Nagsasa and Anawangin Cove, Zambales

I have relatives from San Antonio and Pundaquit, Zambales and it has always been a vacation destination for me and my family.  I have heard of stories that there are more to see in this area aside from the river and the Pundaquit beach whose waves kept me from enjoying the waters for I am not a swimmer.  My brother used to tell me that he have been to some coves that will make you feel you are not in the Philippines but he doesn't know the name of the place.  So after those long years, I finally made a decision, I will go there and now it has a name, Nagsasa and Anawangin Cove.  I invited some travel buddies and viola were driving going to San Antonio, Zambales.  First stop is to see relatives and then went to the town's market to buy food and stuff needed to Nagsasa Cove where I intend to stay overnight.  My cousin who lives in Pundaquit beach got us a boat that will bring us to Nagsasa Cove and fetch us the next day for only 2,500 pesos for 7 adults and one kid. So after around 45 minutes boat ride we are already in the shores of Nagsasa cove.  As soon as feet touches the sand, we hurriedly looked for a place to set up our tents.  There are no lodging inns in the cove that makes it really backpackers haven.  One should bring a tent or just sleep on the tables of  nipa huts rented by Aetas in the cove.  There is an entrance fee of 100 per head for an overnight stay which was collected by the natives of the cove. Since we are tired of our long day travel, we fall asleep but we are sometimes awaken by the noise of some mountaineers who were so drunk that night.  Early morning we are greeted by the scenery of the place.  Here's some of my pics

      El Nino Phenomenon have affected the grasses of the nearby mountains that envelops the cove

                                                          Our crib during the night

After our photoshoots, we overheard that there is a small falls that can be reached by a 15 minute hike but one needs to hire a local guide.  My travel buddies wanted to see it so we got our own guide and walked under the summer heat to see that falls and to our surprise, there is very little water running on the rocks.  So we just said maybe it is because of El Nino that is why there is no much water but we took the opportunity to play and took pictures again.

After our mini hiking, we learned that the boat that is getting us back is ready so we started our journey to the next cove, the more famous Anawangin.  Since it is holy week during this trip, the place was so crowded so I did not enjoy it much.  We just ate our lunch and strolled around to get pictures.  By the way there is also an entrance fee here of 100 pesos per pax by I bargained and told the one collecting the fees that we will not be staying long and we are from Pundaquit.  So she agreed and I just paid her 50 pesos per pax.  Anawangin is good place to have picnic because it is cooler due to the pine trees that is scattered in the place.  There is a small lagoon that is ideal for picture taking and playing around with friends.  After several pictures we decided to go back to Pundaquit.

How to get there:

Via Commute:  Take Victory Liner Bus going to Botolan or Sta. Cruz, Zambales and take off at the municipal town of San Antonio, take a trike going to Pundaquit Beach and from there get a boat going to the selected cove.

If you want hassle free trip to Anawangin or Nagsasa, contact gotravel.ph. They offer cheap packages that includes tent usage and meal preparation.  Enjoy.