Subic Bay
Once the home of the Spanish Navy, and then the US, the Subic Bay area is now a booming special economic zone. The area boasts international standard resorts, hotels, restaurants, bars, casinos, and night clubs. The spectacular landscape, with the surrounding mountains sweeping majestically into the sea, emphasizing one of Asia’s best natural deep water harbours.
Subic
Barrio Barretto & Baloy Beach, where the expats head for, offer seriously affordable accommodation, a friendly welcome, not to mention excellent food. Relaxing - no hassle - beach side bars, and a chance to catch up on all the local news in a relaxing atmosphere. The good news is the SCTex (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) is now open. Driving time is now 45 minutes (I have heard someone did it in a Porshe in 18 minutes), 1 hour 45 from Manila, and 1 hour 30 minutes from Tarlac. The Dryden Hotel, who serve the best breakfast in the Philippines, (just around the corner is the local VFW branch) - good clean accommodation, and friendly staff and clientele makes the most of your stay here. Along the Highway wander along and visit Little Wheel, The Islander Bar, the smart Mango’s, and Beachside Bar - the home of the SBH3. Bart’s Hotel the hotel that set the bench mark in the Barrio, is friendly, clean, comfortable & very reasonably priced. Rooms feature marble finishing, and large bathrooms, the most popular are the beachside rooms. A swimming pool, and bar/restaurant complete this well located establishment next to the legendary. and literally, world famous Midnight Rambler has re-located on the beach, (in the former O-Zone, and now part of the Blue Rock empire). A loyal following of regulars, and great music and atmosphere make this a must to visit. Allen has gradually moved, first from Sheaven’s (now Blue Rock), then Sheaven’s 2 (Sheaven's), and worked her particular magic in the newly built Mangroves Lodge and Restaurant, which has first class rooms, a restaurant & bar with a magnificent view of the bay, and the plus of a swimming pool. Beach Boulevard Cafe for really nice accommodation, inexpensive drinks and good food. One of the more popular expat meeting places, day and night. Subic City is a short jeepney or trike ride away, and is where all the night-life relocated. Although it has lost some of its down and dirty image of the old RnR days, there is plenty of life here, and very affordable with normal prices starting from P15 in an air-conditioned bar with dancers! One of the best kept secrets in Asia. The recently completed Asian Reef Hotel boasts some really impressive and comfortable rooms, a rooftop bar & restaurant, with magnificent bay views, and a very popular air-conditioned bar featuring dancers, and great bar snacks! Subic Bay - The former base has undergone many changes, while keeping a lot of the old atmosphere offers scuba, water sports, horse riding, jungle training, Go-karts, motor racing, a butterfly park, several casinos, and international hotels, and a host of good restaurants.
Subic SEZ is easily navigable by bus, or taxi, from the main gate.
Try a little wreck diving, and water sports, or sit out at the beach-side restaurant at Subic Bay Aqua Sport. For a complete overview, including of Mount Pinatubo, take a flight on the Subic Seaplane, who offer affordable charters, and also offer the easiest way to Puerto Galera, Boracay, Palawan or any of the Island getaways.
At Ocean Adventure Marine Park, you can watch the whales, dolphins, and seals perform, and look at their collection of local marine life in the aquarium.
At Vasco’s Pub & Divemaster's dive shop at Magellan’s Landing, , visit their interesting museum which is packed full of historic items recovered from various wrecks dating from the Spanish era. 
The legacy left by the departing US military was the preservation of the natural environment, both by and under the sea (constant patrolling minimizing dynamite and cyanide fishing).
This plus good transportation links to Manila and Angeles, and exceptional value, is what makes Subic such an attractive destination.
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Blue Rock's floating bar 
Beach Boulevard Cafe on Baloy Beach 
Baloy Beach from Blue Rock
Things to do on base
Diving and water sports, Divemasters & Subic Bay Aqua Sports offer spectacular wreck diving opportunities, as well as jet skis, -
parasailing, 
Scuba Shack at Subic Bay Aqua Sports
aqua cycles, paddle boards, kayaks, and boats for rent. You can charter the Subic Seaplane for local over-flights, including Mt. Pinatubo, and the most spectacular way to entrance Peurto Galera, La Union, or Boracay. 
Surfing is also an alternative in the nearby Capones Islands.
The Barrio’s Elephant Patrol has swept the Barrio free of marauding - peanut loving - pachyderms for years, almost like hashing without the exercise.
Gambling – There are numerous venues in the base hotels, as well as Casino Filipino on Magsaysay - Olongapo.
Beach Volleyball - Mango’s offers a court on the beach-front.
Hashing - SBH3 house is just opposite the Rambler.
Jungle Trekking - The Asian Jungle Survival School is now tourist oriented, and available to visitors.
Zoo and Butterfly Farm - a selection of the local wildlife, husbanded by the local Aetas, is well worth the visit, whether you are with your family, or not.
Golf - Binictican Golf Course is available to visitors.
Darts and pool, as in other expat destinations, visitors are welcome to join in on the local leagues.
Horse Riding - also at Binictican.
Whale Encounter – Ocean Adventure, near Morong Gate, offers dolphin, killer whale, & seal shows - with the stars swimming in a natural setting.
www.seaplane-philippines.com www.seahorsetours.com www.subicbaydive.com
www.orientalhwy.com
www.mangossubic.com
www.midnightrambler-subic.com
www.subicbayaquasports.com
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