Anawangin Cove, Zambales – January 9, 2010
Anawangin Cove in Zambales was on my bucket list for 2009. My friends and I attempted to go there last July 19, 2009 but due to rains, while still in Subic we decided to abort. (Blog Post here). So almost half a year later (my how time flies) I decided it was once again time to Attempt the trip.
Getting there
The map below is just my guess as to the actual location of Anawangin Cove from a map I took off Google Maps.
View Anawangin Cove, Zambales in a larger map
To get there, you drive to the town of San Antonio, Zambales (It is very easy to get there… after Olongapo, head towards Iba, at an intersection in San Marcelino, turn Left then head on till the end of the road.) As San Antonio is where one of best friends, Norman Jose, lives, I knew the place quite well.
From San Antonio, we then proceeded to the coastal barrio of Punaquit (aka Pundaquit Beach). To get there… at the end of the road, which is the bayan of San Antonio, turn Left into what seems like a minor road, following the major road to the right will get you to Iba. Then just follow signs to resorts in Pundaquit. If you pass a narrow metal bridge, you know you are on the right path.
When we got to Pundaquit, we followed the road until we located one of the many pay parking lots where visitors leave their car to catch a boat to Anawangin Cove, Capones Island, etc. The pay parking is just P50. You pay when you leave.
This trip did not need much planning. All one needs to know is what you want to do. Go to Anawangin Cove. No need for advanced arrangements. When we got there, as I expected enterprising boat men would approach you and ask if you had coordinated with anyone and needed a boat. At the parking lot itself, someone did so. And since I wasn’t about to make things complicated, we negotiated for boat. We had a typical sized bangka for the four of us and agreed upon P1000 (round trip)… which I felt for a 30 min (one way) trip for a party of 4 was quite reasonable… though I was told later I should’ve haggled for P800 or P200/pax. We then proceeded to shore aka boat parking.
Pundaquit
I had been to Pundaquit once before. Norman and I went to see the place sometime in 2006 or so. It changed quite a bit in the 3+ years since I last saw it. There are more bamboo structures and overall it looked more crowded (wuth boats) since I last remembered it.
After discussing a few details with our boat dudes, we set of to buy some food. Almost every blog you read from people who have been to Anawangin (and even the locals) will say that you have to bring your food because there is nothing there if you wanted to buy food. We bought some drinks, corn, mangoes (or as Jonathan pronounced it, Meng-go), junk food and we were off.
Off to Anawangin Code
We boarded our boat and we were off!
Patrick Mineses, RD Cimafranca, Jonathan Guevarra, and myself.
The boat ride alone was quite interesting. While it was only around 30 min. The views on the way was something to behold.
The photos above are en route.
Approaching the Anawangin Cove Beach
The Anawangin Cove Urban Legend
If you scour the web for articles and blogs from those that have been to Anawangin Cove, there a number of constants:
- Great Camping Ground
- Virgin beach, no one around
- You need to bring everything (camp equipment, etc.)
- You need to bring your food
Ok. So I could not test #1… maybe someday… but as for everything else? A lot of the blogs out there have entries from previous years 2007 and older. Here is what I discovered.
1) As a camping ground
There a lot of campers. So I guess it’s great. I sure would want to try camping overnight of these days. And maybe trek to the place instead of taking a boat.
2) Virgin beach, no one around
Probably with all the people that have read the blogs and heard about Anawangin Cove, on this day, January 9, 2010 it seems like it isn’t the best kept secret anymore. Throughout the day, more and more boats arrived. Not that it was crowded. There was surely lots of space.
I foolishly thought we would be like one group out of a total of maybe 20-30 other people on the beach.
When we asked our boatman before leaving if there were a lot of people, they said “oo marami… kahapon pa” (Yes a lot, since yesterday).
3) You need to bring everything
Well, aside form your equipment, here is what you will find there..
Lots of picnic tables. In the shot above, look close, I didnt realize that the wooden benches blend into the background with all the trees. But while we are at it, lots of nice woods at the back.
That cement/hollow block structure is an array of toilet rooms. Those drums contain the water you need to flush them via the “buhos” method. The beach also had a number of deep water pumps for water. Anyway for those concerned about your biological requirements… don’t worry. I don’t know if the water is potable, but out of curiosity I tasted the water. Is was freshwater, pero may “lasa”.
I heard this is new. And according to Patrick, this is new. It wasn’t then when he went to Anawangin in 2007 or when RD went here in in 2006.
4) You need to bring your food
I guess when don’t know what to expect, it always prudent to bring your food. But… its not true that there is no one selling anything there…
Exhibit #1
We found a store which sold the basics, snacks, drinks (cold even), some food items like bread, egggs, sauces (toyo, vinegar), shampoo, conditioner, etc. . They even sold Styrofoam cups, plates etc.
Walking further down the beach, you will find smaller stores.
