We first encountered Pundaquit in November 2016 when I was looking for a quick getaway close to Manila. We were bound to Nagsasa that time and while waiting for the bus departure in Pasay terminal, I had a chance to converse with a couple who also manages tours in Pundaquit. They mentioned about the farthest cove in the area which usually takes an hour and a half by boat, less crowded and more mesmerizing! My fascination of Silanguin has ignited that day, and just last week, in time for the US thanksgiving, that very wanderlust became a reality.
How to get to Silanguin Cove?
The best way to get to Silanguin is by private car for the land travel. You need to head to San Antonio, Zambales (destination before reaching Iba, Zambales) then take a route to Pundaquit. Once you reached the Pundaquit beach, rent a boat and tell the boatman that you are headed to Silanguin Cove.
Alternatively, you may take a bus bound for Iba, Zambales or Santa Cruz, Zambales. In our case, we took a Victory Liner Bus in Pasay Terminal and departed around 4AM. I suggest to buy tickets for San Antonio in the booth to secure a designated seat. You will not want a scene where you are comfortably seated and an irate passenger who just came in would tell you that you are on his seat.
Travel time will take around 4 hours until you reach the town proper of San Antonio. Do not worry if you are not familiar with the place as the bus conductor will get everyone’s attention once the bus reaches the destination.
From San Antonio Municipal Hall, you will need to hire a tricycle going to Pundaquit. It will take around 15 minutes until you reach the beach where you can rent a boat for Silanguin. Travel time from Pundaquit beach will take around 2 hours to the cove.
Cost Breakdown to Silanguin Cove
Victory Liner Bus to San Antonio – PHP 550.00 round trip (PHP 275.00 one way)
Tricycle from San Antonio to Pundaquit Beach – PHP 60.00 per head round trip (PHP 30.00 one way)
Environmental Fee – PHP 40.00 per head
Boat good for 4 persons (Standard) – PHP 2,500.00 to PHP 3,500.00 round trip and inclusive of island hopping.
For Boat services, you may contact kuya Johnny Oligario at 09202224687. His rates for 4-passenger boats are as follows:
4 passengers : PHP 3,000.00
2 passengers : PHP 2,500.00
5 passengers or more : PHP 2,500.00 per boat
On top of the round trip travel, service may include, tents, cooking utensils, drinking water, firewood, ice and cooler depending on the arrangement. (Make sure to mention these add-ons when you contact him)
TIP : NEVER PAY THE COMPLETE BOAT RATE RIGHT AWAY. I was advised by kuya Johnny to pay only half on our way to Silanguin and pay the other half on the way to Pundaquit to avoid getting scammed.
Entrance Fee: PHP 150.00 per head (We checked in to Mang Rading’s (Rodrigo Ogario) resort.
Cottage: PHP 500.00 per day for open cottages and PHP 800.00 per day for cottages with a super basic room/space for sleeping.
Activities to do in Silanguin
Aside from swimming, I would recommend walking along its long stretch. Its powdery sand makes walking on bare feet comfortable. Just make sure to do the walking on the late afternoon as the sands could get really hot at noon!
The left portion of the cove when facing the sea is more amusing than the right. It has a river and a sandbar which separates freshwater with the saltwater.
You can have a quick plunge to the waist-level water of the river. Its fresh, clear and cool water is very ideal for those who are not good swimmers but still want to have a splash! This spot of the cove equates to fun! Truly a stunning scenery and a natural playground where you can spend a day without getting bored! If not for the rain and the dusk coming in, we could have spent more time to the place. Definitely a good justification to revisit soon!
If you want a more challenging activity, you may opt to do hiking to chase the Silanguin waterfalls. In our case, we coordinated with the owner of the resort that we checked in and he recommended someone who could assist us to the falls. We started the trek around 6:30 AM for a rate of PHP 100.00 per head.
The trek took us around an hour before we finally reached the falls. We passed by tall weeds, huge boulders and river trails. It was actually an easy trek, but it can tend to be a little slippery along the way. It is advisable to wear jogging pants, long sleeve tops and trekking shoes to avoid getting cuts and bruises along the way.
I was actually wishing that it will all be worth it. I initially had that feeling that they are promoting just anything to have additional offering on their ads, but boy, when we reached the destination, I wanted to plunge right away!
The falls is a low-tiered falls, but it left us totally stunned! Its sweet and clear waters made the kid in me mind its usual routine as fun started to unfold.
Personal Insights
Silanguin cove is far for sure, but a six-hour total travel is still tolerable enough to satisfy that wanderlust. The scenic view of the cove is so relaxing that it will replenish that zen that your mind is longing for.
The farthest cove of Pundaquit delivers. Its long stretch of gray sands may seem ordinary for many, but if one would saunter around and witness the river, the natural soil carvings and the sandbars, he/she will definitely utter that this place is worthy to be revisited again and again and again.
The mountain range of the cove is ideal for active guests too. Just make sure that you trek with a guide to avoid accidents along the way.
The hidden falls is also something to look forward to. Its untouched beauty is very welcoming and its a total relief for the busy mind. It is total interaction with Mother Nature!
All in all, the enthusiasm in me got retained up to this moment to the extent that I already have plans of visiting it again. I will definitely give this place a 9.8 soloist score!
– jiyon
jiyon the soloist 