Step-off the grid in Nagsasa Cove Zambales, a rough-hewn cove where crystal-clear waters, mist-filled mountains and jungles beckon the wild at heart. I’ve often wondered what it looks like. I’ve visited its more famous neighbor – Anawangin Cove, but I’ve never set foot yet in Nagsasa beach, until recently. And it’s worth the wait…the swirling mix of aquamarine water, the gleaming grayish sand and the scenic mountains that fringes the cove!
Aside from swimming, cliff jumping and camping in Nagsasa Cove, if you are a first-timer here, you can hire a guide to take you to the waterfalls. Otherwise, just enjoy the laid-back pursuits in Nagsasa like other easygoing travelers. Avoid the weekend or holiday because just like most Zambales beaches it can get too crowded with day trippers and campers.
Here’s my DIY Nagsasa Cove Travel Guide, to help you plan your beach escape here soon. You can also do Nagsasa Cove as a day tour.
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HOW TO GET TO NAGSASA COVE FROM MANILA
So how to get to Nagsasa Cove in Zambales? This beach is accessible from Manila by bus or by private vehicle.
STEP 1. Board 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 3.5- 4 hours depending on traffic.
STEP 2. Get off at San Antonio town proper bus stop.
STEP 3. Take 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.
STEP 4. At Brgy. Pundaquit (I usually go to Purok 2), hire a boat to take you to Nagsasa beach. See Nagsasa Cove boat rates below.
HOW TO GET TO NAGSASA COVE FROM OLONGAPO AND SUBIC
STEP 1. 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).
STEP 2: 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 0.86/EURO 0.70/SGD 1.14/MYR 3.41.
STEP 3: Hire a tricycle to take you to Pundaquit (Purok 2). 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) per person for two or more passengers. Transit time is around 20 minutes.
STEP 4. Charter a boat to take you to Nagsasa beach. See Nagsasa beach boat rates below.
NAGSASA COVE TOUR AND BOAT RATES 2018
Here’s the list of Nagsasa cove boat rates including ANAWANGIN + CAPONES ISLAND HOPPING TOUR boat rates. Rates mentioned below are for roundtrip fares and for day tours, rates may vary for Nagsasa Cove overnight tour.
| BOAT RATES (roundtrip) | DESTINATION | CAPACITY | TYPE OF BOAT/TOUR |
| PHP 1,000/USD 20 (EURO 16.64/ SGD 26.65/ MYR 80.46) | Anawangin + Capones | 1-4 persons | Small boat |
| PHP 2,500/USD 50 (EURO 42/ SGD 67/ MYR 201) | Capones + Anawangin + Nagsasa Cove | 1-4 persons | Small Boat |
| PHP 1,500/USD 30 (EURO 25/ SGD 40/ MYR 121) | Anawangin + Capones | 5-6 persons | Medium boat |
| PHP 200/USD 4 (EURO 3.33/SGD 5.33/ MYR 16) | Capones Island | 6 or more persons | Large boat |
| PHP 250/USD 5 (EURO 4/ SGD 6.66/ MYR 20) | Anawangin Cove | 6 or more persons | Large boat |
| PHP 300/USD 6 (EURO 5/ SGD 8/ MYR 24) | Nagsasa Cove | 6 or more persons | Large boat |
| PHP 450/USD 9 (EURO 7.49/ SGD 12/ MYR 36) | Silaguin Cove | 6 or more persons | Large Boat |
NAGSASA COVE RESORT
There are no posh Nagsasa Cove resorts, but if camping is your thing, you can pitch your own tent in Nagsasa beach. Otherwise, you can rent one or rent an open cottage. For those planning a Nagsasa Cove overnight trip, there are also available resorts in Pundaquit, but don’t expect much. You can book online in advance, as the room rates are cheaper online. Here are some of the budget resorts in Pundaquit, Zambales (take note the resorts below are in in Nagsasa but in Pundaquit):
Lalyn’s Home in San Antonio, Zambales House
Pundaquit – San Antonio, Subic (Zambales)
CHECK ROOM RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
DG Paraiso Restaurant
Pundaquit Street, Purok 3, Zambales, Pundaquit – San Antonio, Subic (Zambales)
CHECK ROOM RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
Sir Williams Lodge & Beach Resort
Purok 5, Brgy.Pundaquit, 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
NAGSASA COVE ITINERARY
Here’s a sample Nagsasa beach itinerary (with side trip to Anawangin and Capones), perfect for your weekend get away in Zambales! Feel free to tweak this depending on your schedule and budget. And yes, Nagsasa beach day trip too, just leave Manila or Olongapo early.
| DAY 1 | ACTIVITIES + EXPENSES |
| 03:00 AM | ETA Victory Liner Pasay |
| 04:00 AM | ETD San Antonio, Zambales via bus to Iba
Bus Fare: PHP 270/USD 5.41 (EURO 4.49/SGD 7.19/MYR 22) |
| 08:30 AM | ETA San Antonio, Zambales. Buy food and drinks in San Antonio Public Market
Food Budget: PHP 250/USD 5 (EURO 4/ SGD 6.66/ MYR 20) |
| 09:00 AM | Charter tricycle to Brgy. Pundaquit.
Tricycle Fare: PHP 60/USD 1.20 (EURO 1/SGD 2/MYR 5) |
| 9:50 AM | ETA Brgy. Pundaquit. Hire boat for island hopping |
| 10:15 AM | Island hopping : Capones, Camara, Anawangin
Boat Rental: PHP 2,500/USD 50 (EURO 42/ SGD 67/ MYR 201) |
| 12:00 PM | ETA Nagsasa Cove. Swimming. Hike up the hill for panoramic view of Nagsasa Cove and photo op.
Entrance Fee: PHP 100/USD 2/EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 8 |
| 07:00 PM | Dinner. |
| 09:00 PM | Lights out. Sleep. |
| 07:00 AM | ETD Nagsasa beach |
| 08:00 AM | ETA Pundaquit. Take tricycle to San Antonio, Zambales.
Tricycle Fare: PHP 60/USD 1.20 (EURO 1/SGD 2/MYR 5) |
| 08:20 AM | ETA San Antonio, Zambales |
| 09:00 AM | ETD Manila.
Bus Fare: PHP 270/USD 5.41 (EURO 4.49/SGD 7.19/MYR 22) |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | PHP 3,510/USD 67/EURO 55/SGD 89/MYR 266 |
NAGSASA BEACH TRAVEL TIPS
- One of the things to bring in Nagsasa cove is a water-proof bag to protect your gear.
- There’s no electricity in Nagsasa Cove, but some resorts have generators so better bring flashlight and power banks.
- There are a few stalls offering snacks like halo-halo, turon, banana cue, drinks and sodas.
- But you can save by bringing your own food and drinking water in Nagsasa Cove.
- Other things to bring in Nagsasa Cove are: can and bottle opener, knife, and match or lighter if you plan to cook or prepare your own food.
- Bring sunblock to protect your skin.
- Another important thing to bring in Nagsasa Cove is mosquito repellent if you plan to camp or stay in a cottage by the beach.
- Please take your trash with you, dispose it properly, don’t leave it in the Nagsasa beach!
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About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina travel blogger. Her work has appeared in local and international publications.
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