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Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBF) or famously just known as Subic Bay is one of the Philippines top playground for extreme sports and adventure travel. It is a destination of diverse ecotourism activities. Just name it, Subic Bay has got it all!
The conversion of Subic Navy base into an economic zone which concentrates on recreational activities and tourist destination makes it a good option for a weekend getaway. And being very accessible to Metro Manila and additionally because of the recent improvements to the SCTex(Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway), going there makes it more convenient.
By Land
Subic Bay is situated 110KM northwest of Manila. Going there has never been so easier since the opening of SCTex. Travelling to Subic Bay by car and buses via SCTex will just consume an approximately 1.5 hours. But if you choose to take the usual bus route (Olongapo-San Fernando) it will take approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.
By Air
Services of non-scheduled chartered planes are available for flights from Metro Manila to Subic Bay. Check out our charters and rentals for rates.
Activities and Tourist Attractions
Subic Bay Tourism has grown so fast because of the countless activities to do, beach resorts and night-life to enjoy. Below are the list of “some” spots that offer adventure activities and nature tripping sights.
Apaliin Forest Trails (Jungle Trekking)
Experience a trekking adventure in Subic’s jungle where wild plants and animals can be found. Visiting soldiers opt for this activity at times to serve as training for themselves.
Jungle Environmental Survival Training Camp
Ever been lost in a jungle? Do you know the what-to do’s if you ever experience it? If not, take a training class on how to survive in a jungle which will be conducted by the same indigenous people who taught the U.S. Military Group during the Vietnam War. Bless yourself with these survival trainings which will be educational yet fun.
Extreme Adventure Park is a Teambuilding Military Style Park where you’ll get to experience the exercises done by the elite military groups. The activities are the hanging bridge, the wall, the trust fall, the high ladder, the low “v” and high “v”, the highway, the pole jump, catwalk and multiline traverse to name a few.
Engage in an ecological tour where you’ll learn the importance of mangrove trees inhabiting in Triboa Bay. These pristine saplings play a major role of nursing, breeding and serves as a spawning ground for diverse species of aquatic and terrestrial animals.
Ocean Adventure is Southeast Asia’s only open-water marine park. You can watch the whales, dolphins, sea lions, forest animals and other sea creatures on their wild settings. An exciting option offers visitors the chance to swim and interact with the dolphins.
Pamulaklakin Forest Trails / Pastolan Aeta Village
An Ecology Tour allows travelers the privilege of hiking inside Subic’s forests with a native guide who presents them with examples of Aeta culture and educates them on various types of medicinal plants. Camping and picnicking are encouraged.
Pastola Aeta Village / Pamulaklakin Forest Trail and River offers 3 types of treks all with a native guide.
A. A mini jungle tour which is a 30 minute trek
B. The jungle trek which lasts anywhere from 2 to 3 hours depending on how frequent the group stops to listen to the guide lecture on the medicinal values of different trees found along the way and also to rest (this is the trek being featured here with the trail superimposed on google satellite picture)
C. Overnight jungle tour which involves trekking and sleeping in the forest. If this is your thing, don’t forget to bring your own tents and sleeping bags. If you don’t have these provisions, the guide will take your group to a point in the forest (farther than the usual trek) to build you some sort of bamboo hut where your group can spend the night.
Tree-top type adventures and adventure tourism in general are gaining tremendous popularity worldwide. The Tree Top Adventure Park at Subic Bay is patterned after the canopy tour or zip-line tour originally developed in Costa Rica. Situated in the incredible Upper Cubi, deeply-forested jungle-area of Subic is Treetop Adventure; a facility delivering some of the most exciting experiences available in the entire Philippines.
Embark on adventure tourism 100 feet above the ground, as expansive vistas entrench and bathe you in the lush wonder of the Subic rainforest. Experience jungle trails, not of the ordinary variety at all; no, these trails are situated 100 feet above the ground, consisting of platforms, suspension bridges and a motorized treetop canopy system; the world’s first such wilderness-ride.
Zoobic Safari is the ONLY Tiger Safari in the Philippines. Located in Subic Bay Freeport Zone (the former American Naval Base), it boasts of 11 unique attractions guaranteed to make one’s visit a most thrilling and memorable one. A member of the Residence Inn Group, it started its operations in January, 2004 and since then it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
El Kabayo Equestrian El Kabayo Falls
El Kabayo Equestrian Center in the Binictican area of SBF offers a wide range of horse related activities. The center uses horses imported from the U.S., Argentina, and Australia. The breeds include thoroughbreds, saddlebreds, quarter horses and even a few standardbreds. The horses are a great contrast to the native breeds normally found in the Philippines. Even if riding is not on your agenda, a visit here is well worth the trip even if it is only to admire the magnificent horses, and trot to Kabayo Falls.
