Hermana Menor

Philippines , Philippines

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Hermana Menor Island, which means "little sister" in Spanish, is a small private island covering approximately 1.3 square kilometers located off Sta. Cruz Municipality in Zambales Province, Central Luzon, Philippines, about 180 kilometers northwest of Manila.

The island is one of a pair of twin islands, with its "elder sister" Hermana Mayor nearby, and is called "Makatira Island" by locals. Hermana Menor is much less inhabited and more pristine than Hermana Mayor, featuring silky fine white sand, crystal-clear blue-green waters, crushed corals mixed with sea sand, and an ephemeral sandbar that is the main attraction, making it an isolated paradise perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and picture-taking.

The island is privately owned by the Alvarez clan of Palawan (including Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez) and the Hernandez family of Zambales, and it was only opened to the public a few years ago after previously being kept private to prevent tourists from ruining the place. There are no resorts on the island, but huts and tents are available for rent along with cottages (₱500-₱1,000), beach tables (₱350), a grilling area, common bathroom, and small convenience store, with an entrance fee of ₱100 per person and no corkage fee for bringing your own food.

The island is only open for day tours with no overnight stays allowed, and it's accessible by a 30-40 minute boat ride from Coco Beach Resort in Sta. Cruz or Petron Station via tricycle, with boat rental costing ₱250 for up to 8 people round-trip. Hermana Menor also serves as a marine sanctuary, offering a peaceful, not-too-crowded beach experience with its crescent-shaped shore foaming with malt-colored fine sand where boats dock.