Capones Lighthouse

Faro de Punta Capones (Capones Point Lighthouse) is Zambales’ main attraction. Pinned on a hill of Capones Grande Island off the coast of Brgy. Pundaquit in San Antonio, Zambales, this lighthouse is one of the few existing lighthouses that the Spaniards built during their regime.

Standing at 56 ft, its main tower is square-shaped. Completed in 1890, its main purpose was to guide ships that passed and entered Subic Bay as well as to warn sea vessels from running aground. Like other Spanish lighthouses, it was built with a keeper’s home.

No longer used for boats but small boats still visit the island of Capones bringing curious tourists ready to enjoy the views of South China Sea, experience a fragment of our Spanish past ~~and to pose for a gazillion of photos to be uploaded on Facebook~~. The lighthouse is not just hard to climb but it is hard to reach.

Beach is not for swimming. Choose a smaller outrigger canoe ( bangka) because bigger boats cannot dock to its shores due to waves. You have to swim. It looks calm but waves were like babies throwing tantrums. If you have cameras, place them in water-resistant bags or in a plastic bag. Part of the adventure.

Now start climbing..

Pass this mini jungle

Finally, the gate

They said it was restored in 2004..hmm

Its red keeper’s house, totally in bad shape. Hope they can restore this too.

The lights, not the original of course.

The climb is an adventure teaser. Capones Lightouse resembles that of Ilocos’ Cape Bojeador Lightouse and most Spanish lighthouses. They were built almost at the same time, only Ilocos’ is well maintained.

Still, Capones Lighthouse’s supremacy can be felt when you see this

Or this..

The sweetest way to make people jealous because they are stuck in a rocking bangka while you enjoy the panoramic view of South China Sea and the coves of Zambales. Let them ogle at you as you gaze upon them like Greek gods watching as mortals live in anguish. Just kidding.