Most of my trips are solo not because I don’t have friends nor I dislike people. Its just that friends and acquaintances are either busy with work or just don’t have the time to travel.
Pundaquit Bay, jump-off to island-hopping activities. Capones and Camara Islands can be seen from here.
Anyway, I finally set my feet on Pundaquit Bay and I was surprised to see that it was really that awesome. I really thought it was overrated and that people are raving about this because they haven’t seen much of what the Philippines has to offer. I was wrong until I saw it from my own eyes.
Scenic Capones Island... What a treat for a traveler. Can be reached by a 10-minute trek
Capones was really scenic, its like a little Batanes with a complete opposite temperature. It was scorching hot that visitors preferred to stay under the shade of the rocks.
Under the shades of Capones rocks. (Dear Deing, KSP ka! You marred the beauty of nature. There are many more like you and I hope that you learn someday that its not beautiful to write your name on rock formations.)
Me, Lauvee, Aggy, Fredda and John enjoying the view at Capones Island
Camara island just beside Capones was not visited because of the raging waters.
What’s the difference between an island and a cove? An island is a piece of land surrounded by water. It is off-shore and not part of the main land. A cove is a coastal inlet or a small bay, usually oval in shape. It is part of the mainland.
Anawangin Cove is the most visited and the most touristy of all. I’m the only one who checked it out and my friends just stayed at the boat on the way to Nagsasa Cove. A friend of mine told me that there are already henna tattoo offers and so many souvenir shops so it was a turn-off for me.
Anawangin Cove, fenced and replete with campers
Nagsasa Cove is just perfect! Almost the same with Anawangin except for the souvenir shops, subdivided and fenced properties, and swarms of beach campers.
So after 1.5 hours of boat ride we arrived at this phenomenal cove. A decade ago this was a rocky cove but when the accumulated ashes from the mountains fell because of rain and nature design this cove was brought to life.
Nagsasa Cove
There are no hotel or inns in Nagsasa, there are makeshift comfort rooms and some huts for some shade. Sari-sari stores are already present to provide some snacks for the weekenders.
It is lined with ironwood or Agoho in Filipino, yes its under the pine tree family and has medicinal value.
I just slept when we arrived as the heat took its toll on me.
We ended the fine camping trip with moon-bathing.
Moonlight over Nagsasa Cove. I was dancing to the tune of Matisyahu that night. Pure bliss!
Some activities you can do in Nagsasa Cove:
- Beach-bumming.
- Beach camping.
- Swimming.
- Snorkeling.
- Moon and star gazing.
- Visit the river on the left-most side when viewed from the sea. (20-minute walk)
- Trek the waterfalls. (45mins-1hour easy trek along tall grasses and river rocks)
- Hike Cinco Picos
Jumping onto the waterfalls in Nagsasa
How to get there?
From Manila, take the Victory Liner bus to Iba. Tell the conductor to bring you to San Antonio, Zambales (3.5-4 hours travel time). Fare: Php265 (including P5 insurance)
From San Antonio, take the tricycle to Pundaquit bay. Fare: Php30/pax (one tricycle can carry 3pax)
In Pundaquit, there are lots of boat tour operators.
We booked one from Mang Florante “Rante” Lavesoria. If you want to do the same, tell the tricycle driver to bring you to Apo Backet Beach (in front of Guadalupe Church). Contact number: 0910-805-3388 (text or call him in advance)
Alternatively, you can trek the mountains to Anawangin, it would take you 3-4 hours depending on your fitness level. There is an established route so you will not get lost.
Choose a tour that fits your budget and desire. You can also haggle if you want.
Pundaquit Bay Boat Tour and Rental fees
Expenses?
I guess I spent less than Php1,200 for everything (transportation from Manila, boat tour fee, camping fee, guide fee, food contribution, etc.)
We paid Php2,200 for the boat- Pundaquit-Capones-Anawangin-Nagsasa-Pundaquit. All-in and we stayed overnight at Nagsasa Cove.
Entrance in Nagsasa: Php100/person
Hut Rental: Php100
Important Notes:
1. Bring flashlight or headlamps.
2. There is no electricity and cellphone signal in Nagsasa, last coverage is in Capones island.
3. Bring drinking water. There is fresh water supply in Nagsasa.
4. Water-proof your belongings.
5. Bring your own food. Locals can also cook rice or grilled fish for you for a fee.
6. When going to the waterfalls, ask first how much you are going to pay for the guide.
___ ___ ___
Trip happened during Days 4 & 5 of ISANG DAAN Journey at San Antonio, Zambales. Thanks to Fredda, Aggy, Lauvee and John for being with me in this journey.
#ISANGDAAN is a personal journey and challenge to backpack around the Philippines the cheapest way possible for 100 days.
