Anawangin Cove

The word Anawangin comes from the Ilocano word nuang, which means carabao. Wild carabaos roam the area and this could prove a scary sight for the uninitiated. This is the reason why even experienced mountaineers hire a guide when going up Mt. Anawangin.

 Anawangin Cove

Itinerary
Day 1: Saturday
01:00am Assembly time, Venue; Lrt 1 Station Vito Cruz, Manila
04:30am Heading to San Antonio Public Market to buy foods, materials needed, etc.
07:00am Arrive at Pundaquit Beach, load things on boat going to Anawanging cove
07:45am Arrive at Anawangin cove
09:00am Setup tents and take a breakfast
10:00am Roam around the beach while waiting for lunch.
11:30am Lunch Session
12:00nn Swimming
01:00pm Ride on a boat going to Capones Island
02:00pm Arrive at Capones Island, explore the Lighthouse
02:30pm Back to Camp
03:30pm Arrive at anawangin beach; Wash-up
05:00pm Prepare for dinner
06:30pm Dinner Time
07:00pm Socials; Bonfire
11:00pm lights off

Day 2: Sunday
06:00am Wake up time, prepare for breakfast
07:00am breakfast time
08:00am Start the trek to Mt. Pundaquit
09:00am Summit of Mt Pundaquit
10:00am Start of decent back to camp
11:00am Prepare to pack up
02:00pm Depart,Ride on a boat to Pundaquit beach
02:30pm Arrive to Pundaquit beach; Wash-up
04:00pm Going back to Manila
07:00pm ETA, Manila

Basic Things to Bring
   - Tent or hammock plus blankets and pillows for comfort
   - Portable stoves or grill supplies
   - Cooking tools and equipment (portable stove, knives, can opener, lighter, matches, etc.)
   - Rice meal, canned goods, chips, breads and spreads
   - Gallons or liters of water
   - Flashlights or headlamps plus extra batteries
   - Plastic bags or trash bags (take care of your environment)
   - Waterproof bags or cases
    -Camera/Camera Accessories

How To Get There

Zambales is 3 to 4 hours away from Manila to Brgy. Pundaquit via Victory Liner bound for Iba, Zambales or Sta. Cruz, Zambales (Php 251.00). Inform the conductor to drop you off to San Antonio public market. Then ride a tricycle going to Pundaquit Beach(Php 30.00 per head) which is 25 to 30 min tricycle ride. Upon reaching Pundaquit Beach, rent a boat ride going to Anawangin Cove.

Renting a Boat for Island Hopping

Boat Type:
Small boat (1 to 4 people) – Php 1,500 to Php 1,800
Big boat (10 to 15 people) – Php 3,000 to Php 4,000

Estimated total costs for a D-I-Y trip per person (minimum of 4 in a group):
Anawangin, Nagsasa, Capones — Php 1,500++ to 1,800++
Anawangin only — Php 800++ to 1,200++
Nagsasa only — Php 1,200++ to 1,500++

You can contact ate Olive for the boat, 09065156823.

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The Journey

The group met in Vito Cruz near the LRT 1 station, it was 1:00 am in the morning when we rode on a hired van going to San Antonio, Zambales. It was 4 long hours’ drive before we arrived at San Antonio Public Market.

It was already 5:00 am in the morning when we arrive at San Antonio Public Market to buy some food and materials needed. Next, we headed to San Antonio near Pundaquit Beach where ate Olive met the group and walk us through her home to prepare and purchased some needed stuff like tent, container, etc.  After, we rode to the rented boat going to Anawangin Cove.

 On the way going to Anawangin Cove

Along the way going to Anawangin Cove, there are other island that will be passed-by with a cave in it. We also did witness a flying fish passing through the boat, isn’t it amazing, it’s very rare to see but it’s worth the watch.

We arrived at the Cove in less than an hour, it was the first time of the group visiting the place and we’re amazed on how beautiful the cove is. No wonder there are a lot of tourists visiting the place every day.

The shore of Anawangin Cove

Did you know?
The Anawangin Cove is discovered by a Mountaineer.

Suggestion
You can also visit the Nagsasa Cove, the farthest cove to travel with 40-45 minutes long while the Anawangin can be 30-35 minutes. Some would say the Nagsasa Cove is more peaceful and beautiful compared to Anawangin Cove, maybe that will depends on the eye of the beholder.

Anawangin Experiences

1^st Day

Upon arriving at Anawangin Cove, we started to set up everything including the tents and the preparation of breakfast. We did spend our whole day activity in Anawangin Cove.

You can literally feel the fine sand upon setting foot at Anawangin Cove. There's a abundant space for camping provided, the camping area is covered by a maze of canopies (pine trees). There is a Comfort Room available at the cove. Also, a creek is located at the back of the cove, if you happen to explore the area. 

 You gotta feel the sand hehe

Doing the signature pose

 Camping area

The people are hospitable and trustworthy. Boatmen and store owners seems to watch the campers things, like they said which is true. There is also a caretaker assigned to lookout the campers/tourist during the night, for safety. So far, there is no history of theft incident happened yet in the place.

There are a lot of activities to be done in the said Cove like Skim boarding, Surfing, Diving,  swimming, Island hopping in Capones Island and Camara Island, you can also trek the Mountain of Pundaquit that will took you 4 to 6 hours.

The Group activities in Anawangin:

Swimming

We enjoyed swimming with the presence of sunny weather which perfectly occur in the right time at the right place for us to be able to enjoy the trip.

Nhoy, spending alone in swimming 

Socials/Birthday Celebration

It's not all about drinking wine or beer, it is also a part of camaraderie where you will be able to socialized along with the member of the group. The group started the session at 10:00 am in the morning and lasted before midnight. The trip was also part of the 17th Birthday celebration of Jepoy, the younger brother of Jan, a best-friend of mine.

Ice Cream toss to the Birthday Boy 

Rock Climbing 

The group performs rock climbing in the side area of the Cove, considered a part of training in mountaineering, an exploration to some.  

Me, Jan and Martin

 

Viewing the Sunset
Before the night comes, the group patiently waiting for the sunset to come and to capture the image of early evening light. The sunset in Anawangin Cove is the most beautiful time of day.

 The Beautiful Sunset in Anawangin cove

 Perfect illustration on how to take a picture with the sunset

 The group and the sunset

Bonfire

As a part of the planned Itinerary, we set the bonfire during the socials as we dance into it.

A reminder to be put in consideration in visiting the Anawangin Cove:

. There are no resorts in Anawangin.
. There is no electricity in the place.
. There is no cellphone signal reception in the area.
. Merchandise sold on the beach are very expensive.

2^nd Day

2^nd of November, second day of vacation, It was early 6:30 am in the morning when we hike the lower part of the Mt. Pundaquit, there will be river to pass-by which is connected to the sea. It is necessary to wear sandals or slippers in climbing the mountain, the trail is rocky all the way going up.

Upon reaching the top of the mountain, we were mesmerized by the view as you can see the whole area of Anawangin side by side. Make sure you have brought a camera to take a picture of you along with the Anawangin as a background like what we did. 

 The view of Anawangin Cove on the top

 The group on the top of the mountain

 Another cove that can be viewed on top of the mountain

 

So, if you want to spend your vacation in Anawangin Cove, try to climb the lower part of the mountain and be amazed of the beautiful landmarks.

After returning in the camp and had our breakfast, we were accompanied by ate Olive and her crew including her son to visit the Capones island. Click this link to jump in the next post featuring the Capones Island. 

 Heading to Capones Island
 

Here is a full Video Clip of our trip in Anawangin; 

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