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. kaye

    hi there,we’ve been to anawangin last week and it was fun!hindi nga lang kami nakapunta ng capones kaya our boatman,kuya jay-r,took us sa talisayen para hindi naman daw kami madisappoint.to think na bumalik pa ulit kami papunta ng anawangin para lang makapunta kami sa talisayen,grabe super bait ni kuya jay-r and hindi pa siya nagpadagdag para sa extra gasoline na naconsume nila..kuya jay-r highly recommended ka talaga!ito number ni kuya jay-r kung gusto niyo magpareserve ng boat sa kanya.09173809104.contact niyo na rin siya.a very satisfying service indeed!

    1. larry

      sa lahat po ng mga gustong pumunta ng annawangin, nagsasa, at silanguin cove via boat or mountain/trekking please contact me Larry Alibaya sa cel #09278330332/09083978430 or email at [email protected], may 2 boats po ako small boat for 4 pax capacity type of engine briggs 16hp, at big boat 10-15 pax capacity type of engine 4k

    2. jeff

      pwede ba mag paluto ng kanin at pagkain sa care taker ng island kasi ayaw namin magbitbit ng mga kaldero hehee thanks

  2. Anna

    Kamusta naman yung waters ng Anawangin Cove? In the recent years may mga nababalitaang nalulunod or nawawala sa Anawangin. May nilagay na bang safety precautions ang pamahalaan ng San Antonio?

    1. larry

      opo may nilagay n pong precautions para alam po ng mga naliligo kung hanggang saan o gaano na po kalalim ung lugar na papaliguan, kaya po f gusto nyo po bumalik pls. ffeel free to contact me or txt me at 09278330332/09083978430 boatman po ako tnx

  3. ronel rondubio

    hi pow!

    1. Anna May Ferrer

      eouwh powh!!!

  4. Caturae

    Hi po, we are planning to spend our holy week hiliday in anawangin .. mas prefer namin yun camping to feel thenature..
    kung 12 members po kami. how much po b budget ng bawat isa na kasya for transpo and basic expenses po sa place?..thanks

    1. You can do it in less than P1500 each 🙂

    2. dindo

      @CATURAE
      For 12 members, Bali big boat na ang kelangan nio,
      Here are the expences:

      1) Boat fare = P200/head
      2) Tent for 3 person = P250
      for 4 person = P300
      3) Tricycle fare (1 way) from san antonio town to pundaquit = P30/head
      4) Entrance fee (overnight) = P100

      Mga gamit pangluto at kalan ay puede namin kayo pahiraman….Let us know kung kelangan nio lang….thanks po…..
      ………….DINDO………

  5. ian

    @dindo

    hindi naman bawal ang alak? haha just to be sure :p
    plano kasi namin more or less 10pax na mag stay sa anawangin for 3days 2 nyts may mabibilhan naman po ba ng lutong pagkain/alak/yosi/ and other basic needs kasi damit lng siguro madadala nmin. btw tga manila po kami

    please reply po thanks

    1. dindo

      Hindi naman po bawal, yun po ang problema dahil wala pong mabilihan ng lutong pagkain dun…hehehee
      But you can buy all the things and stuff that you need in SAN ANTONIO’s TOWN. Kung gusto nio rin po ay pahiraman kayo ng kalan at mga kaldero…
      ………DINDO……….

  6. dindo

    Hi po, ako po si DINDO NIEVA ng brgy. PUNDAQUIT, SAN ANTONIO,ZAMBALES. Nais ko lang po samantalahin ang pagkakataong ito para ipaalam sa mga may balak pumunta sa ANNAWANGIN COVE, NAGSASA COVE, SILANGUIN COVE, CAMARA and CAPONES Island na may mga BANCA boat po kami na pwede niong maarkila pagawi sa mga lugar na nabanggit ko. may mga TENT din po kami na maaari nio rentahan.

    CONTACT PERSON: DINDO/LIEZEL NIEVA
    CONTACT NUMBEER: 09172022692

    PUNDAQUIT to ANNAWANGIN(back and forth)
    BOAT #1 = 1-5 pax = P1200
    BOAT #2 = 6- 12 pax = P200/head
    BOAT #3 = 10-30 pax = P22/head

    PUNDAQUIT to NAGSASA(back and forth)
    BOAT #1 = 1-5 pax = P2000
    BOAT #2 = 6- 12 pax = P400/head
    BOAT #3 = 10-30 pax = P400/head

    PUNDAQUIT to SILANGUIN(back and forth)
    BOAT #1 = 1-5 pax = P2500
    BOAT #2 = 6- 12 pax = P500/head
    BOAT #3 = 10-30 pax = P500/head

    PUNDAKIT to CAPONES and CAMARA island(back and forth)

    BOAT #1 = 1-5 pax = P800
    BOAT #2 = 6- 12 pax = P150/head
    BOAT #3 = 10-30 pax = P150/head

    CAMPING TENTS:
    3 person = P250
    4 person = P300
    6 person = P400

    Txt or tawag lang po para makatulong po kami sa pagpunta nio dito. SALAMAT PO and GOD BLESS po..

