Anawangin Beach Cove
If your idea of a beach trip is chillin’ out by the beach in a hammock, singing around a campfire with a guitar and climbing beach cliffs to wait for the sunset then you should definitely go to Anawangin.
The Beach Cove
Anawangin is a cove in the town of San Antonio in Zambales. It is a beach that has an off-white sand and an evergreen forest cover near the shore (you’ll rarely see a coconut tree in Anawangin). Behind the forest is a small stream that flows out to the sea (During summer this stream dries up into a shallow pond). There are also two beach cliffs bounding the beach, which you can hike up and enjoy the view.
Getting There
Going to Anawangin will approximately take 6 hours. From Manila, you can drive or take a bus to San Antonio, Zambales. Upon arriving at San Antonio you can hire a boat at Pundaquit that will take you to Anawangin. It is advisable to leave Manila at night so it wouldn’t be hot while traveling.
Google Map
Use this handy google map to trace the way to San Antonio Zambales.
View Larger Map
Best Time To Go
The best time to go would be around February when the weather is not too hot and humid, and there are not as many people camping. Though we like the hippie vibe during the Summer months of April and May, the campsite is just too crowded.
What To Bring
There are no modern facilities in Anawangin; there are only a couple of toilets (without roofs) and water pumps as sources of running water. Bring lots of drinking water since drinking from the water pump is not safe, and the weather tends to be too hot at around 12 noon. Also bring your own food, there are no hotels and resorts that could prepare meals for you. For sleeping, you have to bring your own tent and pitch it under the forest cover where it is much cooler than by the shore.
What to do
Anawangin is definitely Boracay’s exact opposite in terms of development, but that doesn’t mean you’ll run out of stuff to do during your stay. Here are some suggested activities you could do aside from lying in a hammock by the beach:
1. Bonfire
Gather fallen twigs and light up a fire for warmth during the night. Bring a guitar so you can sing around the campfire. Just don’t forget to put it out when going to sleep.
2. Climbing
The beach is bound by two cliffs in the north and south. The northern cliff is higher and is not adviseable to trek in since it has loose rocks. The southern cliff is gentler and is easier to climb. You can get a great view of the beach at sunset (just don’t forget to bring flashlights so you could see your way down).
3. Trekking
Behind the evergreen forest is a stream (a dry riverbed in the summer) leading to a large hill. You can trek your way to this hill, just be cautious since there were reports that there are wild animals in this area.
4. Skimboarding
You could bring your skimboard to practice your moves. The beach is great for this activity since it has a fine sand and few rocks.
5. Ultimate Frisbee
Have your group play with you or better yet, invite other campers to join your group for a great game of frisbee.
You can arrange sidetrips with your boatman if you want to go island hopping. Nearby are Capones and Camara Islands. Capones Island is known for its centuries-old Spanish lighthouse while Camara Island is a rock climbing destination. Inform your boatman in advance and clear the details with him since there is no cellphone signal coverage in Anawangin.
Same with travelling anywhere be cautious; the beach has strong undercurrent at times - there was a guy who almost drowned during our stay. There were also reports of wild animals in the forest so please watch out.
With its evergreen forest, gentle stream, breath-taking views and off-white sand, Anawangin is one of the best beaches near Manila for city people who wouldn’t mind roughing it out in the great outdoors.
Technorati Tags: beach, Zambales, Anawangin, Manila, Zambales, San Antonio, Pundaquit, Boracay, Trekking, Skimboarding, Frisbee, Capones, Camara, Islands, rock climbing
47 Comments, Comment or Ping
Jayson M
Just want to share, last June when I was in Zambales, part of our trip was to go island hopping to Capones and the neighboring islands. However, due to the strong current, we pulled back. So next year, if there is a plan again to travel to Zambales, this time earlier than June, we’ll def. push through with our island hopping, including this beach.
Thanks Manilenio for the sneak peek!
Oct 6th, 2008
arnold sierra
request for family rates
Jan 12th, 2009
admin
@Arnold Sierra There are no resorts in Anawangin or Capones Islands. But there hotels in Pundaquit. One of which is Punta de Uian (http://www.puntadeuian.com), their contact number is 0918 800 8426. Based on their site the family villa rate (for 6 persons) is at 10,000 pesos.
If this is out of your budget, there are other hotels, just go to this link:
http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2008/06/anawangin-beach-resorts-pundaquit.html
Jan 13th, 2009
Lilet Lingad
Hi! This is Lilet from G&W Architects. Just wanna request if you can send me your package rate for the company outing? approximately 60 pax. Can you email this ASAP! Tnx.
