CORREGIDOR DAY TOUR: Must-visit Historical Sites + Cheapest Way to Get There

In this Corregidor article, I will be sharing the 12 must-visit historical sites on the island and the cheapest way possible on how to get there.

Sometimes, all we want is to have a quick weekend getaway or a day tour to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Why not enjoy a day at Camaya Coast Beach Resort and have an amazing time on Corregidor Island or Aqua Fun Water Park?

Corregidor Island is considered as one of the most historic islands in the Philippines that played an important role during the liberation of the Philippines. Strategically located at the mouth of Manila Bay, it served as one of the harbor defenses of Manila Bay during the Second World War. Also called as "Fort Mills" during the American era, it is a protected area under the jurisdiction of the City of Cavite and is one of the most popular day tour destinations near Metro Manila.

SEE ALSO: Top Things to Do in Bataan, Tourist Spots and Sample Itinerary

We recently visited Corregidor as part of our Camaya Coast adventure. From Camaya Coast Beach Resort in Mariveles Bataan, we took a ferry that brought us to Corregidor Island in less than one hour. Upon arrival on the island, we were warmly welcomed by our tour guide and rode the tramvia which toured us around the historic island.

With this, let me share to you the top most popular historic sites on Corregidor Island.

1. Middleside Barracks

Built in 1915, this massive military barracks housed the 60th Coast Artillery anti-aircraft regiment, the 91st Coast Artillery, the US Regular Army and the Philippine Scouts. It is made up of two three-story buildings which are now just skeletons after they were bombed by the invading Japanese forces in 1941.

2. Battery Way

Built from 1904 to 1914, this is one of the two mortar batteries at Fort Mills and was named after Lt. Henry Way of the 4th US Artillery. A remarkable gun placement on the island, the Battery Way is consists of four 12-inch mortars which are said to be capable of lobbing a 1000-lb deck piercing shell or 700 lb high explosive shell 14,610 yards in any direction.

3. Battery Hearn

Considered as the "biggest gun on the island," Battery Hearn has a firing elevation between 15 and 25 degrees and is capable of firing in all directions.

4. Pacific War Memorial Complex

The complex is composed of a museum, a marble dome memorial, and the Eternal Flame of Freedom Monument. It was built in 1968 by the US Government in honor of Filipino and American soldiers who served during World War II.

5. Cine Corregidor

Located on the left side entrance of the Pacific War Memorial Complex, Cine Corregidor was built before World War II broke out. It is a movie house that caters to the entertainment and leisure needs of the soldiers as well as their families. Today, only the portions of its concrete walls, stairways leading up to the upper balcony and concrete floor are left from structure of the movie house.

6. Mile Long Barracks

One of the most distinguishable spots on Corregidor Island, the skeletal ruins of the Mile Long Barracks is usually seen on magazine covers, postcards, shirts and posters depicting the island's historic past. It is a three-story concrete building used for the billeting of American officers and enlisted personnel detailed at the garrison. Measuring at 1,520 feet long, it is said to be the longest military barracks in the world. According to our guide, although it is only a third of a mile long, if you walk through the 3 levels of the barracks, it pretty much spans a mile. I guess, that's why it is called Mile Long Barracks.

7. Corregidor Lighthouse

Located on the island's topside, it is the oldest structure on the island that was originally built in 1836 when the Philippines is still under the Spanish rule. It has gone through several reconstructions after it has been damaged during the war and was last reconstructed in the 1950s.

8. Battery Crockett

Known for its 12-inch disappearing guns, Battery Crocket is located about 400 yards to the southeast of the centre of the barracks. Thses 12-inch guns we said to have a 360-degree traverse and could hurl a 900 pound projectile more than 16 miles. According to our guide, about 30 men are needed to make it function during the war.

9. Lorcha Dock

This is a historically significant site as this is where American General Douglas MacArthur's departure point when he left Corregidor for Australia. A huge statue in honor of him stands by the Lorcha Dock with his famous line "I shall return."

10. Malinta Tunnel

Built from 1922-1932, Malinta Tunnel took 10 years to complete. The tunnel got its name from "linta or leech," which according to our guide, a lot of these blood sucking worms were found in the area when they were digging through the hill to build the tunnel. Thus, the name Malinta Tunnel came from.

11. Filipino Heroes Memorial

Located at the tail side of the island, the Filipino Heroes Memorial complex was designed by the famous Filipino Architect Francisco Manosa. Inaugurated in 1987, it is one of the newest installations on Corregidor Island featuring 14 sculpted murals depicting the battles of Filipinos, a museum and several statues of Filipino heroes.

12. Japanese Garden of Peace

Funded by the Japanese government, it is a memorial built in honor of the Japanese soldiers who fought in Corregidor during the war.

ALSO READ: Best Resorts and Beach Resorts in Bataan

CORREGIDOR DAY TOUR: The Cheapest Way Possible

Travel Tales offer Camaya Coast and Corregidor Island day tour package from Camaya Coast in Mariveles, Bataan for as low as P1,599 on weekdays and P1,999 on weekends. The package tour includes entrance fee at Camaya Coast Beach Resot, use of infinity pool, beach area, water inflatables, lunch, afternoon snacks, roundtrip ferry transfers from Camaya Coast to Corregidor Island and back, entrance fee to Corregidor Island and guided Corregidor Island Tour.

Sample Camaya Coast + Corregidor Island Day Tour Itinerary

• 08:00 AM – Suggested arrival at Camaya Resort
• Free time / Swimming / Activities
• 12:00 PM - Lunch
• 01:30 PM – Ferry boarding
• 01:45 PM – Departure Camaya to Corregidor / PM Snacks on board
• 02:30 PM – Arrival Corregidor
• Start of Corregidor Island tour
• 05:30 PM – End of tour
• 05:45 PM – Departure Corregidor to Camaya Coast
• 06:30 PM – Arrival Camaya Coast

For inquiries and bookings, please contact:

TRAVEL TALES

Telephone: +63917-629-5048 / +63947-159-4332
Email: inquire@traveltales.ph
Facebook: www.facebook.com/traveltalesph
Instagram/Twitter: @traveltales_ph
Website: www.traveltales.ph

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Thank you Travel Tales and Camaya Coast Beach Resort for this wonderful Bataan experience!

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