Travel Guide: Anawangin Cove

Anawangin Cove is a crescent shaped cove with a pristine long white beach.  It is located in San Antonio, Zambales. The primary distinction of the cove is the towering pine trees flourishing around the vicinity. The boat man told us that the place were used to be rocky up until Mt. Pinatubo’s major eruption decades ago deserted a huge amount of volcanic ashes and followed by the growth of enormous number of pine trees all over the area which contributed in the rich foliage. The cove is paradise to a number of bird species. 


There are no roads leading to Anawangin. You can reach it by boat or by trail.  It is accessible by a 45 minute boat ride from Pundaquit, San Antonio or by a 5-hour hike through scorching, open trails thru the Mt. Pundaquit range.

Anawangin cove could be a perfect image of white Christmas here in our country.  Pine trees plus snow- liked ashes in the ground. Perfect!

How to get there:
1. From Manila, take the Victory Liner bus bound to Iba, Zambales.   2. At the ticket booth, tell the teller that you’ll get off in the Public Market of San Antonio which is 3 - 4 hours away from Manila.    Cubao Terminal – earliest trip is at 6:30am for about 260php. Caloocan terminal – earliest trip is at 4:30am for  about 260php.3. Once at the Public Market of San Antonio take tricycle going to Pundaquit, 30php/pax4. In Pundaquit, rent a boat going to Anawangin.  It is approximately 45 minutes sea travel from Pundaquit to Anawangin Cove.  Below is the rate for small boat which is good for 2 - 4 pax.  to Anawangin Cove = 1000phpto Anawangin Cove + Capones Island = 1200phpto Anawangin Cove + Capones Island + Nagsasa Cove = 2000phpOthers:to Nagsasa Cove = 1600Phpto Nagsasa Cove + Capones = 1800php
for group of 5 pax up using big boat.to Anawangin Cove = 200php eachto Anawangin Cove +Capones = 250php eachto Nagsasa Cove = 350php each to Nagsasa Cove + Capones = 450php eachto  Anawangin Cove + Capones Island + Nagsasa Cove = 500php each
Contact detail:Kuya JR Agasa (boatman) - 0917 380 9104
Important things to bring: 
1. Camping tent - there's no resort offering a kubo for you to stay an overnight. If you don't have tent, you can rent at Kuya JR for 200Php/night or 300Php/ 2 nights. 
2. Portable gas stove and such - Anawangin Cove is known as ultimate outdoor experience, it will push your survival skills like cooking and making fire on night. So if you don't have that skills prepare this one. 


3. Lighter /  Flashlight / lamp - there's no electricity, no lights at all. 

4. Food - if you're staying here for an overnight make sure you'll have enough food supply. there's  no restaurant here. Yes, there are available sari-sari store but I'm telling you, they marked up the price up to 100%. Example: 1.5L Coke, they sell it 100Php if not malamig and 120php if malamig. You can buy your foods at the Public Market in San Antonio. We brought ours there. (1 Kilo of chicken, 1 Kilo of liempo, 1 Kilo of Tilapia, 1 Kilo of hipon, bawang, sibuyas, etc) 

because the breeze is cold, alak ang kanilang ginawang kumot!

5. Insect repellent 

6. Gallon of water - Ask Kuya JR to buy for you, just pay him upon your arrival there. 
7. Bottle opener, kitchenware (spoon, fork, plate, knife) and ice box- Again, you can borrow to Kuya JR these things. You can also ask them to buy tube ice for you. Just pay them for the costs. 
8. Sunblock

Our actual itinerary:

Day 1: (Mt. Pundaquit hike and Camping at Anawangin Cove)
0400H - ETD to San Antonio
0800H - ETA at Public Market of San Antonio, buy foods and necessary things for our 2 nights camping.
1000H - Arrival at Kuya JR's place
1045H - start hike at Mt. Pundaquit
1400H - reached summit
1545H - successfully traverse to Anawangin Cove
1600H - pitch tent
1700H - swimming
1800H - cook dinner
1900H - dinner time
2000H - relax at the beach
2100H - lights out
Day 2 (Camping at Nagsasa Cove)
0700H - photo walk at the long beach of Anawangin
0800H - breakfast
1000H - boat transfer to Nagsasa Cove 
1100H - ETA Nagsasa Cove
1130H - pitch tent
1200H - cook lunch
1300H - lunch
1400H - siesta 
1700H - prepare dinner
1800H - dinner 
1900H - socials
2100H - lights out
Day 3 (Last day)
0700H - photo walk at Nagsasa Cove
0800H - boat transfer to Capones Island
0900H - ETA to Capones Island (snorkeling & lighthouse)
1000H - arrival at the Pundaquit Mainland
Suggested itinerary is just an overnight to Anawangin Cove with the side trips to Nagsasa Cove, Camara Island and Capones Island.
Other expenses:
Cottage rental - 100Php
Overnight fee - 100php each 
Breakdown of expenses for group of 4 pax:
Bus to San Antonio, Zambales - 260Php each
Tricycle fare to Pundaquit - 30Php each
Boat Rental (small boat) for 3 day and 2 nights ( Package for overnight at Anawangin on the first night, overnight at Nagsasa Cover for the second night and a side trip to Capones and Camara island on our last day) - 2300Php / 4 pax = 575Php each
Cottage rental for Anawangin Cove - 100php / 4 pax = 25Php each
Overnight fee for Anawangin Cove - 100Php each
Cottage rental for Nagsasa Cove - 100Php / 4 pax  = 25Php
Overnight fee for Nagsasa Cove - 100Php each
Tent rental for 2 nights which is good for 2pax only- 300Php/ 2pax = 150php each
Tricycle fare back to San Antonio - 30Php each
Bus fare back to Manila - 260 Php
Total expenses for 3D/2N - 1555Php for 3 days and 2 nights
Note: No cellphone signal on all networks. Live like castaways.
Plan you trip ahead and enjoy your Anawangin Cove getaway!