Happy Campers: Anawangin Cove Travel Guide

Finding out about Anawangin Cove, made me want to go, ASAP! Why? Because it's a real adventure, and something NEW! No hotels, no decent shower rooms, no restaurants!! Meaning you have to have your own tents, cook your own food, enjoy being a camper and most of all enjoy nature :)

It was 4am in the morning when we left for Zambales. It was a 3 hour drive to Pundaquit. The boat trip to Anawangin is 20-45 minutes depending on the weather. Anawangin Cove is the most popular among the two other coves which is Nagsasa & Silanguin, all found in San Antonio, Zambales. It was 7am when we met our boatman. He let us park in their garage and carried our stuffs. He was really accommodating! Too bad, I forgot his name and lost his contact number. Anyway, the weather was fine and seeing the shoreline of Anawangin made me more excited. As soon as we reached the shore, the campsite was very wide with pine trees all over the vicinity. As I stepped to the campsite, it made me more excited seeing lots of campers with their tent. I can't wait to put up ours too :)

locals of Zambales

Hello Campers!!

Welcome!

Hello pine trees!

our helpful boatman :)

The campsite has some open cottages that you can rent. They also have shower rooms & toilets available. During the time we went here, I think they were adding more restrooms. There are also stores that sell merchandise but are more expensive than the usual price, you can even rent a tent for the night. There is a pump in the middle of the campsite where you can get water. But of course you should bring your own drinking water to be safe. :) Going further to the woods, we saw more of the pine trees and a dry riverbed which really looks amazing.

siesta time :)

When you overnight in Anawangin, bonfire at the forest is prohibited already, but wait, why can I see people having a bonfire? :? Maybe they really set this up to give light to the forest:)

We used to do this in my Grandpa's resort when we were young:)

Fire dancingggg! Tuwang-tuwa si kuya!! haha

DAY 2

On our 2nd day, last day, we made sure to climb the mountain at the other end of the shoreline. I really don't like trekking. I find it hard to go up and especially go down. I'm scared of falling and getting scars. (arte side of me) hahaha!! But guess what, I faced my fear, I was able to reach the peak of the mountain! and saw the beauty of Anawangin from the top! What an accomplishment :)

Goodmorning Sunshine!

Breathtaking! I used to see this only on the net, now I have my on pic of it!yay!:)

Higher we get, the wider the view

YAY!

loving the shade & the background:)

So I'am one happy camper! I would want to visit Nagsasa Cove too! :)

Things to know:

1. there is no electricity in Anawangin
2. there is no cellphone signal
3. no atm machines in San Antonio
4. food sold in stores are pricey
5. there are no resorts

Things to bring:

1. Cash/ extra Cash
2. Tent
3. Mattress
4. Pillows
5. Blanket
6. Hammock- this are available there which may cost 200-300php
7. Off lotion
8. Cookwares
9. Knife/fork/spoon/plate/cup
10. Portable lamp/ Candles
11. Portable gas range
12. Bbq Grill
13. Clothes
14. Sunblock/sunglasses
15. Canned goods
16. WATER
17. Trashbag
18. Toiletries 
19. Dishwashing Liquid
20. Ipod /portable speakers (for music)
21. Charcoal
22. Snacks
23. Goggles/Snorkel Gear
24. Camera

Expense:

1. Boat ride to Pundaquit-Anawangin: 800 (day tour)/ 1200 (overnight) good for 4pax
2.Trek Guide fee: 100php
3. Maintenance & Security Fee: 50php (Day tour)/ 100php (overnight)

Your total budget would depend on what food you will bring. 1500-2000php would be enough to make your stay in Anawangin comfortable & enjoyable :)

How to get there: 

If you plan to bring your own car to Anawangin, you can ask your boatman to have it parked at their garage just like what we did. or you can ask them where is the pay parking and he will direct you there. parking fee is 100php per night. But if you plan to commute going to Anawangin, no worries, because it's very accessible.

1. Take the Victory Liner Bus in Cubao or Monumento headed for Iba, Zambales. Fare is ~PhP250 to San Antonio, Zambales. Iba-bound buses are not always available. Another option is to take the bus bound for Olongapo City (the SCTEX bus will get you to Olongapo much faster). Fare is ~PhP200 for Olongapo City. Once in Olongapo, ride any bus headed for Iba. Fare for an ordinary bus is ~PhP40 and ~PhP60 for an airconditioned one. The trip to San Antonio takes around 3-4 hours depending on the time of the day.

2. Get off at San Antonio Town Proper. 

3. Ride a tricycle to Barrio Pundaquit. There are several tricycle terminals on the highway with dispatchers shouting "Pundaquit!". The ride costs PhP30 per person and takes 10-15 minutes. Tricycles are available 24/7

4. Pundaquit is a seaside community where boats sailing to Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove, Capones Island, and Camara Island can be rented. There are a lot of boatmen on the beach you can speak with to get a boat to Anawangin. If you're planning a day-tour, there are a lot of resorts available in Pundaquit. Boats do not usually sail at night and even if a boatman agrees to sail after dark, it's still not advisable to do so.

So there! hope you would enjoy the beauty of Anawangin, Happy Campers, happy unstoppablewanderers! :)