Island hopping is now one of the most fun and sought after activity during vacation. Just imagine feeling the cool wind in your hair, smell the salty air and seeing through the crystal clear water of the sea.

The first National Park in the Philippines, the Hundred Islands National Park offers these amenities and more. The more than one hundred islands and islets – did you think there would be an even hundred? – are said to be formed from lifted coral deposits in a process that could have taken 2 million years. Fun fact, the actual number of the islands varies on sea level. At low tide, the number is 124 and at high tide, the water covers one island, making it 123 in total.

Located at the city of Alaminos Pangasinan, the islands are spread out in Lingayen Gulf taking in the about 4,557 acres of space. Three of the many islands have been built up for tourists namely: Quezon Island, Governor’s Island and Children’s Island.

Activities include snorkeling, swimming, fishing and my personal favorite – island hopping.

It is easy to find a motorboat accompanied by a boatman to tour you around some of the islands. These little formations on the sea sports fascinating crevices and caves shaped into different styles, one island crevice forming the interesting shape of a grotto. If lucky, the boatman would be more than willing to fill you in on the details and local legends surrounding the existence of these geological wonders.

For first timers, a local belief involves that kissing the statue of Princess Urduja would keep travelers safe when bouncing from island to island. Of course, to preserve the beauty of this scenery (not to mention the sheer number of islands!), you won’t be able to visit all of them. However, getting near a few would be enough to warrant a visit to the Hundred Islands.

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