Tucked away in Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales is the funny-sounding but picturesque little island called Potipot. Just a five minute banca ride from Candelaria (P400 to P600 for 6 people) will bring you to white sandy shores and calm, aquamarine waters.The island’s caretaker will be the first to greet you and collect P50 per person for the island’s maintenance. It looks like
the place is regularly swept clean and the waters are free from floating plastic and other trash so your 50 bucks are well worth it. And for P500 more you can rent a hut for a whole day. Not that you need one anyway because the island has a number of trees that you can hide under when the sun is at its zenith. And for the most part you’ll be enjoying the water and not even notice the sun.The island is tiny. In 15 minutes or less you can explore the island in its entirety. It is bounded by white sand with a slightly orangey-peachy tint. Right smack in the center of Potipot is a quaint tree house. It’s the tree house every kid dreams of, sitting on the tallest tree in the island and hovering above the small huts. After exploring the island, the calm, aquamarine waters beckon. The water is so clear and clean you can take really nice underwater pictures and when you go snorkeling you can see fishes just a few feet from the shore.
The island is not such a secret anymore with a number of day-trippers and campers enjoying the laidback and pristine vista. But it is far from being crowded. Zambales is still not a popular vacation spot like Puerto Galera or Laiya in Batangas, and that’s what makes it so appealing for those who want a quiet beach getaway. I mean, how could you not be lured by something this beautiful?
