Camara Island

After hopping Capones Island, we headed towards Camara Island.

Camara Island by: Hope Olano

Camara Island is a small and the closest island from the shores of Barangay Pundaquit and Barangay San Miguel in San Antonio, Zambales Jump Off Points. It's a boat ride away from Pundaquit or San Miguel and the famous Anawangin Cove. It's best described as a big lump of rock with white sands and fewer trees. The rock formations, the view of the open seas and scenic spots are very great for photo shootings . White sand becomes visible when low tides and vanishes when high tides. 

The Shallow Cave

Camara

Where To Stay

People can't possibly stay overnight or have a camping at Camara due to the unpredictable occurrencies as what I've cited in the precautions below.  It's more likely & safer to stay at Anawangin Cove. But for those who prefer to stay in a private accomodation, I'm suggesting Kuya Jimz Beach Resort, situated in Pundaquit & in the nearby area of San Miguel. It's clean and near to the island attractions, a perfect inn for travelers.

    

Getting There

From Manila Via Victory Liner Air-conditioned Bus

• Cubao Terminal - Olongapo Terminal Php208.00

• Olongapo Terminal - San Antonio, Zambales (via Sta. Cruz or Iba Bus) Ordinary Php44.00 / AC Php60.00

• Reaching San Antonio: Tricyle - Brgy. Pundaquit/Brgy. San Miguel Php30.00/Head

• Brgy. Pundaquit or Brgy. San Miguel (Jump Off Points) - Camara Island (via Motor Boat) Php700.00 Round Trip - Maximum of 4

Precautions:

• Unlike Capones Island & Anawangin Cove, Camara is not suitable for camping trips because this area is very  humid. There are no shade of trees that'll protect people from the heat of the sun.
• And/Or an overnight stay because this is just a small island. The water may rise beyond what people expect. It will be too dangerous. Just a daytime sightseeing tour I suggest.

Capones Island

San Antonio, Zambales Philippines

I will be featuring Capones Island here which was the second destination among the three islands that me and my brother hopped last May of 2011.

One of the tourist spots in San Antonio, Zambales is the rocky Capones Island, one among the islands that people should go to. It's apparently like a hiding place for people, away from the crowd because it's a quiet and a very secluded location. It's surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the South China Sea; close to and a boat ride away from Anawangin Cove, Camara Island and the Pundaquit or San Miguel Jump Off Points. An abandoned Light House which is hundred years of age and an unfinished structure built by the Spanish government can be seen in this island. Both are historical in appearance. Presumably, proposed plans were already laid to restore them for Philippine Legacy.

Crystal Clear Waters

Big Rocks around the vicinity!

Stones & My Foot!

Mike

I was pointing at Something!

Capones Island by: Hope Olano

ITINERARY

TWO DAY TRIP

  San Antonio + Anawangin Cove + Capones Island + Camara island

Day 1

• Departure From Manila
• Olongapo To San Antonio
• Buy Goods at San Antonio Market then proceed to Brgy. Pundaquit or San Miguel
• From Brgy. Pundaquit or San Miguel - Boat Ride To Anawangin
• Arrival To Anawangin Then Set A Camp
• Lunch At The Cove
• Explore Anawangin Cove & Rest
• Beach Bumming & Take Pictures
• Dinner & Bonfire & Rest

Day 2

• Breakfast & Sightseeing
• Pack - Up & Take The Rented Boat To Capones Island
• Trek & Visit Lighthouse - Take Pictures
• Head To Camara Island - Take Pictures
• Head Back To Brgy. Pundaquit/San Miguel - Clean & Bath
• From Brgy. Pundaquit/San Miguel - Return To San Antonio
• Lunch at San Antonio - Head To Olongapo
• Buy Pasalubong In Olongapo
• Head Back To Manila
• Arrival To Manila

PHOTO GALLERY:

Mike and The Tall Grasses!

The Light House

Old & Abandoned Water Tank

It was kinda spooky! Nobody else were around except the two of us!

The corroded stairs!

The narrow stairs used to climb up & down!

Used during the Spanish times as an eye if visitors or enemies were coming!

I Pictured Myself!

The Hole!

The View From The Light House!

 

In this photo: Off to Camara!

Anawangin Cove

Anawangin Sunset

As I've mentioned in my earlier post, me & my brother (my travel buddy) happened to reach San Antonio in Zambales because of our eagerness to explore Anawangin Cove. 

Anawangin Cove is a half-hour boat ride from the shores of Pundaquit in San Antonio, Zambales. It is a secluded, crescent-shaped cove (figure of the moon as it appears in its first or last quarter) with an immaculately clean white sand beach. Its emergence & the tall pine trees dotted around its vicinity makes the place so unique. There are no direct roads leading to it. It is only accessible by a boat ride from Pundaquit or San Miguel in San Antonio, Zambales or by a 5 hour trek through Pundaquit mountains. Behind the beach is the pine forest and streams connecting to the sea.

San Antonio, Zambales Philippines

Getting There

By Land: Go to Barangay San Miguel or Pundaquit, in San Antonio, Zambales. Motor boats to Anawangin can be rented for Php1,500.00 - Round Trip.There are two options in reaching Barangay San Miguel or Pundaquit:

1. Ride a bus bound for Iba or Sta. Cruz, Zambales via Victory Bus Liner then drop by San Antonio. Travel time is around 3 to 4 hours via NLEX. 
2. Ride a bus bound for Olongapo City via Victory Bus Liner. Reaching Olongapo, ride an Iba or a Sta. Cruz bound bus then drop by San Antonio.

From San Antonio, ride a tricycle to San Miguel or Pundaquit. Standard rate is Php25 per person.

