Anawangin Island
Pundaquit, San Antonio Zambales
April 2007
Anawangin beach Located at San Antonio Zambales. Secluded and peaceful. Clean and clear. One of the best! No resort facilities around the place, just a water pump available in the area, I like the serenity and beauty, Just bring your BackPacks and Camp.Thanks to Tolits, Beny and others for organizing this activity for A.M.O.C Family and Friends...."Paradise Found"
BACKGROUND
Pristine and secluded, the beach of Anawangin Cove is fast becoming a popular tourist destination near the Subic, Zambales area. Surrounded by pine trees and carpeted by volcanic white sand from Mt. Pinatubo's eruption, Anawangin cove looks like a winter scene in the tropics. The sand is very fine and beach very wide. During low tide, the beach is very long and wide and the waters calm, making it ideal for swimming.
Although the usual way to Anawangin Cove is by pumpboat from Pundaquit, there is land route passing by a hilly area known interchangeably called Mt. Pundaquit and Mt. Anawangin. The trail passes by shrublands and grasslands, affording views of the nearby mountains. Medium-sized bamboo and ornamental-looking plants deck the paths, at times transforming the trail into a garden-like environment. At first flat and then moderately steep, the midpoint of the trail is the summit of Mt. Pundaquit. The measured elevation here is 464 MASL. And then the descent goes to the Anawangin side of the mountain. According to the locals, the name Anawangin is derived from the Ilokano word 'nuang' which means carabao. The reason behind this are the wild, sometimes aggressive carabao that roam freely in the slopes. After 2-3 hours of descent, pine trees would herald the beach, which can glow into luminous white with the sunlight. Basic facilities such as a small store, shower rooms, and huts are in place in Anawangin even as the locals try to preserve its being 'untouched'. The cove is perfect for camping also.
From Anawangin Cove, you may head back to Pundaquit by pumpboat, or include nearby Capones island in your itinerary. Capones Island has beaches and an authentic Spanish-era lighthouse. Either way, you are 30 minutes away from Pundaquit. You can tidy up at the houses then proceed to Subic for a hearty meal.
(pinoymountaineer.com)
