All Hands Beach Resort, Subic | An Alternative Family Beach Getaway in Subic

Stokedtraveler has featured Camayan Beach Resort a number of times now. Lately however, he hasn’t booked a stay in that resort. For one, the booking rates have gone absurdly high. An overnight stay for 2 during their peak months goes as high as Php 7,700.00. Extra person charge of Php 1,000.00/head to a max of 3 adults per room. Just imagine how much that would add up for an extended family beach outing. Recent talks with some locals also revealed that an armed eviction of the previous employees also happened when the new owner/management decided to forcibly take over. Looks like new management have their own idea of what Camayan Beach Resort will be in the future. Whatever it will be, with the absurd rates they currently have, Camayan Beach Resort will not be in the stokedtraveler’s beach destinations for now.

This is where All Hands Beach Resort comes in. The first time we stayed here was on a Labor Day weekend. The place was jam-packed and there was even an ongoing company outing that booked the venue. The venue wasn’t very pleasing and the beach itself looked like it could use some rest of its own.

This year, we went on a Holy Tuesday (Holy Week), the place looked so much nicer and the beach so much cleaner. In fact, it reminded of Camayan Beach Resort minus the budget busting rates. 

All Hands Beach Resort, Subic | Hands up for All Hands Beach Resort

Summer is almost over but if you're still looking for a quick get away near the metro, All Hands Beach Resort might just be the place for you and your family. Located in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, All Hands Beach Resort is just a 2 and a half hour drive or maybe shorter from Metro Manila. The place is ideal for friends and family gatherings.

Although smaller compared to other beaches, All Hands nonetheless won't disappoint you. Its calm and crystal clear water will definitely pull you into swimming at the beach right away.

READ MORE: at Newroads by Katherine Castro

Camayan Beach Resort-Ocean Adventure , Subic Bay | Creature venture, sea creatures galore!

One benefit of taking a lot of pictures from your trips is having the chance to late-post your blog entries.

It was back in the month of January when the stokedtraveler went back with his family to Camayan Beach Resort in Subic Bay, Zambales. Lucky for them it was within the nesting season of the sea turtles. Nesting season usually starts around early October and may extend all the way to January.

Subic Bay like many other nearby beaches serve as nesting grounds for various species of sea turtles. Camayan Beach Resort is no exception. All around the resort you will see many of these enclosures with details of the type of sea turtle, nesting date and expected hatching schedule.



While the stokedtraveler failed to see live hatchlings being released to the wild during the Pawikan Festival in Morong, Bataan, they were fortunate enough to have a close encounter with one Olive Ridley turtle.

Olive Ridley sea turtle encounter in the wild

It was already dark and the ocean view has already faded into pitch black. Only distant lights drew the line of the horizon. On the other side of the beach, the resort guests were already settled in and ready to call it a night. It was probably the mixture of these elements falling into play when the stokedtraveler was gifted a sighting of one of nature's most graceful creatures. He rushed back to their room to call in the rest of his family to the occasion with.

Zoobic Safari, Subic Bay | Take a Walk on the Wild Side

The stokedtraveler and his family was treated by a generous cousin to a free trip to Zoobic Safari. Last time he visited the place was about 3 years back. He still recalls the vastness of the area and how tiring it was to walk through the various attractions.

Zoobic Safari is situated in a 25-hectare forest land that was converted into a tourist attraction. It claims to offer a safari experience where guests can see "exotic" animals in a simulated living environment. The published attractions are Zoobic Park, Savannah, Serpentarium, Rodent World, Animal MuZOOeum, Close Encounter, Tiger Safari, Bird Walk, Aeta's Trail, Croco Loco, Zoobic Cave and Forbidden Cave. They also host animal shows and animal parades during the weekends and holidays.

Camayan Beach Resort, Subic Bay | Just Another Relaxing Day at the Beach

As much as the stoked traveler wanted to find a different beach venue for his niece’s birthday, Camayan Beach Resort still remains to be the best pick when choosing a beach resort near Pampanga. They have been to this resort atleast three times last year and it hasn’t failed to deliver. This time was no exception.

Cottages for day trippers

The kids still enjoyed the clear waters and the clean sands. The adults got some good rest and relaxation with the comfy accommodations while the shade of the trees provided a good place to take in the ocean breeze; a fine addition to the resorts relaxing ambiance.

The following were what the stoked traveler considered in choosing this resort again:

•           Land travel is safe and possible from Pampanga (or even Manila and other nearby areas)
•           Tried and tested quality accommodations and service
•           Luxury at a reasonable cost
•           Safety of the kids while roaming around the beach and during swimming
•           Well mannered guests that will not ruin the general atmosphere of the vacation

Camayan Beach Resort, Subic Bay | The perfect escape for the family

The stoked traveler spent the previous summer holidays with his family in two beach outings in this same resort. You can book Camayan Beach Resort in Subic, Zambales with Traveloka. 

The place was very relaxing and child friendly so they opted to stay there in both trips. Even more so, the service in Camayan Beach Resort was just superb and met every request his hard to please family had.

He's been to this beach several times even before Ocean Adventure opened up. This resort has really gone a long way since.

Anawangin Cove, Zambales | Communing with nature on a city of tents

Tent city - the stoked traveler learns that this is what many others call the camping grounds in Anawangin cove. There’s no concrete or wooden lodging, hot shower, island resto or even loud party music coming out of bars like what one would expect from a weekend beach break. Keep your mobile phones and ipads away too; they will not be much use if you prefer to stay connected. It’s just pure communion with nature. Back to basics is the theme for any group visiting this secluded paradise.

Mt. Pundaquit, Zambales | Traversing a landscape of yellows,greens and blues

A different high struck the stoked traveler. In the midst of bright yellow and green mountain slopes and on the top of rocky peeks, the stoked traveler finds himself awed by the beauty that is Mt. Pundaquit. 

  

Without the waves and the board the stoked traveler goes on a new adventure to the now not so hidden yet still secluded nature paradise of Anawangin.

The trek begins at 6:00 AM in Brgy. Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. The ground was too soft and hard to walk on because it’s like stepping on beach sand. But it’s really just surface soil mixed with volcanic residue from the catastrophic Mt. Pinatubo eruption that now covers most of the top soil in areas affected by the eruption.

Daybreak greeted the group with a magical sunrise that painted the skies to match the picturesque mountains and pine trees surrounding them.