Weekend at Nagsasa Cove

Arriving at Nagsasa Cove, the boatmen helped us in setting up the tent and looking for stones and woods which will serve as our stove and stove top.  Together with my male friend (the only male in our group), he helped in setting out the fire.  Indeed, everything was provided.  After everything was set up, the boatmen already left us.  That's why at night, there was no bonfire provided to us which was supposed to be included in our package as agreed with Marvin.

Nagsasa Cove campsite

Panoramic view of Nagsasa Cove

There were several beach resorts/campsite at the cove.  I guess the only difference is their little convenience to be provided to their guests.  I haven't tour around those resorts but comparing ours (Kuya Ting Campsite) to the neighboring resort, I noticed that ours provided a generator particularly on the 4 restrooms.  The lights were always on until no one is taking a bath according to the caretaker.

This is where we stayed

It was scourging hot during the day especially at noon.  Whats even hotter is the flame coming out from the neighboring tent's cooking area which seem to be endlessly cooking from dusk 'til dawn.  The direction of wind was towards us thus the flame of their charcoal/wood fire was all directed to us.  My friends with the help of the caretakers talked to the neighboring tent but it took them awhile to convince them to change their cooking area.  Those in charged were already a bit drunk so its quite difficult to convince them.

Nagsasa Cove is bigger than Anawaning Cove.  It was indeed more picturesque than Anawangin, in my opinion because of mountains and hills surrounding it.  Pine trees, however are more abundant in Anawangin Cove.  If Anawangin Cove has its lake, Nagsasa Cove has its sand bar.  Its lovely here especially before sunset.  At both coves, water is clear and the sand was somehow fine but not that white.  It is sad, however, that there are quite a number of trash found at the shores and even at the waters of Nagsasa Cove.  Also, there are small jellyfishes found here.

Picturesque beauty located at the back of the beach

Small lake?

 

Lovely sunset

Jellyfish found on the shore

The next day, for our island hopping at Anawangin Cove and Capones, the scheduled pick up at 7:30-8am was not followed.  Marvin (our boatman) arrived at around 9am already.  With this, we had so little time to explore and swim at Anawangin and Capones.  But somehow, we still managed to enjoyed it.  We were suppose to visit the lake at Anawangin but we learned that there was already an entrance fee.  Some of us wasn't able to swim at Anawangin, instead, they ate halo halo.  But at Capones, all of us got the chance to swim.  We didn't, however, visit the lighthouse because according to Marvin, it is on the other side of the island and it was low tide so our boat couldn't dock there.  Capones Island is more rocky with pebbles but again the water is clear.  The foot bed was uneven that there are sudden steep portion so one must be careful in swimming the area.

Panoramic view of Anawangin Cove

Part of Capones Island

Clear waters and pebbles of Capones

Since our island hopping happened on our last day, Marvin provided an area in Pundaquit which he said owned by his aunt where we could take a bath and change clothes.  It was an open area with water "poso" that is somehow clean.  2 changing areas were provided, one with toilet but there was no water inside.  You need to fetch water from the "poso" using their pail.  The area was full of pomelo and mango trees.  Its just unfortunate that the fruits were still unripe for the picking.  If it was already ripe and ready for picking, Marvin said we could take home some.

Overall, we enjoyed Marvin's service and I will recommend him to all those who wish to visit Nagsasa Cove and looking for a boatman.  You may check my previous blog for his contact details.

Weekend at Nagsasa Cove: Getting There

Nagsasa Cove is one of the famous destinations at Pundaquit San Antonio, Zambales aside from Anawangin Cove, Capones and Camara.  There's another cove here but I forgot its name.  It is said to be the farthest among these destinations.

I've been to Anawangin, Capones and Camara last year but we didn't camp out in Anawangin Cove, instead we stayed in one of the accommodations available in Pundaquit.  You can read my blog post about it here.  This time, since more and more people are raving about Nagsasa Cove, claiming it to be better than Anawangin Cove, my friends decided to visit Nagsasa Cove and stay overnight there by camping.

Panoramic view of Nagsasa Cove from the sea

Planning on this trip, we prefer convenience, thus we searched for an all in package that will take us to Nagsasa Cove at the same time tour the other coves for my first timer friends' pleasure.  Most of the tour packages require at least 10 pax for the trip to be economical.  The more, the better, the cheaper.  My officemate, who had been to Nagsasa Cove just recently, provided us boatman contact.  The same boatman guided them and provided everything for them while in Nagsasa excluding land transportation going to Zambales.  Since we prefer convenience, its a good thing that the boatman also has contacts for van rentals.  For an all in package, which includes van and boat transfer, tent, cooking equipment, utensils, mineral water, entrance fees, cottages, and island hopping, the charge was Php 1,550 per person good for 10 pax.  At the last minute, we were only 9 pax so the charge was Php 1,600.  Food was not included.   

The van is supposed to pick us up in Makati at 1am but for some reason he requested it to be at 3am.  I declined and said that it's too late already.  We agreed at 2am.  I asked again the reason for change in schedule but he didn't respond.  He arrived in Makati a bit late, 15 minutes late.  The van was big, I think that was Nissan Urvan, with cool A/C.  It can accommodate up to 18 passengers including the driver.  So for us 9 pax, it was a comfortable seating.  By the way, picking up of other people along the way is not allowed.  The driver said that there should only be one pick up and drop off point.

