San Antonio, Zambales
San Antonio itinerary: 1, 2 and 3 days
Two days is enough for most visitors: one day for the Pundaquit boat trip to Capones and Camara, one for the falls and beach. Add a third day only if you want a slow beach day or a side trip to Olongapo. Base yourself in Pundaquit and start boat trips by 7am.
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Key facts
- Days needed
- 2 days covers the boat trip, the falls and the beach; 3 days adds a rest day
- Best base
- Pundaquit, for boats, beaches and guesthouses
- Boat trip start
- Leave Pundaquit by 7am; afternoon seas and heat cut the trip short
- Boat trip costcheck
- 2026 estimate: ₱1,500–2,500 per boat, shared or chartered, plus fees
- Getting there
- Bus from Manila or Olongapo to San Antonio, then tricycle to Pundaquit
- Dry season
- Dec–May; boats can be cancelled in the typhoon season (Jun–Nov)
- Cash
- Bring cash; ATMs are limited outside Olongapo
Which itinerary fits you
San Antonio, Zambales is a small coastal town on the South China Sea, about 3–4 hours by road from Manila. Almost everything a visitor does sits around Pundaquit: the boat trips to Capones Island and Camara Island, the hike to Anawangin and Nagsasa coves, and the beaches themselves. That means the length of your stay is really a question of how many boat and beach days you want.
One day works if you are passing through on the way to Olongapo or Manila and only want the boat trip. Two days is the standard: boat trip on day one, falls and beach on day two. Three days suits travellers who want a full rest day, a second cove, or a half-day in Olongapo.
| Length | Best for | What you cover | Cost band (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Passing through | Pundaquit boat trip: Capones, Camara, one cove | ₱2,000–3,500 per person |
| 2 days | Most visitors | Boat trip, Anawangin or Nagsasa, falls, beach time | ₱3,500–6,000 per person |
| 3 days | Slow travel, groups | Two boat days, falls, beach, optional Olongapo side trip | ₱5,000–9,000 per person |
Excludes travel to San Antonio and accommodation; boat prices are per boat and drop per person in a group.
Day 1: Pundaquit boat trip
Start early. Boats leave Pundaquit beach from around 6–7am, and the sea is calmest then. A standard trip runs to Capones Island, with its old lighthouse and rocky coves, then Camara Island for snorkelling and a swim, and often one of the coves such as Anawangin or Nagsasa for lunch. Bring water, sun protection and cash for the environmental and landing fees collected on the beach.
Afternoon trips are possible but hotter and rougher, and operators may shorten the route if the wind picks up. If you only have one day, book the boat the evening before through your guesthouse or a Pundaquit operator, and confirm the fee inclusions: some quotes cover the boat only, others add entrance fees and lunch.
- Leave Pundaquit by 7am for calm water and fewer boats
- Agree the route and inclusions before boarding
- Carry cash for landing and environmental fees
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen, water and a dry bag
Day 2: falls, beach and town
Day two is land-based. A short tricycle ride inland reaches a small waterfall and river area used by locals for picnics; water flow is strongest in and just after the wet season and can be thin in the dry months. Afternoons are best spent on the beach at Pundaquit or one of the nearby coves, with a walk through the town market for fruit and snacks.
If you want a change of scene, Olongapo is roughly an hour away and has malls, restaurants and the Subic Bay area. Cabangan, the next town north, is quieter and has its own stretch of coast.
| Stop | Time needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfall and river | 2–3 hours | Tricycle from Pundaquit; flow depends on season |
| Pundaquit beach | Half day | Swimming, sunset, small eateries |
| Town market | 1 hour | Fruit, snacks, cash supplies |
| Olongapo side trip | Half day | About 1 hour by bus or van |
Day 3: second cove or rest day
With a third day you can take a second boat trip to a different cove, such as Nagsasa, which is quieter and has a longer beach than Anawangin. Camping overnight in the coves is common; if you plan to camp, arrange it with the boat operator and bring your own supplies, as facilities are basic.
Alternatively, keep day three free. Weather in Zambales changes quickly, and a spare day lets you move the boat trip if the sea is rough. In the typhoon season, June to November, this buffer matters more than in the dry months.
- Second cove trip: Nagsasa or Anawangin, half to full day
- Overnight camping in a cove: arrange with the operator
- Rest day: beach, reading, town food
What it costs
Costs below are 2026 estimates for one person, assuming you share a boat with others. A private boat for two costs much more per person. Accommodation in Pundaquit ranges from basic fan rooms to small resorts; book ahead on weekends and Philippine holidays, when Manila visitors fill the beach.
| Item | 2026 estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boat trip (shared) | ₱500–900 per person | Charter ₱1,500–2,500 per boat |
| Environmental and landing fees | ₱100–300 per person | Collected at the beach or cove |
| Tricycle rides | ₱20–150 per trip | Short hops around Pundaquit and town |
| Guesthouse room | ₱800–2,500 per night | Fan to air-conditioned |
| Meals | ₱150–400 per meal | Beach eateries and town carinderias |
| Bus from Manila | ₱300–500 one way | Via Olongapo or direct services |
Practical tips
San Antonio is a cash economy outside the larger resorts. Withdraw in Manila or Olongapo before you arrive, and keep small notes for tricycles and fees. Mobile signal is usable in town and patchy in the coves.
- Book boats the evening before, especially on weekends
- Start boat trips early; seas build in the afternoon
- Check the forecast in the typhoon season and keep a buffer day
- Bring a dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent
- Buy an eSIM before arrival if you need data outside Wi-Fi
- Wear shoes with grip for the Capones lighthouse path
Questions people ask
How many days do you need in San Antonio?
Two days is enough for most visitors: one for the Pundaquit boat trip to Capones and Camara, one for the falls and beach. Add a third day for a second cove, camping, or a buffer if the sea is rough.
What can I see in San Antonio in one day?
The Pundaquit boat trip: Capones Island and its lighthouse, Camara Island for snorkelling, and one cove such as Anawangin or Nagsasa. Leave by 7am and expect to be back by late afternoon.
What is a good 3-day itinerary for San Antonio?
Day 1 boat trip to Capones and Camara. Day 2 waterfall, town market and Pundaquit beach. Day 3 a second cove such as Nagsasa, or a rest day, with an optional half-day side trip to Olongapo.
Do I need to book the boat trip in advance?
Book the evening before through your guesthouse or a Pundaquit operator. Weekends and Philippine holidays fill up, and early departures get the calmest water.
When is the best time to visit San Antonio?
December to May is the dry season, with calmer seas for boat trips. June to November is the typhoon season, when trips can be cancelled; keep a spare day if you travel then.
How do I get to San Antonio from Manila?
Bus from Manila to Olongapo or San Antonio, roughly 3–4 hours depending on traffic, then a tricycle to Pundaquit. Check current schedules and terminals before you go.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialDepartment of Tourism, Philippines
- secondaryWikivoyage – Zambales
- secondaryOpenStreetMap