San Antonio in Zambales is a quaint little town. It’s busy, but it has this nostalgic provincial life charm, drawing weary weekend warriors to its beaches and coves. One of the unique beaches in Zambales is the volcanic ash-carpeted Pundaquit Beach. Its fine light gray volcanic ash cover turns white when the sun is glaring. Pundaquit beach is usually the jump-off point to other attractions in Zambales such as Camara Island, Capones Island, Nagsasa Cove, and Anawangin Cove.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
How to Get to There
Nearest Airport: Clark International Airport (Pampanga) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also known as Manila International Airport (Manila)
By Land
- From Manila, get on a bus bound for Santa Cruz or Iba, Zambales (P360). Travel duration is around 5 hours, depending on traffic.
- Alight at San Antonio Public Market and ride a tricycle to Pundaquit Beach (P40/head). Travel time is 15-20 minutes.
- From Pundaquit Beach, you may stay in one of the resorts there or just do a day trip. You can also take an island hopping tour package if you want to go to other nearby islands or coves.
If you are coming from Olongapo, ride a Victory Liner bus going to Santa Cruz or Iba, Zambales (P50-60). Alight at San Antonio Public Market and take a tricycle to Pundaquit (P40/head).
Entrance Fee and Other Charges
Pundaquit Beach Rates
- Entrance Fee: It’s a public beach, so it’s FREE unless you are staying in one of the resorts or accessing the beach via one of them. The rate varies depending on the resort.
- Camping Fee: Camping is not usually done here. There are Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves for that. It depends on the resort: some allow camping, others don’t. Ask first before pitching your tent. Again, rate varies depending on the resort and inclusions.
- Cottage Fee: It depends on the resort. Rates range from P500 to P2,500.
San Antonio Island Hopping Rates
Rates vary depending on the number of stops, inclusions, group size, and duration — day tour or overnight. But to give you an idea, here are the rates we gathered during our last island-hopping trip in San Antonio, Zambales:
Day Tour Package
- P3,500
- Good for four (4) pax
- Covers four (4) stops/destinations
Overnight Package
- 2 Days, 1 Night
- Covers three (3) stops/destinations:
– Island stop
– Sightseeing spot
– Overnight beach camping site - Rate ranges from P700 to P3,500 per person, depending on the number of passengers/participants, distance of the beach camping site, and inclusions. Most tour operators or travel agencies can accommodate solo (1) to a maximum of five (5) people. Some can even arrange trips for big groups with more than 10 people.
Overnight Tour Package Inclusions
The usual package inclusions are the following:
- Rountrip Boat Transfer
- Entrance/Overnight Stay Fees
- Capones Island Stop
- Camara Island Sightseeing
- Tent (for sharing)
- Drinking Water
- Bonfire Wood
- Charcoal
- Use of Cooking Utensils
- Life Vest
Island Hopping Stops/Destinations
You can choose from any of these stops or destinations:
- Camara Island
- Capones Island
- Anawangin Cove
- Nagsasa Cove
- Talisayin/Talisayen Cove
- Silanguin Cove
For more details about island hopping in San Antonio, you may check out our other articles listed below:
Don’t Miss
- Enjoy the calming view of the sunrise. Take in the morning seaside buzz of locals and early bird tourists.
- Swimming. Or if you want that summer look and color, you can go sunbathing while listening to your jam.
- Hiking. If you are into climbing mountains, scale the surrounding peaks of Mount Pundaquit.
- Live in the moment. Interact with other beach revelers or the locals.
- Watch the glorious sunset!
- Island hopping. You can go to Capones Island, Camara Island, Anawangin Cove, and/or Nagsasa Cove.
Don’t Forget
- Bring protection from the sun, especially during summer when it’s scorching hot: sunglasses, hats, rash guard, environment-friendly sunscreen, umbrella, etc.
- Wear protective footwear, especially during summer when the sun is really strong. The volcanic ash ground can feel like burning charcoal under your feet.
- Be mindful of other revelers. Keep your speaker volume to a minimum if you are bringing one while you chill and sunbathe on the beach.
- It can get crowded during summer.
- Have enough cash on hand. There are stalls where you can purchase snacks, drinks, ice, souvenirs, etc.
- Bring your power bank. Keep your cameras and phones charged.
- Don’t leave your things unattended.
- Leave nothing but footprints. Practice proper garbage disposal. PLEASE.
If You Have More Time and Budget
- Stay overnight and try beach camping at one of the coves: Nagsasa Cove, Silanguin Cove, Talisayin Cove, or Anawangin Cove.
- Aside from Mount Pundaquit, other mountains you can hike are Mount Nagsasa or Mount Balingkilat.
- Other attractions are Capones Island Lighthouse, Nagsasa Falls, Casa San Miguel, and many others.
- You can explore San Antonio’s neighboring beach towns like San Narciso and San Felipe.
Where to Stay in Zambales
There are plenty of hotels and resorts lining the beach of Pundaquit in San Antonio. You can also find accommodations in any of these nearby beach towns in the province: San Narciso and San Felipe. You may also opt to stay in Iba if the provincial capital is your next destination. Remember to book your hotel in advance, especially during peak season. Here are some of the top accommodations as rated by online users.
Top Hotels on Agoda
- CRYSTAL BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - YOUHAN BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - THE PENTA BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - FUNTASEA HOTEL AND BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - BOM DIA HOSTEL
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
Top Hotels on Booking.com
- WHITE CASTLE BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - MEGANS PARADISIO BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - PLAYA ALBA BEACH FRONT AND RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - THE PALMS RESORT & BAR
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - BAKASYUNAN RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
If you want more suggestions with more details about each hotel, you can also check our Top 10 Beach Resorts in Zambales article.
Find more Zambales Hotels!
Watch Related Videos on YouTube
You can watch our San Antonio, Zambales Island Hopping Guide video below. You can also find other related videos on our YouTube channel.
Updates Log
2024.07.25 – First uploaded
Related Article: How to Get to Zambales
More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️
How much per person and how much the entrance fee?
ang ganda so relaxing can i get ur con.number
This is the Local Tourism Office of San Antonio, Zambales. We would like to Thank you for advertising our beautiful place Pundaquit.
Caveat to those travelers who wants to visit our place, please be advised to deal with those legit booking agents here in our town.
Please contact us in our hot line number 09565949160 for details and information re: LEGIT BOOKING AGENTS
Hi, I recently had a trip to Visit Pundaquit for a couple days last month May 19-20, 2019. I always like exploring the islands of Capones and swim there because the water is always nice and clear., but my recent trip was a little disappointing. As our boat pulled in on one of the islands, first thing I noticed was a pile of trash left by either people camped there for a night or during the day. We arrived the island around 9am so I am pretty sure it is either left there the night before or for days. I took a photo of those trash but my point of this message is that:
1) I hope your office do something about people camping or touring around the Islands., maybe assigned all banca operators to remind the people they tour to the Islands to carry back their own trash and do not leave them in the Islands as a respect to nature and to preserve the beauty that we always come back to visit.
2)Remember that it is the tourism and the beauty of the place that the people come back for, just imagine if those trash pile over the years. Tourism for the Islands will be dead and livelihood for the banca operators will do as well. Thank you. I am just a concern patron of the beautiful place that I will always come back and visit.
Good day!
Can I get your e-mail address?
Thank you,
Ano po ang mga package nyo?