Subic

Subic is a seaside area on the west side of Luzon Island in Zambales Province in the Subic Bay region. Subic Bay is a former US naval base that was converted into a beach town in the greater proximity of Manila. The main industry is the free port and the airport which is used by transport companies.

Understand

This guide covers an area known as the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone which is commonly known as Subic or Subic Bay. The relatively developed portions of the Subic area are referred to as the Subic Freeport Zone, although the whole Subic economic zone covers portions of Bataan and Zambales provinces; specifically the city of Olongapo and the town of Subic in Zambales and the towns of Hermosa and Morong in Bataan. Olongapo, often associated with this area, is covered separately. Portions of Subic town in Zambales outside the Subic Freeport Zone is likewise not covered in this guide.

The area's history began as a shipbuilding facility by the Spaniards in 1885. After Spain handed over the Philippines to the United States at the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, Subic became a major naval outpost which existed until 1991. Volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Pinatubo also affected many buildings and facilities inside the naval facility while the American forces started to leave. Since the United States forces left, it was converted into a mixed-use area with industrial and retail zones.

Get in

Public transportation methods such as jeepneys and motorized tricycles plying in areas around the Subic Freeport Zone (SFZ) such as in downtown Olongapo, are not allowed to go inside the SFZ.

By car

From Manila, Subic is connected by expressway, the Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEx, formerly Subic-Tipo Expressway); it connects with the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) onward from Pampanga.

From Bataan, you can enter from Morong, which is connected through a winding road that passes near the airport.

Vehicles entering Subic Freeport are subject to inspection at entry points. Traffic enforcement is stricter. Being a former U.S. Navy base, there are many three- or four-way stops and center two-way left-turn lanes that are otherwise rare or unusual in the Philippines. Signage is otherwise the same as in most of the Philippines, with speed limits at kilometers per hour on red circles and red triangles with a symbol for warnings.

By boat

• 1 Subic Passenger Terminal, Alava Wharf. The Alava Wharf accommodates passenger cruise ships docking in the Subic Bay area. (updated May 2021)

By plane

• 2 Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA, SFS  ^IATA). The gateway to Subic Bay Freeport-, a modern, international airport with a 10,000-m² passenger terminal. It's capable of handling 700 passengers at any given time and meets international standards. However, there is only one scheduled flight from here, which goes to Manila. (updated Jul 2023)

Get around

• Taxi - Taxis are available at the main SBMA/SFZ gates with Olongapo. They can also be booked by telephone for pickup anywhere inside Subic.

See

• 1 Ocean Adventure. See dolphins and tropical fish. 
• 2 Zoobic Safari, Group I, Ilanin Forest, ☏ +63 917-8351111. An attraction you will find at Subic Bay Freeport's Forest Adventure Park. Embracing 25 hectares, guests can expect an astonishing sight of diverse exotic animals roaming and frolicking in their natural habitats. It features a wide range of habitats representing the major habitats of varied exotic animals. 
• 3 Magellan's Landing Museum, Argonaut Highway, ☏ +63 47 252 2230. (updated May 2021)
• 4 Fort Wint, Grande Island. Ruins of an American fort in Grande Island. (updated Sep 2023)
• 5 Bat Stop II, Zambales Highway. A hotspot for seeing bats, The best time to visit is sunset. (updated Sep 2023)
• 6 Hellships Memorial, Waterfront Road. Open 24 hours. It’s a nice memorial to read about it’s history. The memorial does a great job conveying the history. Free. (updated Sep 2023)
• 7 The Hands that Freed the Nation, Waterfront Road. Open 24 hours. A historic monument, commemorating the Magnificent 12 Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who stood up and said "no" to the military bases in Olongapo and ended the foreign military presence in the country. Free. (updated Sep 2023)
• 8 Children of the Sun Returning, Waterfront Road. Open 24 hours. Symbolises the past event on how the volunteers saved the Subic Bay from the Mount Pinatubo eruption, transforming the former Navy Base. Free. (updated Sep 2023)
• 9 Spanish Gate, Sampson Road. Open 24 hours. The old Spanish Gate at Subic is the remnant of the naval installation established by the Spanish colonial authorities in 1885. Two cannons straddle the gate as a reminder of its military past. Two markers are installed on both sides of the gate giving information about its origin. One can visit the gate with no special permission needed and it is generally open to the public. Free. (updated Sep 2023)
• 10 SFEX Twin Tunnels, N Luzon W Expy, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Bataan. Open 24 hours. Nice forest and mountain green views along the way. Free. (updated Sep 2023)
• 11 Port Of Subic Bay, Waterfront Road. Sign. (updated Sep 2023)
• 12 Waterfront Park, Waterfront Road. Open 24 hours. Morning or evening walk, jog, bike, picnic, play frisbee or badminton, etc. This is definitely a good place to be. Free. (updated Sep 2023)
• 13 Volunteers Park, Saint Columban Street. Open 24 hours. Free. (updated Sep 2023)

