Anawangin Cove – How to get there and what to remember
Everybody’s been asking me how to get to Anawangin Cove. Questions like, “what do I bring? How much do you have to shell out? Is there a bathroom?” and just about anything one can think of.
Well, here it is.
Please note that some of the quoted prices may change or may have changed, AND STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE REMINDERS THAT I CAREFULLY WROTE IN RED FONT.
Also: The boatmans’ numbers may have changed. I’ll ask around and update you guys on it. J
Budget for a 2-day stay: One source says, “I’ve spent about 2k-2500”
I say, about P1k to P1500 will do.
What to bring:
Individual checklist:
Money
Tent
Mess kit (spoon, fork, plate, tumbler)
Drinking water / also for cooking (3 liters per person)
Sun block
Sunglasses
Insect repellant (lotion or spray)
Personal medication
Bathing suits
Slippers
Toilet paper / wet wipes
Toiletries (i.e. Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, panty liners – for the females)
Dry gear bags (plastic bags would be a good substitute) for your wet clothes
Plastic bags for your trash
Waterproof bags; a zip lock bag will do (for your money, cell phone, camera, etc).
Folding stool
Group Checklist:
Cook set (pots and pans)
Stove
Lantern
We need to pitch in for the purchase of:
Lighter fluid (for the stove) or coal should you like to do a beach barbecue.
Optional equipment:
Umbrella
Raincoat / Poncho
It’ll be cool if you can bring a hammock.
– I know I will J
Where to get a Ride?
Bus Terminal: Victory Liner, Caloocan
Visit: http://www.victoryliner.com/tripschedules1.htm for schedules.
Now you ask me, why the Caloocan terminal?
Answer: Because it’s the only terminal that fares to Zambales on an hourly basis.
From Caloocan to Zambales (Iba)
- 5:00AM—————————————————P291.00(one-way only)
- 6:00AM
- 7:00AM
- 8:00AM
- 9:00AM
- 10:00AM
- 11:00AM
- 12:00NN
- 1:00PM
- 2:00PM
- 4:00PM
- 5:00PM
- 6:00PM
- 11:30PM
From Caloocan to Zambales (Sta. Cruz)
- 5:30AM—————————————————P384.00 (one-way only)
- 7:30AM
- 8:30AM
- 9:30AM
- 10:30AM
- 12:30NN
- 3:00PM
- 8:00PM
- 12:00MN
Fare: Php207
Travel Time: 3-4hrs (including stop-overs)
You get off at: San Antonio Town Proper
Then you take a: Trike to Pundaquit
And the fare is: 40 per head
Travel time is: 5-10 minutes
You get off at: Pundaquit beach
Info from another source (which I guess is not as recent):
After getting off at the Municipal Hall of San Antonio, take a tricycle going to Pundaquit Beach and that would cost Php15/head.
Note:
Do not go to Nora’s Beach Resort if you don’t intend to pay the 150Php entrance and 1600 (roundtrip) boat to Anawangin.
Then you take a: Boat
Note:
Florante Lavesoria (boatman); contact number: (0910) 805-3388, he charges 1k roundtrip. They’ll give you a visit at your campsite the next day and ask if you’ll need anything from Pundaquit market (cigarettes, soda, and ice). Ask also about supplies that you might need, like coolers, etc. they may be able to provide that for you too.
I got a recent contact number for another boatman. He charges 700 PHP (to and fro). Here’s the number: 0918 – 427 – 1543
And the fare is: 1k roundtrip
Travel time is: 5-10 minutes
You get off at: Anawangin cove
There’s no cell phone signal or electricity in the cove.
There are nearby islands that are also wonderful. Ask a boat man to take you to Capones Island and Camera Island. Both Islands are very wonderful. Capones has a lighthouse; you might want to go there and take pictures.
Now what?
You can camp anywhere. But the spot where the flags are charge an entrance fee of Php150, but they have toilets and grill (ihaw) stations, huts, and eating areas. They have their own care taker.
The cove is very, very clean. We should keep it that way at all times. Collect all your trash in a large garbage bag(s) and bring it back to Pundaquit instead of leaving it at the beach. Nobody else will clean after you. Avoid throwing cigarette butts anywhere especially on the fresh waters. Leave no trace.
Now we need to know:
1. Where we can use the bathroom
You can either use the ones at the area with the flags, but they might ask you to pay for the use.
Or you can go to Aling Puring’s; a 3-5 minute walk through the woods and across the stream (which is about knee deep). They have a manual water pump if you want to take a clean bath. This is good exercise, since you have to pump your own water. You may opt to use the bushes or hide behind the trees to relieve yourself, but be sure to clean up afterwards (dig a hole and give it back to Mother Nature!J).
2. Where to get potable water (or do we bring it?)
See checklist for the suggested amount of water to bring.
