Anawangin Cove is a perfect proof of many cliches we’ve heard before — the rainbow after the storm, the light at the end of the tunnel, the Phoenix reborn and rising from the ashes quite literally. Cliche but true. Who would have thought that the beautiful Anawangin Cove was made by a disaster a couple of decades ago? They say that Anawangin used to be rocky but Mt. Pinatubo dumped a good amount of volcanic ashes that the place was absolutely unrecognizable. Years later, agoho trees started to grow, creating an evergreen forest of what seems like pine trees. How did they get there? Good question. But it seems like the ash fall somehow carried with it some Agoho seeds.
It’s like Baguio and Boracay in one place. This dark yet inspiring history makes Anawangin very, very special. It is a reminder to everyone of the sheer beauty and immeasurable power of nature.
Preparing for a Camping Trip at Anawangin Cove
Since it was a camping trip, it took a lot more preparations that our usual trips. For starters, we needed to find tents and carefully pick the food we would be bringing. Here are some tips you might want to consider when planning for a trip to Anawangin.
- Tents. Ask your friends. One of them might just own a tent that you can borrow. A medium-sized tent can accommodate up to four people. But if you’re the type that protects your personal space so much, you can also limit it to only 3. It is not advisable to rent tents. If you planning on renting a tent for P500 per night, ditch it and just buy one. There are tents available at DIY shops and sports houses for as low as P800. Best part is you get to keep the tent and you won’t have to worry about finding one next time.
- Food. Bring food items that are easy to prepare. Although there are stores on the beach, expect them to be pricier. Cupped noodles, bread and canned goods are good choices. You can try to bring cooked food but make sure they do not spoil easily as you don’t want your buzzkill tummy to ruin the fun.
- Water. In secluded beaches, water is gold.
- Can/bottle opener and knife. You will need these to open stuff. Opening things with your teeth is impressive but…
- Rope. You might need this to create an improvised clothesline so your wet clothes will dry easily.
- Flashlight. No electricity, baby.
- Mosquito repellent. Avoid mosquito bites and all the diseases that might come with them.
- Sunblock. Protect your skin from the sun, of course.
- Camera. Anawangin offers not just a good place to swim but awesome scenery that you WILL want to capture.
Also, don’t try to bring too many clothes. If you’re staying for only a night, bring just enough. Don’t forget toiletries.
How to Get to Anawangin Cove
- From Manila, catch a Victory Liner bus bound to Iba, Zambales. You may go to their Caloocan or Pasay terminal.
- When you pay, tell the cashier you’re getting off in San Antonio.
- Once inside the bus, tell the driver or the conductor to drop you off at the San Antonio Public Market.
- Take a tricycle going to Pundaquit (P60 per 2 pax, or P30 per pax).
- In Pundaquit, rent a boat for P1500 roundtrip. That’s P1500 per boat so it will still be divided by how many you are in the group. This boat will take you to Anawangin Cove, Camara Island, and Capones Island. If you want to go to Anawangin Cove ONLY and NOT Camara and Capones, rent is P900.
That’s it! The boat will take you to Anawangin Cove! Enjoy!
Expenses
If you’re planning an overnight trip at Anawangin Cove with your friends, here are some figures you might want to take note of. These are not exact amounts. I rounded ‘em off.
P251 – Bus fare from Quezon City to San Antonio, Zambales
P60 – Tricycle fare for 2
P1500 – Boat fee — Anawangin Cove, Camara Island, Capones Island (divided by how many you are in the group)
P100 – Overnight fee (A friend told me it’s now P150, but we paid only P100 when we were there)
Basically, that’s it. Bring your own food to save money. And as said above, if you’re planning to rent a tent, forget it. Just borrow from a friend or buy one.
The Budget Travel Guide to Anawangin Cove, Zambales - Philippines,
I’m glad I had stumbled on this simple yet great travel website.
Questions: 1) How long is the trip to Zambales from Manila?; 2) How many minutes/hours is the boat trip from Pundaquit to Anawangin?; 3) Are there cottages that can be rented in Anawangin Cove for overnight stay?
Willlook forward to your reply. Thanks a million.
Hi Teddy!
1. If you’re traveling via public transportation (bus), it’s more or less 4 hours from Manila to San Antonio, Zambales. But it will depend on the traffic volume that day.
2. Boat ride to Anawangin is around 45 minutes, if I remember it correctly.
3. No. Tents only. You should bring a tent.
Hi,
If we will go to Anawangin, where can we park our car?
Is it safe to bring 10 years old there?
