Weekend Getaway at Nagsasa

Last weekend, a friend and I set off on a getaway in what may be the most secluded beach I've ever been to so far, Nagsasa Cove. This tranquil beach is just 45 minutes by boat from Sitio Pundaquit in the town of San Antonio, Zambales. I came across this cove over the web many months ago as I was looking for a beach which has the means to isolate us from civilization for just a few days meaning no cellphone signal, internet connection, not even electricity. Upon browsing, I chanced upon this cove and learning that is has such isolation made me say yes to it right away.

Our journey started early Saturday morning. We left home at around 5:30 to catch Victory Liner's 8 o'clock trip to Olongapo. The fare going to Olongapo is 223 pesos per passenger which includes travel insurance. Travel time depends on the traffic condition, we arrived at Olongapo after 5 gruesome hours (the bus exited NLEX in San Fernando then drove through several towns in Pampanga instead of taking SCTEX).

Olongapo City

In Olongapo, we took a Sta. Cruz-bound Victory Liner bus going to San Antonio. My friend and I arrived at the town hall of San Antonio at about 30 minutes past the hour of 3 in the afternoon then hopped on to my aunt's tricycle (I was surprised to learn that my mother's sister lives in San Antonio, I only knew it when my mom texted me on our way and she arranged for our transfer to Pundaquit) going to Sitio Pundaquit where we got on motorized banca which we hired for 1,500 pesos for back and forth transfers.

San Antonio town hall

Boats for hire at Sitio Pundaquit

The boatman told me to my disappointment that at that moment there were several campers in Nagsasa but upon arriving there after 45 minutes of wet and bumpy ride, I saw that it was not really crowded yet. Then off we hopped to dry land and proceeded to our place to setup camp which is very near the beach.

Agoho trees line the beach

Our humble camp

The landscape of Nagsasa Cove is simply breathtaking, with its turquoise to emerald-green waters, vast expanse of agoho trees and endless stretch of rolling mountains you simply won't believe that the cove itself is a product of a natural calamity. Its greyish white sand came from ash deposits spewed by Mount Pinatubo several years ago which settled on the land while the forest of agoho trees came from agoho cones carried by the flurry of ash and fire from the explosion. These trees give campers enough protection from the heat of the sun during daytime and cold breeze during nighttime.

Casuarina equisetifolia or agoho

We spent our first day exploring the entire 3 kilometer stretch of cove, gathering firewood for the night and hitting the cold waters. Nighttime on the cove is like no other. You can lie on the bed of sand, look above the sky and witness a sea of stars sparkling like glitters while listening to the music of crashing waves and pondering about the wrong decisions you've made in life (nah, just think about how amazing life is!). How nice is that?! On the second day, we hiked a mountain for an hour strenuously and took pictures from above and then spent the rest of the day getting ourselves soaked in salt water and coated with grainy white sand. On the third day, we packed up and went home safe and sound with just minor scratches sustained from mountain hiking.

HOW TO GET THERE:

There are two options to get to San Antonio, Zambales.

1. In Pasay, take a Victory Liner bus bound for Iba or Sta. Cruz then drop off at San Antonio municipal hall
2. In Cavite, take a Saulog Transit bus going to Olongapo then there hop on to another bus bound for Sta. Cruz.

When in San Antonio, you can drop by the public market to buy food and other provisions. Though there are stores in Nagsasa, they sell goods at twice to thrice the normal price since they transport it by boat from Pundaquit. To give you an idea, a block of ice in Nagsasa costs 50 pesos each.

TRAVEL TIPS:

• Pay the boatman only on your return to make sure that he will pick you up on the scheduled departure. Also, tell him what day you will return to Pundaquit, since there is no way you can contact anyone from there to tell them to pick you up. For boat transfers, you may contact Mr. JR Agasa of Sitio Pundaquit at 09173809104. They also lend cookwares, silverwares and other utensils for free but they charge 200 pesos for tents.
• Buy as plenty charcoal as you need. Charcoals sold in Nagsasa, as I said earlier, are twice to thrice the original price.
• Travel with a group as this will surely cut down individual costs.
• Cook early. It is quite hard to move in the darkness of the night.
• Bring your insect repellants and sun screen. No more questions, just bring them.