If you want real time updates, you can check my facebook page: www.facebook.com/journeyingjames or follow me on twitter: @journeyingjames
If you want to follow my steps, I have an interactive map- ISANGDAAN Journey map.
great tip to capones and one that I will be referring to when I get to go there. Musta byahe James?
nice, when ka punta doc?
so far doing great, still within budget
very crowded na talaga ang Anawangin cove… sana ‘wag mangayari yun sa Nagsasa… if ever, Silangin Cove would be an alternative… mas malayo nga lang…
when we trekked to the falls, our Aeta guide only asked for 10 pesos each as guide fee…
water proofing is really important, malakas ang alon at mababasa ka talaga… hehehe!
thank you James for sharing days 4 and 5 of your #IsangDaan Challenge! 🙂
mukhang malapit na… 🙁
yes, silangin is the next thing sa group of coves dyan.
i wish we have an option sa guide namin… dun lang talaga ako nainis. Php100/person.
Sayang. Di namin na trek ang capones island kasi sa other side kami(bandang lighthouse) and who would’ve thought may waterfalls pala sa Nagsasa? Sayang talaga!
yep, konti nga lang yung tubig when we were there kasi summer na. pero swimmable pa.
we went to nagsasa cove last july and we also went to the farther waterfalls. biglang umulan and we were stranded on the other side kase talagang raging water bigla ung stream na dry when we started the hike. we waited for an hour siguro until we decided na suungin na lang sya kase padilim na and wala kameng ilaw. scary, but i guess you really just toughen up when the situation calls for it.
goodluck on your journey! looking forward to reading more of your adventures!
whew! what a tough experience. glad you are okay.
ingat palagi sa mga trip.
thanks po!
love the photos nakaka inlove ang view sana naman ma preserved nila ito! Super excited this coming March to go there my first time sa Anawangin!
Thank you James for sharing sa Ferry boat rates atleast we have an idea how much is the rental fees…thank
pleasure is mine! enjoy the trip. don’t forget to bring your trash back home.
Thank you James for sharing sa Ferry boat rates atleast we have an idea how much is the rental fees…
One of the places I wanted to visit this year. Will bookmark this. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
miss the place went there last july last year ako lang and ako lang din yung visitor, silangin cove is ok kaso no drinking water there! teka malapit na yung challenge mo ha well update din kita well remember the guy who bike the philippines he did it again last was 2009 and was part 2 2010 till 2011 got a feedback from him 2012 he is now doing a different route my tanung lang ako sayo james is it possible na magcamp out kapag you dont have [lace to stay im doing this hopefully this year via bike para lessen my budget Im a swimmer and a cyclist kapg nagrunner nako triathelete na ko nyan hehehe hope we can meet and tag along sa journey mo dude
i think its possible, just be sure of your safety. always ask the locals for help.
go na sir, run na yan para makasali ka sa ironman.
this trip is part na po ng 100 days.
i haven’t camped in the beach yet. i want to do that someday.
this place is great for starters sir 🙂 sarap din mag-star gazing
nice james! i want to go there this summer, what is the cheapest transfortation to get there coming from manila. thanks.
go! its on the article 🙂
victory liner bus going to iba, zambales. cheapest is the non-AC bus.
been here last year… nagclimb po kami nagsasa traverse… dko pa npopost… mas ok nga sa nagsasa… crowded na kz sa anawangin 🙁
nagsasa is genuinely breathtaking!
cant agree more!
Favorite ko ang Capones Island and Nagsasa Cove. Naka-10x na ako sa Pundaquit dahil tama ang sinabi mo, maganda talaga siya. nakakalungkot lang na nagiging overcrowded na siya. btw, suki rin ako ni Mang Florante. Great post as always James. 🙂
wow! maganda nga, siguro maganda din yung anawangin dati, problem is di tayo marunong mag maintain ng nature…
thanks josiah!
Nice blog…..
Its true na medyo nakakaturn off na ang Anawangin kasi masyadong commercialize na ang area.
Hindi pa ako nakavisit sa Nagsasa pero ang sabi marami na din daw nagpupunta dito. I visited Silanguin when we had our Mt. Cinco Picos-Sinaguin Traverse , super cool…. super tahimik…sarap magmunimuni… sarap gawing hideout kung gusto mong layasan muna ang busy na buhay sa Manila.
Uulit kami sa Mt. Cinco Picos-Silanguin Traverse this March then dadaan ng Talisayen Cove.
wow silanguin! i think thats a nice and scenic traverse.
Mam, when you come back, try our boat trip services a. at minimal rate lang naman po. Contact me at 0908-14-77-263
at ginawa akong babae… salamat po sir
Gotta visit these places soon!