Regards,
Ynnah
Hi. Thanks for the tips! I am planning to go to Anawangin some time soon. I was wondering if the place is always this crowded or just during summer? Thanks a lot!
we’ve been there last 2009.it’s really nice place ,so quiet unlike bora maraming tao maingay in cove tahimik lalo na sa gabi….
we’ve been there for our TPAD!!! anawangin is so cool!!!
Been here! Cool place to relax.
SO NICE..LoL
Is there a public toilet/bathroom? Which has a bigger lake/river, anawangin or nagsasa?
total getaway…but capones island is a lot nicer place…
best place to go for a vacation..,
hi,.. iv been in anawangin just last week, and i saw your first picture posted, and i wasnt able to reach that part.. i am coming back again next week. may i know which side of the island is that??? thank you -ruth
nagsasa cove is better
been there.. entrance fee is still the same.. 100 pesos.. we were lucky to be there on a weekdays, so we had the whole island alone..
It looks like camping place on the French south Atlantic coast!
tnx for the idea..big help for me….maybe next trip…its like ur not in the philippines…a lot of pine trees.maybe a two days is enough….
I hope we can go there,ang ganda talaga ng pilipinas.
Wow ,,I’m from zambales.di ko alam may maganda palang lugar dyan..
i prefer waters in Nagsasa cove…
i want to get back there and try the trek instead of going straight via boat ride. It’s nice and calm there. Make me want to stay until I want. I love the place.
babala Lang po: maganda sa anawagin beach cove pero mag ingat po sa dagat ng cove.. The Water is calm but theres a sudden strong surge of current unexpectedly either.high tide or low tide.. even u r a strong swimmer d current is strong enuf To pull u down. my.relatives almost died 3 yrs ago and they were rescued by d local fishermen.. they.re countless of other people died unreported on the.papet so please stay.near d shore and watch out those unpredictable surges of Water..
i dnt think its safe to go at this time. was there last month and wasnt able to explore the island much. some goons are on the other side of the island, some issues on property rights…
maganda talaga don…palagi kmi don nung nsa resort p ako.sa canoe beach resort..ng hahatid kmi ng mga guest nmin!
Hi mr.poortraveler,
Your blog is such a very informative site for the traveler, showing how much “itsmorefuninthePHILIPPINES.
Re anawangin, I wanna ask how many is the maximum capacity allowed for each boat?
TiA for your response,
Ree
Hi Reejnn! Thanks for your comment.
Re the boat, I’m not sure if this applies to all boats but the boat we rented had a capacity of 4-6 people only. I’m sure there are bigger boats there.
Hello po! Just wanna ask if its safe there? i mean wala namang mga magnanakaw etc? with all the tents and everything? safe bang iwan ang mga gamit?
hi there, your site is very helpful.. thank you for the info..
im just wondering.. kuya meron po bang paliguan jan?hehe.. after nice stay in anawangin syempre we need to freshen up bago umuwi.. meron po ba>salamat..
Yep, meron!
meron po ba toilet din? thanks. planning to go there soon
Yep, may shower rooms and toilet.
Hi! You’re blog is really informative and very helpful for those who wants to start traveling and enjoy nature at its best. Thank You! I have one question though, paano po makakarating ng Anawangin kung mag isa ka lang? I mean, from Pundaquit, kailangan ko rin po bang irent yung buong boat?
I think you can find other tourists whom you can share the boat with.
Hi..its ok if i bring my two kids there…or it is safe for there age…they are 6 yrs old and five…thanks
were planning to go to anawangin this 2nd week of Dec. Were going there using our car. Is there any place where we can park our car and if theres one is it safe to leave our car. how much is the parking fee. thank you
eto po youg kinuha namen na package sa anawangin,,, sana po makatulong
SPECIAL PROMO FOR ANAWANGIN Tour Packages
WITH FREE SNORKELING OR LIGHTHOUSE TOUR
PACKAGE A
>>>>P1200/head minimum of 12pax and above..
>>>>> P1300/head minimum of 10-11pax
>>>>>P1500/head minimum of 8-9pax
PACKAGED INCLUDE:
*Roundtrip AIRCON Van transfer all in
*boat tour anawangin, capones camara island OR/ snorkeling
*2 days 1 night stay in anawangin-entrance fee-
*TENT FOR YOUR GROUP CAPACITY
*gogles for snorkeling-cooking utensils
*cooler na with ice pa
*Mineral water(2container)
*Bonfire woods 1seT
*KITCHEN UTENSILS(kaldero, kaserola etc)
We also offers boat package only for those commuters or with their own vehicle…
Package B Rates
P 500 per head for 10 pax above
P 550 per head for 8 -9pax
P650 per head for 6-7pax
P550 per head for 5 pax
Inclusions:(Pick up point: Town proper of San Antonio, Zambales)
*Boat ride to Anawangin (round trip)
*Island hopping (Capones / Camara Island)
*Entrance fee / Environmental fee
*TENT USAGE FOR YOUR GROUP CAPACITY
*GOGLES FOR SNORKELING
*cooking utensils (ihawan, kaldero,kutsilyo,pitsel,etc)
*cooler WITH ICE pA..
