Sa Nagsasa Cove - San Antonio, Zambales

   After a challenging hike at Mount Balingkilat, we went down to one of the beautiful coves along the southern Zambales coastline. Nagsasa Cove, once a hidden paradise, now a famous tourist destination in San Antonio Zambales.

   People who are looking for a more serene and quiet place than the famous Anawangin usually choose Nagsasa Cove as their destination. For us, this is a perfect oasis after a very strenuous hike. With its beautiful scenery and clear water, our exhaustion and fatigue will surely go away.

Nagsasa Cove
   To get to Zambales, one may ride a bus from Cubao or Caloocan going to Iba or Sta. Cruz (Victory Liner) and get off at San Antonio town proper. Another way is to ride a bus going to Olongapo then from there, ride another bus going to San Antonio.

   In San Antonio, ride a tricycle bound to Pundaquit. Boat transfers going to Anawangin, Nagsasa, Talisayen and Silanguin coves are offered there. They also provide island hopping packages to Camara and Capones Islands. Tour and service fares are usually more expensive for walk-in customers so it is a good idea to have your boat service arranged prior to the day of the event. You may check out Amazing Pundakit Boat Tours through their Facebook page for boat services.

   Another way to get to Nagsasa is by hiking. From Manila, one can go to Subic town proper and ride a tricycle going to Sitio Cauag. And there you can hike up either Mt. Balingkilat or Mt. Bira-Bira going to Nagsasa. Traversing Mt. Bira-bira to Nagsasa will take roughly 5 to 6 hours depending on the pace while the more difficult but magnificent trail from Mt. Balingkilat will take 12 to 15 hours. We did the latter.

   You may check out the post about our hike up Mt. Balingkilat.

At Mang Bolo's Place
   There are a lot of places to stay in Nagsasa Cove and the rates are pretty much the same. We opt to stay at Mang Bolo's place where we paid 100 pesos per head for the overnight stay and another 100 pesos for the open hut rental. I'm not sure if you can reserve a spot prior to the event because cellphone signals are not available in the area.

   We managed to bring our own tent avoiding an extra fee for tent rentals. Clean restrooms are also available in the place.

   There are sari-sari stores situated nearby where basic needs like canned foods, toiletries and beverages are being sold but the price is more expensive than usual. There were stores where you can request to cook food for you too. Locals also sell souvenir items like shirts, ref magnets and key chains. Because of it all, camping in Nagsasa is more convenient than you would think.



   Nagsasa Cove prides itself with a wide shoreline with fine sand and clear water. The mountains that surround it added more beauty to the place. Amazing rock formations are also situated at the end of the beach. There is a spot not far away from it where people can go cliff diving but you need to ride a boat to get there. On the other side of the beach is a river where the fresh water and sea water meet. A few minutes of trekking will also lead you to Nagsasa Falls.


Mt. Bira-bira as seen from Nagsasa Cove

   There is a short trail up the hill on the side of the beach where a panoramic view of the whole cove can be seen. People go there to take pictures of the beautiful landscape. A 10 peso fee is collected by a boy at the beginning of the trail.


   Although service boats are lined up at the shoreline, the beach still has a very wide space to enjoy swimming, sand castle building, beach combing and other fun activities. Swimming in the clear water of this cove surely is a great way to start my day.


   We're supposed to have an island hopping tour on the islands of Camara and Capones but due to the strong winds and high waves, the tour got cancelled. So we stayed and relaxed at Nagsasa Cove a little longer.


   It's already 2:00PM when we left the place. I looked upon the whole cove and bid goodbye as our boat moved away. This beach is definitely worth returning to.

   Going back to Pundaquit, the boat passed by the coves of Talisayen and Anawangin. We were warmly welcomed by Ma'am Josie of Amazing Pundakit when we arrived at Pundaquit Beach. There we were given a place to stay and prepare before leaving. We also got a discount because of the cancelled island hopping tour.

   Thanks to Sir Bolo for the place and to Ma'am Josie for the boat service!

Contact Numbers:
Amazing Pundakit Boat Tours - 0999-8827832 

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