    1. anne

      eh what if 2 lang kami.. how much yung magiging boat ride namin?.. may life vest bang kasama yun?.. others kasi, meron eh.. and how much if we want a tour sa capones island or potipot?.. thanks!

      1. dindo

        @ANNE

        For 2 pax….
        1) Boat ride to ANNawangin(balikan)= P1000
        2) Boat ride to Annawangin = side trip to capones = P1500….

        3)Lifevest is FREELY being provided by us….
        Thanks….DINDO…….

    2. Anna

      Pwede rin po ba kami magpaluto ng dadalhin sa Anawangin? Yung kaibigan po kasi namin nagpapaluto na daw sila ng dadalhin nila. How much po ang budget per head kung ganun?

    3. kate baello

      sir dindo,

      we are about 8-10 pax,, we would like to go to anawangin with sidetrip to capones and camara.. how much will it be for our boat? tnx po…

    4. Hi to evryone, Update of the standard boat rate in Pundaquit…….

      NON PACKAGE RATE
      SMALL BOAT….(max of 4 pax)balikan
      Pundakit to CAMARA island = P700
      Pundakit to CAPONES = P1,000
      Pundakit to Annawangin = P1,000
      Pundakit to Talesayen = P1,500
      Pundakit to Nagsasa = P1,800
      Pundakit to Silanguin = P2,500
      NOTE: Island HOPPING (CAMARA, CAPONES to ANNAWANGIN) = P1,500
      BIG BOAT (5 to 10 pax) balikan
      Pundakit to CAMARA island = P1500
      Pundakit to CAPONES = P2000
      Pundakit to Annawangin = P2000
      Pundakit to Talesayen = P3000
      Pundakit to Nagsasa = P4000
      Pundakit to Silanguin = P6000
      Island HOPPING (CAMARA, CAPONES to ANNAWANGIN) = P2500
      BIG BOAT 11 pax and ABOVE
      Pundakit to CAMARA island = P150/head
      Pundakit to CAPONES = P200/head
      Pundakit to Annawangin = P200/head
      Pundakit to Talesayen = P300/head
      Pundakit to Nagsasa = P400/head
      Pundakit to Silanguin = P600/head
      Island HOPPING (CAMARA, CAPONES to ANNAWANGIN) = P300/head
      NOTE: All passenger will be issued with a lifjacket.
      Tent 3 person = P250
      4 person = P300
      6 person = P500
      My site: BOAT STANDARD RATE
      At kung may gusto pa po kayong malaman o katanungan ay maaari nio po kaming tawagan o itx sa 09172022692 a t hanapin po si DINDO or LIEZEL…. salamat po a

  7. dindo

    Kung ang grupo po ninyo ay 1-5. P1200 po ang boat ride. 6 and above is per head na po.

    @ SIR LAKWATSERO, salamat po sa pagkakataon na bibibigay nio para po makapagbigay informasyon po kami sa mga katulad nio na gusto pumunta gaya sa lugar namin dito sa ZAMBALES. GOD BLESS po and MABUHAY po kayo.

    …DINDO…

  8. dindo

    si DINDO NIEVA po eto ng pundaquit, sa LAHAT po ng gustong punmunta sa mga lugar na ito. very affordable prize po ang offer namin. basta lampas po sampo tao. to annawangin P200 per head po overnight, to nagsasa P400 po per head overnight, to silangen P500 per head po. hatid sundo po yun. Bago po lahat ng tatlong bang boat namin. may camping tent din po kami, yung pang 3han, 250 po, apatan 300. may ilang swimming fins and mask with snorkels din po kami. pangako po namin ang serbisyong tapat sa inyo. name po ng bangka namin is “DINZEL LEYLA”

    ….DINDO….

  9. Red

    Thanks for sharing this information. 🙂
    Anawangin is one of the good if not great getaway hangout in the Philippines. The best for barkadas, even for office mates lakwatsero and lakwatsera. 🙂

    1. Thanks for the visit 🙂

  10. mary grace

    hi there,i can give you our contact boatman in anawangin para hassle free na yung trip niyo to anawangin.all you have to do is prepare your stuffs and kuya jay-r will do the necessary stuffs you will bring on your camp.bigboat din ang gamit niya kaya safe kayo kahit 10pax pa kayo.magkakasama na kayong lahat sa isang boat.very accommodating pa sila ng wife niya and very mabait.he also offers very affordable rate,.contact niyo siya at 09173809104.jay-r agasa name ni kuya.enjoy!

