Best Beaches To Visit in Zambales
Zambales is an amazing province in northern Luzon, which is known for its natural beauty and exciting outdoor activities. The province is very popular for its numerous sandy beaches that provide beautiful and memorable summer experiences.
If you’re off to a week-long stay or just a day trip, here are some of the best beach resorts to consider in Pangasinan.
1. Pundaquit Beach
Address: Pundaquit Beach, San Antonio, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Pundaquit Beach is one of the most popular beaches and surfing spots in Zambales. The beach is loved by many for its calm waves and lovely environment, where locals and tourists come to unwind and relax by the shores.
As a popular surfing spot, Pundaquit Beach has tons of surf rentals and teachers willing to show you the ways of surfing for a fee. It’s one of our favorite places not only to get some sun but also to enjoy watching surfers ride the waves.
Pro tip:
Make sure to visit the Pundaquit River. The place has several natural pools and also a beautiful waterfall nearby.
2. Liwliwa Beach
Address: Liwliwa Beach, San Felipe, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Once a quiet fishing village, Liwliwa Beach gained popularity as a surfing destination because of its waves. The beach is home to fine sands mixed with volcanic ash from Mt. Pinatubo.
Sunrises are particularly beautiful at this beach since there aren’t any huge mountains in the distance that distract you from the bright orange sun. Also, the deep blue color of the waters helps in bringing out the shine of the sun’s rays.
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for something fun to do that isn’t swimming, we recommend renting an ATV for ₱500 and driving up and down the beach’s long shores.
3. Cabangan
Address: Cabangan, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Cabangan is one of the least popular beaches in Zambales, as it’s mostly a residential area and home to a quiet fishing village. Despite this, the area has recently seen lots of development with lovely beach houses and resorts lining this quiet but beautiful beach.
The place is perfect for families looking for a quiet getaway with lots of activities to offer, like ATV rides, surfing fun, or a picnic at the beach.
During the week, the local fishermen haul in a giant fishing net, which gives you a chance to get some of the freshest catch for a good price.
Pro tip:
If you aren’t keen on waiting for the fishermen to pull in the net to shore, we recommend going fishing by the seashore. Cabangan’s waters are rich with all types of fish, and you can usually catch some mackerel or tanigue if you’ve got decent bait.
4. San Miguel Public Beach
Address: X325+PQ5, Provincial Rd San Miguel, San Miguel, San Antonio, Zambales
Contact details: 0998 266 7659
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
San Miguel Public Beach is a roadside beach that’s mostly a popular recreational area among locals and fishermen. The place is surrounded by beautiful estuaries where you can go on a fun off-road ride or just sit back and take in the beach’s natural beauty.
You’ll find a beautiful view of Zambales’ mountains from the beach and a lovely sandbar with the perfect length for walking. Also, the beach’s shores are usually lined with small fishing boats known locally as bangka, sporting different colors and designs.
Pro tip:
If you get hungry, the beach is within close proximity of a bunch of carinderias, or small restaurants serving up some great dishes and seafood.
5. Potipot Island
Address: Potipot Island, Candelaria, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Potipot Island used to be one of the province’s best-kept secrets, but in recent years, it has become one of Zambales’ top beach destinations. It’s a small island, but it packs in a lot of beauty and has some of the best sunset views in the province.
You can spend a couple of hours on the beach or stay the night, which is great for those who plan to watch the stars in the midnight sky. People often go snorkeling here to see marine life, while others also come here to play beach volleyball.
Pro tip:
You can go kayaking around the island for a small fee. The island has kayak rentals where you can choose from a variety of different kayaks.
6. Anawangin Cove
Address: Anawangin Cove, Pundaquit, San Antonio, 2206 Zambales
Contact: 0976 050 7414
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Anawangin Cove is a beach spot in Zambales that has become all the rage in the past few years. What makes this place so popular is that it’s a beach mixed with a forest thanks to a huge amount of sea-pine trees that have grown since Mt. Pinatubo erupted.
