Capones is lovelier the second time around

In love with the sun, the sand, the guy ♥
Credits: Mark Calam of Katsu Studio

It was around 7am when the boat drivers approached us saying it's time to leave Anawangin. We then packed our things and hurried to the boats waiting for us. I know how amazing Capones Island is, but it just got better! Even prettier, I don't know why. I just really think it's lovelier the second time I see it. I could not help myself and rushed to get off the boat the moment we reached the Island. The water was so calm. I did not care about tans, sunburn, or whatever. I just so love Capones! It was so enticing.

 

Photo Credits: Mark Calam of Katsu Studio 

We took our lunch that we cooked from Anawangin at Capones. It was so hot, we had to set up our tents again as unlike Anawangin, there are no trees, and shades here. Just these big rocks you see from the picture.

It was after lunch time when the driver asked us to packed our things again. He said we cannot leave the Island too late as it will be hard to drive back to Pundaquit because of the waves. I reminded him about Camara Island that we want to see too. Reluctantly, we left Capones and take another boat ride to Camara Island.

Check my Part 3 of Anawangin, Capones, Camara here.

Anawangin, Capones, Camara DIY

I've been to Anawangin twice in and thought I should make a post about my whole experience, a simple itinerary and directions to get to the place. The mystic cove , the exciting experience, the overall adventure. You would not hesitate to come back.

Anawangin is located in San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines. It is famous for its lush pine forest surrounding its white-sand beach and crystal clear waters. It is really a sweet escape from the hustle of the city and is only 2-4 hrs away from Manila.

The cove is surrounded by tall pine trees which makes it the favorite of camp goers and beach goers alike. There is no electricity, no potable water, no room accommodation (you may bring or rent tents from the boat owners), no restaurants, no bars. It really is far from the luxury you get from five-star resorts but the place is really amazing and that's what Anawangin is for , you'll get to enjoy the beauty of nature at its simplest.

Top view from the mountain slopes

DIRECTIONS (by public transportation)

1. Take a Victory Liner bus to San Antonio, Zambales. Below is a table of their schedules/fares from the Monumento, Caloocan Terminal. 

You may check this link for more schedules: Victory Liner Schedules

2. From San Antonio, you may take a tricycle to Pundaquit. The ride takes about 15 mins. 

3. 20 -30 min boat ride from Pundaquit to Anawangin Cove. Price varies depending on your haggling skills ;) We opted to rent the boat together with the tents. Mang Ramon was kind enough to let us borrow some cooking utensils and an ice cooler.

 My travel buddies Jon, Merlie, Angel, me and Yayo
photo credits to Mark Calam of Katsu Studio

ITINERARY

Day 1

1200am ETD MNL to San Antonio
300am   ETA Town Market
400am   Breakfast/Market Opens/Buy food, water, etc.
500am   Trike to Pundaquit
600am   Boatride to Anawangin
620am   Arrival at Anawangin Cove
700am  Set up tent/breakfast
800am  Swim/Photo ops
12nn     Lunch Time
1pm      Rest
3pm      Explore Cove/Mountain
5pm      Socials
9pm      Lights Out

Day 2

7am    Breakfast8am    Boat ride to Capones Island
11am lunch at Capones
12nn   Boatride to Camara Island
2pm    Boatride Back to Pundaquit
3pm    ETD from Pundaquit
8pm    ETA Manila


Expenses                                   Per Person
Bus Fare 2-way                             500
Tricycle to Pundaquit 2-way          70
Boat Rental + Island hopping       400
Tent Rental(300)food for 2-4        150
Food/Misc                                     200
Env Fee                                         100
                                                    --------       
                                                     1420

• We bought foods from the town market . Mang Ramon let us use some kalderos, knives, ice cooler :)
• No electricity, no potable water, NO SIGNAL! If you need to use your phone, do so before the boatride
• It's a cowboy/girl thing! It's gonna be you, the sun, the sand, the nature. Camp!camp!camp!

 More pictures..

Overall, I would still love to go back to the place. It really is a haven, indeed!

Check my Part 2 of  Anawangin, Capones, Camara DIY. A separate post about Capones