Ultimate Guide for Budget Traveler and Adventure Seeker

Zambales is well known for its beautiful white beaches. You can find here the best beach in the province like Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove,...

Hermana Menor and Hermana Mayor Island in Zambales

Zambales is well known for its beautiful white beaches. You can find here the best beach in the province like Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove, Magalawa, Capones Island, and Potipot Island. These beaches will give you an amazing travel experience. Oh well, another white beach that you might want to visit in your next escapade, the Hermana Menor and Hermana Mayor Island.



Hermana Menor also known as Makatira Island, is a remote and private beach. It's owned by Palawan Governor Jose Alvares and the Hernandez family of Zambales, Unlike the beaches mentioned above, this beautiful beach is not yet crowded. You can find here a long stretch of powdery white sand fringe with coconut trees and crystal clear blue waters. It's ideal place for swimming, sun bathing, snorkeling and some outdoor activities.




Hermana Mayor is not yet open to the public. It is privately-owned by the Toda family. This island also features a long  stretch of powdery white sand and crystal clear waters. Unlike Hermana Menor, this white beach is more established. It has golf course, a man-made lake, some cottages, and among others.



How to get to Hermana Menor and Hermana Mayor Island Zambales
  • Take a Victory Liner bus bound for Sta Cruz Zambales. Fare is from P450-490 and travel time is from 5-6 hours. Tell the driver  drop you off at the Petron Station in Brgy. Lipay, Sta. Cruz. Terminal is located in Sampaloc, Caloocan and Pasay. 
  • From Brgy Lipa's Petron station, ride a tricycle going to the port. Fare is PhP 10 per person and the ride will take 3-5 minutes.
  • From the port, rent a boat to take you to Hermana Menor and/or Hermana Mayor. Travel time is from  30-40 minutes. Boat fee is from PhP 1,300-1,500 with a maximum capacity of 5-6 pax. 


DIY Travel Guide and Tips
  • Cottages are available in the resort. Rental fee if from P500-P1000
  • Comfort rooms are also available ( separate CR for women and men).
  • There are no stores in the island
  • Overnight camping is not allowed
  • No rooms / accommodations available in the resort
  • Bonfire is not allowed
  • Flying Drone is not allowed
  • There are resorts in Sta Cruz Zambales like SeaSun Beach Resort that offers a daytrip to Hermana Menor 

Thank you Nestor Mamuad Asuncion for the wonderful photos.

If you have review, blog or questions about the Hermana Menor and Hermana Mayor Island, please leave a comment below.


38 comments:

  1. malapit po ba cia sa potipot?

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    1. yap.. you can hire boat from Potipot going to Hermana Menor

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    2. Hi! Pwede po magpitch ng tent?

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    3. Magkano po boat from potipot to hermana menor?

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    4. camping is not allowed in the island

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  2. Replies
    1. the resort has comfort room for both men and women.. it's allowed to take a bath

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  3. do you need to make a reservation to enter this island?

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    Replies
    1. it's better to have reservation especially during peak season and holiday

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    2. hi ma'am/sir good evening, just let me know ma'am i can arrange your service from manila to santa cruz and also the place to stay private resort and trip to the island boat is not a problem. jut let me know. her's my mobile number 09059291036 im Oliver po. taga zambales po at laking isla. working her at manila.

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  4. Need ba ng reservation or any notice po sa pagpunta sa island? And may contact ba kayo ng bangkero?

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  5. Hi... may contact po kayo nung caretaker ng Hermana Menor? Narinig ko po kasi na may boat sila for 10-12 persons... mag DIY po sana kami ng mga friends ko. Salamat.

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  6. Hi! Do you have a contact person boat rental? Thank you.

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  7. San resort po kayo nag-stay?

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  8. San resort po kayo nag-stay?

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    Replies
    1. walang room available sa resort.. day tour lng puede

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  9. San resort po kayo nag-stay?

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  10. Magkano po ung boat from potipot to hermana menor?

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  11. May I ask the contact info of Manong Dodong, the caretaker of the island.
    Thank you!

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  12. How much is the boat rental fee?

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  13. Boat rental fee is around 2000 round trip..I highly recommend Brivas Resort kayo mag stay..

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  14. Hello ppunta sna kme this August ask ko lang kung open ung island of Hermana.?? TIA

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  15. ung boat lang po ba byaran kung punta s hermana mayor??

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    Replies
    1. package na po ksi un if you will rent a boat. ung boatmen na bahala na sa lahat

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  16. good day . May contact number ka ba sir na pwede kaming magpareserve?
    Thank you!

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  17. Hi! If we have our own car, where can we safely park it? Okay lang kahit may bayad just to make sure that it's secured when we leave it alone. :)

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  18. Pwede po ba ang bata? Sabi kasi hindi daw po pwede ang batang maliit at baby sa island. May balak po sana kasi kaming pumunta.

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  19. safe ba sa boat and may life vest ba?

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  20. Paano po kung may sariling sasakyan? Saan po pwede magpark?

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  21. any contact number ng boat man? para makausap? need na this marh25.26 ung diy nmin ty.

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  22. HI There, can i join with some passenger in the boat going to hermana?

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  23. hello po.. hinde po pwede 3 days sa island? thanks po

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  24. Angdaya naman angdaming bawal hays

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  25. Who is the caretaker of Hermana Mayor this time? And if any names and number? Even in TODA hangar in Nichols.I now live in Canada.

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  26. Privately owned island talaga nasa top 10 richest filipino ba naman yung may ari eh.

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  27. Hi! Im from korean broadcasting may i know the contact details of here? Thank you.

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