Here is a short recount of our Zambales getaway (Anawangin, Capones and Camara Island) plus a few other travel tips while you’re there. Not a good writer so I’ll just let most of the photos speak for themselves. :-)
Let’s get started then. Friends, here is our DIY trip to Zambales-Subic 2017.
We travelled from my hometown in San Jacinto, Pangasinan via private car so it took us 4 hours (via TPLEX, SCTEX) to get to Pundaquit Beach. Waze was our best friend (and will be yours too) if you also opt to bring a private car. If coming from Manila, it should take you 3-4 hours depending on traffic. TIP: Leave early - whether you’re coming from the north or metro. 2AM ganern. Wag ma-late.
COMMUTING? Refer to this link - http://lakwatsero.me/2012/06/how-to-get-to-anawangin-cove-zambales/
DAY 1: 6:00AM | Pundaquit Beach, Zambales
This will be your jump-off point to the coves. Dito kayo mag papark and/or mag rerent ng bangka.
Thou shall not worry, there are a lot of parking areas in the vicinity.
Parking rate is P100/day or P200/overnight (let your boatman direct you to a secured parking area)
Regular round trip boat rental: small boat good for 4 pax is P1000
NOTE: Rental figure is per boat. This will still be divided among your barkada / fam. In our trip, we rented a big boat good for 6 people at the price of P2000 inclusive of 3 island tours - Anawangin, Capones and Camara Islands)
TIP: Learn to negotiate with your contact. Your boatman can lend you cookware, kitchenware, an ice chest etc - of course, with additional pay. As for our group, we just brought our own snacks, cooked adobo for lunch and brought our own utensils. ;-)
Our boat rental contact: Charisse or Virgie Agasa - 09208619426 ; 09162868353
DAY 1: 7:00AM | Camara Island
Boat ride from Pundaquit to this island is approx 30-minutes. Yung totoo? We didn’t do much here. Photoshoot lang. Biruan. Chika chika. The sea is crystal clear but super daming jellyfish. We literally saw all kinds. So nope, not gonna swim here.
DAY 1: 8:30AM | Capones Island
I was honestly looking forward to Capones since most of the blog I read made it look like this island was so much fun. Sadly, due to some circumstances hindi na siya tulad ng dati. They temporary closed down the lighthouse (which is the island’s tourist attraction) because of a recent unfortunate accident there. Like Camara, I wouldn’t really recommend swimming, snorkeling and diving here because of the jellyfishes.
photoshoot with mi love hehehehe
DAY 1: 9:00-4:00PM | Anawangin Island
Finally, we arrived. This island did not disappoint. Not too hot and super chill ng vibes. Lavetttt. The island was not too crowded as well (but sobrang crowded daw siya pag long holidays and peak season). Pero I advise that you come early to place a good spot. We got there at around 8:30-9:00.
Cove entrance fee: P100/person (daytour) P150/person (overnight)
There are tents, shaded and unshaded tables available for rent. Our group decided to get a shaded table for P350 (good for the day).
What we did for the rest of that day? Basically just swimming, chilling, quick trekking, and a lot of eating. I think there are other activities in the cove such as snorkeling. You could even borrow snorkeling equipment for P500. However, our group did not really have the energy to roam around and check those activities.
Anawangin Cove is a “camping haven” as they say. I have to agree. Sadly, we did not sleep there (for the reason that we have to be early for Inflatable island in Subic the next day). Hehe. But if you guys want to camp overnight, better prepare enough food, tent/s and fully charged batteries for your phone and camera (no power source and signal). The drinks, chips, candles, canned goods and other basic necessities sold at the cove are pretty much expensive. Kaya mag slight grocery nalang beshies. And oh, they have clean comfort rooms, shower and changing rooms there so you need not worry.
Bring your own tents even if you will not sleep overnight. Very useful in terms of lagayan ng bags and valuables niyo. And for taking afternoon naps (medyo mainit nga lang sa loob ng tent).
Again, mainit. Make sure you bring sunblock, cap, shades etc.
This is one of my favorite activities in our Zambales trip. We decided to climb ng tanghaling tapat!!! Yes, crazyyyyyy. Pero worth all the sweat naman hehe. We just asked a local how to get to the hill. The locals in Anawangin are friendly and approachable.
We were not even at the peak yet and the view was already breath-taking!
Trek would take an average of 30mins to an hour long (to and fro). Actually, 15 minutes daw sa mga sanay na. 30 mins sa mga medyo hinihingal hingal pa. And 1 hour sa mga mahilig mag picture and di sanay mag climb. It took us an hour since we were taking A LOT of pictures hehe.
Thank you to our dearest Robert for being our number one alalay.. este guide sa trek!!!! ;-)
DAY 1: 4:00PM | Leaving Anawangin
If you’re not sleeping overnight, boatman’s advice is to leave early to steer clear of big waves. Our trip going back to Subic town proper took an hour. We had plenty of time to check-in sa hotel, relax, have dinner and go shopping. By the way, there are plenty of hotels in Subic. We stayed at Ichi No Beddo which is a hometel (home-like hotel). Very accommodating staff.
TIPS: If you have extra time, go and visit Nike Factory Store (and other shoe outlets such as Adidas) in Subic. Majority of the barkada left with good buys!!! Yup, may extra money pa for shopping because Zambales is a cheap escape.
Last hurrah of taking pictures. I love these girls for being so game sa photoshoot demands ko. Because how often do you get the chance to have a picturesque backdrop of an evergreen forest?
If traveling with a larger group you will likely spend less. We opted to stay in a hotel because we have a very early schedule for Inflatable island the next day (which will be another article). But basically, that’s it. To save money, bring your own food or buy from San Antonio Public Market.
For this Zambales trip alone, we might have spent P1000-1500/person only (hotel not included. again if you plan to camp overnight with your own tents, it will save you more money). This trip is a reminder to everyone that you do not need to spend a lot of money to see nature’s sheer beauty - plus your barkada/family making it more fun and special.
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