Travel Guide: Anawangin Cove
The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 changed the landscape of Central Luzon, and among the changes is the emergence of a secluded cove dotted with Agoho trees on ash and sand mixture – the Anawangin Cove.
Anawangin Cove is in the province of Zambales, facing the South China Sea. It can be reached via half an hour boat ride from Barangay Pundaquit or San Miguel in San Antonio, Zambales or via a four to six hours trek of Mt. Pundaquit.
It used to be mountaineers’ secret getaway after a climb, but today it is a secret no more. The cove is now a famous camping site of tourists from all walks-of-life.
The placid stream that flows directly to the roaring South China Sea is a sight to behold. Through the years, the hidden cove has maintained its beauty and serenity that can be attributed to its remoteness.
Experience a back-to-basic living and fall in love in this secluded cove. With no electricity and mobile signal, Anawangin is your perfect getaway.
How to Get There:
By Land
To get there, one must go to Barangay San Miguel or Pundaquit, in San Antionio, Zambales where a banca to Anawangin can be rented for P1500.00, round trip. It is a 40-45 minutes boat ride.
To go to Pundaquit, ride a bus bound to Iba or Sta. Cruz, Zambales. Victory Lines has scheduled trips to those destinations. Tell the driver to drop you off at San Antonio. If you are coming from their terminal in Sampaloc, it will cost you around P270.00 , don’t forget to tell the cashier that you are up to San Antonio only, or they will charge you the full fare to its destination. Travel time is around 3 to 4 hours via NLEX.
From San Antonio, ride a tricycle to Barangay San Miguel or Pundaquit, standard rate is P30.0o per passenger, you may opt to add some tip since it is quite far.
By Air/Water
By ferry, take a Mt. Samat Express (Contact No: 551-5290) ferry ride to Subic in CCP (~P250.00 – P300.00) or the Supercat from Mall of Asia (P300.00) . It is an hour ferry ride to Orion Bataan. From there catch a bus to Subic for another hour or less and then a bus to Iba, Zambales, passing to San Antonio.
By air, charter an aircraft to International Subic Airport, Castillejos Airstrip, or to Iba Local Airport.
Where to Stay:
Since there are no commercial establishments in this island, you may bring a tent or camping equipments (plus foods and drinking water) if you are planning to stay there overnight. Just tell the boatman your planned date and time of return to San Miguel/Pundaquit.
If you are not into camping, you can have a day trip in Anawangin and stay overnight in Pundaquit where numerous hotels and restaurants can be found. You can have a room for as low as P1000.00. For Lakwatsero’s compilation of hotels in Barangay Pundaquit click here:
Activities:
- Camping
- Trek to Mt. Pundaquit
- Swimming
- Photography
- Surfing (Bring your own board if you will be surfing in Anawangin, otherwise you can surf in the nearby Crystal Beach with surfing equipments for rent)
- Skimboarding (Bring your own skim board)
- Island and Beach Hopping in Camara, Capones amd the nearby Nagsasa Cove, Capones Island, Camara Island, Talisayen Cove and Silanguin Cove
- Trek to Capones Lighthouse
Tips
Since this area is facing the open waters of the South China Sea, the water is generally rough any time of the year specially during afternoon. Alternatively you can go there by trekking Mt.Pundaquit for four hours.
Camping fee in Anawangin is at P100.00 per person. There are now small stores in the area that sells water, chips, candles, canned goods and other basic necessities.
How to Get There:By LandTo get there, one must go to Barangay Pundaquit, San Antionio, Zambales where a banca to Capones Island can be rented for a standard rate of P700.00 (~$17). It is a 15 minutes banca ride from Pundaquit.
To go to Pundaquit, ride a bus bound to Iba or Sta. Cruz, Zambales. Victory Lines has scheduled trips to those destinations. Tell the driver to drop you off at San Antonio. If you are coming from their terminal in Sampaloc, it will cost you P220.00 (~$5.25), don’t forget to tell the cashier that you are up to San Antonio only, or they will charge you the full fare to its destination. Travel time is around 3 to 4 hours via NLEX.
From San Antonio, ride a tricycle to Barangay Pundaquit, standard rate is P20.00 (~$0.5), you may opt to add some tip since it is quite far.
By Air/Water
By ferry, take a Mt. Samat Express (Contact No: 551-5290) ferry ride to Subic in CCP. It is an hour ferry ride to Orion Bataan, for around P250.00 (~$6.00) . From there catch a bus to Subic for another hour or less and then a bus to Iba, Zambales, passing to San Antonio.