Additional 400 per head for food (4meals)MIN OF 8PAX
FOR MORE INFO look for ALAN ARLANTICO: Smart: 09185595597 or 09399398456TM: 09358118095 Sun: 09223753555 please TExt or call for immediate response..
sya po yung contact namen sa anawangin kya nakatipid po kame..
Hi!
Good morning po. Malaking tulong po ang blog nyo para sa mga may planong magpunta sa Anawangin at 1st time na magpunta dun. I just want to ask some addt’l info’s po kung;
*Anong oras advisable na magpunta sa Anawangin?
*Available pa po ba ang boat rental sa gabi? If not, what time po available ang boat rentals at byahe from Pundaquit to Anawangin?
*Madali lang po ba makapagrent ng boat sa Pundaquit to Anawangin?
*Php 1,500.00 padin po ba ang boat fee kung back and forth (from Pundaquit–Anawangin–Pundaquit)? Or separate fee po ang papunta at pabalik?
*Safe naman po ba na iwan ang mga gamit sa tent kung sakaling may plano na mag-ikot sa seashore or sa forest?
Me and my friends are planning to go there po kasi by Feb, 2013 and first time po naming lahat na magpunta dun. Malaking tulong po ang pagrereply nyo
Salamat po.
@ sir jet tan,
goodday po, available po anytime ang mga boat namen basta maganda po ang weather, secured po kyo ng lifevest lahat ng boat namen,.. ung 1500 po per head namen na rate namin kasama na po ac van transfer at boat tour and transfer duon..
Safe naman po iwan ang gamit sa tent, dalhin nyo nalang po ung mga valuable belongings nyo pag iikot po kyo..
FOR MORE INFO look for ALAN ARLANTICO: Smart: 09185595597 or 09399398456TM: 09358118095 Sun: 09223753555 please TExt or call for immediate response..
hi good day!
ask ko lng po kung bakit mas mahal yung 6-7 person sa package B nyo compared sa 5 pax.. db pag mas madami mas mura? we are planning kasi na kunin yung package B nyo and we are 6 in our group.
sa Pick-up point nyo po sa san antonio may safe na mapapagparkingan po ba dun? and how much po yung parking fee?
thanks and god bless
Questions: 1) How long is the trip to Zambales from cebu?; 2) How many minutes/hours is the boat trip from Pundaquit to Anawangin?; 3) Are there cottages that can be rented in Anawangin Cove for overnight stay?
pwede po b magluto dun?
Hindi yata…
my college friends and i are planning to go there.. wala na po ba discount ung mga packages nyo?
Hi Nice blog po
and if kailangan ba namin mag rent ng room?
we’re planning to visit anawangin this coming march 28 until march 30, is it okay if 2 days kaming magstay sa anawangin?
thanks.
no rooms to rent, just tents or small kubol (small kubol rental is I think php1500). For the tent, better to bring your own because when we were there It rained & nabasa kami sa loob ng tent. Tumagos yung tubig ulan.
See you there! Im mark
Yung boat ba package na sya 3 islands for 1k kasi may nakausap ako bangkero 1k anawangin lang destination namin?
Hi there,
Tara na at mag enjoy ngayong summer sa:
1. Agnaem
2. Anawangin
3. Talisayen
4. Nagsasa
5. Silanguin
6. Capones and Camara island
Book your Boat and Tent now.
Packages are also available. Inquire now!
Contact person: Liezel Nieva or Dindo Nieva
Contact numbers:
Globe: 09172022692
Smart: 09995959623
Blogsite: http:\\dindonieva.multiply.com
Dindo
Ganda tlga jn,, promise!very relaxing,actually my profile pic is the mid part of anawangin island,I went there w/my best friend family & I was really amazed when I 1st saw the location,,!
Sa may 4 pupunta kami jan excited na nga kami eh .. may mapaglulutuan po ba jan? need paba to bring charcoal for ihaw ihaw or meron na mabibili jan ?
yung tents po nila good for how many person yung pinaka malaking tent and how much po sa ngayon ? how much budget need po na good na for boats and tents papuntang anawangin
If you are planning for a vacation in anawangin cove, maybe you can check our affordable Anawangin Tour Packages. Contact us for more info. Thanks!