaligan Beach in Dagupan is a useful add-on or detour if you are routing through Dagupan either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many islands are in Hundred Islands National Park?
The park has 124 islands and islets at low tide and 123 at high tide. The difference comes from how specific limestone formations are counted when water levels rise. Both numbers appear in official and historical materials and refer to the same park. The current Hundred Islands National Park site uses 124 as its primary figure.
What is the entrance fee at Hundred Islands in 2026?
The day-tour registration fee is ₱120 per person, covering an ₱80 environmental fee, ₱30 IPAF entrance fee, and ₱10 emergency coverage. The overnight registration fee is ₱200 per person. Children 5 and below enter free. Senior citizens, PWDs, and Pangasinan residents receive a 20% discount on the environmental fee component. Bring a valid ID to claim it.
Is Hundred Islands in Alaminos worth visiting for a first-time trip?
Yes, if you visit during the dry season (December to April), travel with at least four or five people to split the boat cost, and base yourself in Lucap the night before. The island variety is genuine, the activities are well-organized, and the per-person cost is reasonable once the boat is shared. The main caveat is peak-season crowding, particularly Holy Week: the park is worth visiting but the experience changes significantly on a crowded Saturday in April.
How long does it take to travel from Manila to Hundred Islands?
Travel time from Manila to Alaminos City, Pangasinan, is 6 to 7 hours by bus. Add another 20–30 minutes for the tricycle from the Alaminos terminal to Lucap Wharf. Planning to arrive in Lucap the night before your island-hopping day is strongly recommended, especially for weekend or holiday visits.
Can you do Hundred Islands as a day trip from Manila?
Technically yes, but it is a long and rushed day. Leaving Manila by 4:00 AM, you reach Lucap around 10:00–11:00 AM, leaving perhaps four to five hours on the water before boats stop at 5:30 PM. You then face a 6–7 hour return. Most visitors who do this once do it differently the second time. An overnight in Lucap gives you a full day on the water and a far less exhausted return.
What is the best island to visit in Hundred Islands for first-timers?
Governor’s Island and Quezon Island are the two that give a first visit its structure. Governor’s has the highest viewpoint, the 180-step climb, the long-haul zipline to Virgin Island, and the best panoramic perspective of the archipelago. Quezon is the activity hub: helmet diving, snorkeling, the shorter zipline, and the practical infrastructure for a Boodle Fight or a long group stop. Marcos Island and Imelda Cave are the best addition if anyone in the group wants a cliff jump.
Can you snorkel at Hundred Islands?
Yes. Snorkel sets rent for ₱150 per set at Lucap. The best snorkeling is near Quezon Island’s coral and giant clam garden, where the UPMSI re-seeding program has established over 5,000 giant clams. For a less crowded snorkel spot, ask your boatman to position you in the open water between Lopez Island and Quezon Island rather than the main beach areas.
What is the “Basura Mo, Iuwi Mo” deposit?
It is a ₱200 refundable deposit collected from every group at registration. The tourism office provides two garbage bags for sorting waste during the trip. When you return to the mainland, you surrender your sorted waste at the Alaminos Tourism Office and receive the ₱200 back. Groups who comply also historically receive a non-expiring gift certificate covering future admission fees for two people. It is the park’s primary mechanism for keeping the islands clean, and it works.
Verdict: Who Should Go and Who Should Wait
Hundred Islands suits groups of four or more who can visit between December and April, have a flexible morning schedule, and are willing to stay near Lucap the night before. It suits families with young kids because Children’s Island is genuinely safe and calm. It suits barkadas who want a mix of swimming, cliff jumping, views, and shared food. It suits anyone doing a wider Pangasinan circuit who wants to tick off the country’s first national park with actual depth rather than just a photo.
It is not the right trip for someone expecting unspoiled nature. The main islands on a holiday weekend feel busy and commercial in places I did not remember from earlier visits. The on-island food prices are high. The concrete infrastructure on Quezon Island, in particular, takes some of the wilderness edge off. None of that is hidden: it is what happens when a park this close to Manila gets 380,000+ visitors a year.
If you go on a weekday in February or March, arrive early, split your costs across five or more people, and skip the main islands’ food stalls in favor of something you brought yourself, Hundred Islands is still one of the best-value island-hopping trips accessible from Manila. The geology is unique, the water is clear where it matters, and the boat system is the most organized I have used anywhere in Pangasinan.
For more destinations across Pangasinan’s coastline and interior, the province has enough variety to fill a week without repeating yourself.