Jan 19th, 2009
admin
@Lilet Kindly contact Punta de Uian at 0918 800 8426. They may be able to advise on your request. Btw, just wanted it to be clear that Anawangin is a 40-minute boat ride from Pundaquit, and that there are no hotels in Anawangin. Thanks.
Jan 20th, 2009
salazar
what can you advise for first timers?? i want to take my girlfriend here because its our aniv, and do you have any idea how much it would cost us in all. I thought of camping and just spend the one night there thanks much!
Jan 27th, 2009
admin
@Salazar - we spent around 1,800 pesos per person during the trip (includes a rented van and a sidetrip to Capones Island).
If you’re going to take public transportation the overall cost would be around a thousand pesos per person. (This includes transpo all the way back to Manila and the camping fee but excludes the trip to Capones Island).
If you’d like to see a detailed breakdown of the cost let me suggest another blog post: http://laurganism.com/2008/04/22/return-to-anawangin-cove-the-non-vacation/
Jan 28th, 2009
JAYCEE
hi, dis is jc, we’re planning to go on trip to anawangin, can u give us a boatman’s contact number for us to arranged with?
Jan 30th, 2009
admin
@Jaycee Sorry I don’t have the contact number of our boatman anymore
Jan 30th, 2009
imee santos
do you have contact numbers of boatman or some resort in pundaquit?
tnx
Feb 9th, 2009
admin
@Imee Here’s the contact number of Punta de Uian 0918 800 8426, another resort is Nora’s Beach Resort their contact number is 0918 2788188
Feb 9th, 2009
Blair
Hi! My boyfriend & I are planning to go to Anawangin this coming weekend. I have lots of friends who went there already, but they were around 10 people when they went camping. Would you know if it’s safe to stay there and camp even if it’s just the 2 of us?
Thank you!
Feb 26th, 2009
admin
@Blair there are caretakers who stay in Anawangin, therefore you won’t be alone there… and it’s almost peak season, surely there will be other campers who’ll share the beach with you
Feb 26th, 2009
kai
hi! we are planning of going to Anawangin. We are from Alabang. What do you think will be the best time to leave, considering our location? Can we stay there overnight? thanks.
Apr 6th, 2009
admin
@Kai, the best time to leave Manila is around midnight, when it’s cool and there is no traffic. Leaving for Anawangin at around 12AM means you’ll arrive in San Antonio before 6AM and get to Anawangin by boat before 8AM. The boatmen encourage riding a boat this early because it’s way cooler and the waves are gentler than in the afternoon.
Yes, you can spend the night there. The caretakers will charge you 150 pesos per person which includes the use of the poso and the toilets.
Apr 6th, 2009
jal
hi,just wanted to ask if ever that we will go to anawangin will there be people that will help or guide us in such activities like trekking or other stuffs?thanks.
Apr 10th, 2009
admin
@Jal, hello. unfortunately there are no guides in Anawangin but you can ask the caretaker manangs where you can trek safely. just be careful when climbing the cliffs beside the beach - the cliffs have loose rocks.
Apr 10th, 2009
jon
Hi, the best time is when you arrived 6-7am. take a breakfast and prepare your self for island hopping around 8am, Secure also your belonging in a safe rented cottage …Safety First..
Try it here,just new..
warendel.multiply.com
Apr 15th, 2009
otreb
hi! just wanna know if we can bring our kids (7, 9 and 13 years old)? is it safe for them? thanks
Apr 17th, 2009
RO
we just came back from Anawangin yesterday.
it’s nice.
back to basics.
riding the boat is safer on morning.
waves are strong during afternoon.
better to rent a bigger boat than smaller boats.
if you’re into an adventure, try the smaller boat, for sure you’ll get ahead of those boats.
we weren’t able to go to Capones because boatmen told us the waves are strong..
Apr 20th, 2009
admin
@OTREB the beach has strong undercurrents, if you’re visiting with your kids don’t let them venture too far from the shore. Also, swim in the area away from the floating styro blocks and softdrink bottles — these are the markers for the deep areas of the beach. Be safe and enjoy your trip.
@RO glad you enjoyed Anawangin. Yes, the boatmen don’t venture to Capones when it’s late in the morning and the waves are high.
Apr 20th, 2009
bev
Hi! were planning to go to anawangin on may 3, just want to ask if it is still safe to leave anawangin around 1pm-2pm, i’ve read blogs kc malakas daw ung waves during afternoon. we dont want to stay there overnight.