The beach is truly one-of-a-kind with lush towering trees and mountains surrounding the cove’s inlet. The waters here are also great, with their clear and calm nature that makes it ideal for all sorts of fun water activities like swimming and just floating around.
The cove is home to tons of fun activities you can get busy with, like beach camping and fun hikes that offer great views of the cove. The beach also has wooden cottages and bridges that give a warm and comfy feel to the place.
Pro tip:
The cove has occasional outdoor festivals where performers put on a variety of entertaining shows.
7. Nagsasa Cove
Address: Nagsasa Cove, San Antonio, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Nagsasa Cove is another one of Zambales’s hidden nature hotspots that’s home to a lovely beach and was also affected by Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption back in the early 90s.
The beach boasts a mix of fine white sand and gray ash, with clear waters that come together to create a really scenic sight. Much like the other coves in the province, it’s also teeming with tons of sea-pine trees called Agoho, which is nice to see.
Pro tip:
The area also has an awesome viewpoint on top of a hill where you can take in the cove’s beauty and appreciate its natural inlet.
8. Talisayin Cove
Address: Talisayin Cove, V34J+9VW, San Antonio, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Talisayin Cove is suited for beachgoers looking for a nature-rich getaway. This place has a beach surrounded by mountains and trees, making it a great place to relax.
It’s also a better option for people planning an overnight stay, as the cove has lots of cottages and electricity.
Pro tip:
Since the cove is quiet, stargazing here is very relaxing and soothing, especially with the sound of waves gently hitting the shores, adding to the place’s ambiance.
9. Silanguin Cove
Address: Silanguin Cove, San Antonio, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Silanguin Cove is the only cove not located on the mainland of Zambales; instead, it is situated on the island of Silanguin. It’s an hour away from Pundaquit and is home to a gray sand beach lined with lovely Agoho trees.
Since it’s an hour away from the mainland, the cove rarely gets any tourists. The cove is also home to interesting marine life, and you can find bamboo huts everywhere!
Pro tip:
The cove has tons of mountain points and huge empty spaces where you can get a great panoramic view of the island and the sunset.
10. Camara Island
Address: Camara Island, W2FV+G7, San Antonio, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
If you’re looking for a small island with a small beach to walk around, check out Camara Island. The island boasts a lovely cream-colored beach surrounded by green-striped clear waters that are great for swimming.
The island doesn’t offer many activities, but it’s one of the most Instagram-worthy places in Zambales because of its lush flora and fauna. That said, you can get some really creative shots, especially with its unique rock formations that spice up pictures.
Pro tip:
We recommend visiting the island’s sandbar. Not only is beautiful, but it also provides some great angles if you’re trying to capture the picturesque blend of greenery and the beach of the island.
11. Capones Island
Address: Capones Island, San Antonio, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Capones Island is home to a fine sandy beach surrounded by rocky terrain and some of the clearest blue waters we’ve seen in Zambales. The cool thing about the island is that it’s shaped like a bone and runs around 2 km long, so expect lots to see and do here.
We love Capones Island because it offers lots of fun activities, such as swimming, camping, and scenic picnics by the shore. It’s also a great snorkeling and diving spot since its waters are home to a rich and diverse marine life!
Pro tip:
We recommend going up to the old lighthouse built during the Spanish era in the Philippines. It’s not only great for photos, but you can also enter the lighthouse and climb to the top of the tower for a breathtaking view.
12. Gypsy Beach
Address: Purok 1 Barangay Pundaquit, San Antonio Zambales, Pundaquit, Zambales, Philippines
Contact: +63 920 868 1813
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
If you’re looking to get a real taste of that Zambal beach life, then we suggest visiting Gypsy Beach in San Antonio. This low-key beach has everything that makes the province great, such as fun water activities, beautiful views of nature, and more.
The beach’s sandy shores are a great place to take a walk with your kids, feeling your feet gently soaked by cold water as you stroll. It’s also an excellent spot for surfing, regardless of skill level, since it’s home to consistent moderate currents.
