6 Recommended Spots in Subic For the Family That We Think Are Cool

Location: Upper Mau, Cubi-Triboa, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales

Operating hours: Opens daily, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (cut-off at 5:00 PM); closed on December 24 and 31

Estimated travel time: From Manila, 2.5 to 3 hours via commute; 1.5 to 2 hours via private car

Recommended budget: PhP350 per head

Sweat the Christmas feasts by taking on JEST Camp Subic’s survival courses. JEST Camp or the Jungle Environment Survival Training in Subic has been offering Jungle Survival Certification since 1963, making it the first and the only survival school in the Philippines. The place is an ideal Christmas destination for families who want unique bonding moments.

Their day and overnight courses are suitable for kids up to the most practiced survivalists of the wild. Learn how to make fire, set up traps, build shelters, and craft kitchen utensils out of bamboo, all to survive within the unspoiled jungles of Zambales for the night up to three days.

Their day-long team-building courses are probably a better fit if you don’t have the time. Test your teamwork through Philippine games, relay activities, survival games, and obstacle courses care of the Philippines’ largest water park, Inflatable Island. All courses include a tour of the majestic Magaul Bird Park and a boodle lunch, courtesy of their Aeta-inspired eatery, Kawayan Kitchen.

Tip: If you have any inhibiting physical conditions, inform the facilitators right away. Better yet, you can sit out of the intense courses and just take a leisurely tour of the park. Also, as of September 2021, Magaul Bird Park and Kawayan Kitchen are temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Visit this link to know more about their unique and fun team-building activities: https://www.jestcamp.com/team-building.

How to get to Jest Camp Subic: via commute: ride a bus going to Olongapo City from terminals in Cubao, Pasay, or Caloocan, and get off at the end of the route at the APO Monument. From there, ride a yellow jeep line and get off at SBMA Main Gate, then hail a taxi that will take you inside SBMA, where JEST Camp is located; via private car: enter NLEX and take the exit after Dau going to SCTEX. At the end of the expressway, head towards Subic-Tipo Expressway, and cross straight to Maritan Highway at the next junction. Drive straight through Argonaut Highway, and turn left at Aparri Road. Turn right at East Avenue as the road is one-way, and then left back to Aparri Road, JEST Camp should be in front of you.

Location: Lot 14, Argonaut Highway, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales

Operating hours: Open daily, 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Estimated travel time: From Manila, 2.5 to 3 hours via commute; 1.5 to 2 hours via private car

Recommended budget: PhP2,800 for a two-person Standard Room; PhP3,850 for a three-person Family Room

As a coastal city and a former naval base, Subic is perfectly manifested in Vasco’s Resort and Museum, where everything is rich-blue like the Subic Bay. The nautical-themed accommodation is owned by a renowned Australian diver and shipwreck explorer and features seven well-appointed rooms that resemble a ship’s cabin.

Enter the Magellan’s Point Maritime Museum and marvel at the many historical treasures bound by the sea around Subic. Ancient relics, photographs of the region’s naval history, marine resources, and shipwreck displays are all well-curated and selected with the help of the National Museum of the Philippines. The venue also has a 24-hour diner, Vasco’s Bar and Grill Restaurant, where you can enjoy a hearty meal or two with loved ones.

Families will surely enjoy water activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and canoeing, and trekking through Subic Bay, all accessible through the hotel’s accommodations. Indeed an ideal place to spend the Chistmas!

Tip: Vasco’s Hotel also sells, repairs, and makes custom wetsuits for your water activities. Visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/vascosresort/, to catch their latest updates.

How to get to Vasco’s Resort and Museum: via commute: ride a bus to Olongapo City from terminals in Cubao, Pasay, or Caloocan, and get off at the end of the route at the APO Monument. From there, you can take a taxi that will take you directly to Vasco’s Hotel; via private car: enter NLEX and take the exit after Dau going to SCTEX. At the end of the expressway, head towards Subic-Tipo Expressway, turn right to Rizal Highway at the next junction, and then left onto Argonaut Highway. Turn right at the signage; Vasco’s Resort should be straight ahead.

