Babymooning in Zambales: Nagsasa Cove

Many people who are more eager to explore the more popular Anawangin Cove tend to overlook this farther gem to the west. A cleaner, much more secluded respite that’s twice the size of Anawangin – with more greens and lush mountains to offer, not to mention a  falls located about thirty minutes away from the beach (via trekking) – Nagsasa is beginning to attract more visitors since its discovery as a camping destination in 2009. When we arrived, a group of campers were just leaving from an overnight stay in the island, and we had the island to ourselves (yay!).

Like Anawangin, Nagsasa has a lagoon (though much cleaner, I suppose) at the back of the beach area that is directly connected to the sea. Surrounded by pointy green mountains and Agoho trees (nope, they are not pine trees), this charming lagoon has that effect of transporting visitors to a far-off place like New Zealand. So if you’re only after the Agoho trees in Anawangin, I suggest you go to Nagsasa instead. But please, bring a trash bag with you and clean up after your mess. We don’t want this magnificent cove to be trashed the same way previous visitors left Anawangin.

The beach area in Nagsasa is much more promising than Capones and Camara, as it is surrounded by towering mountains on all sides. The water is calmer and cleaner here with very minimal waves. Also, there’s a snorkel area about eight feet away from shore (directly north of the comfort room), and you could safely swim around the area wearing only a vest (or even none, if you’re a good swimmer). Although the corals are dead, various tropical seawater fishes add vibrance to the gloomy sight underneah. Too bad though, our Dicapac malfunctioned and busted one of our digicams before we were able to shoot underwater. Boo!

Nagsasa is a feast to the eyes and soul. Its serene environment kept almost in its virginal state, away from the exploiting hands of careless tourists. Soon you’d find that it doesn’t matter if the island doesn’t have electricity or cellphone signal (at least for Sun), because you’ve got everything you need for an exquisite travel right here. Bamboo benches and tables for picnicking from across the sea, a basic comfort room, hammocks to lie on and have a good read at after a great meal, still, clear waters to swim in, disturbances from minimum to bare, a hell of a great view. Time goes unnnoticed in such a simple state.

Part of me didn’t want to leave the island as we sailed back, and wished that I had brought a sturdy tent and some logs for the night. The waves began to swell into the early hours of dusk as I caressed my impregnated belly. Maybe next time. Maybe next time.