The travel time took 4 hours.  But I believe it should have been shortened if we opted to to take the SCTEX  route instead of San Fernando exit.  I no longer asked the driver why but I guess they're avoiding the high toll fees.  During the trip, we had 2 stop overs, one at SBMA then the other one at San Antonio where we will do marketing to buy foods to cook.  We encountered traffic somewhere in Olongapo due to fiesta preparation.  But good thing our driver asked around for a short cut or other routes to avoid the queue of trucks and other vehicles.  We arrived in San Antonio around 6 am already and the wet market is already opened (it is said to be opened by 5:30am).  We arrived at the "port" of Pundaquit by 7am.  It is not actually port but that was the tail end for land transportation.  There, we were greeted by our boatman, Marvin.  He then introduced us to the boatmen who will take us to Nagsasa Cove and who will assist us in all our preparation needs.  Marvin gave us an option on the island hopping.  He said, we can already visit Anawangin Cove before heading to Nagsasa then on the next day, that's where we will visit Capones island.  Another option is to directly head to Nagsasa Cove in day 1 and take the island hopping on the second day.  We preferred the second option.  I believe most of us were all excited to see and relax at Nagsasa Cove.

Below is the contact details of our boatman, Marvin and the van c/o Jeremy:

Marvin (boatman) - 0927.7594714
Jeremy (van) - 0906.2741883

Again our contacts for the van was also care of Marvin.  Read my next blog where I relate the beauty of Nagsasa Cove.

Canoe Beach Resort: A Review

There are a number of resorts in Barangay Pundaquit San Antonio, Zambles where you can stay overnight or so in case you plan to visit Anawangin Cove and nearby islands and wouldn't want to do camping or sleep in a tent there.

Our choices were Capones Vista and Canoe Beach Resort.  There were very few reviews on these resorts that's why we had a hard time choosing where to stay.  Both have swimming pool, which is one of our requirements in case the waves in Pundaquit becomes strong and we wouldn't able to enjoy the beach.  Capones Vista is more expensive than Canoe Beach Resort but it seems more pleasant and luxurious.  Canoe Beach Resort on the other hand is just plain resort but somehow seems safe, clean and pleasant.  And so we settled for Canoe Beach Resort as it is inexpensive.

In front of the rooms with cottages

 We are a family of 14 including 2 kids.  So we got 3 rooms in Canoe Beach Resort, 2 in the pool area and 1 in beach front area as what they call it.  Funny since its not really beach front.  It just has sands in front of the room.  It's better to stay at a room in the pool area.  Anyway, cost of the room in the pool area is Php 2,500 per night, good for 4 pax while in the beach front area, its Php 1,800 good for 2 pax.  Excess per head cost Php 350.  The rooms are quite spacious that's why all 14 of us fits the 3 rooms.

This is the beach in front of Canoe Beach Resort

Check in time is at 1pm but we arrived hours earlier.  Good thing, they allowed early check in since there's no occupants in the room we reserved.  But we cannot use their aircon.  For some reason, we really can't open it.  Maybe the switches are centralized.  But at least, fans are available.


Rooms in pool area have 2 double size bed, small side table with lamp, vanity mirror and comfort room.  For the room in the beachfront area, 1 double size bed, small side table with lamp, vanity mirror and comfort room.  All rooms does not have ref, television and hot and cold shower.  All room occupants can use their amenities like swimming pool, cooking/grilling area, and volleyball area.  The use of beachfront nipa hut is also included. There's no toiletries (except for 2 small soaps and a roll of left over toilet paper) and towels provided. But I read in some blogs that towels can be provided if you asked for it. Since I stayed mostly at the pool area room, below are my comments on it.

Farthest left is where the room termed "beach front rooms" are located

The room was clean and pleasant. Linens are all new and clean as well. However there's no blanket should one gets cold at night. Your only covering would be the bed linens which were 2, one for bed covering and the other one serves as your blanket. There's no small cabinet where you can put your clothes. There isn't any drawers as well even if there's a vanity mirror and side table. In some rooms (like ours) have a few hinges on the wall where you can hang some clothes. The airconditioning was good and it can be really cold at night.

The shower area was somehow clean. There's a wall separating the shower area and the toilet. I just noticed that there's no "sink" on the toilet side so never splash water on it or else the floor would get a little flooded. My brother splashes water in the toilet area to wipe out the sands. But unfortunately, the floor becomes a little flooded the whole time we stayed there. At the back of the toilet door, there are hinges where you can hang your clothes.

Pool side rooms

There is a small lounging area outside the room but no tables and chairs. It's like a small veranda. Since there's no tv, you can hang out there with some snacks and drinks.

Cafe Pundakit

Restaurant is available in the resort named Cafe Pundakit. Prices are reasonable and serving size can be good for 2 in some of their viands. Bringing of food and drinks is allowed in the resort without corkage fee except for sodas and beer.

The resort also offers island hopping to Anawaning, Camara and Capones. The rates are (taken from their email sent to us):

Other Charges:                          4pax Capacity          5-20pax capacity

Boat Ride: Camara Island         P 800.00                   P 150/pax

                  Capones Island       P 1,000.00                P 200pax

                  Annawangin Cove   P 1,000.00                P200/pax

                  (Annawangin only Entrance Fee- P50/pax)

Camara, Capones                       P 1,200.00              P250/pax

Camara, Capones, Annawangin P 1,500.00              P300/pax

Tour Guide to Pundakit Falls   P 50.00/pax

But since the resort's location is where most of the boats dock, we just decided to ask the boatman there and haggle price for island hopping. For 13 adults, our island hopping cost 350 each for adults.

I wasn't able to dip in the pool so I don't know its temperature.  The pool picture from their website looks big but in actual it is not.  The kids, though, enjoyed swimming in the pool.

The pool

We are allowed late check out without additional charge since no other guests will occupy our room on the same day.  However, airconditioning unit was again turned off at their usual check out time of 11am.

Overall, our stay at Canoe Beach Resort is hassle free and enjoyable.  I would recommend this place for people who wish to visit Anawangin and nearby islands but do not want to sleep in a tent.  If no television is not a factor for you then you might try to stay here.