Top Activities & Things to Do in Subic Bay in 2023 Intro
One of the Philippines most exciting and fun-filled destinations is Subic Bay. A couple easy hours from the hustle and bustle of big city Manila, Subic offers a peaceful, safe, and controlled environment. Foreign and domestic tourists alike find the Subic Freeport Zone safe, quiet, and orderly, with a distinctly western feel.
The traffic is controlled, the streets are clean, there are no smoke belching tricycles and jeepneys and the traffic laws are closely monitored and enforced throughout the Freeport. This has caused the Subic Zone to become a highly desirable and a refuge for those looking for a relaxing and fun, secure, first-world style vacation.
Subic offers excellent international access for foreigners and distant Filipino visitors alike. Traveling via the SCTEX Subic/Clark highway, Subic is only a 45-minute drive from the Clark International Airport (CIA) and two hours from Manila.
Clark airport is the closest and easiest facility to get to Subic from foreign countries and distant Philippines locations. The number of international and domestic flights to and from Philippine and southeast Asian and Middle East cities at Clark Airport are increasing year over year. Domestic cities include Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, General Santos, Cagayan, Caticlan, Davao, Puerto Princesa, Busuanga, and El Nido. International cities include Macau, Taipei, Tokyo/Narita, Incheon, Busan, Singapore, Doha, and Dubai.
Once the largest of the foreign United States naval bases, Subic has transformed itself into a thriving vacation destination loaded with unique hotels, resorts, theme parks, eco-tourism, adventure and survival training parks, golf courses, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues ideal for families, thrill-seekers, couples, singles, friends, and businessmen alike.
Many consider Subic primarily a beach and watersport vacation spot. While it does have incredible beaches and resorts and some of the best diving, snorkeling, parasailing, and jet skiing around, there is much more to Subic than simply sun and fun in the water. For a more comprehensive look at Subic, continue reading about the top-10 things to do in Subic in 2023.
Adventure Beach Waterpark
There has been a gaping hole in the waterpark category at Subic for many years. However, at Adventure Beach Waterpark’s bayside property, let the experience begin! Subic enjoyed all the water activities and excitement of the Bay itself for years, but there was never a multi-feature waterpark similar to Fontana Waterpark or Aqua Planet in Clark, Pampanga.
This park is yet another undertaking of SBMEI, or Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium who are the owners and managers of the nearby and hugely popular Ocean Adventure and Camayan Beach Resorts.
The area of Subic the park it built on was previously known as Adventure Beach. This well-liked venue was previously where families gathered to organize birthday parties, nuptials, and other group gatherings and activities in the Subic Bay Freeport.
2015 ushered-in SBMEI’s desire to expand their portfolio in the region and the realization of a new vision took shape. The decision to go with a waterpark was significantly influenced by the absence of any other waterparks within the Subic Freeport Zone. It felt like a creative and previously untapped alternative for SBMEI to construct a waterpark on an existing beach, close to the ocean. The new waterpark became reality and blends in perfectly with and complements the surrounding bay.
The Adventure Beach Water Park is a fantastic place to unwind and have fun for all ages. Getting wet is the name of the game with attractions like the 3-story-tall Twin Twister Slide and the Lazy River. Aqua Serein is a refreshing sprinkler system that replicates rain falling from a cloudless sky for a cool, surreal, and tranquil experience on hot days. Your family’s young children will most likely appreciate the areas with shallow water features created especially for them. These include the wading pool, which has seesaws and run-through sprinklers shaped like mushrooms. One thing is certain: at Adventure Beach Water Park, you will get wet whether you like the adult-sized slides and rides or the attractions for the family’s younger members.
Some Additional Attractions and Features at Adventure Beach:
Twin Twister: The tallest mega-slide of them all at three floors, the Twin Twister Slide is not for the timid. Twin Twister is more fun because it is two side-by-side slides that twist and turn together rather than a solo slide experience. You are treated to spectacular views of the ocean and the lovely Subic Bay as you climb the ladder to your swift fall down the slide. Then the fun really starts.
