NAGSASA COVE: travel guide & budget schedule
Here’s our newest diy travel guide blog about NAGSASA COVE in ZAMBALES. It has a lot of information that you’ll need to delight in Nagsasa Cove and Pundaquit, including boat trip rates, overnight camping rates, and things to do. We also included a diy NAGSASA COVE schedule with list of expenses for your reference.
Nagsasa Cove bears numerous similarities to its much more well-known stepsister. Anawangin’s popularity, however, is also her weakness. Anawangin can get too overcrowded especially during top season. Nagsasa, although beginning to draw in much more and much more tourists each year, provides much more moving and breathing space. It has all the good things Anawangin is well-known for but retaining the much more laidback atmosphere that has started to slip away from the other.
Like neighboring Anawangin and Talisayin, Nagsasa Cove used to be a common rocky coast fronted landward by a rich rainforest that was home to small groups of Aetas. until the first grain of ash fell.
WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?
UNDERSTANDING NAGSASA COVE
BEST TIME TO check out NAGSASA COVE
HOW TO get TO NAGSASA COVEMANILA TO NAGSASA COVE
CLARK airport TO NAGSASA COVE
PUNDAQUIT TO NAGSASA COVE
PUNDAQUIT boat trip RATESSmall Boat
Big Boat
WHERE TO stay IN NAGSASA COVE
DAY trip vs OVERNIGHT STAY
THINGS TO bring to NAGSASA COVE
THINGS TO do in NAGSASA COVE
MORE suggestions FOR THE poor TRAVELER
SAMPLE NAGSASA COVE schedule with budget BREAKDOWNNAGSASA COVE DAY trip ITINERARY
OVERNIGHT NAGSASA-ANAWANGIN COVE ITINERARY
More suggestions on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️Related Posts:
UNDERSTANDING NAGSASA COVE
On 12 June 1991, Mt. Pinatubo spewed tons of volcanic ash in a cataclysmic eruption and transformed the site into something completely unrecognizable. Over time, the wind (or maybe the birds) might have brought with it the seeds of agoho trees, a type of casuarina which thrives in seashores in amazing speed. With their slender trunks and pin-like leaves, Agoho trees resemble conifers, which is why people typically mistake them for yearn trees. The surrounding landscape is not as fertile as it probably was before the eruption. numerous of the nearby hills are bald, carpeted only with bushes that occasionally catch fire. one of them serves as a good point to catch wonderful views of the cove.
រូបថតដោយវីនខាឡូស
But Nagsasa Cove is just one of the beaches that the 1991 Pinatubo eruption breathed new life to. like Nagsasa, nearby bays were blanketed by ash, creating Anawangin and Talisayen Coves. These are not islands but part of mainland Zambales. people just easily assume they’re islands because the easiest way to reach them is by boat. They’re tucked away in the far corners behind mountains, which make them challenging to be accessed by land. but it’s possible.
These coves are available from numerous other seaside villages like San Miguel, but the closest settlement is Barangay Pundaquit, which makes it the most typical jumpoff point. From Pundaquit, you can easily ride a boat to the following natural attractions:
Nagsasa Cove
Anawangin Cove
Silanguin Cove
Talisayin Cove
Camara Island
Capones Island
You can go straight to Nagsasa Cove from Pundaquit, but you can also go island-hopping (or beach-hopping) to see the other sited. You just need to make an arrangement with a boatman. and yes, you can check out all five on a day tour, offered that you arrive early!
And oh, Nagsasa Cove has no electrical power and no mobile signal. If you’re searching for the typical resort comforts, this may not be the beach for you. but if you’re after some peace of mind or just an intimate moment with nature, then pack your bags and head to Nagsasa Cove.
BEST TIME TO check out NAGSASA COVE
Like many destinations in the Philippines, Nagsasa Cove is best delighted in between December and April, when the skies aren’t trying to rain on your parade. See the graph below by climate change knowledge Portal.
However, if you want to escape the crowds, avoid the weekends. Nagsasa is relatively close to Manila, which implies it can get packed easily. If you should check out on a weekend, do so before “summer.” The number of arrivals begins rising steadily in March and peaks in April and May.
In my opinion, the best time to check out is November to February.
HOW TO get TO NAGSASA COVE
There are two ways to reach Nagsasa Cove: by land and by sea. It is possible to reach Nagsasa Cove after hours of trekking, but I haven’t tried it myself so I have no idea how it’s done.
The simpler and much more common way is taking a boat from Brgy. Pundaquit. So yep, the first step is getting to Pundaquit. below are directions on how to get there from Manila or Clark Airport.
