We're heading out this time to another popular Zambales destination, the Nagsasa Cove, in San Antonio town, Zambales. The Nagsasa and Anawangin Coves are popular to day-trippers, campers, and mountaineers as it is close to Manila and very accessible because of the NLEX and the relatively new SCTEX highway. The travel time by bus is around 3 hours at night but may take a bit longer during the day depending on traffic conditions. If you are going by car, travel very early in the morning so you can get there by sunrise.
Best time to go
There are only two main seasons in the Philippines, wet and dry season. Rain comes from June till November, although occasionally, storms appear even during the dry season, making for a rough travel at sea if you're heading to an island. We went there on a hot first week of May and encountered a flash rainstorm on the way back to Pundaquit, which made the boat ride really scary. It also made the boat captain cancel our side-trip to the Capones and Camara Islands. But Summer or dry season is from December to May, so the sea is usually safe and calm.
Tourists from other countries usually think it's summer all year long in the Philippines, although most Filipinos think summer is only from March to May. Temperatures range from 25 - 35 degrees Celsius, but may swing up to 40 during summer peaks, so make sure to always have a bottle of drinking water with you.
How to get there
The Nagsasa Cove is isolated from San Antonio town because of the tall mountain range whose tips end at the beach. You cannot access it directly by bus or car so you will have to travel to San Antonio first. To get there by bus, ride for Iba or Sta. Cruz, Zambales (northermost town of Zambales) in any of the bus stations of Victory Liner (Caloocan, Cubao, Sampaloc or Pasay) and tell the conductor to drop you off at San Antonio's town hall. From there, take a trike and go to Barrio Pundaquit and head for the beach. Rent a boat (PhP2,000.00 to PhP2,400.00, depending on negotiations) for the trip to Nagsasa Cove. Parties of more than seven persons will need a bigger boat which, obviously, costs more. The boat ride is around two hours from Pundaquit to Nagsasa Cove.
There are only two main seasons in the Philippines, wet and dry season. Rain comes from June till November, although occasionally, storms appear even during the dry season, making for a rough travel at sea if you're heading to an island. We went there on a hot first week of May and encountered a flash rainstorm on the way back to Pundaquit, which made the boat ride really scary. It also made the boat captain cancel our side-trip to the Capones and Camara Islands. But Summer or dry season is from December to May, so the sea is usually safe and calm.
Tourists from other countries usually think it's summer all year long in the Philippines, although most Filipinos think summer is only from March to May. Temperatures range from 25 - 35 degrees Celsius, but may swing up to 40 during summer peaks, so make sure to always have a bottle of drinking water with you.
How to get there
The Nagsasa Cove is isolated from San Antonio town because of the tall mountain range whose tips end at the beach. You cannot access it directly by bus or car so you will have to travel to San Antonio first. To get there by bus, ride for Iba or Sta. Cruz, Zambales (northermost town of Zambales) in any of the bus stations of Victory Liner (Caloocan, Cubao, Sampaloc or Pasay) and tell the conductor to drop you off at San Antonio's town hall. From there, take a trike and go to Barrio Pundaquit and head for the beach. Rent a boat (PhP2,000.00 to PhP2,400.00, depending on negotiations) for the trip to Nagsasa Cove. Parties of more than seven persons will need a bigger boat which, obviously, costs more. The boat ride is around two hours from Pundaquit to Nagsasa Cove.
If you are going by car, take the NLEX and go straight through SCTEX, then go to SBMA and exit via Kalaklan Gate. Turn left after the bridge and head north to Subic, Castillejos, San Marcelino, and then San Antonio. When you hit San Antonio's town center, drop by the public market at the right side after the town hall to buy some supplies, especially water. Then make a left towards Delos Reyes Street (next street after 7-eleven) and then turn right at Evangelista Street, then left again at the street when you see Christian Faith Trading or if you will notice the small left-turn sign. Head straight down the road until you hit Pundaquit Beach. Park your car at the beach resort there and make an advance payment for the parking. You can also ask them for help on negotiating for a boat ride to Nagsasa cove.
More updates soon!