  11. tina

    anawangin is beautiful, its a place you can go to as many times as you want and discover something new. its a quiet place were you can bond with nature. anawangin has tons of different areas from a forest to the beach. hiking to or in the area is also fun but it may take some time. the area has a river, mountains, waterfalls, beach, and another beach separated by the mountain, this beach has tons of shells and stuff to hike there takes about 20 min but you can just ride a boat to there if you want.

    if you want a safe, enjoyable, fast and quiet boat trip or if you want to hike in anawangin (like to the waterfall Megan’s beach and stuff),
    or from pundaquit to anawangin which takes a devastating 3 hours (depends on how you hike), and the best part is if you don’t feel like hiking back from anawangin to pundaquit you can just ask for a boat there contact:
    : 09208289226 look for Arnold Brigaste
    : 09392786484 look for Lizel Presente,

    the price is 300peso pp for the trip and back (ask for prices to hike). they also rent tents and snorkels which is awesome if you forget them. and if you forget something just ask them they might be able to have it like a torch or even a cooler with ice. there’s even a useful a store there were you can buy stuff like drinks.
    I Highly Recommend Them!!!

  12. […] For directions, many websites detail instructions on how to get to Anawangin Cove including Lakwatsero.com. […]

  13. nique

    askd ko lng po… what if po kng 2 lng kmi pupunta… is it ok ba… then over nyt kmi dun… wat 2 bring… comute lng kmi… my mabibilihan ba dun… tnx…

  14. emman

    ei, hope someone can help me and provide an itinerary for anawangin. gusto sana namin try puntahan via mountain trekking at hndi via boat. help naman po.. u can mail me at [email protected]

      1. larry

        Want to rent an UNNOISY BOAT/BANCA while travelling to annawangen cove capones and camara island or at talisayen, nagsasa and silanguin cove. Just text or call me (Larry Alibaya) at 09278330332 or 09083978430 im a boatman. boat capacity is 15 pax. and 4 pax to the small boat.

      2. hello po! ako po c lary alibaya a boatman and operator po going to annawangen,nagsasa cove, camara and capones island
        pkitxt lang po ako sa 09278330332/09083978430 o kaya C LERMA Alibaya may BIG BOAT po ako n hndi maingay ang makina at sumusunod po sa BOAT FARE MATRIX ng BARANGAY n Ipinapayupad sa ngaun,tnx po AND WELCOME po!

  15. You have a great website here. Thanks for offering great information like how to go to anawangin and some other related stuff about anawangin cove. Lets help each other promote this beautiful place in zambales.

  16. jong de ramon

    we are going to Anawangin on Nov 13 to 14. We have contacts na sa van and boatman…email me for contact numbers. i can refer you to them.

    [email protected]

  17. Hi we’re planning to go to anawangin. do you have boatmen and jeepney contacts? malaking group kami mga 50 siguro.. hope to hear from you

    1. Debbie Lyn Cabacungan

      last may 2010, i went to zambales, anawangin, capones & other island i forgot..our boatman is Mr. Larry Alibaya. If you want you can contact him 0908-3978-430…he is very accomodating!!!

  18. gold

    what kind of food can we carry?…canned goods lang ba? can we cook? like bbq? how bout rice?..how about rest rooms? shower area?..is it ok to go there say mid october?

    1. hi gold, you can bring any food you want to cook for as long as you bring your own cooking equipments 🙂
      rest rooms and shower area? hmm, the typical provincial type, deep well, improvised shower area and rest rooms, do not expect too much
      mid october is still okey, just watch out of the typhoons 🙂

    2. Debbie Lyn Cabacungan

      kng sa anawangin kyo… better bring food to cook kc mhal po ung tinda dun tpos un dala kyo ng tent. may shower din dun at cr pro di ako ngawi eh..di ko alam kng malinis b dun…at saka po pala walang signal ung cellphone sa anawangin kya dpat may contact tlaga kyong boatman…

  19. monica reyes

    hi ngpplan kc ko ng bday celebration ko sa september 2,3,2010. ok lang ba mgpunta dun ng ganung buwan na?safe ba ng ganung buwan.? pde ba naming mapuntahan lahat ng lugar dun ng 2days para masulit? please giv me some tips. ty.

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