MANILA TO NAGSASA COVE
Catch a victory liner bus bound to Iba or Santa Cruz, Zambales, and get off at San Antonio Public Market. travel time: 4-5 hours. Fare is between P270 and P360, depending on which part of Manila you’re coming from. Alternatively, you may also travel by bus to Olongapo City (P218 from Pasay; P207 from Cubao), and then board another bus to San Antonio (P58).
Take a tricycle to Pundaquit. travel time: 20 minutes. Fare: P60-80 if you’re alone; P30-40 per person if you’re part of a group.
Rent a boat to Nagsasa Cove. travel time: 30-40 minutes. boat rates below.
If they’re charging you way over P300 for the bus ride to San Antonio, it could be because they think you’re getting off in Iba. Make sure it’s clear that you’re alighting in San Antonio.
CLARK airport TO NAGSASA COVE
The nearest commercial airport is Clark (Diosdado Macapagal international Airport). From here, Pundaquit is roughly only 3 hours away.
Ride a shuttle (P100) to Dau Bus Terminal. A less expensive alternative would be taking the jeepney from the main gate, but because it will involve a transfer, the direct shuttle to Dau makes much more sense.
Ride the bus to Olongapo. travel time: 1.5 hours. Fare: P140.
Ride another bus to San Antonio, Zambales. travel time: 1 hour. Fare: P59.
Take a tricycle to Pundaquit. Fare: P60-80 if you’re alone; P30-40 per person if you’re part of a group.
Rent a boat to Nagsasa Cove. travel time: 30-40 minutes. boat rates below.
PUNDAQUIT TO NAGSASA COVE
Upon entering Pundaquit, you will be stopped by officials to collect a P20 municipal/environmental fee.
Once you reach the beachfront in Pundaquit, find a boatman that will take you to Nagsasa Cove. Pricing is a bit complicated, so we have created a separate section below.
PUNDAQUIT boat trip RATES
Here are the most recent rates for boat rental and tour.
Small Boat
Capacity: up to 4 pax
Prices are PER BOAT
Anawangin Cove Only: P1200
Talisayen Cove Only: P1500
Nagsasa Cove Only: P1800
Silanguin Cove Only: P2500
Anawangin + Capones Island: P1300
Anawangin + Capones + Camara: P1800
Anawangin + Nagsasa: P2400
Nagsasa + Capones Island: P2100
Nagsasa + Capones + Camara: P2400
Anawangin + Nagsasa + Capones + Camara: P3000
Note that the figures above are per boat, which implies it will still be divided by how numerous you are in the group. A boat can ferry up to 4 passengers.
Big Boat
Minimum of 10 pax
Prices are PER PERSON
Anawangin Cove Only: P300
Talisayen Cove Only: P300
Nagsasa Cove Only: P450
Silanguin Cove Only: P600
Anawangin + Capones Island: P300
Anawangin + Capones + Camara: P450
Anawangin + Nagsasa: P600
Nagsasa + Capones Island: P550
Nagsasa + Capones + Camara: P600
Nagsasa + Anawangin + Capones + Camara: P750
Many trip operators also offer packages that already include transfers, food at camp, tents, entrance fees, and boat rental.
You can work out it down if you’re really on a very tight budget.
The only trip operator we have tried is Harry Balais of LegendHarry Travels. You can contact him at: 0917 6274945.
WHERE TO stay IN NAGSASA COVE
Huts for beach-goers!
Nagsasa Cove is divided into several basic resorts. “Basic” because there are hardly any amenities, other than some open-air nipa and bamboo huts. camping is still the name of the game in Anawangin, Nagsasa, and Silanguin Coves. You can rent a tent on site, but I highly encourage that you bring your own. If you don’t own a tent, purchase one. tent rental is around P500 per night, but you can find a good tent for around P1000!
There are cottages for rent too. here are the fees you need to know:
NAGSASA COVE RATES
Entrance Fee: P50 per person
Overnight Fee: P100 per person
Cottage/Hut Rental fee (Day): P100 per cottage
Cottage/Hut Rental fee (Overnight): P200 per cottage
Tent Rental Fee: P400-500 per tent
ANAWANGIN COVE RATES
Entrance Fee: P50 per person
Overnight Fee: P130 per person
Small Cottage Rental fee (Overnight): P350 per kubo
Big Kubo Rental fee (Overnight): P2500 per kubo
Tent Rental Fee: P400-500 per tent
CAPONES ISLAND RATES
Entrance Fee: P350 per person
Overnight Fee: P750 per person
DAY trip vs OVERNIGHT STAY
It really depends on which sits higher on your list of priorities: comfort or adventure?