River Bend: Have you ever wished to go through a waterfall and ride a set of rapids? Then the ride for you is River Bend. Prepare yourself for some cool excitement when boarding your own personal inflatable tube. Along the route, there are a few surprises, and there are some slower-moving sections to keep the pulse rate under control.
Aqua Serein: This one should tell you something from the name. A calmer, more tranquil diversion from the park’s more exciting attractions. This ride features rain that appears to be falling out of a clear sky. A perfect combination of cooling water relaxation offering teleportation to a calmer place to obtain some peace and serenity.
Food at the Park: A vacation to a theme park wouldn’t be complete without food. Here’s where the Forest Grill Restaurant fulfills that requirement. The Forest Grill Restaurant steps in to fill your tummy with yummy treats. Here, you may recharge and refuel in one of its distinctive, forest-themed private dining pods, complete with stunning views of Subic Bay. The restaurant offers grilled dinners and straightforward fast-food items to please a variety of palates.
Events and Groups: Adventure Beach Water Park welcomes groups. Celebratory groups are welcome to plan the ideal experience for their members. If your group is looking for a distinctive location for birthday parties, special celebrations, or even corporate functions, why not try a one-of-a-kind experience at a waterpark. To make a reservation, get in touch with the park here.
Location: The Ilanin Forest West neighborhood’s location is ideal for access to Subic’s other thrilling theme parks and excursions, like Ocean Adventure and Zoobic Safari.
Adventure Beach Waterpark
Camayan Wharf, West Ilanin Forest Area
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines 2222
Phone: +63 47 252-9000
Inflatable Island Floating Playground
Visit Subic’s newest Instagram-able Summer Paradise! Dubbed as the Largest inflatable playground in Asia, Inflatable Island is one of Subic’s newest and most fun and refreshing attractions. Some of the coolest tiki hut umbrellas, and coziest and comfortable bean bags are all found here.
The atmosphere here is reminiscent of a high-end resort in an exotic tropical location like Bali combined with a floating city of inflatables. Here you’ll find inflatable swings, towers, bridges, slides, and much more fun objects all waiting for you to explore! Take your next fun TikTok at their famed basket boats, enjoy some lechon weekends in their brand-new restaurant, and sip margaritas at our soon-to-be-unveiled Balinese poolside hideaway.
The Floating Playground has recently increased in size for even more fun and opportunities for Instagram and Facebook shots with your friends. This floating park now surpasses 4,500 square meters! It is comparable in size to 11 basketball courts set side by side. If you want to try something totally unusual in a water park, yet more comfortable than your living room couch, then your ideal hangout is Inflatable Island Beach Club, open from dawn until dusk.
Inflatable Island Floating Playground
R7W9+M57, Olongapo – Bugallon Rd
Olongapo, 2200 Zambales, Philippines
Phone: +63 945 733 4256
Parasailing Adventures in Subic
Parasailing is an exhilarating water activity that lets you fly like a bird over the water. It is a well-liked pastime in Subic Bay, where you get ample opportunities to marvel at the breathtaking vistas of the emerald-colored waves and neighboring mountains while you consider the long military and economic history of the area.
You’ve got two choices when seeking a parasailing company in Subic Bay. They offer tandem parasailing, which gives you a trusted and skilled partner in the air to help beginners navigate. While the parasailing facilities typically give you detailed instructions and tips prior to your quest, you can feel more relaxed while being towed behind a powerful boat during your adventure going the tandem route. For first-time parasailers, this is a fantastic alternative because a skilled parasailer will entirely handle the parachute and help better guarantee your safety.
Solo parasailing is an option if you want a more daring experience. This option allows for the boat to drag you behind it while under your own control. While you are strapped in all alone, you will still get detailed instructions from the crew on steering your parachute. Although solo parasailing is not for the timid, it is an incredible experience you won’t soon forget.
The New Sport of Flyboarding in Subic
In the new water sport of flyboarding a jet ski is used to soar through the air like a superhero. Franky Zapata created it in 2012, and since then, it has gained an incredible amount of worldwide popularity with adventure seeking youth.
