Anawangin Travel Guide: Zambales Weekend Gateway

Anawangin

About Anawangin

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 changed the landscape of Central Luzon and among the changes it brought is the emergence of coves on ash and sand mixture, one of which is Anawangin Cove.

Anawangin Cove is in the town of San Antonio 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, or via a four to six hours trek of Mt. Pundaquit.

Anawangin
Anawangin’s panoramic scene

It used to be mountaineers’ secret getaway after a climb, today it is an open secret. Anawangin Cove, along with Talisayen, Nagsasa and Silanguin, is now a famous camping getaway of tourists from all walks of life.

The placid Anawangin River that flows from Mount Balingkilat to the roaring South China Sea adds beauty to what is already a sight to behold. Through the years, the hidden cove has maintained its allure and serenity that can be attributed to its remoteness.

Experience a back-to-basic living and fall in love with this secluded cove. With no electricity and mobile signal, Anawangin is your perfect weekend getaway.

Anawangin
A haven for nature and landscape lovers

How to Get to Anawangin

Bus: Manila to San Antonio (Zambales)

To get to Anawangin from Manila, ride a bus bound to Iba or Sta. Cruz, Zambales via Olongapo. Victory Liner has scheduled trips to these destinations. Tell the driver to drop you off at San Antonio. Fare starts at P270, travel time is around 3 to 4 hours via NLEX.

Upon reaching San Antonio, transfer to a tricycle to Barangay San Miguel or Pundaquit, standard rate is P30 per person, you may opt to add some tip since it is quite far.

Boat to Anawangin

Boats can be chartered at Barangay San Miguel or Pundaquit going to Anawangin, rate starts at P1,000 for Anawangin – Capones round trip good for maximum of four persons. Travel time from Pundaquit to Anawangin is roughly 45 minutes.

Pundaquit Boat Rate (As of 2020)

Destination Small Boat Rate (1-4 person) Big Boat (Minimum 10 person)
Camara P1,000/boat P150/person
Capones P1,200/boat P200/person
Anawangin P1,200/boat P200/person
Talisayen P1,700/boat P300/person
Nagsasa P2,000/boat P400/person
Silanguin P3,000/boat P600/person

Note: Side trip – additional P100

Anawangin
Where river meets the sea

Where to Stay in Anawangin and Pundaquit

Since there is no commercial establishment 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 or San Miguel where numerous hotels and restaurants can be found.

Accommodations in Pundaquit

Lalyn's Home in San Antonio

Lalyn’s Home in San Antonio
Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales
Starts at 3,000 PHP (4 Guests)

DG Paraiso Restaurant

 DG Paraiso Restaurant
Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales
Starts at 3,500 PHP (4 Guests)

Here are other accommodations in Barangay Pundaquit and San Miguel.

Casa San Miguel Bed & Breakfast
Evangelista St., Brgy. San Miguel, Zambales
Contact No: +639178382752

Megan’s Beach Resort
Contact No: (047)6210507, (047)9133784, +639194808520
Email:[email protected]

Nora’s Beach Resort
Contact No: +639182788188/+639196374917

Punta De Uian
Contact No: (047)2522692/+639188888426
Email: [email protected]

Wild Rose Beach Inn
Contact No: +639106615613
Email: [email protected]

Things to Do in Anawangin and Nearby Areas

  • Camping
  • Trek to Mt. Pundaquit, Mt. Nagsasa, Mt. Cinco Picos or Mt. Balingkilat
  • Surfing (Bring your own board if you will be surfing in Anawangin, otherwise you can surf in the nearby Crystal Beach with surfing equipment for rent)
  • Skimboarding (Bring your own skim board)
  • Island and Beach Hopping in nearby Nagsasa Cove, Capones Island, Camara Island, Talisayen Cove and Silanguin Cove
  • Sidetrip to Capones Island and see the century old Capones Lighthouse
  • Explore Palauig, Potipot, Masinloc, San Narciso or Liwliwa (San Felipe)
  • Check out Anghalo Falls in San Felipe
  • Taste the sweet mangoes of Zambales
  • Trek to Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake via Botolan
  • Enjoy arts and music at Casa San Miguel
Capones
Capones Lighthouse

Anawangin Itinerary (Sample)

