Pundaquit

Revisiting Pundaquit: Capones & Camara Island, Anawangin & Nagsasa Cove in San Antonio, Zambales

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Nagsasa Cove in San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines

Nagsasa Cove

Pre-trip Preparation

My brother approached me and asked for help to arrange a trip for their group. The truth is I’ve stopped arranging trips for other people because it takes a lot of work and I do not want to encounter problematic people again. But I’ve been in Palawan and written about Palawan for far too long that I am looking for a new adventure outside of that paradise.

I asked him for his specifications, he answered.

  • April 26-27, 2014 (2 nights)
  • Visit to Pundaquit in San Antonio, Zambales
  • We would be riding private transportation

I answered

  • Yes, I’m going to help him arrange.
  • Target Budget is 2,500 Pesos/person including fuel, toll fees, food, entrance fees and boat rental.

With that said, he did his part by inviting his friends and I did mine by calling my favorite bangkero in Pundaquit, Mang Florante.

Walking to Pundakit Falls

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There are two ways to get to Pundakit Falls from Pundakit, San Antonio, Zambales.

The beach to Pundakit Falls

The beach to Pundakit Falls

Option 1 (This option is no longer available since there is a fence blocking the trail to the falls near the ridge)

  1. From the beach of Pundakit, walk towards the ridge (picture on the right). You will be crossing the Pundakit River on your way there. You may opt to take the cheap boat ride if Pundakit River has strong current.
  2. When you reach the ridge, there is a small river. Walk upstream to reach the falls.

Notes

  • During the dry season, the river is turned off. But you could still follow the water pathway to get to the falls.
  • The rocks are slippery, be careful.

Option 2 (Advisable)

  1. From the beach of Pundakit, cross the Pundakit River. After crossing, walk about 20-40 meters away then turn left and look for a pathway that is parallel to the beach.
  2. Just walk on the pathway for about 150-200 meters and you’ll be arriving at the falls.

    Pathway leading to the waterfalls

    (Left) Local guides we got from Mang Florante; (Center) Ana, Sir Nap and Sir Jun walking on the pathway; (Right) Some part of the trails are filled with water because of the rain

Notes

  • I wanted to put specific points on where you need to turn left from the beach. But the beach in Pundakit is very

5 Peso Boat Ride in Pundakit

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The waves were 6 feet high when we arrived at Pundakit, Zambales last August 2009. Good weather for surfers, bad weather for island hoppers. No boatman will take you to the famous Anawangin Cove and Capones Island even if you pay them a hundred thousand. Lucky for us, it was Pundakit Falls that we wanted to see.

High and Strong Waves of Pundakit

High and Strong Waves of Pundakit

Strong current of the river

Strong current of the river

On our way to the falls, we had to cross a river with a strong current. Strong enough to alter my step underneath the water. Most of my visit Pundakit was summer, on that season the connection between the river and the sea is blocked by a sandbar.

Good thing our guide told us that we can ride a paddled boat to cross the river, I was not ready to risk my camera again. We just had to walk a little away from the sea and we’ll notice a few paddled boats. These paddled boats are