Flyboarding involves standing on a board that is attached to a hose that is connected to a jet ski. Water is propelled by the jet ski via the hose, forcing it out of nozzles on the bottom of the flyboard. As a result, you are thrusted into the air by powerful waterjet propulsion. As you emerge from the water into the sky under full power, you can’t help it feel like Ironman. The skill and trick are all in the movement of your body that will allow you to adjust your direction and balance while in the air and determine whether you are a successful flier or dive back into the water on a wipeout.
Exercise, fun and excitement are on the menu when flyboarding. It’s a fantastic way to get above and beyond the horizon to view your surroundings from a unique and everchanging perspective. Any body of water deep enough for the jet ski to travel through can be used for flyboarding.
Flyboarding is undoubtedly something you may want to think about if you’re searching for a fresh and thrilling water activity that may also activate your superhero nature while in Subic. A few important points related to flyboarding are listed below. You should be aware of a few issues if you want to try flyboarding.
Find a trustworthy flyboarding business first, one with knowledgeable instructors and the necessary safety gear. Second, your physical condition must be excellent. Due to the physical demands of flyboarding, swimming proficiency and comfort in deep water are prerequisites. Even though flyboarding is a generally risk-free pastime, accidents can nevertheless happen rather suddenly if you are not healthy, strong, and balanced.
Flyboarding is undoubtedly something you should think about if you’re searching for a fresh and thrill-seeking water activity. The power of water and sky await you with skilled, adequate, safe instruction and equipment.
You can make your flyboarding experience safe and fun by adhering to these safety guidelines. Safety during flyboarding is crucial, the following measures should always be followed:
Helmets and life jackets should always be worn without exception.
Be aware of and watch out for other swimmers and your surroundings.
If you’re high on drink or drugs, don’t flyboard.
When you are comfortable, start out slowly and gradually increase your height and speed.
When you land, take care because it’s easy to slip and tumble.
Stop flyboarding as soon as you experience any unease, fear or danger.
Parasailing and Flyboarding Companies in Subic Bay
Networx Jet Sports goes all the way back to 1993, and is a long-standing, popular water sports company that not only offers parasailing and flyboarding adventures, but jet skiing, banana boat rides, wakeboarding and more. They have a variety of packages to choose from, and their staff is experienced and friendly.
Networx Jet Sports
R79H+F6Q, Waterfront Rd,
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, 2222 Zambales, Philippines
Phone+63 47 252 3469
Johan’s Beach and Dive Resort – Located just outside of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in the old Berretto Subic area. Started in 1988 by a Norwegian couple named Johan and Annie, the resort began as a small dive shop but has subsequently expanded into a well-known resort. Here you’ll find parasailing and flyboarding adventures and training. Johan’s is the go-to deep diving training and equipment facility in the Subic area. They are also much more than a dive and waterplay shop though, Johan’s also features rooms and suites for rent with a restaurant and bar. The owners are dedicated to giving their visitors an unforgettable vacation in all they provide in water activities in the area.
Johan’s Beach and Dive Resort
50 Baloy Long Beach Rd, Olongapo, 2200
Zambales, Philippines
Phone: +63 47 224 8915
Zoobic Safari
This is an all-time favorite adventure parks in the region and an absolute can’t miss for both international and domestic tourists in Subic for the first time. Many domestic tourists return to Zoobic Safari at each subsequent trip. If you have ever wanted to experience an African safari, then let Zoobic become your replacement experience.
Tiger Safari offers participants the chance to ride along in a protective cage vehicle through freely roaming Siberian and Bengal Tiger open range habitat. This venue feels like you are on a wild African safari adventure in the Philippines. Majestic and powerful animals come directly up to the side of the vehicle. So close at times, you can smell their breath as you gaze directly into their mouths. The experienced tour guide feeds them a whole, raw chickens through an opening in the vehicle. Their huge bicuspids gleam in the sunlight only a few inches away from your face. If you are lucky, you can experience the enormous weight of the huge man-eaters as they jump on top of the safari vehicle and lays and rests as if they are holding you and your tour guest’s captive. The roof has clear panels so you can see every detail of the tiger’s underside as it lays just inches from your head.
Muzooeum is a collection of real animal bones and preserved skins that provide mammalian educational opportunities for young and old alike.
Rodent World is a fascinating collection of rodent animals. The kids will be enthralled, and adults will get a bang out of mice doing tricks along with guinea pigs being groomed in a Rodent Salon.