Location: Purok 3, Barangay Matain, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales

Operating hours: Hotel open daily, 12:00 AM to 12:00 NN (check-in at 2:00 PM); water park is open Monday to Saturday, 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Estimated travel time: From Manila, 3 to 3.5 hours via commute; 2 to 2.5 hours via private car

Recommended budget: PhP600/adult or PhP350/kids and seniors

Note: The hotel the rate above includes free corkage on food & drinks, use of beach, waterpark, and leisure amenities & activities, and a special rate on new beachfront cabanas & pavilions with day beds, dining tables, and drying racks for wet clothes.

There are a lot of wonderful vacation places in the Philippines. But if you feel like celebrating it in Subic, getting wet and wild all day, then head to Whiterock Beach Hotel! It is a modern waterpark and beachside amenities. The 10-hectare private beach along Subic’ coast has its inflatable water park where vacationers can cool down or play around.

If that doesn’t fill your need for adventure on the water, they also have a giant Aqua Slide that leads straight to the stunning Subic beach, a Raging River pool, a Big Bowl swirling slide, two wave pools, and three other water slides. They also offer various water sports like parasailing, helmet diving, jet-skiing, and inflatable boat rides.

Once you’re done, head back to your Mediterranean-inspired accommodations adorned with green-laden courtyards, outdoor pools, and bay views. They have beachside bungalows and villas for a romantic sunset panorama, as well as poolside rooms replete with contemporary comforts.

Inside the Family Fun Center, they have bowling alleys, facilities for billiards, darts, and table tennis, a KTV party room, and their very own Sandprints spa and wellness center.

Tip: Whiterock Beach Hotel also has packages and venues for a beach wedding and other functions. For inquiries, call them at 047 2320066 / 0919-0003722 / 0918 8146956 / 0917 8630844 / 0917 1264937 or email them at reservations@whiterock.com.ph. You may also visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/whiterocksubicbeachhotel/, to catch their latest updates.

How to get to Whiterock Beach Hotel: via commute: ride a bus going to Olongapo City from terminals in Cubao, Pasay, or Caloocan, and get off at the end of the route at the APO Monument. From there, you can take a taxi that will take you directly to Whiterock Beach Hotel; via private car: enter NLEX and take the exit after Dau going to SCTEX. At the end of the expressway, head towards Subic-Tipo Expressway, turn right to Rizal Highway at the next junction, straight through the bridge, turn left onto Burgos Street, then right onto Canal Road. In the end, turn right onto Dewey Avenue, then left onto Olongapo-Bugallon Road. Drive for around seven kilometers until you reach Mojica Road. Turn left; Whiterock Beach Hotel should be straight ahead.

Location: Rizal Highway corner Burgos Street, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales

Operating hours: Open 24 hours

Estimated travel time: From Manila, 3 to 3.5 hours via commute; 2 to 2.5 hours via private car

Recommended budget: From PhP11,000 for Upper Deck Room for two; from PhP14,000 for Deluxe Room for two; from PhP13,000 for Executive Room for two; from PhP16,000 for Stern Suite for two; from PhP18,000 for Corner Suite for two; from PhP20,000 for Bridge Suite for two; from PhP25,000 for Presidential Suite for two

Just below the gorgeous Zambales mountain range is the most luxurious club known to Subic: the Subic Bay Yacht Club is home to the most luxurious yachts in the region, berthed at the resort’s bayside pier.

Through the La Banca Travel and Tours’ chartered yacht service, non-members can take cruise tours or a Grande island tour aboard one of the club’s yachts. They can also go on a guided fishing trip or snorkel into Subic Bay’s beautiful aquatic fauna.

Inside the building, overnight guests can book any seven accommodations equipped with functional and state-of-the-art amenities. Guests also gain access to their indoor fitness center and their 2500-square meter pool sections, which include the main pool, a lap pool, a children’s pool, water slides, and their poolside bar. The club is also complete with basketball, tennis, beach volleyball courts, and their bowling alley.

Tip: You may visit Subic Bay Yacht Club’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SubicYachtClub/, to catch their latest updates, or check their website at http://subicbayyachtclub.ph/index.php for more information.

How to get to Subic Bay Yacht Club: via commute: ride a bus to Olongapo City from terminals in Cubao, Pasay, or Caloocan, and get off at the end of the route at the APO Monument. From there, you can take a taxi that will take you directly to Subic Bay Yacht Club; via private car: enter NLEX and take the exit after Dau going to SCTEX. At the end of the expressway, head towards Subic-Tipo Expressway, turn right to Rizal Highway at the next junction. To make it to the eastbound side, turn left onto Burgos Street, then circle by turning right to Sampson Road, right to Raymundo Street, back to Sampson Road, then back to Burgos Street. Turn right back to Rizal Highway; Subic Bay Yacht Club should be at your right.