Do

Scuba diving

The tourism office for the area calls Subic Bay the "Pearl of the Orient" and much like a pearl inside an oyster, its true value is hidden unless you know where to look.

Subic Bay offers some of the world's best shipwrecks, all within recreational diving depths, as well as tranquil coral and artificial reefs that explode with marine life. Unlike Coron, and other wreck diving locations, where you ride for hours to get to a wreck site, the majority of Subic Bay dive sites are a quick 15 minutes trip from the dive centres.

The bay is a unique "wreck heaven" because its sheltered waters allow calm year-round diving (except in the strongest typhoons), with short duration transits to the dive sites and a fantastic collection of exceptionally well-preserved historical wrecks.

Just how many wrecks are there in Subic Bay? That is a difficult question. Unlike Coron or Truk, whose wrecks occurred over a relatively short period, Subic’s World War II wrecks covered almost the entire war period. No fewer than 25 Japanese ships were reported sunk during the war years. Some of these may have been removed in the late 1950s as salvage operations were conducted to open up the bay for shipping. Additional ships were sunk after the war either as targets or victims of mother nature. It is widely believed that an additional ten large ships may lie within the bay. The area is not limited to World War II wrecks. At the entrance to the bay alongside Grande Island are the remains of the Spanish–American War wreck, San Quintin. Outside the bay in deep water lie the remains of a Spanish galleon as well as a 16th-century Chinese junk (beyond diving range).

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 did an enormous amount of damage to Luzon and the Zambales/Subic Bay area was hard hit. A meter of ash covered the area, including homes and businesses. Within days, a typhoon entered the area, turning the ash into mud. Many homes and businesses collapsed under the weight. One resident stated that the river looked just like the cement coming out of a cement mixer. A large percentage of coral was killed lying under the ash.

When the navy occupied the naval base at Subic, many of the wrecks were closed to diving. However, divers had the advantage of diving in water that was crystal clear with 40 m or more of visibility on the wrecks that were open. The bay was the home of different varieties of sharks, dolphins, and turtles. While a few turtles still nest on the beaches, sharks and dolphins are no longer here. The visibility is returning slowly and the coral is recovering. Perhaps the turtles, sharks and dolphins will return in abundance also, but this is not likely. Populatios of turtle, rays and sharks just outside the bay seem to be on the rise.

There have been increasingly more common sightings of bull sharks around the deeper wreck sites, along with Eagle Ray around the USS New York, LST, and El Capitan, and black tip reef sharks around the outside of Grande Island.

Underwater photographers have been reporting success with macro critters, such as harlequin ghost pipe fish and many species of nudibranch.

There are more than ten full-time dive operators in the bay area. These dive operators serve a variety of scuba training agencies, including PADI, SSI, ANDI, PSAI, BSAC and DSAT. They provide a collection of entry-level and specialist scuba training courses, including (of course!) basic and advanced/technical wreck diver training.

• Boardwalk Divers (At the free port). Run by George AngDyPay, an experienced TDI and PSAI technical rebreather instructor. Set up to cater to both recreational and technical divers it has quickly become the dive center of choice for most tech divers. Guiding is done by local staff members who are all trained as divemasters and technical wreck guides. Accommodation is at the nearby hotels, Herbie's Mansion, Boardwalk Inn, and Mango Valley. 
• Scuba Tech Philippines. Runs PADI and TecRec technical courses from a luxury dive boat based in Subic Freeport Zone. The instructor, Andy Davis, is a highly qualified and experienced UK-trained instructor with PADI, SSI, BSAC, and DSAT TecRec. Daily scuba diving trips are offered to the wrecks and reefs of Subic Bay. These trips can be tailored to fulfill diver requirements at any level. Accommodation can be booked at any hotel inside SFZ, with pick-up/drop-off included. 