Croco loco is a thrilling adventure with Crocodiles, try feeding them chicken lowered by a fishing pole.
Bird Walk is a unique bird adventure where you can feed a multitude of birds of various species.
Serpentarium is an around the world exploration of snakes, turtles, lizards, iguanas, and many other reptilian delights.
Zoobic Cave offers a look at the world of wild and exotic animals but all non-living taxidermies (stuffed).
Forbidden Cave is an exciting and Indiana Jones style jungle adventure featuring a seemingly insecure and shaky hanging bridge that may just cause you to lose your lunch.
Zoobic Safari
Group I Ilanin Forest
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines
Telefax: (+6347) 252-2272; (+63) 929-7072222
Ocean Adventure
Dolphins and other aquatic sea life are waiting to entertain, delight, fascinate and even educate you and your family. This facility can be considered not only an amusement park but a learning center for marine life enthusiasts. The Philippines is fortunate to have such a facility within the confines of country.
Dolphins and Friends Show is the main attraction at Ocean Adventure. This show features dolphins and other friends such as seals and sea lions performing tricks and humorous interaction with their trainers and audience members alike. These marvelous mammals have extraordinary intelligence, grace power and agility. The show is filled action, laughter, smiles, important sustainability and conservation messages and interesting facts and information about these advanced creatures we share the earth with.
Swim Encounter is a unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a non-dolphin trainer to swimming with these wonderful creatures. How about going for a speedy ride on the back of a trained dolphin? Would that be something you’d like to tell your friends? Well, if you opt for the Swim Encounter experience, you’ll not only get to do just that. You’ll be brought to a platform island in the middle of the Ocean Adventure Lagoon by your new dolphin friend as if he is recuiing you. There you’ll meet and play with other marine animals for additional rides, hugs and photo opportunities. After your simulated dolphin rescue ride, you’ll go back to the mainland for additional fun feeding and touching these wonderful creatures all while photos are captured of your adventure. Don’t worry, you’ll have a lifejacket on the entire experience. You’ll wish the 45 minute experience went on all day.
Shallow Water Show is for those that are not comfortable in deeper water. Here you get to stay in the shallower water of the Ocean Adventure Lagoon while touching, feeding and hugging some fantastically interesting dolphin characters. You may not be rescued by a dolphin friend in this scenario but you’ll feel as though you know him just as well as you find yourself interacting with him and get great photo opportunities in the process for a full 30 minutes. You’ll even participate in a demonstration of the dolphin’s sonar capabilities.
Sea Lion Marine Patrol Show is designed to brighten your day and maybe your entire month with mischievous sea lions. This show is performed at the new Sea Lion Theater expansion area. This show features trainers and the audience interacting with these fun and exciting animals who love to clap, play ball and act like comedians. After the show enjoy the sea lions playful antics in their deep relaxing pool alongside the theater.
Walk on the Wild Side Show features the indigenous Aetas showing off their talents and skills. They light fires without matches, make their own bamboo utensils demonstrating self-sufficiency and survival they are famous for. Then the real adventure begins as you are transported into the Subic forest at night by your guides to interact with various birds, bats, reptiles and mammals. Entertainment abounds as the show participants are treated to a performance at the Wildlife in Need Rescue Center at Ocean Adventure. We don’t want to give-away all of the fun and games but the show is not called Walk on the Wild Side for nothing.
Adventures of Olongapo Jones keeps with the Ocean Adventure motto of ecological wisdom and responsibility in a highly entertaining and fun way. Olongapo Jones and his Eco-Rangers Pawee and Leila go on a search mission to track down the eco-bandits of Subic/Olongapo call the Bouncing Basura Boys. This ecologically disrespectful gang has a habit of throwing trash everywhere and cutting down trees in their wake. This is a high action and extremely funny show that will excite and delight the audience as they learn about responsible and sustainable everyday practices to help preserve our precious earth.