By air, charter an aircraft to International Subic Airport, Castillejos Airstrip, or to Iba Local Airport.
Where to Stay:
Since there are no commercial establishments in this island, you may bring a tent or camping equipments (plus foods and drinking water) if you are planning to stay there overnight. Just tell the boatman your planned date and time of return to Pundaquit.
Most tourists, however, stay in Pundaquit where numerous hotels and restaurants can be found. You can have a room for as low as P1000.00/~$25 (or even lower). For Lakwatsero’s compilation of hotels in Barangay Pundaquit click here:
Activities:
- Trek to Capones Lighthouse: If you are coming from the east side of Capones Island, you have to trek for an hour or less, to a rocky shore, passing to an unfinished building and statue of Mama Mary. I suggest you have someone with you who knows the place since the trail up has no signage and you may get lost. But if you are coming from the other side of the island (where Marimar shot some scenes), the lighthouse is already visible so it is easier to reach the place passing through a field, this side of the island however has rocky shore and some huge waves making it impossible for bancas to dock.
- Camping: Just bring your own camping equipments, enough foods and water supply.
- Swimming, Snorkeling and Diving: Just bring your own equipments.
- Island Hopping: You can visit the nearby Camara Island.
- Aquatic Sports in Barangay Pundaquit: Jetski is available for rent.
- Visit Pundaquit Falls: Walk along the beach southward towards the Pundaquit river. If your resort is too far north of the river, you can take your vehicle and get back to the main Pundaquit road and head southward until the road ends by the river. From the river, it is only a short walk by the seashore until you reach the end of the beach where there is a cliff and a smaller river (or a big stream, you might say). This small river comes from the falls, so, technically speaking, just follow the river upstream for about a hundred meters and you will end up at the foot of the falls. But remember, you may have to cut your own trail or walk along the shallow portions of the stream to get there. As you explore the falls, it gets more interesting as you climb from cascade to cascade. This falls is worth going to only during the wet season (or a little after the wet season) when there is plenty of fresh flowing water filling up the numerous “tubs” along the stream. Too little flowing water during the dry seasons makes this falls nearly stagnant, dirty and even stinky. (Source: waypoints.ph)
Lakwatsero Experience:
Lakwatsero has been to Capones in 2008. Watch out for the narratives of his travel in “My Travels”.
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@mam Dimple,
Good day mam,
thank you for choosing us as your service.. thank you very much from the owner and bangkeros of Amazing Pundakit…
Hope you enjoy your day in anawangin.. balik po ulit kayo..
Thanks,
Josie Gonzales
09193123992/09228788756
mam dimple,
we would like to offer you our service, we have boat for rent, rooms and tent.. we have safe parking po. located in front of our house.
text lang po kayo 09193910016/09228788756.. so we can save a parking slot for you.. please text us in advance,, limited po kasi yung parking area namin n may lock pag gabi..
thanks..
joan perea
hi we’re planning to go to anawangin on sat oct 29 is there a safe parking area for our cars? how much is the parking fee and boat ride for overnight stay in anawangin cove?
@ DIMPLE
Hi ma’am,
Meron po ma’am,
Safe/fenced parking area = P150 (for Cars)
Small boat (1-4 pax)= P1000
Big boat (5-10pax)= P2000
Big boat (11 and above) = P200/head
Anawangin entrance fee = P100/head (overnight)
Any inquires regarding your trip will be happily answered by us. Please, feel FREE to get in touch with us. Thank you and God Bless po.
Contact person: LIEZEL NIEVA / DINDO NIEVA
Contact number: 09172022692
Regards,
DINDO NIEVA
hi san may safe parking?
tnx
hi, san pwd safe ang mgpark ng car?
Hi,
We offer boat services with standard boat rates.
If you have further inquiries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Thank you.
Contact person: LIEZEL NIEVA / DINDO NIEVA
Contact number: 09172022692
Blogsite: http://dindonieva.multiply.com
With kind regards,
DINDO NIEVA
hi lakwatsero!
Just went back to Zambales last weekend and realized that I haven’t thanked you yet. My best friend and I had a great time at this place. Thank you so much with your so helpful travel blog – you inspired us to travel more
In return, I’d like to share our Zambales experience – http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1688337601319.2085546.1024060199&l=2e3b044996&type=1
Enjoy the pix!
Wow! Thanks Kai
I’m also happy knowing that my blog has helped and inspired a lot of people including you. Thanks for sharing your photos too. Just keep traveling! There are still more to discover and explore 
Hello!
