5 Tips on Planning A Weekend Camp in Anawangin Cove

Somebody added me in Facebook last night, and after approving her, she sent me a message which goes.....


""Hi! Thanks for accepting the invite! Came across your pusang kalye blog through dangkalan resort, we're thinking of staying there next month. Nice blog, I must say! Anyway, I just wanna ask about anawangin, hahaha. The place seems nice, I just wanna ask if may mga ok bang accomodation dun and pano yung transpo? o.o.Sorry if im asking too much. Its just that I looked for your anawangin post and wala masyado details. Lol. Just interested in the place. :) Thanksmuch!""  

---KRISTINE


.......which made me think of finishing my ANAWANGIN-NAGSASA-CAPONES series with more details this time around. I realized that when people google a place and land in my blog, they find it indeed lacking in information which is bad for my site. So aside from the photo teasers, I resolve to give more info on the places I will be blogging about from here on.

1. HOW TO GET THERE

Anawangin Cove is a favorite destination in Zambales in the island of Luzon because of it's proximity from the capital city Manila. Victory Liner bus has daily trips to the Zambales. One can board bound Iba or Sta. Cruz. The town to look for is San Antonio which is the 4th municipality from Olongapo City. The trip takes 3-4 hours depending on the time of day you travel. From San Antonio, one can take the tricycle (25 pesos each to San Miguel) to either Pundaquit or San Miguel where boats are available to take you to your choice of destination, either to CAPONES, NAGSASA or ANAWANGIN.. We paid 2,000 pesos for the boat. Good for the 2 coves and Capones na yun.


2. HOW MUCH BUDGET TO EXPECT

The average price for a boat of 4pax is 2,000 pesos which includes all 3 destinations. It's better to contact somebody before going there especially if you are planning on a weekend retreat. My favorite is MANG JOHNY who I always recommend to friends. (0920.222.4687) Add that to the bus fare which is 500 pesos back and forth plus the allowance for food that you can buy from the public market, 2000 pesos per person would be safe enough for a group of 4.

Tents are charged separately if you don't bring one.

Anawangin Cove has become a picnic/camping haven for both local and foreign tourists due to it's proximity to Pundaquit, the nearest set off point. Boat ride takes 30 minutes and the wave is moderate in most cases (compared to Nagsasa Cove). The presence of mountains sorrounding the cove makes it perfect for camping as it provides protection from strong gusts during night time ( compared to CAPONES which is in the open sea)

3. TENT ACCOMMODATION

The sand is not powdery but fine enough for me. I learned during our visit that this cove is a private property so several owners set up some fences a few meters from the shoreline which means you have to pay 100 pesos if you intend to cross that line. I would suggest you do so as to explore the area especially the SWAMP behind the beach and the pine trees surrounding it where campers usually set up their tents.

Again, the only option if you intend to stay overnight is through tents. If you prefer resort accommodations, better arrange for your boatman to take you back to PUNDAQUIT where many resorts abound.

4. THE CROWD

WARNING: Since Anawangin cove is famous for campers, expect it to be crowded especially on weekends. Too crowded for somebody who is thinking of a quiet retreat in nature. 

In that case, I would suggest you go to Nagsasa Cove.  There are toilets and shower rooms with fresh water but the thing is, if it's too crowded, you would have to queue long hours before you could go to the restroom for your morning or evening rituals. Showering after the pleasurable beach swim might also prove to be a burden. 

5. WHAT TO DO AND WHAT NOT TO MISS

I mentioned about the fences a while ago, if you are willing to pay but lacks budget,there is one fun experience you can do in Anawangin Cove that you can do for free ( aside from swimming on the beach of coarse). This is actually one of the highlights of the trip that you should not miss. CLIMBING THE HILL situated on the right side when facing the beach.

No guide needed. It's a moderate climb but be careful, there are sharp rocks which could seriously hurt you if you are to miss a step. The trick is to take your time and enjoy the hike and the view. I guess it took us almost an hour because we paused many times to takes tons and tons of photos.

can you find the people in the picture?

Again, this is what you mean by SEEING THE WORLD IN ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE. The climb on the hill allows you to see Anawangin Cove in a different angle. Allows you to see that the cove is actually divided into 2. There is another beach area on the other side but is not open to tourists as of writing.

A pause on the top makes you appreciate how beautiful this place is. I will be leaving you with the photos below to tickle your imagination.

the beach on the other side of the hill

Itinerary

Day1

5:00am -ETD MNL via Victory Liner Calocan
9:00am- ETA San Antonio Zambales Buy food/supplies in the public market of San Antonio 

10:00am- arrive at Brgy San Vicente via tricycle (10 pesos/head) 

10:00am -leave for Anawangin Cove via pump boat 

10:30am -arrive in Anawangin cove. Late breakfast. Stay until past lunchtime. 

2:00pm--leave for Nagsasa Cove (45minutes by boat) 3:00pm-set up camp in Anawangin Cove Stay overnight 

Day 2 

7:00am --breakfast 

8:30am --leave for Capones 

9:20am --arrive in Capones via lighthouse dock. Climb lighthouse 

11:00am --transfer to the other side of Capones. Beach time. 

12:00 lunch. More swimming 

2:00pm --leave for mainland. San Vicente 

2:30pm --shower time. House of Mang Johny 

3:30pm--leave for town via tricycle 

4:00pm--board bus bound for MNL 7:00pm --ETA MNL

Anawangin Cove from top of the hill

To Kristine, and my readers (naks) I hope I was able to answer some of your questions and aroused your interest through my photos. Should you have more queries, never hesitate to text your boatman and ask.lol. Seriously, your choice of contact (boatman) will be of big help. He will serve as your guide, your helper and life saver in this beautiful yet remote paradise. 

Enjoy!!!!!

again, my favorite contact: Mang Johny: (0920.222.4687)

MAP OF THE AREA HERE

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