2018 • 05 • 26
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 Capones Island, Camara Island, Nagsasa Cove, and Anawangin Cove.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
How to Get There
Nearest Airport: Clark International Airport (Pampanga); Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also known as Manila International Airport (Manila)
By Land
- From Manila, board a bus bound for Santa Cruz or Iba, Zambales (P270-360). Travel duration is around 5 hours, depending on traffic.
- Get off at San Antonio Public Market and ride a tricycle to Pundaquit (P40/head). Travel duration is 15-20 minutes.
- From Pundaquit, 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, board 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
- 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. It ranges from P50 to P250 per person.
- Camping Fee: Camping is not usually done here. There are Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves for that. It depends on the resort. Some areas allow camping, some don’t. Ask first before pitching your tent. The rate ranges from P100-300.
- Cottage Fee: It depends on the resort. Rates range from P500 to P2500.
- Other Boat Tour Package Rates: Rates are per boat (small boat can accommodate up to 4 pax)
Anawangin Cove Only (P1200) Talisayen Cove Only (P1500) Nagsasa Cove Only (P1800) Silanguin Cove Only (P2500) Anawangin + Capones Island (P1300) Anawangin Cove + Capones Island + Camara Island (P1800) Nagsasa Cove + Capones Island (P2100) Nagsasa Cove + Capones + Camara Island (P2400) Capones Island + Anawangin + Nagsasa + Camara (P3000)
Don’t Miss
- Enjoy the calming view of the sunrise and morning grind of the locals and the early bird tourists.
- Swimming! Or if you want that summer look and color, you can go sunbathing while listening to your jam.
- If you like hiking, scale the surrounding peaks of Mount Pundaquit.
- Interact with other beach revelers or the locals.
- Watch the glorious sunset.
- Island hopping to nearby Capones Island and Camara Island.
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.
It is recommended to buy your food at San Antonio Public Market to save money. - Bring your power bank to 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
- Explore other nearby coves including Nagsasa Cove, Silanguin Cove, Talisayin Cove, and 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, Pundaquit Beach, and many others.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of hotels and resorts lining the beach of Pundaquit and nearby areas. Remember to book your hotel in advance, especially during peak season. But if you want to extend your trip to Subic, here are some of the top resorts according to Agoda users, in no particular order.
- ACEA Subic Bay. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
- Crystal Beach Resort. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
- The Lighthouse Marina Resort. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
- Segara Suites. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
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?