Anawangin Cove in Zambales has crescent-shaped beach where grayish, volcanic sand and cerulean water blend majestically.  Here, cliffs rise hundreds of feet from the ocean floor to Agoho-fringed peaks that were sprinkled by nature from the last eruption of the nearby Mt.Pinatubo.

I first visited Anawangin Island back in 2009, it’s one of the first beaches in the Philippines that I’ve been to when I was just starting to travel (I wasn’t even blogging yet that time).  I wondered how it looked like now, so when I was in Subic, Zambales to attend a gathering recently, I decided to take a side trip to Anawangin Cove before going back to Manila.

I miss traveling solo, and I missed unplanned trips. No detailed itinerary.  No hotel bookings.  Because truth is, lately, I feel like I need to find inspiration to keep going.  And I find solace in going back to places where I started traveling to remind myself of where I started and where I wanted to be.  It keeps me grounded and it reminds me of my purpose.  It sounds cliché, but traveling makes me appreciate life more.  Whenever I’m feeling lost and empty, I look at the word map to remind myself there’s still a lot of places to tick off my bucket list.  It keeps me going.

I arrived in San Antonio, Zambales at nightfall, I hailed a random tricycle to take me to Pundaquit – the jumping off point for island hopping in Capones, Camara, Anawangin and Nagsasa Island.  It was cold and dark. I thought I knew the place well, because I used to visit it frequently back then.  But it was so dark and I no longer recognize the village.  A lot of things have changed.  I didn’t know where to go.   Luckily, there was a resort nearby and a rustic café.  As I stepped inside the cafe, colorful dream catchers and two big, brown dogs welcomed me. From a distance, I could hear the breaking waves echo in the darkness as if telling me, “Everything will be alright and tomorrow will be a beautiful day. Hang on.”

ALSO READ: ZAMBALES TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

HOW TO GET TO ANAWANGIN COVE FROM MANILA

So how to get to Anawangin Cove in Zambales?  The cove is accessible from Manila by bus or by private vehicle.

• Ride a bus bound for Iba or Sta. Cruz, Zambales. Victory Liner has daily trips to Iba, Zambales from Cubao, Caloocan, Earnshaw and Pasay.  Bus fare to San Antonio, Zambales is roughly PHP 270 (USD 5.41 /EURO 4.49/SGD 7.19/MYR 22) and travel time is around 4-5 hours depending on traffic.
• Alight at San Antonio bus stop.
• Hail a tricycle to take you to Pundaquit (I usually go to Purok 2). Tricycle fare is PHP 60 (USD 1.20 /EURO 1/SGD 2/MYR 5) if you are alone and PHP 30 (USD 0.60 /EURO 0.50/SGD 0.80/MYR 2.41) each person for two or more passengers. Travel time is around 20 minutes.
• At Brgy. Pundaquit (I usually go to Purok 2), hire a boat to take you Anawangin Island. See Anawangin boat rates below.

HOW TO GET TO ANAWANGIN FROM OLONGAPO 

• Alternatively, from Manila (Pasay, Cubao, Caloocan or Earnshaw), you can take a bus (Victory Liner) bound for Olongapo (I suggest you take the Olongapo bus via SCTEX for faster travel time). Travel time is about 3-4 hours and fare is around PHP 245 (USD 5 /EURO 4/SGD 7/MYR 20).
• Change bus at Olongapo Victory bus terminal. Ride the bus to Iba or Sta. Cruz, Zambales and alight at San Antonio, Zambales.  Fare is about PHP 45 (USD 0.90 / EURO 0.75/SGD 1.20/MYR 4)
•  At San Antonio, Zambales, charter a tricycle to take you to Brgy. Pundaquit. fare is PHP 60 (USD 1.20 /EURO 1/SGD 2/MYR 5) if you are alone and PHP 30  (USD 0.60 /EURO 0.50/SGD 0.80/MYR 2.41) each person for two or more passengers. Travel time is around 20 minute
• At Brgy. Pundaquit, charter a boat to take you Anawangin Island. See Anawangin boat rates below.

ANAWANGIN COVE TOUR AND BOAT RATES 2018

Here’s the list of Anawangin boat rates including NAGSASA + ANAWANGIN + CAPONES ISLAN HOPPING TOUR boat rates.  Rates mentioned below are round-trip fares.

ANAWANGIN COVE FEES

Here’s a list of Anawangin Cove rates and entrance fees.  If you plan on camping, I recommend bringing your own tent.  You can go swimming and hike up the nearby hill for a scenic view of Anawangin beach and its surroundings.

ANAWANGIN COVE RESORTS

If you plan on camping overnight in Anawangin, bring your own tent or rent one for PHP 500/USD 10 (EURO 8.32/SGD 13.32/MYR 40.23).  But I suggest buying a tent instead for future use. You can buy a tent for as cheap as PHP 1,000/USD 20 (EURO 16.64/SGD 26.65/MYR 80.46).  Alternatively, you can rent a cottage at Anawangin Cove for PHP 200/USD 4 (EURO 3.33/SGD 5.33/MYR 16) – PHP 350/USD 7 (EURO 6/SGD 9.33/MYR 28).  Good for 2 – 4 persons.

Merlyn White Beach Resort Anawangin Cove

Contact #: 0939 1516 876 / 0919 4710 690

Alternatively, you can stay in Brgy. Pundaquit like I did or stay in San Antonio, Zambales.

*To check the rates, click on the link, change the date to your intended date and click search.

Sir Williams Lodge & Beach Resort

Purok 5, Brgy.Pundaquit, Pundaquit – San Antonio, Subic (Zambales)

CHECK ROOM RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE

Lalyn’s Home in San Antonio, Zambales House

Pundaquit – San Antonio, Subic (Zambales)

CHECK ROOM RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE

Prince Ludwig Beach Resort

Pundaquit, San Antonio,Zambales

CHECK ROOM RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE

ALSO READ: ZAMBALES BEACH RESORT

ANAWANGIN COVE ITINERARY + BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Here’s a sample Anawangin Itinerary with expenses/budget breakdown good for a solo traveler.  You can camp overnight in Anawangin, bring your own tent or rent one.  Alternatively, you can stay in one of the resorts in Brgy. Pundaquit like I did, but best to book ahead (see links below) to save. I find the online rates cheaper than walking-in.

You can also do Anawangin as a day trip. Feel free to tweak the sample Anawangin itinerary below.

*The PHP 2,010 (USD 40 /EURO 33/ SGD 54/ MYR 162) sample expenses for Anawangin trip is good for a solo traveler. This sample budget can go down if you have a travel buddy or you are traveling with a group.

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ANAWANGIN COVE TRAVEL TIPS

• • • There’s no electricity in Anawangin Cove, but some resorts have generators so better come prepared with flashlight and power banks.
    • There’s a canteen in Anawangin Cove (Chef Ronnie) that is open 24 hours.
    • There are a few stalls offering snacks like halo-halo, turon, banana cue, etc.
    • But you can save by bringing your own food.
    • Bring can and bottle opener, knife, and match or lighter if you plan to cook or prepare your own food in Anawangin.
    • Bring your own drinking water.
    • Bring mosquito repellent if you plan to camp or stay in a cottage in Anawangin Cove.
    • Bring sunblock to protect your precious skin.
    • Please do not leave your trash anywhere. I’ve seen tons of trash left on the hill. You can bring your own garbage bag,  take it back to the mainland ad dispose the trash properly.

ALSO READ:

NAGSASA COVE TRAVEL GUIDE

About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina travel blogger. Her work has appeared in local and international publications.

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