3. Is a bonfire allowed?
It is allowed. Choose a safe area away from short trees to avoid wild fires. Clean up the bonfire area in the morning (cover it with sand after which). Leave no trace.
- Make sure to completely extinguish fire.
- Scatter ashes or embers out.
- Sprinkle with water. Stir with a stick. Repeat.
- Drench charred logs.
- Repeat until everything is cold.
4. Is there a restriction to the number of campers in a particular spot?
No
You may choose to donate your excess food and other supplies to Aling Puring. Their house is just right at the middle of the beach area.
IMPORTANT:
Do not use soap in the stream to wash your dishes or bathe. I extremely discourage this.
Pack out what you pack in.
Don’t leave your trash in Anawangin or with the caretakers because they will burn them and that’s not good. Don’t leave your trash with the boatman because they might throw it to the sea and that’s not good either. You can leave it in Pundaquit, in the boatman’s house. Or you can bring your trash to Manila – of course that was a lousy joke. Insert awkward silence here.
(Looks around without moving head, clears throat) anyway…
Remember: Take nothing but pictures, Kill nothing but time, Leave nothing but footprints.
Visit this site for Camping tips and Advice: http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Tips/Tips_and_Advice.htm
It’s best to read up, and prepare. It works for first time campers, even for experienced outdoorsmen.
October 29, 2008 at 9:20 am
awkward silence. haha i can just imagine your facial expressions habang sinasabi mo yan. parang buga ng sossy. haha
October 29, 2008 at 1:31 pm
*LMAO*
Yeah… May bago ka nanamang natutunan (buga ng sossy) sa’kin ha? 😀
October 30, 2008 at 6:52 am
i lurve it,
i love nature, maybe because i still look like a cavewoman (woman talaga?)
ok cge monkey na nga lang, bwahahahah,
thanks for the info~
January 9, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Whuttabout… baka hindi ko kayaning mag dig kay mother earth and bury my poop in her….
i need a clean bathroom and toilet.. boo for me
January 9, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Okay na yun. Kesa naman sha ang mag-iwan ng poop sa’yo. Hehehe… Kidding.
*looks around, seeing if anyone’s laughing*
tough crowd! 😐
January 15, 2009 at 10:49 am
Wow! thanks sa advice mo… sana makapag e-mail ka ng mga places na pede mapunta na di mabigat sa budget… thanks
January 15, 2009 at 2:28 pm
You’re welcome, Tina! 🙂
February 3, 2009 at 2:31 am
Interesting and informative. I’m definitely checking this place out the next time I’m in Manila. 🙂
February 3, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Thanks, sweet beans! 🙂
February 25, 2009 at 8:45 am
This is great dude!!!
Let’s all be responsible.
Don’t put blame on others instead let’s all start with ourselves.
(comment edited)
March 15, 2009 at 10:11 pm
is it possible na one day lang kami magstay?balik din sa hapon?tnx!”,)
March 16, 2009 at 1:26 am
It is possible. You might want to adjust your itinerary so you may fully enjoy what the cove has to offer. You may also opt to island hop than stay all day in Anawangin.
Either way, good luck and have fun!
Remember, LEAVE NO TRACE.
April 8, 2009 at 2:30 pm
hi, what’s the difference if i take the zambales(iba) bus ride with the zambales(sta.cruz) ride? besides iba is much cheaper and the schedule. thanks!
April 9, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I guess the best people to ask would be the Victory Liner employees.You may call them at: 361-1506 to 10.
May 8, 2009 at 4:42 am
Hi! for the areas na may flag, 🙂 is the 150 charge per person? 🙂 thanks!
May 9, 2009 at 2:49 pm
When this post was written, yes, the fee was PHP150 per person.
But this may have changed overtime. I have not been to the cove for quite a while now.
Thank you for visiting my site. 🙂
May 13, 2009 at 4:38 pm
thanks! this is quite useful.
May 13, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Are the beaches in Anawangin, Capones and Camara safe for swimming? And the ferry boats are they safe, I have a certain degree of dread in riding pump boats! How much is the island hop trip? thanks
May 16, 2009 at 8:16 am
You’re welcome Lora!
🙂
May 16, 2009 at 8:23 am
Ana,
I wouldn’t recommend swimming in Anawangin. There are areas there where the sand suddenly drops and is not safe for people who are not skilled swimmers. The undertow is quite powerful. There are no lifeguards there, so take extra care.
I have not been blessed by oppurtunity to visit Capones and Camara. I recommend that you ask your boatman regarding the waters in the said areas.
I know a good boatman that fares people around these group of islands that provide life jackets and is concerned of thier passenger’s safety. They will not overload their boats and will recommend an additional boat if necessary.
If you are interested, I can email you the details.
You may leave your e-addy here.
Thank you for taking time to read my post. 🙂