I forgot to take a picture, but it was complete with two ice cream men walking around with hand bells and big Styrofoam coolers they lug around and sold two items… chocolate pinipig ice cream bars and buko salad ice cream sticks. Sold for P15 per piece.
Dispelling the mystic that is Anawangin
I am not saying that Anawangin didn’t live up to its reputation, it is a great place nonetheless for those that don’t like the commercialized destinations like Boracay.
It’s just that from all the travel blogs one might have certain preconceived notions of the place of being virginal. While it is still undeveloped, apparently a lot of people have gone to Anawangin that it is no longer the secret that it once was. Development is in its early stages and for good or bad, expect the subtle development to increase as the destination becomes more popular and more famous.
I guess that is the problem with Eco tourism. You find some undiscovered gem. You talk about it, blog about it, or some Travel Show does a documentary piece on it. The local government/town folk develop it to make it more tourist friendly like providing transportation or even putting a toilet. And there you have it… an honest to goodness tourist destination that ends up on Trip Advisor and the host of travel blogs like Lakwatsero.ME (ulp).
Update: To see some of the “development” from what I mentioned above, I came back five months later to see that a lot has changed. Check it out here: http://lakwatsero.me/2010/06/05/capones-island-and-to-anawangin-cove-zambales-june-1-2010/
Was Anawangin Cove what I expected… not entirely. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t a beautiful and breadth taking place.
Some more pictures…
In retrospect, Its a place I’d like to return to and spend more time in.
UPDATE: A lot of changes in a few months.
I came back on June 1, 2010:
http://lakwatsero.me/2010/06/05/capones-island-and-to-anawangin-cove-zambales-june-1-2010/
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Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- Capones Island and to Anawangin Cove, Zambales – June 1, 2010 | Lakwatsero Travel Blog - [...] is my second trip to Anawangin Cove this year. I made the first trip in January of this year. ...
- Tree Top Adventure, Subic – July 19, 2009 | Lakwatsero Travel Blog - [...] did eventually make it to Anawangin Cove 6 months later: http://lakwatsero.me/2010/01/10/anawangin-cove-zambales-january-9-2010/ and http://lakwatsero.me/2010/06/05/capones-island-and-to-anawangin-cove-zambales-june-1-2010/ [...]
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You should try Nagsasa cove next time. It is more private (trans: less people).
may nagpaprent ba ng tent sa island or kahit sa may pindaquit?? i like to go to anawangin alone, pero ayoko maxado ,maraming dala..
I have no idea. It’s possible that someone enterprising might have stuff to rent out
Meron dun ma rRENTAN ng tent just ask the boatman..is like 400php for the tent…
hey would u know if pwede mag bonfire sa anawangin beach? tnx
I believe you can. Just be responsible when you put out the fire.
sir ano po ba status ng bonfire…puede na po ba ulit magbonfire don? thanks
Hi Cate. I think it is best for you ask the caretaker when you get there.
good day,your shots are very beautiful!i just want to ask how can we get there in awangin?thru PUV from manila.en also do you know some hotel that we can check in in a couple of days.thanks, i appreciate your reply.
Hi Arthur,
From Manila, try Victory Liner… take a bus which goes direct to San Antonio, Zambales. When you get off the bus, flag a tricycle to take you to Pundaquit (it’s a beach around 15 min away by trike). Then look for a boatman and negotiate nalang for the trip to Anawangin Cove.
There are no hotels in the area. But there are a number of small resorts along Pundaquit. Anawangin is bare, you can camp there if you want.
Jojo
Sir Lakwatsero, do you have any idea how much is the boat fare? thanks, nice pics sir…
It cost P 1,000. This was back and forth. They waited for us. You negotiate with the people at Pundaquit but end up paying the boatman directly. I didn’t bother haggling by the way. Seemed like a reasonable fare.
good day sir! its a nice blog, anawangin… a great place for campers and trekkers, sir napakasuwerte po ninyo dahil nung time na pumunta kayo medyo ok pa ang place, last time na punta namin march 6 magnda pa din nman ang place, but as of now nakakagulat na, sobrang dami ng tables (ok lang naman)but yung tindahan eh nadagdagan nadin, same as with the campers, nakakapanghinayang na ang dating magandang lugar ay unti unti ng nasisira, sana lang to all campers pls be responsible enough lalo na dun sa mga nagwowork sa call center, it’s a perfect place for team building, but sana yung mga basura eh wag na ninyong iwan although meron dun nagmamaintain ng paligid, sa dami ng campers dun hindi nila magagawa na imaintain yung paligid,hindi naman siguro mabigat kung yung mga basura na dala ninyo pagpunta dun eh ilagay nyo sa black bag at dalhin ulit pabalik ng pundaquit at dun itapon.
ngyon meron na ding henna tattoo/souvenir shop sa anawangin, sana hindi po un ang maging simula para masira ang kagandahan ng anawangin.
sir lakwatsero, thanks sa space dito sa blog mo ^^, sana indi mo ikasama ng loob na medyo mahaba post ko, gusto ko ipost pic nung shop kaso wla akong site n pede pag uploadan, pede ko po send syo if u want pra mapost dito ^^, thanks once again!