I wanted to take my family with me there for our december vacation. However, we have 2 babies ( 5 yrs old and younger (3 month old youngest)). Okay bang destination ito for them considering that walang good accomodations. Please make some suggestions. Thanks!
hi Mushy!
i think its okie BUT you have to prepare all the needs of the kids. saka watch out kasi dagat un, dapat walang malilingat sa mga bata
di naman mainit sa gabi don and wala din lamok, but you know kids can be irritable at times.
also, kaya ba ng kids na walang electric fan or aircon??
saka, if your going there, syempre mag te trekking kayo, explore, so dapat my extra person willing maiwan for kids kasi di nyo naman madadala ung mga bata sa hilltop.
just bring the toys for the kids.
extra extra foods for them.
i think pwede naman basta with right supervision
p.s. dala kayo big big blanket for baby para may magapangan sya hehe.
mam mushy,
good day mam.
i suggest may rent nalang kayo ng room sa barangay proper.. we have rooms for rent airconditioned, with private kitchen, ref and tv. for very affordable price.. anawangin is safe naman po pero for 3 months old baby may advisable pa rin po sa bahay mag stay, then just have your day tour nalang sa anawangin…
for any problem po feel free to contact us.. nanay josie .. 09193123992/09228788756
hi, kamusta po ang byahe nyo with a 3month old baby going to anawangin? we are planning to go there also with my 8month old nephew this summer. day tour po ba kau or overnight?
we just went there last Wednesday. it was awesome! GOd has a marvelous hand to create such wonderful place. when we trek to hilltop and saw anawangin above, its breath taking and gives peace in my heart. the waves kissing the shore, the river uniting to the sea, the greeny mountains and blue sky… it’s stunning. whats more good in anawangin is that it will give u an ultimate nature-get-away in good budget! love it, recommend it. we went to capones as well. we didnt get tan from swimming but from trekking. thank God that its a perfect sunshine, after two typhoons. we sidetrip to camara as well but we didnt land to its white sand kasi lalaki ng alon.
thanks to the owner of this site, you become my guide in travelling. i really appreciate it and from my heart, I THANK U BIG TIME!
btw, i recommend kuya jay ar, as your guide and bangkero. maasikaso at mabait.
be bless more for lakwatsero
Thanks Greta! I am so glad that you loved Anawangin, Capones and Camara. Keep exploring
Hello po ate greta! Pwede po makuha number nung naging guide nyo po? Balak po kasi naming pumunta ng mga kaibigan ko sa Anawangin Cove. hehe.
heheh sure dear.
here is his no. 09173809104, his name is Kuya jay-ar. maasikaso sila ng asawa nya and di masyado mahal maningil.
good luck, enjoy the trip.
sana makabalik ulit ako
Grabe, kakapunta lng nmen ne2ng august 20 for research nmen.. tpos bumalik kmi ne2 lng sept 22.. hahaha ksi kulang kulang ung pics na dapat nmeng kunin.. kainis nga e. pero saia.. super lakas ng alon kxe mhe low pressure.. kea ngtrek kmi pabalik ng brgy. pundakit. halos mamatai-matai aqo sa pagod. hahaha
pero sarap tlga mgrelax d2! ang babait pa ng mga tao. pramis.. tas super bait ni kua vic (bangkero) pde ka manghiram ng kung ano2.. pte mgpaluto. haha
Glad you enjoyed it Cai
Thanks for the feedback.
surely i will, more to see
thanks
san po kau ngaaral…pwde pong makita ung research ninyo…interesting lng poh…
safe po kaya pumnta dis september?kahit medyo maulan..thanks po
Basta walang typhoon ok lang
mam ara,
good day, we can assist you if you want to visit anawangin cove.. text me 09193910016/09228788756
joan
Good day. This is jaime agasa, a boatman of pundakit to annawangin cove, nagsasa cove, silangin, capones, and camara island. I am inviting you to visit our place. Many tourists have been here and enjoyed the place.You may contact me at my # 09081477263. I am offering you my best services.
this is jay-r agasa po,boatman from pundakit to anawangin,nagsasa and island hop to capones and camara.we are offering po a boat ride for a very affordable rate.pwede din po kayo manghiram ng mga gamit pangluto samin and pwede na din po kayo makibanlaw samin with no added charges po.you can contact us at 09173809104.we will please to give you a satisfying service.thank you po and God bless.
ask ko lang..wat if 2 lang kme..magkano po kaya ang fare sa boat?