DIY weekend camping itinerary

Day 1

0500H : Departure from Manila to San Antonio, Zambales
0930H : Arrival in San Antonio
0930H – 11:00H: Market to buy necessary camping supplies, foods and other equipments, bring packed lunch or buy from the market, proceed to Pundaquit or San Miguel via trike to ride the boat
1100H – 1200H: Pundaquit or San Miguel to Anawangin
1200H – 1400H: Setup camp, fix stuff, lunch
1400H – 1800H: Explore, swim, photo ops
1800H – 2000H: Wash-up, prepare dinner
2000H – 2100H: Dinner
2100H onwards: Bonfire, Night party, Socials

Day 2

0600H: Wakeup Call
0600H – 0800H: Breakfast, fix-up, break camp
0800H – 0900H: Anawangin to Capones Island
0900H – 1000H: Trek to lighthouse (if first timer, you need a guide, may balon sa taas, you can take a shower to freshen up :D)
1000H – 1100H: Photo ops, explore, rest in the light house
1100H – 1145H: Lighthouse to the boat
1145H – 1215H: Capones to San Miguel / Pundaquit
1215H – 1500H: Lunch, Shower / Fix up / Trike to San Antonio
1500H – 2000H: San Antonio to Olongapo / Food trip in Olongapo / Olongapo to Manila

Anawangin
Mornings by the beach

Budget / Expenses

Here’s the estimated expenses for a group of four:

Manila to San Antonio Bus – 270
Anawangin Entrance Fee – 100
Food & Miscellaneous – 500
Boat Share – 300
Trike Share – 70
San Antonio to Olongapo Bus –  120
Olongapo to Manila Bus –  215

————————————–

Approximately P1,575 / person

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.
  • Camping fee in Anawangin is at P100 per person.
  • There are small stores in Anawangin that sells water, chips, candles, canned goods and other basic goods.
  • No mobile signal and electricity in the area

*First published: 23-Aug-2009 | Updates: 12-Apr-2012; 27-Jan-2018; 20-Aug-2019; 06-Mar-2020

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”.

Comments

  1. We went there last 2014, and haven’t blog about the experience yet. It was an amazing experience. I guess you have to skip going there on weekends to avoid the crowd.

  2. […] rise to fame of Anawangin paved the way for other hidden coves in the western coast of Zambales to be known, and one that is […]

  3. Anawangin Cove Zambales

    The place is isolated and incredibly picturesque. I strongly suggest you look for a coordinator so that they can arrange joiners for your trip. This will definitely lessen the expenses. Also, look for a package that provided you with kitchen wares and camping sets because food is very expensive on site. Budget tour starts at P499/pax min of 10. With van transfer starts at P1299/pax. We are direct operators/coordinator, affordable and they live on the place. Very accommodating and honest! Contact Andy or Shyne 09335227701 / 09778317973

  4. Spend your holiday with us. Visit these places Anawangin, Nagsasa, Talisayen, Camara or Capones island without spending much. Contact us in our mobile no.: 09276136548 for more information.Do visit our facebook page as well: https://m.facebook.com/anawanginwithbrigastetours

    Anawangin Package Tour
    (2 Days & 1 Night)
    PRICES:
    🔹1-2 pax – 2,000
    🔹3pax – 700/head
    🔹4-5 pax – 600/head
    🔹6-9 pax – 550/head
    🔹10&above- 500/head

    PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:
    🛳 Boat Rentals (Back and Forth Service with Life Vest)
    🏝Island Hop to Capones Island
    ⛩Entrance Fee to the Cove Overnight
    🍽Dining Table to the Cove
    ⛺️Tents (sharing of 3-4 pax)
    🔥Bonfire (Piles of Woods)
    💦Distilled Drinking Water
    ❄️Ice with Ice Box
    🗻Coal
    ⚔Lending of Cooking Utensils
    👲🏽Boatman Assistance/ Guide

    Exclusions:
    ❎ Environmental Fee (20.00/pax)
    ❎ Cottage at the Cove (Optional- 150)
    ❎Parking (200/Car)

    Special Requests:
    🚐 Van Rental (Roundtrip)- Upon request for exclusive tours preferably larger group. Price per head varies depending on your number (e.g 14pax costs 750/head)
    – Manila- Zambales- Manila
    🍚 Catering Service 🍲🍴
    – we can arrange your own set of foods
    – 300/head for 3 meals (Lunch- Dinner- Bfast) w/c includes 2 viands and unli rice plus fruits per meal
    -guaranteed freshly cooked and delighted meals

    For more information, please send us a pm or contact us in our mobile no.: 09276136548. We are happy to assist you.