Hi Ricky. Oo nga eh. I went back June 1. Ang dami nga nag bago from when I was back there in Jan. A little sad, pero in a way I understand the need for the development. So many people go there now, so they needed to improve the plumbing facitilies. Just imagine all those campers who need to take a crap. I saw din that tattoo/henna shop sinabi mo.
nice blog sir,
can u give me the list of expenses para lang may idea ako. thanks
Hi Keith,
The only expense incurred, outside of transportation and food, was the boat ride which cost P1,000. That was back and forth already. They waited for us while were were there.
Nice photos you got there.
I wanted to share my adventures there too so i wrote a couple of blogs about my trip to anawangin last month. Im off to nagsasa cove naman before the month ends.
Enjoy!
http://www.squidoo.com/CallCenterBlog
http://www.squidoo.com/GoingToAnawangin
http://www.squidoo.com/Setting_Up_Camp_Anawangin
your blog is a big help! me and my friends will go there on May 28, 2010.. thanks! godbless…
You’re welcome. I actually want to go back there in the next few weeks.
Great blog here about Anawangin Cove.
Nice blog. So detailed and pictures are great. I’ve been here as well and all I can say is that Anawangin is heaven!
Yes, Anawangin is indeed a nice place, but as of nature lovers, it is much more appreciated IF it is still a virgin, NOT a commercialized place. It sucks to know that YES, THE PLACE IS NOW EXPLOITED! Sooner we will be seeing more establishments (hotel,lodges etc.) around the area. The more developed it will be, the more it ruins the nature.. I think, around 5 years or so the place will be more like Malate or Boracay. The sense of “getaway” or “escapade” devoid its essence. If you came here for a party or raving a nightlife why not go to this mentioned places rather? What’s is the point of nature tripping then? .. I remember an excerpt from Leonardo di Caprio’s movie, The Beach were Daffy (one of the characters) complains about crowds intoxicating a beautiful place were he refers of it as parasites, viruses, cancers(that keeps on multiplying) and a “Big Chunky Charlie” that is eating up the whole world. Guess what,he is damn right! Soon the world will be nothing but a vast concrete jungle! Earth is gifted with a lot of beautiful places. As inhabitants, it is our responsibility to treat it with respect in return of nature’s bounty.
TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES.. LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS
Yes, Anawangin is indeed a nice place, but as of nature lovers, it is much more appreciated IF it is still a virgin, NOT a commercialized place. It sucks to know that YES, THE PLACE IS NOW EXPLOITED! Sooner we will be seeing more establishments (hotel,lodges etc.) around the area. The more developed it will be, the more it ruins the nature.. I think, around 5 years or so the place will be more like Malate or Boracay. The sense of “getaway” or “escapade” devoid its meaning. If you came here for a party or raving for a nightlife why not go to this mentioned places rather? What’s the point of nature tripping then? .. I remember an excerpt from Leonardo di Caprio’s movie, The Beach were Daffy (one of the characters) complains about crowds intoxicating a beautiful place were he refers of it as parasites, viruses, cancers(that keeps on multiplying) and a “Big Chunky Charlie” that is eating up the whole world. Guess what,he is damn right! Soon the world will be nothing but a vast concrete jungle! Earth is gifted with a lot of beautiful places. As inhabitants, it is our responsibility to treat it with respect in return of nature’s bounty.
TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES.. LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS
By the way if campers needed to take a dump, just do it the primitive way.. there is no harm of doing it(needless to say, syempre do it neatly naman). Water pumps or upgrading a place A LITTLE is not that bad, what I mean is commercializing a virginal place to a greater extent is a different story. Just bring loads of potable water(if you want to cut time, or look for a water source, if you’re thirsting for a thrill,I heard there is one) and food. Just sit back and let mother nature pamper you. Thats what an ADVENTURE TRULY MEANS.
Lakwatsero, this is a super helpful blog post – thank you! I am planning a trip there too.
Quick question: In your post, you mentioned an idea about possibly trekking there instead of boat sometime. I was thinking of boating one way and trekking the other. Any recommendations on which is the better direction to boat and the better direction to trek?
Many thanks!
Hi Bern.
I guess it is up to you. You could do either approach. Just note that if you plan to trekk then boat, be sure to make your boat arrangements ahead of time from Punquit. There is no cellphone coverage at Anawangin.
Hi to everyone, just wanted to share with you guys about the new staNDARD BOAT RATES 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
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 and GOD BLESS….