Yung Camara Island lang ang napuntahan ko during a Geology class fieldtrip. Maliit lang pero maganda din siya. Ang lapit na sana ng Capones! Anyway, there’s always next time. 😀
Opo sir… marami pong panahon.. always welcome po kau.. try our boat trip services. Nasa tamang presyo lang naman po. Contact me at 0908-14-77-263
Sir james ilan po kau that time? were planning to go there on april, crowded na ksi sa anawangin eh. we’ve been there last year and sad to say halos magkakapalitan na kme ng mga tent sa sobrang daming campers 🙂 by the way ok po ba ang washrooms dun? Thanks in advance 🙂
wala ba sa picture? expect crowd in nagsasa too. try silangin instead. ok ang washrooms at may water supply sa nagsasa
thanks for sharing how beautiful pur country is…hope to travel this places too…salamat kuya james
pleaseure is mine rodel!
yoh bro. . . isang malaking tnx dito sa blog mu. . . grabe a bunch of ideas we plan this last week of july (hope not to rain. . ) lahat andito na. . . what will the good advice for us? kasi first time namin pumunta dun. . and we are newbies explorer. . I will really appreciate the advice . . and also the blog. . keep it up bro. . . I will see you journey to have idea sa magagandang scene sa pinas. .
Para po sa mga d pa nakakapunta,,tara na po. I am a boatman w/ a big boat.
Contact me for more details – 09081477263
Boss, sa camping fee kasama na ba ung tent? Or do we need to bring our own tent?
iba yung bayad sa tent if rental iba din yung camping fee.
better if you bring your own tent
Will be at Nagsasa tomorrow, pag abutan ko payung DEING doon, buburahin ko sya hehe
nabura nyo na sir?
Hi to everyone,
Anyone who wanted to visit this place, please call nor txt LIEZEL NIEVA at 09172022692 and for further information as well. TENT is available as well.
thank you and GOD BLESS,
DINDO
SEE THE BEAUTY OF NAGSASA WATERFALLS…………..
3 COVE IN 1 TOUR, NAGSASA, ANAWANGIN, AGNAEM OR CAPONES
*****P1500/head minimum of 12pax and above..
*****P1600/head minimum of 10-11pax
*****P1700/head minimum of 8-9pax
PACKAGED INCLUDE:
Roundtrip AIRCON Van transfer all in boat tour anawangin , nagsasa, agnaem or capones
-2 days 1 night stay in nagsasa
-entrance fee to 3 cove included
-TENT FOR YOUR GROUP CAPACITY
-gogles for snorkeling
-cooking utensils (kaldero,kaserola, kutsilyo, sandok, ihawan etc.)
-cooler na with ice pa!
-Mineral water 5gallons
-ULENG
-KITCHEN UTENSILS
We also offers boat package only for those commuters or with their own vehicle…
Package B Rates:
P 700 per head for 10 pax AND ABOVE.
P 750 per head for 8-9 pax
P850 per head for 6-7pax
P750 per head for 5 pax
Inclusions:
(Pick up point: Town proper of San Antonio, Zambales)
*Boat ride to Anawangin (round trip)
*Island hopping (Capones / Camara Island)
*Entrance fee / Environmental fee
*TENT USAGE FOR YOUR GROUP CAPACITY
*GOGLES FOR SNORKELING
*cooking utensils (ihawan, kaldero, pitsel, etc)
*cooler WITH ICE pA..
DIRECT BOATMAN PO KAME DITO SA PUNDAKIT KYA MAKAKASIGURO PO KYO NG MABABA AT SULIT NA PACKAGE…
CAN I HAVE YOUR CONTACT NUMBER WE’RE PLANNING TO GO THERE THIS APRIL OR MAY. THANKS.
sir paano if may private car, saan po pwede safely iiwan yun car if plan namin mag camp sa island?
thanks for sharing. Tanong ko lang: papano kung overnight or 2 nights kayo mag-stay, babalikan na lang kayo ng bangkero or nandoon din sila habang nandoon kayo?
thanks
G300
good day,
if you are planning to visit nagsasa cove or anawangin cove. please contact kuya anthony or nanay josie 09193910016 or 09998827832.. very affordable hustle free at mababait na bangkero.
joan
Hi everyone,
We our offering cheap and hassle free package tour.
You can text us
09998827832 look for Nanay Josie
09298437370 look for Kuya Anthony
Or email us
jagonzales_bag@yahoo.com
God bless us all!!
Zambales is really infaomrtive to all. Like admin commented, Zambales is a truly a wonderful place to go. The Zamables gorvernment officials need to give more attention about the pursuing the Zambales tourism, especially there are lots of nicest places in Zambales to be proud of. I am a local here and really proud to know this place.
Hi i just want to thank you for this post. This was one of my references before visiting pundaquit 🙂 I actuall made a video of the experience, please feel free to watch and even share it here in your blogpost for your viewers’ more visual preferences. You can mail me up at santosmigueljuan@gmail.com Thank you.