Island Hopping (Capones Island, Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove) | San Antonio, Zambales
Summer is finally here! My favorite season of the year. Island hopping and chillin' at the beach will always be the favorite getaway for most people especially to those who are beach lovers like me. Looking for a beach in front of a spectacular mountain scenery? If yes, San Antonio, Zambales is the perfect place for you! Just 3-4 hours away from Manila, you will get to see amazingly beautiful beach destinations, hidden coves, and pristine islands of Zambales.
Once arrived at the city proper of San Antonio Zambales, we are accompanied by tourism officers, we registered first and they advised us to buy our food and other necessities before we proceed to Brgy. Pundaquit where we will ride a boat to take us to our Island hopping tour.
The market is located just behind the Municipal of San Antonio, Zambales. We bought all the things we need and right after that we rode a tricycle going to Brgy. Pundaquit.
It's already past 12 noon when we arrived at Brgy. Pundaquit. We had our lunch first at the carinderia nearby and packed all the other things we need before we start our tour. Good thing they let us borrow cooking tools and cooler (part of our boat ride package).
Time to go to the first island!
First stop: Capones Island. I just love the turquoise-crystal clear water here!
The sun was brightly shining, the sky was blue, colors were vivid. It’s just a perfect day for a beach trip.
Next stop, Anawangin Cove!
Anawangin is a curve-shaped cove, it’s a long stretch of white sand mixed with white volcanic ash surrounded by tall pine-like trees and in fact, they are not pine trees; they are agoho trees, a species endemic to the Philippines, some Southeast Asian countries and north-eastern parts of Australia. Aside from camping in Anawangin, you can also trek the forest or climb the cliffs in southern side of the cove.
Pak aura! haha
After a harrowing 45-minute boat ride on choppy waters from Anawangin Cove, we finally entered Nagsasa Cove. As we touched down at Nagsasa's beach, we jumped on its grey washed sands and we welcomed by huts camouflaged the agoho trees all over the cove and luckily, we own the place! Planning to go here during weekdays was a super right decision we made because I heard it was jam packed, full house camping capacity especially on weekends and holidays.
Since Nagsasa Cove is just offering a campsite all over the cove and has no electricity at night time, we assembled our tent first and cooked our early dinner before it gets dark. We had a hard time assembling our tent because its kinda big (it can accomodate 7-8 persons). Finally, after 30-45 minutes, we finished everything including preparing our dinner.
Early dinner is served, time to full those hungry tummies! 1,2,3, FIGHT!
After the delicious meal we took, it's now time to swim! It's already 5 o'clock in the afternoon, the sun now was about to hide and it's getting dark pretty quick, just a perfect time to swim for those who don't want to get burned in the summer heat. Of course, photo ops will never be out of the picture, we own the beach so it's time now to suit up, rock our bikinis and take a pose. Games are also included in our itinerary so we brought sack and played sack race. Feels so good to live the island life!
Bonfire + good music + nice conversation + drinking by the beach after swimming? Hella yes to that! Aaahh this moment was very relaxing! Lots of stories told, jokes made the night even more fun and of course the drink itself! We don't need social media that night haha, just ourselves plus cold beer and spending the night to the fulllest!
And as the night and stories fell deeper, we finally decided to rest. Cleaned up all our mess after the fun drinking session, took a shower, brought our valuable things inside our tent (for safety purposes) pulled out our sleeping mat and laid down. Getting ready now for tomorrow's activity.
Happy travels!
xo, esca ♡
TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- The fee of package for the Island hopping tour is depending on the number of persons availing; the more persons, the cheaper
- Buy all the things and food you need at the market located at the back of the Municipal of San Antonio because Sari-sari stores are seldom in the coves and it's a little bit pricey
- You can borrow cooking equipments and cooler from the owner of the boat you'll gonna rent upon ariving at Brgy. Pundaquit
- There was no electricity at night at Nagsasa Cove, so better to bring power bank and flashlight
- You can climb up a nearby hill at the southern bend of the Nagsasa Cove
HOW TO GO THERE?
- Ride a bus from Cubao (Victory Liner) bound to Iba, Zambales
- Tell the conductor to drop you off in Brgy. San Antonio
- Once arrived at the city proper of San Antonio, you will be accompanied by some tourism officers regarding to the Island Hopping tour
- From the city proper, ride a tricycle going to Brgy. Pundaquit
- From the drop off point, ride a boat going to the islands you want to visit (depends upon you)
BUDGETED EXPENSES
Php 250.00/person - Bus from Cubao Victory Liner to Brgy. San Antonio, Zambales
Php 20.00/person - Tricycle from Brgy. San Antonio to Brgy. Pundaquit
Php 4,500.00/group of 8 - Roundtrip boat ride for Island Hopping tour
Php 200.00/person - Contribution for food
Php 100.00/person - Cottage/hut
Php 150.00 - Woods for bonfire