Nagsasa Cove is much much more quiet than Anawangin
Spending your night at Nagsasa Cove can be a peaceful, unwinding experience. because there is no reputable mobile signal, think of it as your chance to disconnect from the rest of the world. It’s not each day that you get to do that. It’s an opportunity to unwind and start fresh, especially if you’re going through something. For those who are broken, Nagsasa Cove can make you forget and heal, even for a day.
But going back to basics isn’t for everyone. If you’re maselan when it concerns restrooms or if you can’t live without electricity, it might be too much for you to handle. in that case, just check out Nagsasa on a day tour. You can still see much of what the cove has to offer, but you will need to be back in Pundaquit by sundown. numerous choose to spend the night at a resort in Pundaquit for the typical comforts.
THINGS TO bring to NAGSASA COVE
If you decide to stay overnight,however, here are some things you need to bring to have an incident-free stay:
Tent. Ask your friends. one of them might just own a tent that you can borrow. A medium-sized tent can accommodate up to four people. but if you’re the type that protects your personal space so much, you can also limit it to only 3. It is not advisable to rent tents. If you planning on renting a tent for P500 per night, ditch it and just purchase one. There are tents available at diy shops and sports houses for as low as P1000. best part is you get to keep the tent and you won’t have to worry about finding one next time.
Water. In secluded beaches like Anawangin, water is gold.
Can/bottle opener and knife. You will need these to open stuff. opening things with your teeth is outstanding but…
Rope. You might need this to create an improvised clothesline so your wet clothes will dry easily.
Flashlight. No electricity, baby.
Mosquito repellent. avoid mosquito bites and all the diseases that might come with them.
Sunblock. safeguard your skin from the sun, of course.
Camera. Anawangin provides not just a good place to swim but amazing scenery that you will want to capture.
Also, don’t try to bring too numerous clothes. If you’re staying for only a night, bring just enough. Don’t forget toiletries.
THINGS TO do in NAGSASA COVE
Where the sea welcomes the creek
Climb to the viewpoint for an remarkable vista! The hill on the southern end of the cove — it’s on your left if you’re facing the sea — can be climbed. It’s a short, easy climb, so don’t worry too much about it. There is a sign that says P10 donation, but I’m not sure if it’s legit or where the payment goes.
Swim and beach bum. The base of the seeing hill has shallower waters, so it’s a terrific spot to just take a dip and play around. but always be careful.
Trek to Nagsasa waterfalls. Not too far from the beach are a few waterfalls punctuating the streams in the area. The nearest is probably 30 minutes (or longer, depending on your pace) away. If it’s your first time, you should hire a guide. guide fee is between P30 and P50 per person.
Stroll along the inlet. Nagsasa Cove has a shallow, beautiful inlet near the southern end of the strip.
ទៅស្ទូចត្រី។ Some boatmen conduct fishing tours. I was able to try this one time. We caught a wahoo! If you want to do this, be sure to let your boatman know before the trip so they can prepare the fishing rods and other equipment.
Watch the stars. If you have a smartphone, download a stargazing app like Google sky Map for Android and GoSkyWatch for Apple. limited or non-existent electrical power on the beaches make them optimal places to view the stars!
Visit Anawangin Cove. It’s very similar to Nagsasa, but check it out too! It’s the place that put San Antonio on the tourism map. entrance Fee: P50.
Check out Capones Island and Lighthouse. The entrance fee is a bit steep (P350), but Capones Island is beautiful too. If you’re staying overnight in Anawangin, you can make a stop here on the way back to Pundaquit on your second day.
Drop by Casa San Miguel on your way back. Casa San Miguel is a small museum highlighting the cultural heritage of San Antonio, Zambales. You can access it by tricycle from Pundaquit or San Antonio Public Market. It’s a peaceful, enlightening way to end an adventure.
Randy, our boatman, reeling in a wahoo, our first catch!
MORE suggestions FOR THE poor TRAVELER
Go to market! The San Antonio Public Market stands near the bus stop, where you will be alighting. before heading to Pundaquit, drop by the market to purchase supplies. the market sells meat, seafood, and other ingredients at very economical prices. If you’re camping overnight in one of the secluded beaches, this is the best place to get raw or fresh ingredients to be grilled or cooked on the beach. They also have Pinoy kakanin like kutsinta, puto, nilupak, and sapin-sapin.
Hire a local cook (paluto). If you bring raw and fresh ingredients with you, you can hire a local to cook for you. The cook we hired lives on the cove (somewhere inland). They do paluto service to earn additional inc