Location: Camayan Wharf, West Ilanin Forest Area, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales

Operating hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Holiday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Estimated travel time: From Manila, 3 to 3.5 hours via commute; 2.5 to 3 hours via private car

Recommended budget: PhP500 for adults; 0 to 1-year-old free of entrance fee

The Adventure Beach Waterpark doubles down on the fun – aside from a beachside attraction, its outdoor water park is also filled with joy and challenging water playgrounds for all ages to enjoy.

Its vast wading pool is where all the fun is at. Play under the rain of the Gushing Mushroom, sprint through the water-blasting Rainbow Falls, or get soaked while rocking the Splashing Seesaw. You can also slide down the three-story high Twin Twister Slide or tumble and turn through the bends of the Lazy River rapids water slide. They also have a Kidz Island children’s pool and the Aqua Serein, a cozy oasis at a corner of the park. Visitors can also splash around the beachside amenities of the park.

Hungry? Grab lunch at the Forest Grill Restaurant while you get dry, fill up, and get set for another round of splashing!

Tip: Visitors may encounter live, untamed monkeys that roam the forest area, so interact with caution. Also, Adventure Beach Waterpark will resume operation on September 24, 2021. For inquiries and reservations, you may call them at 047 2529000. You may visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/youradventurebeach/, to catch their latest updates.

How to get to Adventure Beach Park: via commute: ride a bus going to Olongapo City from terminals in Cubao, Pasay, or Caloocan, and get off at the end of the route at the APO Monument. From there, ride a jeep going to SM Olongapo. There, find the Golden Dragon Restaurant, where free shuttles can take you directly to Adventure Beach Water Park; via private car: enter NLEX and take the exit after Dau going to SCTEX. At the end of the expressway, head towards Subic-Tipo Expressway, and cross straight to Maritan Highway at the next junction. Drive straight through Argonaut Highway, then through Corregidor Road. Turn right onto Ilanin Road and then onto Adventure Beach Road; Adventure Beach Water Park should be straight ahead.

Location: Block 4 Lot 1, Waterfront Road, Moonbay Marina Complex, Central Business District, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales

Operating hours: 24/7

Estimated travel time: From Manila, 3 to 3.5 hours via commute; 2.5 to 3 hours via private car

Recommended budget: From PhP6,600 for Aqua Room for two; from PhP7,700 for Aqua Terrace for two; from PhP8,800 for Aqua Veranda for two; from PhP9,900 for Aqua Spa and Aqua Veranda Suite for two

For the Lighthouse Marina Resort, love is the name of the game: love for tourism, for our natural assets, and each other. That’s why it remains a top destination for couples and partners.

For the three-story boutique hotel, love starts with their rooms which they call “Aquas.” Their distinct Italian-inspired ambiance offers a beautiful bayfront view perfect for two. Each room is also equipped with Ultra HD TV, premium mini-bars, Wi-Fi, and plush private baths, with the Aqua Spa Suite have its deluxe modern Jacuzzi.

Book a dinner date at the Sands Resto Grill, or grab a nightcap for two at the 720 Bar, which offers a panorama of Subic’s shore from the lounge. You can even arrange a Dinner to Remember or a Romantic Rendezvous with the staff, including a romantic set-up, a bouquet, and your butler. You can request live musicians, a luxury yacht chart, and even your very own fireworks display.

Tip: You can also book your romantic dinner atop the lighthouse balcony! Visit them on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/lighthousesubic/, to catch their latest updates, or you may check their website, https://www.lighthousesubic.com/, for more information.

How to get to Lighthouse Marina Resort: via commute: ride a bus going to Olongapo City from terminals in Cubao, Pasay, or Caloocan, and get off at the end of the route at the APO Monument. From there, you can take a taxi that will take you directly to Lighthouse Marina Resort; via private car: enter NLEX and take the exit after Dau going to SCTEX. At the end of the expressway, head towards Subic-Tipo Expressway, turn right to Rizal Highway at the next junction, straight through the bridge, then turn left onto Burgos Street, right onto Canal Road, then left onto Labitan Street. In the end, turn right onto Dewey Avenue, then make a left at the Ministop. Turn left onto Waterfront Road, and right at the first intersection, Lighthouse Marina Resort should be straight ahead.