Area wrecks

• El Capitan - A 3,000-ton freighter, about 130-m long that sunk near the mouth of Ilanin Bay. 5m below the surface.
• Landing Craft Utility (LCU) - Triboa Bay. 5-20 m (25-60 ft).
• Landing Ship Tank (LST) - Between Grande Island and the southern tip of the runway. 32 m deep.
• Oryoku Maru- 400 m off Alava pier. 20 m (60ft) deep.
• Patrol Boat - In Triboa Bay at a depth of 20-25 m (60-75 ft).
• San Quentin - The oldest known wreck in Subic, a wooden gunboat scuttled by the Spanish in 1898.
• USS New York - A 120-m long hull. 27 m of water between Alava Pier and the northern end of Cubi Point runway.

Other

• 1 JEST Camp (Jungle Environment Survival Training Camp), J.E.S.T Camp, Upper Mau, Cubi-Triboa, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, ☏ +63 917-796-4668, contact@jestcamp.com. Jungle survival training. Learn how to survive the harsh jungle environment through the courses that they offer. (updated May 2021)
• 2 Subic International Golf Club, 6900 Binictican Drive. 6:30AM–8PM. (updated May 2021)
• 3 Malawaan Picnic Park, Argonaut Highway. Free. (updated Sep 2023)
• 4 Subic Bay Yacht Cruise and Rentals. Open 24 hours. (updated Sep 2023)

Buy

• 1 American Hardware, Rizal Highway (at the back of Royal Duty Free Subic). 9AM-5PM. Carries lots of useful things. All their products are imported from the US. They have lots of items that are very rare in the Philippines. American Hardware also runs the only car wash in Subic Bay. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 Royal Duty Free, #1109 Palm Street. 9AM–7PM. The biggest department store in Subic. They carry imported and local housewares, cooking items, snacks, and branded clothing. Most of are surplus so they're actually cheaper. Has an extensive selection of cigarettes and perfumes. (updated Sep 2023)
• 3 Ayala Harbor Point Mall (Harbor Point or HP or Ayala Subic), Rizal Highway, CBD, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo, ☏ +63 47 250 8888. 11AM-9PM. Ayala Harbor Point Mall is a regional-sized shopping, dining and entertainment center that services Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City and other outlying areas. It's the first Ayala Mall development in the province of Zambales. This sprawling mall offers a wide variety of shopping, dining and entertainment choices. It also has its anchor stores such as Puregold Supermarket, Timezone (gaming arcade), Abenson Appliances, and four Ayala Cinemas. VIP lounges are available to special members so they could take a quick rest in the middle of their shopping or while they wait for their movie schedules. The Riverwalk area is a green park concept where people could enjoy the riverside park along with a dancing fountain. Shops and restaurants also dot this area. The mall has both indoor and outdoor activity areas where special exhibitions, shows, and bazaars are held. The mall also offers weekend and holiday sales usually extending up to the wee hours of the night. (updated Sep 2023)
• 4 Royal Duty Free Hypermarket, Manila Avenue corner Canal Road (walking distance from Harbor Point Ayala Mall, go there by taxi, or private vehicle). 9AM-8PM. A mini version of Royal Duty Free which is a stone's throw away from Harbor Point, this store offers duty free grocery items, clothing/apparel and other imported goods. (updated Sep 2023)
• 5 SM City Olongapo Downtown, Magsaysay Drive corner Gordon Avenue. 10AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 6 SM City Olongapo Central, Rizal Avenue Extension. 10AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023)

