Olongapo Activities

If you’re travelling with children that enjoy outdoor activities, then they’ll be sure to enjoy a holiday in Olongapo. Here kids can play beach volleyball, swim and snorkel, go for a ride on horseback or trek at Mount Pinatubo. There’s also a fun-filled and educational venue called Ocean Adventure, where whale shows are staged for crowds of enthusiastic visitors.

APO Resort
Located behind the Santa Monica sub-division, the APO Resort is a 10-minute drive from Barrio Barretto. Recreational facilities on offer here include two full-sized swimming pools and one smaller pool for young children. Older children will enjoy the concrete slides that run into the largest of the pools. The resort is open to the public, and a small admissions fee is charged. Phone: +63 47 232 2411.

Bowling
Just inside the main gate to the old naval base is a state-of-the-art bowling alley catering to young adults and families with children. There’s much more to this venue than just bowling; it’s also a rock-and-roll hotspots drawing large crowds every night with great live music. If you enjoy video games, there’s an arcade inside as well. This is a great place to meet locals. Phone: +63 47 252 2611.

Horseback Riding
A popular activity for families in the Olongapo area is horseback riding. At El Kabayo Stables, you can take leisurely rides on Argentinean-bred horses. There are plenty of trails on offer that weave through nearby virgin forest. For those who don’t have much experience, staff at the stables offer lessons and guided rides. Phone: +63 47 252 1047.

Mango’s
Sundays at Mango's in Olongapo has long been a local tradition, when families gather for swimming, beach volleyball and activities for kids. Beach toys are supplied, so there’s no need to bring your own. Many families bring pot luck dishes to share and you’ll see children of all ages digging in the sand, playing and swimming together. Beach volleyball games start in the late afternoon, and adults and children all join in the fun.

Ocean Adventure
This is the place to go for whale encounters. Shows are staged for the public using ‘false’ killer whales, which are slightly larger than dolphins at 25 to 30ft in length. This attraction is popular with kids. There’s also an aquarium onsite that’s home to a number of native fish species and aquatic animals, such as sharks, dolphins and sea lions. Phone: +63 47 252 9000.

Swimming and Snorkelling
At public beaches and at some resorts, children can enjoy swimming and playing in the warm tropical waters. For those who swim well enough, snorkelling can be lots of fun as there is plenty of underwater life to be seen, even close to shore. The whole family can take a banca out to one of the nearby islands and enjoy quieter beaches from where you can swim and snorkel.

Trekking
An all-day trek is a good way for the family to experience the natural beauty of the area. Mount Pinatubo is the perfect place to start, with kayaking available at its crater lake. From here you’ll move on to discover hot springs and refreshing mountain pools, lava fields and canyons. Along the route you’ll see towns that have been reduced to ruins by mudflows.

Cultural activities in the Subic Bay region are centred on the history of the development of the bay from prehistoric times through periods of occupation by various foreign powers. The rich artistic tradition of this part of Luzon is fascinating, and a visit to the artist community known as Casa San Miguel is where visitors can see artists at work and attend performances of traditional Filipino music and dance.

Botolan Resettlement Sites
If you’re looking for an opportunity to experience the social and cultural aspects of life for rural native residents, you can visit a model resettlement village in barangay Baquilan. From Baquilan there’s a hilltop view of the crater of Mount Pinatubo volcano. The resettlement village exists because hundreds of Aeta were displaced from their environment when the volcano erupted in 1991.

Casa San Miguel
This centre for the arts is situated in a lovely mango orchard that’s positioned between the mountains and the sea. It was built here with the belief that art can best exist in the context of community and can play a part in promoting a better quality of life. The Casa San Miguel centre focuses on supporting and developing Filipino artists and helping to create new audiences for national art. Facilities on site include a residence building for artists, a terraced garden that provides a meditative space for visitors, a performance centre and a convenience store. The centre is a popular venue for concerts and recitals.

Cultural Performances
Subic Bay Freeport is the venue for a variety of performances of traditional Filipino music, drama and dance. There are shadow plays that kids are sure to enjoy and classical music and contemporary theatre performances featuring local talent. The annual calendar features some of the finest groups in the Philippines. Phone: +63 47 252 4160.

Heroes' Trail
The rich history of the Philippines is highlighted on this trail that takes visitors from outdoor sights to a light-and-sound museum in Subic Bay. Following the history of the country’s heroes through the years, this cultural attraction documents the path to the unique Filipino identity the country enjoys today. Important figures throughout history are brought to life, as are the key events that have led to the formation of the Republic of the Philippines.

