Indulge your adventurous spirit in spectacular Subic
With its lush tropical forests and miles of sandy beaches, Subic ticks all the right boxes. Surrounded by mountains, this once American naval base is attracting droves of visitors not only from the country’s capital of Manila, but from all over the globe.
Haven for beach lovers
Boasting crystal clear waters and wonderful long beaches, there’s no denying the fact that Subic is a great holiday destination for those wishing to relax and recharge their batteries. Subic Bay is lined with numerous hotels which offer spectacular coastal views as well as their own spa centres which include salt-water swimming pools and hot-tubs. Those who prefer to feel the sand between their toes as opposed to lounging by a hotel pool can head to some of the many local beaches such as All Hands Beach which is a favourite with swimmers due to its calm waters. If you have hired a car during your stay in Subic, then you can drive a bit further down the bay where you will find Camayan Beach which is perfect for a day trip. There are cabanas to relax in and a variety of activities from kayaking through to volleyball to pass away the time.
From Forest Trails to Sky Safari
If you are staying in one of the many large hotel chains in the centre of Subic you’ll be within easy reach of the popular shopping mall Harbour Point as well as many of the town’s cafes and restaurants. However, it is well worth hiring a car and exploring some of the spectacular landscapes and wildlife which has made this area of the Philippines famous across the globe. Just 45 minutes drive from Subic town centre you’ll find the incredible Pamulaklakin Forest. Nature enthusiast shouldn’t pass up the opportunity of going on the Pamulaklakin Trail, guided by the indigenous inhabitants, the Aetas. Visitors will learn about survival techniques in the jungle and can also enjoy a refreshing dip in some of the many rivers and streams within the forest.
To fully enjoy the great outdoors, you can opt to stay in one of the hotels located in the villages near to Subic. Staying out of town will give you easy access to the local nature trails plus you can enjoy spectacular views of the Pamulaklakin and Apalin forests from your hotel room window or balcony. Whilst in Subic, wildlife enthusiasts of all ages can marvel at some of the wonderful exotic animals at the 25 acre amusement park, Zoobic. The adventurous at heart can fly through the air, skimming the tree tops, on one of the safari’s adventure rides whilst others can enjoy a bus ride through the tiger compound. Before heading back to the comfort of your hotel, you can have a photo shoot with one of the resident animals to keep as a memento of your trip.
Diver’s Paradise
A popular wreck and coral diving site, Subic Bay has been attracting professional and amateur divers for decades. There are several diving centres in the area such as the Board Walk Dive Centre, where guests can hire equipment or have diving lessons. There are also specialised resorts such as Camayan Divers which offer accommodation as well as instructors under one roof. The wreck of the 19th century American war ship, El Capitan lies near to the shore at 27 metres making it a suitable dive even for beginners. Apart from ship wrecks and coral, divers can enjoy seeing various types of marine life including stingrays, octopus, tuna, turtles and shellfish. Visitors staying in one of the many hotels in the Freeport zone of Subic can even arrange for their instructor to come and pick them up by boat from the local beach and drive them to the diving site. According to the experts, the best time to go diving is during the dry season, which in this part of the Philippines is between November and May. If you’ve got your heart set on diving whilst on holiday in Subic, then it might be worth scheduling your trip to coincide with the dry season as you will have optimal conditions for you underwater adventures. When it comes to booking hotel accommodation it’s good to know that the larger chains are open all year round.