Anawangin Cove - Zambales

Located several kilometers away from the town proper of Pundaquit, San Antonio in the province of Zambales, Anawangin Cove is one  (if not the most) of the tourist destinations of the province.

Anawangin Cove

Anawangin Cove Details

Anawangin Cove is known for its out-of-this-country like feels. Visitors of this cove would surely be awed with the unusual view of the forest of pine trees serving as the backdrop to the fine secluded beach instead of the typical coconut. The cove also has a river that adds drama to its already picturesque pine forest. The best part of it all is that this cove has little man-made structures.

Anawangin Cove - San Antonio, Zambales

Heading to Anawangin Cove by boat

Gotta love the view here in Anawangin Cove.

The place has numerous huts to rent if you don't want to get burnt by the sun

Well... that was my impression when I first visited Anawangin Cove way back in 2007. Sadly, some things do change negatively... Typhoon Emong and Pepeng in 2009 devastated a huge part of Zambales including Anawangin Cove. From there, the cove deteriorated little by little. More huts were constructed, then came the fence that separates the beach from the pine tree forest, and finally the shanty stores. 
 
You may choose to explore the different areas of Anawangin Cove

You may also pitch using your own tent

...or you can rent a tent here too.

Rent a cottage anyone?

Enjoy camping and being surrounded by pine trees

Gotta love the view from the campsite. 

I managed to return a decade later, and what I saw saddened me. The once free-to-roam cove was reduced to a fenced community of pay-as-you enter establishments complete with shanty food stores and hut and floater rentals. You can check out the rates below...

Anawangin Cove rates:

Going to the river and the pine tree forest area (regardless if it is dry) would cost you P50 and camp in the cove grounds would cost you P100. I have nothing against giving locals a chance to earn from tourism but looking at it, this was not planned well by whoever planned it. Anawangin Cove was stripped of its natural beauty and was reduced to a money-making plot of land. 

Also, keep in mind that to reach Anawangin Cove, one has to rent a banca. The rates are posted below.

Small banca - P1500/pax maximum of 4

Big banca - P300/pax minimum of 10


Bring some of these souvenirs home.

Check out the customized souvenirs
Race with your friends going back to the resort

The Backpack Adventures visits Anawangin Cove

Why visit Anawangin Cove?

Overall, I would not be surprised if one day a convenience store (or a resort) would suddenly be constructed in the cove. With that sarcastic remark, I do hope the local tourism office would make a step to reduce if not remove the man-made establishments in Anawangin Cove and return it to their pristine form. Then I suggest that this place be declared a protected area to preserve it. Regardless, you should still come to visit Anawangin Cove while it still retains most of its "natural" beauty. A few more years would probably strip it of that especially that it's now becoming more and more commercialized.

Getting to Anawangin Cove:


From Manila, ride a Victory Liner bus to Iba, Zambales. Tell the conductor to drop you off in San Antonio. From there, transfer to a tricycle and tell the driver to bring you to your chosen resort in Pundaquit. From the resort, rent a banca to bring you to Anawangin Cove.


Small banca - P1500/pax maximum of 4


Big banca - P300/pax minimum of 10


Ratings:
Crowd
Cleanliness
Overall rating

Comments

  1. I went to Anawangin Cove with friends years ago, and I have to say it's one of the cheapest but most memorable trips I've had. We also hiked Mt. Pundaquit and fell asleep outside our tents. There's also the novelty of doing island hopping. Even though there are many campers, it still feels like a great escape.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sam, I agree. However, you should have seen Anawangin a decade ago. It was the next big thing until a typhoon ravaged it though.

      Delete
  2. I agree with you that such natural beauties need to be preserved. The government should take steps to restore it's natural form. Honestly speaking , I have never heard of the cove before, but looking at it's natural beauty, my heart goes out to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Neha. I hope you could come and see it someday. =)

      Delete
  3. true i echo ur sentiments , in India too many a natural pleasant place has been sacrificed on the altars of tourism with rampant construction and unchecked urbanization which spell doom to the place , i hope Anawangin cove does not go down that path

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's going there my friend. Although hut rentals are cheap it still affects the serene beauty of the place. It will slowly become resorts which I think will go unchecked like those in Boracay. With commercialization comes trash and from there paradise is lost...

      Delete
  4. I heard about Awangin Cove many times and I've been wanting to traipse my feet here and commune with its innate beauty, but I always didn't get a chance. The beach really looks so tempting and would love to just douse myself the moment I reach there. The panoramic view of the mountain range is breathtakingly beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome Laiariel. =) Hope you get the chance to visit Anawangin Cove someday. =)

      Delete
  5. "Zambales Tour Package".
    "Anawangin, Talisayin, Nagsasa, Silanguin, Capones, Camara".

    *WITHOUT VAN
    ●》 Anawangin Package
    4-8 Pax - 550 per head
    9 Above - 500 per head

    ●》 Talisayin Package
    4-8 Pax -700 per head
    9 Above - 600 per head

    ●》 Nagsasa Package
    4-8 Pax - 750 per head
    9 Above - 700 per head

    ●》 Silanguin Package
    4-8 Pax - 1000 per head
    9 Above - 850 per head

    ☆INCLUSIONS:
    Boat (back and port)
    Tent
    Entrance fee (camp.site)
    Drinking water
    Ice
    Bonfire
    Charcoal
    Cooler
    Utensils and cook wares
    Lifevest
    1 free capones sidetrip (optional)

    *WITH VAN PACKAGE min.of 10 w/free breakfast
    ●》Anawangin Package - 1300 per head
    ●》Talisayin Package -1400 per head
    ●》 Nagsasa Package - 1500 per head
    ●》Silanguin Package - 1650 per head

    ☆INCLUSIONS:
    Driver
    Van (back and port)
    Tollgate
    Gas
    Parking
    Boat (back and port)
    Tent
    Entrance fee (camp. Site)
    Drinking water
    Ice
    Bonfire
    Charcoal
    Cooler
    Utensils and cookwares
    Lifevest
    1 free capones sidetrio (optional).

    NOTE: (optional)
    100 per head trekking/hikking pundakit to anawangin.
    400 per head with food 4 meals.

    For more questions and inquiries dont hesitate to email us @shellasoliman0928@gmail.com contact us @ 0927-2684-714 or 0919-9807-697.😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for this info. I will try it out when I visit Zambales again.

      Delete
  6. . .thank u po sir..i.be glad to serve u then...😊

    ReplyDelete
  7. Im planning togo there also but do you think i can join other group to save money for boar rent

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I highly suggest that. It saves money and it allows you to meet more friends.

      Delete
  8. This post is worth everyone's attention. When can I find out more?

    ReplyDelete
  9. What's up, everything is going perfectly here and
    ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that's truly excellent, keep up writing.

    ReplyDelete

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