  5. RODEL VILLANUEVA

    HOLIDAYS IS COMING!!! Planning to celebrate holidays in a beautiful beaches only here @ zambales? please contact me to know more about the info’s. i have package deal to offer 🙂
    HERE ARE SOME OF ATTRACTION!

    1. ANAWANGIN COVE
    2. TALISAYEN COVE
    3. NAGSASA COVE
    4. SILANGUIN COVE
    5.CAMARA ISLAND
    6. COPONES ISLAND

    CONTACT:
    SMART – 09394139000
    SUN – 09328695408
    TNT – 09078145375

    ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS AND GODBLESS

  6. Zard

    try nio pong kontakin sila sir Dindo jan sa pundakit, 09172022692 po ang number nila
    ayus po ang serbisyo at may malalaki po silang Bangka. try nio lang po.
    Salamat.

  7. maria

    Hi!
    just a concerned citizen dropping by to give you a heads up on current situation in Anawangin. My and husband and I have been there for a day tour last weekend, and I am disappointed on how the beauty of the place is being treated by the visitors. WE ARE ALL BLESSED TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT VIEW, THEREFORE WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING IT BEAUTIFUL not just for us but for our future to be able to enjoy the same. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW ANY VISITOR TO SMOKE NOR DRINK ALCOHOL IN THE AREA. It is quite obvious that the assigned care taker could not track each and every cigarette butt and empty alcohol bottle, to be place in proper disposal. Simple solution is not to allow them. Those who would like to smoke and drink may do so in pubs in Olongapo or Subuc, but not there in Anawangin.
    PLEASE HELP ME SPREAD THE AWARENESS. And those who are planning to visit the place, it is one of the Philippines’ breath taking places. Hope you could also bring your kid there one day when you finally have one. Please refrain from causing further damage.

  8. Anawangin Cove Zambales

    SUMMER SALE PROMO!!
    Before: P999/pax
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    BEST TEAM & FAMILY BUILDING LOCATIONS!! Experience affordable Anawangin Cove & Nagsasa Cove with full packed unique island hopping, trekking, boat transfer & complete camping supply starting @P599/pax. -Cut agency/coordinator rates, get more value for money!! DIRECT RESORT OWNERS 09298422127 – 09754891998

  9. adoy

    magkano po ang boat rent? 3 adults & 4 children?

  10. You have a wonderful photos while in were in Anawangin Zambales, I just wanted to ask if there are any island that me and my friends can go through aside from Capones and Camara Island? Hoping to hear from you soon. Thanks.

    1. Nanay Josie

      Hi sir Allen ,

      Please text Nanay Josie 09998827832 or Kuya Anthony . Affordable and hassle free packages.

      Offers:
      Anawangin
      Nagsasa
      Capones
      Camara
      Silanguin
      Talisayen

      Thanks

  11. Summer is fast approaching and ZAMBALES has a lot of awesome BEACHES and COVES to offer to chill and relax. And if you are planning to visit again and for the first time the below listed attraction, let us do the honor of assisting you to make your summer tour hassle free.

    1.) Anawangin Cove
    2.) Talisayen Cove
    3.) Nagsasa Cove
    4.) Silangen Cove
    5.) Capones and Camara island

    All you need to do is text or call
    LIEZEL NIEVA
    09172022692 / 09995959623

    Thank you and God bless.

  12. Hello Anawangin Enthusiast,
    Summer is fast approaching and ZAMBALES has a lot of awesome BEACHES and COVES to offer to chill and relax. And if you are planning to visit again and for the first time the below listed attraction, let us do the honor of assisting you to make your summer tour hassle free.

    1.) Anawangin Cove
    2.) Talisayen Cove
    3.) Nagsasa Cove
    4.) Silangen Cove
    5.) Capones and Camara island

    All you need to do is txt or call
    LIEZEL NIEVA
    09172022692 / 09995959623

    Thank you and God bless.

  13. Rodel Villanueva

    Good day!

    Summer is here. I’m inviting all of you to come and see the wonderful beaches of
    PUNDAKIT. You’ll be amaze in the pastiness sand of Nagsasa. Experience the silent
    night of Annawagin. Be dazzle in the pristine waters off the shore of Capones Island
    while snorkeling in it’s shallow water. Enjoy the scenery while we transfer you from
    one place to another. You can all experience these @ Pundakit in San Antonio
    Zambales. It’s about four hours trip by Victory Liner or Two and a half to Three hours
    drive via SCTEX hi-way. For inquiry please text or call us. We will be happy to assist you.

