We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.
I always believe in the saying “Find your happy place and go there often.” So it’s been years since I found mine. A place where I can just shed off the stress from the hustle bustle of living in the middle of Manila-traffic, I found the beautiful sea sanctuary of Camayan Beach Resort in Subic Bay. It’s a 2 and a half hour drive from Manila via NLEX and SCTEX (used to be 3 hours, but thanks to the road developers, we sped up a little).
Camayan is situated just beside Ocean Adventure where you can mingle with sea lions and watch dancing dolphins. But if you want a different experience, Camayan offers a lot of water activities that you can enjoy with family and friends. So leave those pens down, turn off “technology”, and pack up your swimming gear, and enjoy some time at the beach even just for a day.
I used to travel with family going to Subic Bay since I was a kid, but as I grew up, I found my way there with friends. I dunno, I just feel happy when I see starfishes and Nemo and his fishy friends just swimming care-free in the vast seas of Camayan. You can bring your own food (which is by the way my favorite part anywhere I go), or you can also try out their buffet menu at The Reef Bar and Restaurant. The resort has a grilling area so you can also bring fresh items to cook on the grill.
The best part of this quick getaway is not only about the scenic mountainous backdrop and the cool white sands but also the activities in which you’ll never get bored! I tried kayaking, one time I went there with friends. The resort also offers snorkel gear and water bikes.
The best time to go there is early morning, as early as 4 AM, if you will opt for a day tour. The resort has the tendency to get packed as it is also a nice place for company outings and tours. It’s best to reserve your huts early (or in our case just under a tree where monkeys come by and ask for food. SERIOUSLY. Disclaimer: No monkeys were harmed in the process and there’s this board that says “Please don’t feed the monkeys”).
So there. I’d like to share a piece of my happy place to everyone. Oh! And also a breakdown of expenses if you will do-it-yourself with a car just for a day (or you may also go overnight). No need for reservations on one day tour, feel free to walk-in!
QUICK BUDGET GUIDE TO SUBIC:
Gas (Diesel) | ย P500
Toll Fees NLEX & SCTEX ย | P173 + P45 + P168 + P22
Food | P300/head
Entrance Fee & Hut | P1,200
Life Vest for Snorkeling | P250
Kayak for 2 (30 mins) | P200
You can also ride a bus to Olongapo if you’re coming from Manila, however it is absolutely convenient if you will travel on a private vehicle as there are also other places to visit inside Subic Bay. Aside from the wonderful beaches, the area is also a nice place for shopping. Commercial establishments like Nike Factory Outlets, Pure Gold Duty Free, and a whole lot of shopping stores are just within the area. Enjoy! ๐
For your reference:ย
Camayan Beach Resort visit camayanbeachresort.com for accommodation reservations and private functions.
