Nagsasa Cove — Attraction in Zambales

We had a peaceful and memorable day tour at Nagsasa Cove, arriving on a Friday morning via a private boat transfer we arranged ahead of time. From Capones Island, the ride took about an hour, and the views during the trip were absolutely stunning, a scenic experience on its own.

When we arrived at the cove, we were greeted by a serene shoreline and quiet surroundings, with only a few other visitors around. It felt like a hidden gem where time slows down. The beachfront was lined with several resorts and local establishments offering rooms and cottages. Since we were only staying for the day and found the cottage rates a bit steep, we opted to rest by a small sari-sari store. We bought a few cans of Coke and had our Jollibee takeout (prepared in advance from San Felipe) at one of their tables. The store owners were incredibly kind and allowed us to stay comfortably there for the rest of our visit.

The sand in Nagsasa Cove isn't the usual white, it's a unique grayish-black tone with sparkly mineral flecks, reminiscent of the shores of Liwa. It had a beautiful shimmer under the sun and gave the beach a distinct charm. We spent our time taking photos and swimming in the clear water. The cove’s natural beauty combined with its quiet and crowd-free atmosphere made the whole visit feel exclusive and special.

One thing we appreciated was how well-maintained the area was. There was barely any garbage in sight. The beach was clean and cared for. There's no mobile signal on the island, which actually helped us disconnect and enjoy the moment even more.

Overall, Nagsasa Cove offers a raw, tranquil escape for those looking to unplug and appreciate nature. The hospitality of the locals, the picturesque views, and the peaceful ambiance made our short stay more than worthwhile. Next time, we’d love to stay longer and explore the trails and hidden spots...

Road trip: (Unplanned trip, since our original Bolinao tour got cancelled) we drove from Manila to Pundaquit. We left the car in the port and pay the parking fee of 100 pesos, for overnight may be 200 pesos. SInce this is just a sudden trip, we have to look for a boat to rent going to Nagsasa. Just ask around and locals would make offer. Important Note: do not close any deal yet with a local then later on you'll find a cheaper offer then get that offer, that's a big NO NO for them. If you forgot to buy foods, don't worry there is a mini grocery store there to buy your stuffs. We rented a boat for just the 2 of us (Anawangin and Nagsasa). Note: Bring extra money as they may offer you some side trips that you may want and there is no near ATM in the port. We arrived at Nagsasa (off season) and it was the best timing, only us a another group of 4 were in the island. Best place to relax, the beach is shallow. You can hike (picture taken when we hiked up to the mountain). You may rent cottages (Note: the place we stayed is owned by Aetas which would help guard your stuffs and they are kind people). Source of water for bathing: they have fresh source of water from the mountain which they store in drums and there are no faucets. Can't wait to go back! p.s. It would be best to have some activities on the...

Nagsasa cove has more things to offer than Anawangin. More camp sites as well. Ours didn't have an entrance fee, we just paid for the table/kubo and scattered our tents around it. Yes, you can pitch your tent wherever you want. They also have fresh water in the bathrooms/wash area unlike in Anawangin. Sand is finer! Sea water is crystal blue as well. They also have kind maintenance people around who would sweep off the sand constantly for the campers to enjoy their time. Just a reminder though that it's everyone's duty to keep our surroundings clean. Be kind to the local aetas as well who are just doing the best they can for a living by selling souvenirs. Go hiking and play beach volleyball. You may also check the river/sabangan. You can pay for 100/head for respirators so you can go snorkeling and 50/head for the cliff jumping. One of the best pleace to unwind and reconnect with yourself or people without your gadgets...