HomeAsiaPhilippinesLuzonZambales and Bataan Back-to-Back Visits in 2 + 6 Days By Marcos Detourist on July 24, 2011So what’s with the deal with the 2 + 6 days? My trip to Zambales last summer was divided into two parts.The first part was a two day visit to Anawangin Cove, Zambales and the second was a longer six day trip to Nagsasa Cove, other areas of Zambales Province, and Bataan.I’ve always wanted to visit Anawangin Cove in Zambales … I was curious to know if the beach was as beautiful in person as it is in countless of amazing photos online. After a bit of googling, I discovered Trail Adventours and booked myself an overnight camping tour in Anawangin Cove. The package included a trek / traverse of Mt. Pundaquit going to Anawangin and then an island hopping tour of Capones and Camera Islands on the way back. What! Me on a packaged tour!? Yeah, I was curious how it felt like being a tourist than my usual independent traveler self. My verdict: I guess the fact that I had to go back a few days later to do it “DIY style” speaks for itself. Trail Adventours and the members of my tour group were friendly, interesting, and accommodating but I just wasn’t feeling it at the moment. Maybe it was because I had expected too much of Anawangin … plus missing the chance of seeing the old lighthouse in Capones Island (during our 2nd day) made me a lot bitter. Our boatmen told us that it was impossible to dock at the island because of the strong waves.Day 1 – Mt. Pundaquit Traverse and Overnight in Anawangin Cove, ZambalesEarly Morning Trek to Mt. Pundaquit’s Summit in San Antonio, ZambalesThe beautiful scenery along the trail from the village center of Brgy. PundaquitGreat blue skies and wonderful view going up the summitReally windy grasslands at the mountain topFirst glimpse of Anawangin CoveThe unmerciful heat and scantily covered drylands going into the coastView from one of the hills at the southern end of Anawangin. The scenery is unlike the usual tropical scenes in the Philippines because of the pine-like trees at the edge of the beach. I learned from my other companions that they aren’t pinetrees but a close cousin called “mountain agoho”I really loved the whole scenery of Anawangin Cove but the beach/sand itself actually looks better in photos than in real life. It’s not “coral sand” like most Philippine beaches but seems more like a light shade of fine-grained sedimentary rocks. As such, it gets really hot to walk on during noontime.Sunset at Anawangin CoveDay 2 – Capones Island Let DownRugged cliffs of Capones Island and the unforgiving waves at the coastMy only view of the Spanish-colonial lighthouse in Capones Island during my first visit to ZambalesThe struggle to disembark at Brgy. Pundauit proper because of the strong wavesWhen I returned to Manila, a few travel bloggers were planning an overnight camping trip to Nagsasa Cove, located just two bends away from Anawangin in Zambales. Perfect! it seems the stars have aligned for me to get the chance to visit Capones Island :) I was equally excited to travel with Claire, Marky, Ada, Joel, Darwin, and Carla. Anawangin BTW was really beautiful but I loved the more laid back feel of Nagsasa Cove more. On our second day, I was able to step foot at Capones Island and see its old lighthouse (finally!). I found the rugged landscapes of Capones really alluring. I would’ve missed out on a LOT had I not returned! The experience of bonding with other Pinoy Travel Bloggers was definitely the cherry on top. How I wish all my trips were more like this, sighTake Two! Day 1 – Overnight in Nagsasa Cove, Zambales View of Capones and Camera Islands from Brgy. Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales Pumpboat ride to Nagsasa Cove View of Anawangin Cove enroute to Nagsasa First glimpse of Nagsasa Cove Equally gorgeous mountain/coastal landscape of Nagsasa Cove Scaling the rocky area at the northside hills of Nagsasa Beautiful but shy sunsetDay 2 – Capones Island and Magalawa Island, Zambales Morning boat ride back to Anawangin Cove Revisiting the freshwater lagoon at Anawangin Cove The trek to Capones Island’s lighthouse. I really loved the island’s rugged terrain. It exudes an unforgiving yet alluring aura for me … like a probable set for a dark fairy tale or something.Passing through the woodlands at the west end of Capones IslandEntrance Arch of the Capones Lighthouse Beautiful textures of the ruined heritage structure Great view on top of the lighthouse tower Backside view of the Capones Lighthouse Amazing view of Capones Island from a spot near the lighthouse Loved the red bricks … great photo-op moment since I was also wearing all-red with my carrot top While most of the group went back to Manila in time for the workdays, Me and Claire still had plans to see a few more attractions in Zambales particularly Magalawa Island in Palauig and Potipot Island in Candelaria.I stayed in Balanga City for three full days during my trip in Bataan Province. This was the part of the trip when I didn’t prepare an itinerary. I’m usually a bit obsessive compulsive when it comes to planning for trips and it always takes lot of work to make foolproof itineraries. I wanted to try NOT to research about the destination prior to my visit and just make plans when I get there. The intention was to make the trip feel more spontaneous, like I was really discovering the place for the first time without expectations. After the three days, I realized that I’m just one of