80
Parks and recreation
Zambales
This province’s countless coves,
spacious beaches and majestic
mountain range, which stretches
the full length of Zambales, make
for a ruggedly beautiful landscape
that easily lures adventurers. For
me, the lovely scenery was even
something of a consolation when I
made my pitiful attempt to surf. My
obvious shortcomings on a surfboard
notwithstanding, the waves that pound
the Zambales shoreline are suitable
for beginners, or at least that’s the case
during the north swell season from
mid-October to February. Intermediate
and advanced surfers get their time to
shine during the south swell, from June
to mid-October. Less than a three-hour
drive from the NLEX, Zambales is the
surf spot closest toManila.
Try the break right in front of
Crystal Beach Resort
in the town of
San Narciso. The resort is home to a
campground, cottages, pine tree-lined
pathways and a spacious beachfront.
The resort’s Quiksilver Surf School
offers lessons and board rentals. After
testing your skills, stretch out in a
hammock and snooze in the shade.
Head next to the town of San
Antonio. From
Capones Vista Beach
Resort
, which sits on Pundaquit
Beach, you can take a boat to
Capones
Island
. If the water is rough and the
boat can’t get close to the island, be
prepared to jump out and swim toward
Capones Lighthouse dates
back to August, 1890;
(inset) surfing at Crystal
Beach Resort