Ocean Discovery Aquarium is an impressive display of sea creatures and habitat all in an air-conditioned underground aquarium where you’ll not only be fascinated by informed. Stay dry in this exhibit as the sea life from Subic Bay and the greater South China Sea is only inches away from your face in a fantastic display of color. You’ll experience coral reefs, deep dark caves, mangrove forests, water streams and incredibly diverse inhabitants such as sea horses, stingrays, exotic colorful fish and sea snakes while they swim about in the territory they call home.
The Learning Center serves as a question and answer college of marine life where you’ll learn answers to such questions as what do you call a group of dolphins? What is Baleen? What’s the difference between a fish and a dolphin? Don’t be shy, ask whatever is on your mind. There are many friendly and knowledgeable park guides to ask whatever questions you may have regarding the marine life of the South China Sea.
Ocean Adventure Park
Camayan Wharf, West Ilanin Forest Area,
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales 2200
Phone: (047) 252 9000
Jest Camp - Jungle Environment Survival Training
Have you ever wanted to be able to survive in the most hostel of situations? Lost and alone in a hot, humid and torturous jungle environment could turn-out to be life-threatening. It may not sound like fun but to be able to survive in such an environment could save your life someday. Actually, you’ll be developing a set of skills that could lead to better self-confidence and you may be looked up to by your friends as a person who is able to do things others can’t.
The jungle survival program at JEST camp is modeled after the program sanctioned and implemented by the U.S. Military for its soldiers back in the Vietnam War period. The indigenous Aeta’s were commissioned to do this training as they were highly experienced at survival in their native jungle environment for many centuries.
You will be shown how to live off the land and survive using only the native vegetation found in the Subic jungle. You will learn how to identify the dangerous and the safe plants for both food and liquid consumption. You will also gain experience at making utensils out of only readily available jungle bamboo, starting a fire without a match, cook food using only bamboo and ways to ensure proper hygiene while in the Jungle to avoid getting sick. You will learn how to identify and use plants for medicinal purposes and how to cover your tracks in order not to leave any traces of your whereabouts or direction of travel for your enemy. Most importantly, you will be learning nature-based teachings developed by the Aeta’s over eons of time.
It’s not all about hiking and scavenging for the food that will give you sustenance and energy to endure to the end. After you have setup your tent and eaten, you will discuss the day’s events and the things you have learned around a roaring campfire, then listen to interesting indigenous Aeta survival stories.
This program may not be suitable for the out-of-shape or those sensitive to high temperatures as you will be taken on a fast-moving, minimal-equipment hike through the wilderness. Remember, this is extreme survival tactics and you will not have any of the comforts of modern life available to you.
JEST Camp offers three levels of jungle experience from a simple 30 minute quick overview, an overnight experience and a 3-day Extreme-level jungle survival course. The overnight and Extreme-level courses include certificates of completion to show your friends and family members.
Additional Attractions
JEST Camp is more than survival training. They also feature an incredible bird park, walk-in aviary that will knock your socks off. A flightless bird area, bird discovery center, Insectarium, butterfly garden, enchanted bonsai garden, Subic Freeport view deck, native restaurant, origin of JEST museum and maze quest round-out the additional offerings.
JEST Camp
Upper Mau, Cubi-Triboa
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, Olongapo 2200
(047) 252 1489
Subic Bay Yacht Club
So you think yachting is only for celebrities and the wealthy? Guess again! Now you and your family and friends can pretend you are a millionaire, even if only for just a few hours. The Subic Bay Yacht Club offers a variety of services and accommodations that will bring sheer delight to the faces of your guests. There are few places in the Philippines that allow you to utilize a multitude of services and features of a world class yacht club and resort. Now is your chance to live your caviar wishes and Champaign dreams.
Subic Bay Yacht Charters enable the curious and want-to-be rich to experience the life of the wealthy. You can do anything from a sunset cruise to a full day or even multi-day excursions on any of a number of yachts moored in the slips at the club. Check these two links for yachts and information for yacht charters: http://www.subicyachts.com/_charterpsyachts.php, http://www.subicyachts.com/_charterpyachts.php
Pool Party Package allows you, your friends and family to reserve and have exclusive ownership of the pool area at the Subic Bay Yacht Club for 4 hours. Perfect for graduations, wedding receptions corporate events and just about any function were you want to impress your guests with the life of luxury. If you have 25 people or more, the exclusive use of the pool, alcoholic drink menu, 2 rounds of beer or soda per person and 5 bottles of wine are included for a single reasonable price.