Apr 20th, 2009
admin
@Bev, the boatman will advise naman if the waves are not that strong and if its safe to leave the beach by boat. Trust their expertise
The last time we visited, there are dozens of people arriving at Anawangin from Pundaquit the whole afternoon (there was a company team-building activity during that time)… so I think it’s safe unless the boatmen advise otherwise.
Just a tip, check the weather forecast on the day you are planning to spend so your trip won’t be spoiled in case the rains extend up to early May
Apr 22nd, 2009
bev
Thanks you!
Apr 22nd, 2009
Aga
This is a serious question. Is it safe to go there alone?
Apr 23rd, 2009
jon
@Aga, yes safe naman pumunta kahit isa ka lang, but don’t forget to bring your camera hehehehe….but much better if dalawa kayo ng Gf mo masmasaya…
Apr 25th, 2009
Lea
Hi,
Can we rent tents there? Para sa Anawangin n lang kme mag overnight? Tnx…
May 3rd, 2009
admin
@Lea, I think walang tent rentals sa Anawangin… open cottages lang ang pinapa-rent ng mga manang caretakers
May 3rd, 2009
jengtweet
we really had fun in this place especially on our first day cause were the only person in the island except the care taker… we enjoyed. taking pictures
The people there is very accomodating, even the people from pundakit were we rent the boat!
There were lot of things we did in this place!
I had contact # of boat man… PM me for those who are interested with Mang Florante’s boat… he’s nice and very accomodating!
May 9th, 2009
admin
@Jengtweet Glad you enjoyed your trip
May 9th, 2009
evil jaideep
Hi.newbie here. anyone who went to anawangin just recently coz we are planning to go there this weekend? Does it rain in the afternoon? are there any cottages/shelters in case it rains real hard.
May 10th, 2009
Lea
Hey jengtweet can i have the contact #?
We’re going on May 27 pa naman… hehehe… i don’t know how send u a pm.Ü
May 11th, 2009
Sean Litton
Can you please help me? My friends and I are planning a trip to Anawangin and the San Antonio, Zambales area and I was tasked to come up with the emergency action plan. I would like to request if possible the numbers and addresses of the hospitals, police stations and any other emergency facility/agency in the area? Thank you very much for your help.
Best regards,
Sean
May 11th, 2009
cent
@Jengtweet
can i have the contact as well? we’re also planning a trip at the end of the month. Di rin ako marunong magPM dito eh hahaha anyway can you send it here if ever shannara_freak87@yahoo.com? much appreciated!
May 12th, 2009
jun manuel
i went to anawangin last year with my wife and kid, we really enjoyed especially the clear water, i never thought that there is a place like that in zambales, we are planning again to go back next week, i hope and pray for a good weather.
May 13th, 2009
Lostluna
Hi! Are there caretakers / guides year-round in Anawangin? My friends and I are planning to go next next weekend.
May 14th, 2009
EJ
Hello, my barkada plans to go to Anawangin and i just want to know how much is the fare for the boat and how many people it can accomodate. Thank you:D
May 15th, 2009
aika
hi jengtweet. can u send me contact number of the boatman, were planning a trip to anawangin this june. thanks
Contact: aikaangeles@gmail.com
May 17th, 2009
viajero
@evil jaideep: just went there last week. it was great. nice weather. but a lot of campers since its a weekend. best time to go there is in the morning. boat ride is a bit rough in the afternoon. enjoy!
May 20th, 2009
karen
would you know rates for anawangin? is it really just tents?
May 26th, 2009
Jayne
hi! ask ko lang kung how much budget per person going to anawangin if manggagaling ng manila. thanks. we’re planning to go there kasi this coming weekend.
May 26th, 2009
roel
hey, we’ve just conquered mount pundaquit 2 days ago, took us 8 hrs to trek it! do not forget to bring lots of water or you’ll end of drinking in the swamp, just like us. XD
May 26th, 2009
Chris | Crisiboy.com
weve been to anawangin island last summer of april…all in all mga 3k ang magagastos nyo depende kasi..kami kasi kumuha muna kami ng resort sa pundaquit before going to anawangin di kami nagovernight dun..
you can also check my site to see our experience in anawangin island..heres the link
http://jologsnayuppie.blogspot.com/2009/05/anawangin-camara-capones-islands.html
May 30th, 2009
Johara
I fell in love with anawangin. Wonderful view, presko, we were able to do a lot of exploring. If only we knew that camping is allowed we could have choose camping in there to minimize the cost of our trip but all in all it is a low cost vacation.
Jun 4th, 2009
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