You’ll sometimes find people setting up tents in the area, as the beach is a good camp spot thanks to its lush greenery. One of the best things to do here is to have a bonfire at night, which makes relaxing even better as you listen to the sound of the waves.
Pro tip:
One of our favorite Instagrammable spots here is the Gypsy Beach sign, created using wood and recycled materials, painted in a variety of colors.
13. Magalawa Island
Address: Magalawa Island, Palauig, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
If you’re looking for a place where beaches are a surfer’s paradise, visit Magalawa Island. This island is home to a white sand beach surrounded by light blue waters with moderate waves, making it a great surfing spot for all ages.
Nature lovers will also have fun here because the island is home to a thriving population of starfish, which you can observe walking around shallow waters. Additionally, there is a short but beautiful sandbar at the end of the island, which is a great place to relax.
Pro tip:
We suggest exploring the island, as it’s also home to dozens of coves where you can find scenic lagoons and natural pools, making exploration worthwhile.
14. Bacala Sandbar
Address: Bacala Sandbar, GW9M+M2J, Masinloc
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
San Salvador Island is one of the few places where you can find a beautiful white-sand beach in Zambales. It’s home to a 2-hectare clam farm and marine sanctuary that’s worth visiting, but the breathtaking Bacala Sandbar is the island’s major highlight.
What makes the Bacala Sandbar special is a beach house that sits right in the middle of shallow waters. The beach house is shaped like a circle, making it a great place to get a 360-degree view of the surrounding waters and islands.
Bacala Sandbar is generally shallow, with the waters reaching knee height during high tides and ankle height during low tides. This makes it a great place to take a relaxing dip, especially with its crystal-clear waters that add to the location’s beauty.
Pro tip:
The best way to reach Bacala Sandbar and Sandoval Island is by taking a direct boat ride from Masinloc Mall. Behind the mall is a port where small boats usually dock and offer rides for a small fee.
15. Hermana Menor Island
Address: Hermana Menor Island, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hermana Menor Island is a private island that’s home to a white sandy beach, as well as a rocky beach. The island is only open for day trips and has a limit on the number of visitors each day.
This island has beaches with clear waters and lovely cottages where you can rest during the day after a fun swimming session. It’s also a great family destination as the island provides grilling facilities that you can use if you decide to have a fun boodle fight.
Pro tip:
The island has a sandbar surrounded by crystal blue waters. Make sure to take photos for the ‘gram!
16. Subic Halfmoon Beach
Address: Half Moon Beach, Subic, Olongapo, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Subic Halfmoon Beach is one of our favorite beach getaways because it’s a hotspot for fun outdoor activities like jet skiing, swimming, beach volleyball, and more.
This beautiful beach has fine gray sands with a row of huts lining its shore, where you can stay overnight for a fee. The beachfront offers a scenic view of both deep blue waters and lush mountains in the backdrop that you don’t want to miss.
You can also observe local fishermen’s boats docking on the shores nearby, which is always fun to watch and makes for slice-of-life photography shots.
Pro tip:
We recommend having a fun picnic on the beach. It’s a great way to watch the sunset while enjoying the peaceful ambiance of the beach and savoring delicious food.
17. Sampaloc Cove
Address: Sampaloc Cove, San Antonio, Zambales
Operating hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Unlike its neighboring coves, Sampaloc Cove isn’t as well-known due to its remote location. That said, its lack of popularity is a big plus, as you get to experience the cove’s natural beauty and wonders all to yourself.
The cove isn’t developed, but it’s home to a beach that boasts fine sands and calm turquoise waters. It’s also lined with huge Agoho and coconut trees that provide cool shade.
This beach is a great spot for snorkeling and fishing, as its calm waters are abundant with beautiful marine life.
Pro tip:
The cove has three different waterfalls to see. We personally recommend a visit to the one near Sampaloc Point because it is not only beautiful but also home to a natural pool in which you can swim.