Hotels Accommodations are now open to the public allowing you and your guests to stay overnight at a previously exclusive and private club for much less than you may think. Why not spend the same amount of money for a country club experience rather than an everyday ordinary hotel. Enjoy the incredible pool area where the Miss Earth participants held a bathing suit exhibition. How about playing tennis as you pretend you and your guests are Beverly Hills Country Club members. Pamper yourself with a relaxing spa or massage in the same facilities used by politicians and celebrities use.
The Subic Yacht Club experience is a great way to wine and dine prospective clients or to treat your cherished company staff to a truly special and unique experience. If you really want to land that contract, make that sale or woo existing clients, then there is no better place than the Subic Yacht Club for the ultimate in luxury and excitement. Why not do the entire experience with a yacht ride, pool party and pampered overnight accommodations.
Subic Bay Yacht Club
Rizal Highway cor. Burgos Street
Subic Bay Freeport Zone 2222
(047) 252 5211
Wreck Diving in Subic Bay
WRECK DIVING IN SUBIC BAY
The undersea world of diving is an experience many are curious about but few get to explore. Beautiful coral reef formations, magical and exotic multi-colored aquatic life, unusual sea creatures and old shipwrecks are but a few wonders hidden beneath the deep blue oceans of our planet. While diving is often considered a privilege, reserved for those who can afford highly specialized training and equipment, it actually is much more easily experienced than most believe. If you are on the adventurous side, while in Subic, you may want to consider a diving experience that takes you to an entirely new and incredibly fascinating underwater world.
Most divers in Subic want to view ship-wreaks rather than the customary coral reefs and fish populations as these wreaks are extremely plentiful in the bay. Subic is one of the few places in the world where even beginning divers can explore underwater shipwrecks. There are around a dozen dive sites to choose, many are no more than fifteen minutes from most of the Subic dive centers, hotels and population areas.
Wrecks in Subic Bay available for exploration that were sunk during WW-II are numerous. Subic was a very active war zone during this conflict. One of the most famous and notable wreaks in the bay is actually the first armored cruiser the U.S. Navy ever built, the New York. First used in the Spanish American War then the Philippine-American war and then WW-I. During WW-II the New York was retired and used as a machine shop. It was sunk in the Subic Bay after the Japanese attacked Peale Harbor in order to keep the ships guns from being used by the Japanese. The growth of the tourism industry in Subic has created a dive vacation location spot that is frequently visited by curious divers from around the world. Since the ship is only 18 to 27 meters deep and in close proximity to dive support services, resorts and other wreaks, the New York has become one of the most dived shipwrecks in all of Asia.
Discover Scuba Diving programs are offered at three dive centers in the area. These programs allow you to obtain some basic dive training along with being escorted and monitored by a dive professional when you take your first discovery dive. Some of the businesses offering these programs include, Camayan Beach Resorts Dive Center next to Ocean Adventure within the Freeport, Johans Dive Center located in Barrio Barretto directly outside of the Freeport and El Corral Reef Dive Center in Olongapo City.
Other Subic Bay Ship Wreak Dive Sites include the following: Oryuko Maru, Seian Maru, USS New York, LCU, Japanese Patrol Boat, USS Lanikai, El Capitan, LST, San Quentin, Barges, Sakura Maru and a F4 Phantom aircraft. Reef sites include: Arizona Muck, Castle Rock, Lighthouse Reef, Airport Reef, Nabassan Reef and Canyons.
Below are the dive centers mentioned above along with their address and phone numbers.
Camayan Dive Center
Camayan Wharf, West Ilanin Forest Area
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales 2200
Landline: 6347-252-8000 Cell: +63908-887-0369
Johans Dive Center
Midway Baloy Long Beach,
Barrio Barretto, Olongapo City, Philippines 2200
Landline: 6347-224-8915 Cell: 63919-647-1234
El Corral Reef Dive Center
Baloy Long Beach Rd,
Olongapo City, Zambales, Philippines 2200
0928-219-7018
