Anawangin Cove & Capones Island, San Antonio, Zambales

December 6-7, 2008

Anawangin Cove of San Antonio, Zambales was discovered by mountaineers not so long ago. It is called “Anawangin” due to herd of buffalos dwells here before time and until now I guess (haven’t seen one though). The cove has a thing to offer to both campers, trekkers, hikers, beach lover, mountaineers and so with commoners. It is timely that when we and my companion went to Hundred Island, I saw it in the travel magazine about the place, then I was attracted to it, by just merely looking at the pictures presented, then I started to plan.

The cove has white beach sand and pine trees that grows pathway to the cove, and at the back, a pristine clear river/swamp that even fishes swimming in the area are totally visible. The mountain sides grows with scattered pine trees and small shrub grass that makes it unique compare to other mountain in the country. The wind that blows coming from the ocean rushing to the cove, touching the pine trees making it sway and a “wooh” sounds that gives a fresh smell and shivering cold of the wind that touches/rushes to your face gives you unimaginable feelings that only in the cove you can feel.

How to get there, it has two main ways I know of the SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) that goes to Subic Freeport and Olongapo City and of course the Zambales-Pangasinan Highway. When we went we took the first route and when we went home we went to other way. Both main roads to San Antonio Zambales will took 6-7 hours depends on the mode of transportation you will avail but on private it will took 6 hours.

We did go to Capones Island but never got into the island due to big waves so we just took pictures from the boat.

Another bliss when you’re in San Antonio, Zambales is the Pundaquit Falls.

Notes to remember

1. When we went there during the weekend period, there’s no blanket of people in the cove, but if you want to solo the cove I suggest you will go there during the weekdays.
2. From the white sand of the cove, the beach is shallow in around twenty meters but I please if you go there be careful sometimes people over swim giving an incident. Be careful, vigilant and observant. So far never heard of any incident. Kudos!
3. There are teeny-tiny stingers in the beach.
4. There are no sunset/sunrise if you don’t climb the side of the mountain
5. Always bring first aid kit, you’ll never know you might use it
6. NO power and NO Signal you might consider this facts
   

Things to do when you’re there

1. Swimming
2. Take pictures of the white sand beach cove, campsite and along with the pine trees
3. Take pictures in the river/swamp
4. Mountain trekking (sunset/sunrise)
5. Take pictures of the cove from top view
6. star gazing
7. bonfire
8. grilling the fish bought from San Antonio Market/fishermen
9. experience the fishing amenities by the common people of the cove
10. Telescoping from the campsite to different side of the mountains, the beach and among others.
11. sun block lotion to protect you from the sun rays before boat rides and swimming
12. take pictures of the mountain sides during the boat ride to Anawangin Cove
13. sunglasses to protect your eyes
14. if you have underwater camera; you might as well get it
15. side trip to Capones Island- light house
16. side trip to Pundaquit falls – which we didn’t have a chance
17. always bring Ziplocs (Ziplocs important things you bring ex. camera, cell phones, wallet, and among other valuable things)

Our itinerary…
December 6, 2008 (Day 1- Saturday)
1:30 am – 7:00 am – Naguilian to San Antonio, Zambales
7:00 am – 7:30 am – Breakfast @ San Antonio Town Proper
7:30 am – 8:00 am – Bought fish to grill from San Antonio Town Market
8:00 am – 8:30 am – San Antonio Town Proper to Brgy. Pundaquit
8:30 am – 9:30 am – Brgy. Pundaquit to Anawangin Cove
9:30 am – 10:30 am – Setting up at the cove campsite
10:30 am – 11: 55 am – Photo shoot @ the river/swamp and pine trees
11:55 am – 1:45 pm – Took out lunch; cook for lunch; eat
1:45 pm – 3:00 pm – Enjoy the cove; play games (smash ball)
3:00 pm – 5:45 pm – Trekking; hiking to mountain side (sunset)
5:45 pm – 6:30 pm – Cook for dinner; grill fish;
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Night swimming
7:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Eat dinner
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Bonfire

December 7, 2008 (Day 2- Sunday)
6:00 am – 6:30 am – Wake up calls
6:30 am – 7:30 am – Jogging; picking of seashells
7:30 am – 8:45 am – Cook breakfast; eat
8:45 am – 10:30 am – Beach swimming; playing games
10:30 am – 11:40 am – Photo shoot again
11:40 am – 1:00 pm – Anawangin Cove to Capones Island
1:00 pm – 2:19 pm – Capones Island to Pundaquit Shoreline
2:19 pm – 2:49 pm – Preparation of long trip; look for souvenirs (none at all)
2:49 pm – 9:00 pm – San Antonio to Naguilian

Expenses…
Php
1,600.00 – Food expenses @ 400.00/person
2,200.00 – Boat to Anawangin Cove/Capones Island (two-ways) @ 550.00/person
100.00 – Parking fee @ 25.00/person
350.00 – Cove fee @ 50.00/person
6,338.00 – Van rental @ 1,584.50/person
2,609.50/person

I’m suggesting that you should talk to mamang bangkeros first which offers the cheapest and safest rate in going to Anawangin Cove. And one thing, I searched for store souvenir at the Pundaquit shoreline but found nothing.

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