those people that are happier with itineraries in hand :D I may have experienced more spontaneity during my short experiment but there’s just a lot that I missed … interesting spots I could have visited had I made a more solid itinerary :( Of course, I only feel this way because I’ve come to like Bataan and I wished I could have seen more.Day 3 – Coastal Sweep of Zambales Province (Magalawa, Potipot, Iba, Olongapo, Subic) Waking up to a great view of Paradise at Magalawa Island Working on my travel notes at the overnight cottages The white sandbar of Magalawa Island Pumpboat ride back to mainland Palauig, Zambales On the bus to Candelaria, Zambales View of Potipot Island from the grey (off-white) sand beach at the mainland Approaching Potipot Island Beautiful tropical scenery in Potipot Island. Loved the generous natural canopy shade. Zambales Provincial Capitol in Iba Iba Cathedral (Parish of St. Augustine) Nightshot of the beachfront area of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in Olongapo City, ZambalesDay 4 – Breakfast in Subic and Overland to Bataan Ulo-ulo Monument / Rotonda in Olongapo City Morning view of the Lighthouse Marina Resort in SBMA. Orani Church (Holy Rosary Parish), Bataan Samal Municipal Hall, Bataan Samal Church (St. Cathderine of Sienna), Bataan Abucay Church (St. Dominic Parish), Bataan Balanga Cathderal ( St. Joseph Parish), Bataan View of Mt. Mariveles in Mariveles, Bataan Dusk view of Corregidor from Mariveles, Bataan Nightshot of San Miguel Rock Formation / Hill in Sisisman, MarivelesDay 5 – Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan Coastal views at the town proper of Bagac, Bataan Reconstructed Spanish-colonial Houses at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac Beautiful poolside of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Wishing the Historic Core of Manila (Escolta) could look more like this. Ofcourse, it has to be more tastefully done! WWII Monument along the highway in BagacDay 6 – Trek to Binukawan Falls and Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan The unforgiving trek to Binukawan Falls in Bagac, Bataan Secluded Limutan Falls The taller but less accessible cascade of Ambon-ambon Falls. Didn’t get a front view because it meant trekking for another hour Broke my slippers along the way. The midday (30 minute) trek felt like I was walking bare foot on desert sand. While I was on the very unpleasant experience, the thought of the Bataan death march naturally came to me. I couldn’t begin to imagine how grueling (and fatal) it was for thousands of Filipino prisoners. The giant cross at the Mt. Samat Shrine, commemorating Philippine heroics Awesome panoramas from the viewdeck of Mt. Samat ShrineDon’t leave yet. There’s more!Ambot-ah Season 2011 Finale: a year of memoriesSubic Pamulaklakin Forest Trail: Jungle survival and…5-day Budget for Singapore, Legoland, and Sentosa TourPlanning at trip to Cuyo, Palawan10 Days Thailand Itinerary — Ayutthaya and BangkokFirst time in Thailand and CambodiaComments Marky saysJuly 24, 2011 at 9:35 amwow that was a busload of a trip. Cozy cottage at Magalawa. I did the Bataan Visita Iglesia too on a separate trip during the holy week (with Mt. Samat) – I missed out on Acuzar though and the waterfalls :(You really combed the places enough to maximize your Luzon trip. Kudos. Marcos saysJuly 24, 2011 at 3:37 pmThe cottages of Magalawa really were :) Sleeping on a bed was already a luxury compared to camping out, hehe … At least you’re already in Manila, you could go there on any given weekend Marky :) pinaytraveljunkie saysJuly 28, 2011 at 7:10 pmYou really made te most out of your Luzon trip. Whew! Parang ako napagod sa trip mo. Hahaha! Even your tsinelas gave up. Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:53 amtrue! hehe. Matagal ko na gustong gawin yung more long term na Luzon trip … pero ang dami pa di ko napuntahan still want to go back. Sheena Bree saysDecember 17, 2012 at 5:36 pmHow did you find Potipot Island on your visit? :) Marcos saysDecember 28, 2012 at 1:23 amIt was a nice cute little island :) I liked it because there were few people on the island. The caretaker said they have more than 100 visitors camping during peak days. Ben saysOctober 3, 2016 at 11:08 amWhich beaches are better, Zambales or Bataan? Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Marky saysJuly 24, 2011 at 9:35 amwow that was a busload of a trip. Cozy cottage at Magalawa. I did the Bataan Visita Iglesia too on a separate trip during the holy week (with Mt. Samat) – I missed out on Acuzar though and the waterfalls :(You really combed the places enough to maximize your Luzon trip. Kudos.
Marcos saysJuly 24, 2011 at 3:37 pmThe cottages of Magalawa really were :) Sleeping on a bed was already a luxury compared to camping out, hehe … At least you’re already in Manila, you could go there on any given weekend Marky :)
pinaytraveljunkie saysJuly 28, 2011 at 7:10 pmYou really made te most out of your Luzon trip. Whew! Parang ako napagod sa trip mo. Hahaha! Even your tsinelas gave up.
Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:53 amtrue! hehe. Matagal ko na gustong gawin yung more long term na Luzon trip … pero ang dami pa di ko napuntahan still want to go back.
Marcos saysDecember 28, 2012 at 1:23 amIt was a nice cute little island :) I liked it because there were few people on the island. The caretaker said they have more than 100 visitors camping during peak days.