    SMART # 09394139000
    SUN # 09328695408
    TALK and TEXT # 09078145375

    1. Jose

      hello po kuya rodel! kami po ang mga bumisita sa inyo noong sabado. Salamat po sa iyong hospitality!!

      I recommend kuya rodel to everyone who plans to go to pundakit to visit the beaches, he is very accommodating and he even was nice enough to let us shower and change at his own home, and give us a few sticks of barbecue.

      Salamat sa’yo, kuya Rodel!! Five stars!!

      1. Rodel Villanueva

        Hahaha salamat din po sa inyo mga ma’m/sir,students of ateneo university sana makabalik po kyo ulit sa lugar nmin, natutuwa po ako na maglingkod sa inyo,Rodel

    2. Rodel Villanueva

      Hello everyone one, kung may plan po kyo na pumunta sa annawangin,talisayen, nagsasa cove,o Capones at camara island, pls contakin nyo lang po ako sa mga #na ito,
      Smart 09394139000
      Sun 09328695408
      Talkntext 09078145375
      Globe 09568862402
      Para po sa ligtas at maayos na serbisyo,
      ako po si Rodel Villanueva taga pundakit po ako,bukas po ang aking serbisyo mula lunes hanggang linggo,
      Maraming salamat po”

  14. shella

    . .hello po!…good am/eve po mga maam and sir na gustong bumusita sa camara, capones, anawangin, talisayin, or nagsasa cove…direct contact po kami we offer package and non package, trekking/hikking is also available and van for rents…

    ANAWANGIN COVE PACKAGE:
    4-8 PERSONS – 550 perhead
    9-10 ABOVE – 500 perhead

    NAGSASA COVE PACKAGE:
    4-8 PERSONS – 750 perhead
    9-10 ABOVE – 700 perhead

    INCLUSIONS:
    boat with island hopping(capones), tent, entrance, tubig, yelo, bonfire, uling…

    For more questions and inquiries pls. Call or text us at: 09272684714
    salamat po.

    1. myra pabilla

      hi mam! may i just ask if may package po kayo good for 2 person lang? how much po?

  15. Rina Constantino

    Good eve po! my friends and I plan to go to Pundaquit on May 9-10. We’re from Olongapo lang po, how much po for 2D1N po? You can text me po at my number +639982912668…

    1. Nanay Josie

      Hi mam rina

      We are offering affordable package please text us 09998827832 Nanay Josie and 09198437370 Kuya Anthony

  16. rodel villanueva

    Good Day!
    sa lahat po na nagnanais makarating sa mga magagandang beaches ng zambales,
    tulad ng Annawangin,Talisayen,Nagsasa at Silanguin Cove na makikita dito lamang sa
    barrio Pundakit,at ating puntahan ang linaw at mapuputing buhanngin ng Capones at
    Camara island,pwede nyo po akong tawagan/etext sa mga numerong ito;

    smart:09394139000
    sun:09328695408
    talk n text:09078145375
    ako po si Rodel Villanueva taga Pundakit po ako.

    salamat po at God bless”

    1. Sharon Lladone

      Hi Rodel good afternoon. We are interested in your Anawangin package 1N/2D. We are planned travel is May 22-23 for a group of at least 14 persons. We overnight in Anawangin and side trips to Capones and Camara islands. We would like to know more about your offer package, inclusions and the rate.
      We would appreciate if you can get back to us as soon as possible.
      Thank you

      1. Jona

        good day mam

        I refer Ko Lang po ang serbisyo ng amazing pundakit boat tour , maasahan po at Mura po ang packages .

        Text nyo po
        Nanay Josie 09998827832
        Kuya Anthony 09198437370

        Salamat po

  17. Lou

    Do you still do this Zambales tour? How much per person? How long? Details of trip? Thanks.

  18. ghels

    Planning to visit Zambales this forthcoming summer?
    Let us help and provide you with a hassle free tour to the below listed ATTRACTIONS……
    1. ANAWANGIN COVE
    2. NAGSASA COVE
    3. SILANGEN COVE
    4. SILANGEN COVE
    5. CAPONES ISLAND
    6. CAMARA ISLAND
    7. AGNAEM COVE
    all you need to do is call or txt us at:
    09065279503 and look for GERLIE

  19. Che

    Beautiful beaches..relaxing sceneries..come and visit now..pm me fot those interested..or just txt me 09183717878 / 09174145526..

Comments are closed.