Golden mountains, sapphire blue waters, Agoho woodland, your ashy sands, oh Anawangin, you are truly enchanting!
I was having two minds about visiting this place during the summer season because of the volume of tourists expected. But I am glad we came.
Getting There
→ take the bus going to Iba, Zambales
→ get off at San Antonio, Zambales
→ take a tricycle to Brgy. Pundaquit
→ hire a boat to take you to Anawangin Cove
We took the last trip of Victory Liner bus going to Iba, Zambales from their Caloocan terminal. You could opt to go with the one in Cubao. There is a slight difference in the trip schedule between the two, just choose whatever is convenient for you. Whichever you decide, better buy your ticket ahead. It was not fun being a chance passenger at all.
The uneventful trip — I was asleep the entire time — took around 3 to 4 hours. Before I knew it, we were in San Antonio, Zambales. From there, we just hired a tricycle to take us to Pundaquit. It is a fishing village, where you can hire a boat to take you to the nearby islands and coves.
Accommodation
Camping arrangement is included in the fee.
I have come across about Amazing Pundaquit from a random comment off a blog. We called them up. They offer boat tours around San Antonio, Zambales.
The best thing about them? Their camping arrangement.
Although, I am prepared to camp anywhere when the occasion calls for it, the promise of a more convenient weekend is hard to turn down.
Amazing Pundaquit organizes your tour, from your boat, to your island hopping itinerary, down to your facilities for camping.
Yes, that includes tent and cooking equipment. Wait, there is more. They also offer cooked meals for only P100 per pax per meal topped off with the famous Zambales mangoes. No, it is not a packed meal. On the contrary, they have a hired cook stationed in Anawangin Cove. She prepared everything out from a charcoal stove; rice, grilled meat, and veggies. Perfect! Thank you ate.
Boat rental depends on your tour itinerary.
Basically, we paid P1,150 per person for Anawangin Cove with side trips to Camara and Capones islands. That already includes camping arrangement and all that it entails.
But, if you would rather not camp, you can always choose to stay in Pundaquit. Plenty of transient rooms for rent there.
Activities
Island hopping, cove hopping, and beach hopping! Oh, throw in trekking as well. That one tops my list.
Granted, it is summer, the sun is scorching hot, not to mention the ashy sands in Anawangin where it is impossible to stay in the same spot longer than 3 seconds, but still the hills beckoned. Off we go. But first, let me take you to Camara Island.
Below is a photo essay of our overnight trip at Anawangin Cove with side trips to Camara and Capones islands
Camara Island
We were able to catch the sunrise at Camara island.
This is the nearest island from Pundaquit. It took us less than 15 minutes to reach it. There is a giant wall of rock that lines up the beach just right on the shore.
Capones Island
The lighthouse in this island is everything I imagined it would be, romantic and just a tad spooky.
There is something about structures built during the Spanish era. It has an atmosphere that is noticeably missing from modern buildings. A different character, I think.
We got lucky the waves behaved that day, and we were able to land on the part directly below the lighthouse. Otherwise, we would have had no choice but to dock on the other side of the island and trek about an hour to reach the lighthouse.
Although, the place has an air of neglect about it, Capones lighthouse still guides ships leaving and entering Subic and Manila Bays. The lenses are now solar powered and are being monitored from the mainland. It was first lighted on August 1, 1890.
Glad it was still just about 7 in the morning. Nobody else was around yet. We had the whole lighthouse to ourselves. Yay!
I couldn’t resist taking a peek at the top.
Keeper’s House
On our way down, we explored the decrepit Keeper’s House beside this lighthouse. Its impressive windows and archways, rather what has remained of them, tells a story of its glorious days.
Window ruins at the Keeper’s House, Capones Island
Doorway to Narnia?
Oh, this island is beautiful. And life is beautiful too.
We must have lingered long here because our boatman was waving his arms at us, telling us to come down already. Naughty kids! ha-ha. I guess the waves were getting wild and we really should be going. So long Capones, until we meet again.
Anawangin Cove
And reality hits hard. I really need that umbrella to explore the place in the blistering heat. But my yellow umbrella has other purpose later, I swear!
The Agoho trees that form part of the woodland area at the back provides a natural air conditioner to the almost unbearable summer heat.
There are plenty of hammocks tied between trees. Take your pick.
Anawangin Cove is aptly nicknamed “the little tent city”.
It is bustling with campers setting up their bbq equipment.
I found a lovely spot for the remainder of the morning till lunchtime.
There was nothing much to do after lunch. Some decided to frolic in the beach, while others chose the milder temperature of the stream at the back. Hubby and I decided to take a siesta.
A little after 2 in the afternoon, we decided to trek to Mt. Pundaquit on the Anawangin side.
There are two routes going up. We took the one from inside the fenced area.
My yellow umbrella transformed into a walking stick. Take care where your foot lands. Mind those grass as well, they are thorny.
The view overlooking Anawangin Cove.
We took a short rest before tackling the climb to the top.
It was so freaking hot with no trees to give us some respite. But the hills and the surrounding mountains are rolling with golden cogongrass. It paints such a vivid summer color.
Another scenic rest halfway to the top.
This cove on the other side of Anawangin is private.
After that rather steep trail, we finally reached the highest spot where you can view Anawangin Cove.
It was a quick satisfying climb. Let me just sit here for awhile being toasted in the afternoon sun.
I was probably a monkey in my other life.
After a short while, it was time for us to climb back down. I didn’t want to miss our sunset swim.
There is a footpath going down just over that rock I’m sitting on.
It leads to the beach outside the fenced area. But, the trail rather turns sharply downhill I’d rather not take my chance.
We just opted to use the same path we took on our way up.
Enjoying this view from our tent.
If you’re a beach lover like me, I’m pretty sure you also have your share of sunsets on the beach.
Of sunsets, and midnight swims under the stars, and bonfires on the beach… I am missing you Anawangin.
My breakfast treat at Anawangin. Such a magical sight!
It was a lovely Sunday. The air was cool. And the view from the woodland at the back was truly fantastic. For some reason, I couldn’t capture it on camera.
I just contented myself sitting at the footbridge that connects the beach to the woodland area.
Our boat arrived at 9 in the morning as agreed. Well, bye bye Zambales. Hope to visit you again soon!