Maritime Museum
The museum features artefacts from shipwrecks in Subic Bay, arranged in exhibits that demonstrate the role that the bay has played in a number of historic events. Some of the objects on display are formerly sunken treasures from Spanish ships, dating to as early as 1898. The museum, developed by a locally-based diving enthusiast, is located at Magellan's Landing.

Olongapo City Museum
Located in the East Tapinac sector of Olongapo, the museum houses exhibits that trace the history of Olongapo from the time of its aboriginal inhabitants. Much of the museum is devoted to dioramas that capture scenes from the time of the Aeta, but the Spanish and the American periods as well as the occupation by Japanese troops during WWII and eventual independence are also covered. Phone: +63 47 252 4411.

Dining options in Olongapo range from street-side carts to atmospheric restaurants that feature fine international cuisines. No matter what your taste preferences, you’ll find excellent variety here, with seafood being a favourite part of all cuisines. In addition to all types of seafood, other popular local dishes include roast pork.

The Subic Bay area’s location on the coast means that fishing boats supply fresh fish and seafood to restaurants daily. As a result, seafood features prominently on local menus. One of the most popular ways to prepare fish and seafood is to grill it. Any type of food cooked on a grill is known locally as inihaw.

The varieties of seafood found here include: crab, oysters, rock lobsters, squid and shrimp. Kinilaw is a Filipino dish that consists of fish and sea urchin mixed with seaweed and marinated in vinegar with ginger, onions and hot pepper.

The main market in Olongapo offers a variety of goods, including fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables, and some Filipino handicrafts and fake designer goods. Strolling through the market to see the colourful displays and watch the haggling that goes on can make for an interesting excursion, even if you don’t end up buying anything. The Royal Subic Mall is another option, where you’ll find a wide range of consumer goods from household items and clothing to electronics and toys.

Souvenirs and handcrafted goods are available in a number of shops in Olongapo, although for the real treasures and bargains a stop in Manila is in order – both for a better selection and more favourable prices. If your itinerary doesn’t include time in Manila or another large city, you’ll be able to find suitable souvenirs at a market or shopping centre in Olongapo.

There’s plenty to do outdoors in the Olongapo area. Activities range from golf, running and swimming to eco-tours and seaplane excursions. Many divers come to Subic Bay, as it’s considered one of the best wreck dive sites in this part of the world. Jungle treks also attract many visitors, with organised tours and jungle survival training both available in a virgin rainforest setting.

Diving
Divers from around the world come to Subic Bay, which is rated as the Philippines’ top wreck dive site. The submerged shipwrecks date from the Spanish period and WWII. Some of the most frequently-visited include the 19^th century battleship, the USS New York, and two ships from the Spanish era: El Capitan and the San Quentin. Note that there’s a re-compression chamber in operation at the Subic Bay Freeport that’s open 24-hours. The best time of year for diving here is from early January to the end of May, but it’s possible to dive throughout the year.

Eco Tours
Subic Bay features a number of options for eco-tours. One of the most popular options is a tour along the Apaliin Trail, where you can explore the wonders of the Subic rainforest. Along the way, you’ll walk to the tip of Apaliin Point, from where you can appreciate panoramic views. Another popular tour route is through the Pamulaklakin forest. On this eco-trek, you’ll be introduced to native medicinal plants. Options include camping in the heart of the rainforest, or for day-tourists, having a picnic surrounded by exotic jungle vegetation.

Golf
The Binictican Golf Course welcomes visitors and has equipment hire facilities as well as a number of memorable sand traps. At the BASA Air Base on the way to Angeles City, there’s another course available, although it’s only a nine-hole course. You can turn this into 18 holes by taking advantage of the different driving positions. Check with staff at your hotel or resort for courses close to where you’re staying. Phone: +63 47 252 4182.

Hash House Harriers
Most people who have spent any time in Asia are familiar with the Hash House Harriers. The club combines organised walks and runs with a fondness for spending time drinking at pubs. In the Subic Bay area, the club meets at the Beachside Café late on Monday afternoons. Visitors are welcome to join the group.

Jungle Survival
Subic Bay’s tropical rainforest served at one time as the environment for jungle survival training for US forces stationed here. It’s now open to anyone, and is particularly popular with families. There are day hikes and even overnight treks offered by the locals. You’ll get to see giant fruit bats and lots of monkeys as you make your way through this fascinating and lush rainforest. Phone: +63 47 252 9072.

Seaplane Charter
If you’re interested in having a scenic tour of the islands in this part of the Philippine archipelago, you might consider organising a fly-over with Subic Seaplanes. They’ll take you over Subic Bay, the Pinatubo Volcano and lava fields. They’re office is located in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Phone: +63 47 252 2230.