Eat

• 1 Blue Rock Resort, Baloy Long Beach Road. Good for Western food. Great prices, quantity and quality. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 Texas Joe's House of Ribs, McKinley Street, ☏ +63 47 252 3189. 10:30AM–10PM. Chophouse restaurant. Smoked meats and ribs. Numerous barbecue sauces. Attentive service. (updated Sep 2023)
• 3 Xtremely Xpresso Cafe Restaurant, SM City Olongapo, ☏ +63 47 252 3681. 10AM–9PM. A casual bistro style restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner The cafe is known to serve Italy's no. 1 coffee, Lavazza, and is famous for its unique collection of Italian menu. (updated Sep 2016)
• 4 Coco Lime Restaurant, Rizal Highway. 11AM–8:30PM. Subic Bay's beloved restaurant that offers a variety of Filipino and international dishes. Famous for its Pineapple Rice. The place is always full so always be ready to go there early to save a seat. (updated Sep 2023)
• 5 Sakura Japanese Restaurant, Lot 5 Time Square Bldg.Corner Sta.Rita Rd. Subic Bay Freefort Zone and a branch at Harbor Point Mall, ☏ +63 47 252-2666. 10:30AM–9PM. Known by the locals as the authentic Japanese restaurant in Subic. They serve fresh sashimi and a variety of sushi choices. (updated Sep 2023)
• 6 Magic Lagoon Bar, Rizal Highway, ☏ +63 47 252-1475. Open 24 hours. Magic Lagoon Restaurant is near a man-made lagoon where you can catch your own fish and ask the staff to cook it for you. An ideal place for family outings and group activities. (updated Sep 2023)
• 7 Meat Plus Cafe, #65 Sampson Road. 10AM–9PM. American food restaurant. (updated Sep 2023)
• 8 Leonardo's Pizza Tradizionale, Block 6 Lot 3, Moonbay Marina, Waterfront Road. 3–10PM. Italian food restaurant. (updated Sep 2023)
• 9 Sonamu Korean Restaurant, Canal Road (in Subic International Hotel Complex). 10AM–10PM. Best Korean restaurant in Subic Bay. (updated Sep 2023)
• 10 Buddha's Bowl, Santa rita Road. 11AM–8PM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 11 Golden Dragon Restaurant, Canal Road. 10AM–10PM. Chinese restaurant. (updated Sep 2023)
• 12 Golden Tea House Restaurant, Bldg.281-282 Raymundo Street. 7AM-10PM. Chinese food restaurant. (updated Sep 2023)

Drink

• 1 Baguio Craft Brewery Subic, Riverwalk, Harbor Point Ayala Mall, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, ☏ +63 9177997072. Offers draft beer and beer on tap (Stella Artois or Heineken). This concept originated in the northern city of Baguio and features local beer brews and international selections. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 Pier One Bar and Grill, Lot 249 Waterfront Road, ☏ +63 47 252 7097-98. 11AM–midnight. Entertainment and dining. They have live bands, a dance floor and sports bar. They also offer a wide variety of dishes and beer food. Order beers by the bucket or try and get those beer towers. Located in the waterfront, sea breezes keep the place cool and airy. (updated Sep 2023)

Sleep

• 1 All Hands Beach Subic, All Hands Beach, San Bernardino Rd, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, ☏ +63 47 250-2270. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 2PM. Air-conditioned beachfront rooms and cottages. Bamboo huts, function rooms and pavilions are also available for family, business or special events. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 Arizona International Hotel, 47 National Hwy, Barrio Barreto, ☏ +63 47 224 4557. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)
• 3 Bayfront Hotel Subic Bay, Blk. 19 Lot 1 Moonbay, Marina Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, ☏ +63 47 252-3148-49, fax: +63 47 252-2591, bayfront@subictel.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. The unassuming rooms with simple furnishings have Wi-Fi, TVs and minifridges, as well as tea and coffeemaking facilities. Upgraded rooms add verandas. Room service is available. (updated Sep 2023)
• 4 Casablanca Hotel Condominium Resort Bar & Restaurant, Lot 14 Agronaut Hwy. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Fully furnished condo-hotel that has a pool side bar, Jacuzzi, and restaurant that serves international cuisine. (updated Sep 2023)
• 5 Court Meridian Hotel and Suites, Waterfront Road, ☏ +63 47 252-2366. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Air-con rooms equipped with cable TV, private toilet and bath with hot and cold running water. Business center, jet ski, bar, and restaurant. (updated Sep 2023)
• 6 Elmolina Beach Resort Subic, 135 National Hwy, Barrio Barretto. Budget beachfront accommodation. Kayaking, banana boating, snorkeling, and jet skiing. (updated Sep 2023)
• 7 Grand Hoyah Hotel, Canal Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Set alongside a tributary of the Santa Rita River, this relaxed hotel is an 8-minute walk from SBMA Beach, 8 km from Subic Bay International Airport and 21 km from Ocean Adventures marine park. (updated Sep 2023)
• 8 Hotel Interpark, Bldg 663 Dewey Ave Corner Santa Rita Rd, Subic Bay Freeport Zone (1 block from Waterfront Rd and Oriental Paradise Casino). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)
• 9 The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Block 4, Lot 1, Lighthouse Drive Moonbay Marina Complex, Waterfront Road (Central Business District), ☏ +63 2 8711 0019. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Set in a building with a lighthouse, this casual hotel facing Subic Bay is 10 km from Fort Wint and 12 km from All Hands Beach. (updated Sep 2023)

