Corregidor Island
Pulo ng Corregidor
A World War II fortress island at the mouth of Manila Bay, with gun batteries, barracks ruins and a Pacific War memorial that tell the story of the Battle of Bataan and Corregidor.
Corregidor Island sits at the entrance to Manila Bay, shaped like a tadpole. It was the last stronghold of American and Filipino forces resisting Japanese invasion early in World War II. In 1942 General Douglas MacArthur left from here for Australia, leaving behind the famous words “I shall return.” The island preserves several coastal gun batteries, the ruins of the 1-kilometer-long “Mile-Long Barracks,” the Malinta Tunnel (with a sound-and-light show), and the Pacific War Memorial. Vintage tram-style buses take visitors around the island with commentary. Day trips depart by boat from the pier near SM Mall of Asia in Manila Bay, taking about 1–1.5 hours. The package, including ferry ticket, island tour and lunch, costs about PHP 3,000–4,000 and must be booked in advance. Ferries are often cancelled during typhoon season.
Opening hours
Day cruise departs approx. 07:00 and returns 15:00 (depends on operator and weather)
Nearby sights
- Mount Samat Shrine (Dambana ng Kagitingan)
- Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
- Las Piñas Bamboo Organ
- SM Mall of Asia
- Cultural Center of the Philippines
- Manila Ocean Park
- Fort Santiago
- Binondo Chinatown