thank you
hi mam,jay-r agasa po.boatman from anawangin and nagsasa.text niyo po ako at 09173809104 para iassist po namin kayo sa boat rate.salamat po.:)
hi mam krezel,
text nyo po ako 09228788756 for the boat rate for 2, i promised to give you the lowest price we have
Hi just want to know kung pde b kung Sta. Cruz ung sasakyan n bus papauntang San Antonio. We’re planning to visit anawangin on the 30th of Aug. Please advise thanks
MAM CELLE,
YES, PO PDE PO STA CRUZ ANG SAKYAN NYO BABA KAYO NG SAN ANTONIO.. IF EVER WALA PA KAYO CONTACT PDE PO NAMAN KAYO TULUNGAN..TEXT LANG PO KAYO 09193910016/09228788756…
JOAN PEREA
Ah, gnun po b..cge po I’ll save your number..one more question, if ever po and dating namin sa San Antonio around 11pm, where can we stay and how much? lets say for 3 persons? And from San Antonio po, ung boat is 1500k kasama na po b dun ung Island hoping? Thanks. I’ll save your number po..
we’re planning to go to Anawangin on october..may discount po ba sa entrance fee kapag marami kmi?over 30 po kc kaming lahat na pupunta,,.and gusto ko pong malaman.. kung maraming tao pag month of october,during Sembreak.pwede rin po ba gamitin sa pagluluto ung water sa poso? un lang po salamat..
sir kenjie,
cge sir, if madami kayo like 30, will coordinate po with caretaker kung pde nila kyo bigyan ng discount sa entrance fee.
we the amazing pundakit, boat tour will make sure po n bigyan namin kayo ng discount sa boat and tent..
please contact me at 09193910016.. joan perea
visi our fan page at facebook/,,,
‘anawangin-amazing pundakit boat tours.
contact me : 09193910016/09228788756
hello po sir.matutulungan ko po kayo sa pagkuha ng discount sa entrance fee in anawangin.boatman po ako from anawangin and kakilala ko po yung caretaker sa anawangin.pwede din po namin ipareserve yung isang spot dun para sa inyo.call or text us po at 09173809104.may bigboat din po kami that can load up to 30pax kaya mabibigyan ko din po kayo ng discount.salamat po.
grabe the waves when we went there june 12,2011
nice place! we’ve been there last summer and its a memorable experience..<3
were planning on staying overnight at the anawangin cove do we have to bring everything water food etc. please advise on how much will we spend per person? parking for the cars,boatride and entrance.
@sir warren,
a blessed sunday sir..
sir, pde po namin kayo lutuan ng food and everything.. text me po 09193910016 so i can explain to you the details of our packaged,, just bring money and your self kami n po bahala sa lahat..just enjoy po yung stay nyo sa anawangin…
joan perea
hi,my college friends are planning to go there by the end of july or 1st week of august. i’ve been there last november with my hs friends but we never tried island hopping, we just stayed at anawangin overnight. i just want to ask how much is the boat ride if we plan to do island hopping(camara/capones/others),we will stay at anawangin overnight.thanks.
@ROB
Hi sir Rob,
Sir depende po kung ilan kayo at ilang island po ang gusto ninyong puntahan. May standard rate na po kasi ang pundaquit ngayon. Pwede nio rin po i-visit ang site ko for more updated information about the rate. Slamat po.
Contact person: LIEZEL NIEVA / DINDO NIEVA
Contact number: 09172022692
Blogsite: http://dindonieva.multiply.com
With kind regards,
DINDO NIEVA
usually what we do is to first have an overnight stay in anawangin cove tapos umaalis kmi ng anawangin ng 2pm then direcho kmi ng capones island. you have 2 options kung mag ka-capones kayo 1st is to go to the light house if you want sight seeing, but if i wer u guys dun kau sa beach ng capones sa other side un, super ganda sobra! sulit na sulit ung pagpnta mo ng zambales pag nakarating kau dun. you can contact this person (Ate Rowena- 09152971756) usually ang budjet nmn per tao is P300 anawangin/capones package na un. pero usually 14up pax kmi pag nag ppnta dun. kontakin nyo nlng xa mabait un lahat ng kelangan nyo ibibigay sainyo specially the lutuan cooler etc. binibigay nlng nmn ung mga excess na food/bigas nmn as a tip for them. enjoy!
@ sir rob,,
a blessed sunday sir..
we can provide you po an all in packaged at very affordable price.. text us 09193910016.. i will explain to you the details of our packaged
joan