• 10 The Pub Hotel Subic, #76 National Highway. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Amid the nightlife district of Barretto. Seconds walk away from beachfront restaurants and bars as well as the famous go-go bars of Subic. (updated Sep 2023)
• 11 RK Hotel, Decent Circle, Rizal Highway. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. The hotel has 64 well-appointed rooms, private KTV rooms, a sports bar, swimming pool, conference and meeting facilities and its own Oriental spa. The hotel is near duty free shops, spas, and restaurants that serve international cuisine. (updated Sep 2023)
• 12 Subic International Hotel, Canal Road, ☏ +63 47 252-22-22, fax: +63 47 894-55-79. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Labitan and Sta Rita Roads, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, This hotel used to be naval barracks. (updated Sep 2023)
• 13 Subic Oceanview Hotel, #202 Purok 6, National Hwy, Calapandayan. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11PM. All the guest rooms are equipped with a work area. (updated Sep 2023)
• 14 Subic Park Hotel, Moonbay Marina, Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, ☏ +63 47 252-2092, +63 47 252-2093, +63 47 250-2039. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Along a boardwalk lined with restaurants, this informal hotel facing SBMA Beach is 11 minutes' walk from Harbor Point mall, and 3 km from both Olongapo City bus station and Inflatable Island, an amusement park set in Subic Bay. (updated Sep 2023)
• 15 Terrace Hotel, Blk 1 Lot 2 & 3 Moonbay Marina, Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, ☏ +63 47 250-2730, fax: +63 47 252-2733. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Rooms equipped with TV with cable channels, coffee/tea maker and mini-bar. It also has a business center, rooftop patio, and swimming pool. (updated Sep 2023)
• 16 Vista Marina Hotel and Resort Subic, Waterfront Road, Block 3 Lot 2, Moonbay Marina Area, Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Check-out: noon. Set on palm tree-lined grounds overlooking the boardwalk and SBMA Beach, this low-key hotel is 11 km from Subic Bay International Airport, and 28 km from bird-watching and trekking in Bataan National Park. A Mediterranean-inspired hotel on the beach. (updated Sep 2023)
• 17 Horizon Hotel Subic, Canal Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. This casual hotel in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone is an 8-minute walk from SBMA Beach, 3 km from Inflatable Island water park and 11 km from Subic Bay International Airport. (updated Sep 2023)
• 18 Camayan Beach Resort, Ilanin Road, Camayan Wharf Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. This laid-back beachfront resort set along Subic Bay is 4 km from Zoobic Safari and 30 km from Fort Wint. (updated Sep 2023)
• 19 The MG Grand Hotel, Dewey Avenue. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Set in a polished building overlooking Subic Bay, this modern hotel is a 4-minute walk from SBMA Beach and 5 km from the Magellan's Landing Maritime Museum. (updated Sep 2023)
• 20 The Aurora Suites and Pavilion, CBD, Canal Road corner Labitan Streets. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)
• 21 The Reef Hotel and Residences, Waterfront Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. A 5-minute walk from Grande Island Resort ferry terminal, this contemporary hotel overlooking Subic Bay is 7 km from boating and swimming at Baloy Beach. It's within 5 km of several amusement parks. (updated Sep 2023)

Go next

Olongapo, geographically in Zambales, but is politically Independent of it, is just to the north. Part of Subic Freeport lies under its jurisdiction; the rest, including the airport, belongs to Subic also in Zambales, and Hermosa and Morong in the province of Bataan. As like with entering, vehicles leaving Subic are subject to exit inspections.

• Pampanga, via SCTEx.
• Zambales, via Rte 306