Where To Stay?

You can bring camping tents & equipments with you (foods, drinking water, matches, flashlights, medicine kit) if you plan to have an overnight stay. Just tell the boat man what time he's going to pick you up the next day to take you back to Pundaquit or San Miguel.
If it's a day trip or a whole day island hopping, there are accommodations in San Antonio where you can stay.

Reminders:

• It's not advisable to sail so late in the afternoon or at night time. It's best to sail in the morning.
• The area is facing the waters of South China Sea. Waters may possibly get rough anytime. Be careful.
• Bring food & drinking water (There are stores in the cove but prices of the goods are doubled.)
• No electricity. (Gas Lamps are available for rent Php50.00 Overnight)
• No Phone Signals.
• Camping Tent can be rented at San Miguel or Pundaquit for Php300.00 - Php400.00, just ask the boatman.
• Entrance fee - Php100.00 for an overnight stay/Php50.00 for a daytrip
• Bring your own garbage plastics.

ITINERARY

TWO DAY TRIP

  San Antonio + Anawangin Cove + Capones Island + Camara island

Day 1

• Departure From Manila
• Olongapo To San Antonio
• Buy Goods at San Antonio Market then proceed to Brgy. Pundaquit or San Miguel
• From Brgy. Pundaquit or San Miguel - Boat Ride To Anawangin
• Arrival To Anawangin Then Set A Camp
• Lunch At The Cove
• Explore Anawangin Cove & Rest
• Beach Bumming & Take Pictures
• Dinner & Bonfire & Rest

Day 2

• Breakfast & Sightseeing
• Pack - Up & Take The Rented Boat To Capones Island
• Trek & Visit Lighthouse - Take Pictures
• Head To Camara Island - Take Pictures
• Head Back To Brgy. Pundaquit/San Miguel - Clean & Bath
• From Brgy. Pundaquit/San Miguel - Return To San Antonio
• Lunch at San Antonio - Head To Olongapo
• Buy Pasalubong In Olongapo
• Head Back To Manila
• Arrival To Manila

PHOTO GALLERY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anawangin Cove @Night

San Antonio, Zambales

Capones & Camara Islands From Afar!

I, together with my travel buddy (my youngest brother) happened to reach San Antonio, Zambales in Luzon, Philippines because of a planned island trip! We wanted to explore the famous Anawangin Cove and  hop both the Capones & Camara Islands that were situated in that same area. In order to get there, we had to pass San Antonio in Zambales because this was where the islands's two jump off points were located, the Pundaquit and San Miguel.

San Antonio is a municipality in the province of Zambales, Philippines. Politically subdivided into fourteen barangays which includes:

• Angeles
• Antipolo
• Burgos (Pob.)
• East Dirita
• Luna (Pob.)
• Pundaquit
• Rizal (Pob.) (Sentro Pueblo)
• San Esteban
• San Gregorio (Pob.)
• San Juan (Pob.) (Sitio Mabanban)
• San Miguel
• San Nicolas (Pob.)
• Santiago (Pob.) (Pamatawan)
• West Dirita

On Our Way To San Antonio, Zambales

Via Victory Liner Bus

San Antonio, Zambales was formerly a hunting region where ethnic group of hunters from the Northern towns of Zambales would hunt, gather & stay to rest. The first Ilocano families from Paoay area of Ilocos Norte who arrived there were the first ones who founded the first settlement that grew into what is now the town.

The town was used to be the site of the U.S. Naval Base - best known as the United States Naval Communications Station San Miguel. After Mt. Pinatubo's eruption in 1991, the Americans decided to leave, abandoning their military bases which is now used for educational purposes of the Philippine Navy and merchant marine.

Tourist Attractions:

• Pundaquit Beach - the fast-becoming surfing capital of Luzon
• Camara Island -
• Capones Island
• Anawangin Cove
• Nagsasa Cove
  

Getting There

The rock that caught 

my attention at a 

stop over station!

Zambales is only 3 - 4 hours away from Manila. You can get to it through a public transport or a private vehicle.

• Via Public Transport

It's best to take an air-conditioned Victory Liner Buses in going there. Terminals are located in Caloocan, Pasay, Cubao, Kamias and Sampaloc.

• For Iba or Sta. Cruz Bound Buses: Get a ticket for San Antonio. They all pass by San Antonio.

• For Olongapo Bound Buses: Reaching Olongapo terminal, take an Iba or Sta. Cruz buses then drop by San Antonio.

• Via Private Vehicle

Coming from Manila - Take the North Luzon Expressway or NLEX, the San Fernando Exit, then head southwest road to Olongapo.

ITINERARY

TWO DAY TRIP

  San Antonio + Anawangin Cove + Capones Island + Camara island

Day 1

• Departure From Manila
• Olongapo To San Antonio
• Buy Goods at San Antonio Market then proceed to Brgy. Pundaquit or San Miguel
• From Brgy. Pundaquit or San Miguel - Boat Ride To Anawangin
• Arrival To Anawangin Then Set A Camp
• Lunch At The Cove
• Explore Anawangin Cove & Rest
• Beach Bumming & Take Pictures
• Dinner & Bonfire & Rest

Day 2

• Breakfast & Sightseeing
• Pack - Up & Take The Rented Boat To Capones Island
• Trek & Visit Lighthouse - Take Pictures
• Head To Camara Island - Take Pictures
• Head Back To Brgy. Pundaquit/San Miguel - Clean & Bath
• From Brgy. Pundaquit/San Miguel - Return To San Antonio
• Lunch at San Antonio - Head To Olongapo
• Buy Pasalubong In Olongapo
• Head Back To Manila
• Arrival To Manila