Our World in Words

Pundaquit falls, sunsets and Camara Island

It was still early in the afternoon, but Mang Johny suggested we leave already as the waves outside of Nagsasa tend to get bigger and the tides, higher from 3PM onwards. And it was no bull. Overshadowed with grim skies, the current from Nagsasa all the way to Pundaquit felt like it could topple the boat over (and we were in a very small boat, in the middle of the open South China Sea!).





We tried to drop by Camara Island once more, but failed again because of the strong waves. Lucky Marian and Dingdong, they were able to set foot on the island and shoot their San Marino corned tuna commercial (side chika ni Mang Johny).




Camara Island: Resembles a human face

We stopped a few meters from shore and took a few pictures of the island before heading back to the shores of Pundaquit. Back in town, we tried our luck looking for the unnamed cascading waterfalls located south of Pundaquit beach, towards the Pundaquit river.





A few travelers suggest that you go straight along the shore till you reach the southmost end of the beach (by the cliff, the side facing the mountain), and then follow the “smaller river” for about a hundred meters till you reach the falls. We found this set of directions a bit misleading, if not outdated, however ,as there’s nothing in that trail except overgrown bushes and foliage, creepy surroundings and welt-causing insects. Even the locals said they don’t use this trail as it is too “masukal” and may be dangerous.

This is the southmost end of the beach. No need to go there.

Instead of risking us getting bitten by God-knows-what, we went back near the river and asked a few locals for an  alternate route. The townsmen were kind enough to send their little boys to guide us to the right path.

Pundaquit river

Where the river and sea meet


Wonderful local tour guides 



This is how you reach the falls: Go south of the beach (towards the cliff/ mountain), a little past the river after Sir William’s Cottage. Go inside the small eskinita (a narrow street/alley) near the sari-sari store.



Small alley to the falls. A creek flows beside that fence.

When you reach a fork, turn right and just keep walking. You should be able to reach the foot of the falls within five minutes.






Pundaquit falls

While clean, fresh water flowed from the highest point of the falls, the water in the smaller catch basins/ tubs below were murky, mossy and a bit smelly this time of the year. One must climb up steep and slippery rocks 15- 20 feet high to reach the topmost part of the falls, so I simply waited at the bottom as Jigs explored his way to the top.

View from the top of the falls 



One of many smaller tubs at the foot of the falls




To date, this hidden waterfalls, despite its proximity to Pundaquit beach, is still (surprisingly) unfrequented by tourists. Only the locals and a few people who like treading the off-beat path visit the place.



The rest of the day was spent on watching a magnificent sunset and kids surfing through Pundaquit’s clashing waves.



Beautiful sunset at Pundaquit

We slept early and woke up to pensive skies and a light drizzle. I took a refreshing early morning swim at 6AM and waded in the cold waters until my legs and bare belly could allow. The waters at Pundaquit were calm and quiet at this time of the morning, and the tide wasn’t that high to interfere with a good swim.


Pundaquit at 6AM



A nice early morning-pregnant-woman swim 


We wrapped up the trip with a good bath and a delicious breakfast of longsilog and dangsilog. And as usual, we say Au revoir, not goodbye, to another exploit.




Read up on the rest of our Zambales adventures: 

Part 1: Pundaquit Luxury Resort HERE
Part 2: Capones Island HERE
Part 3: Nagsasa Cove HERE
Part 5: Travel tips and directions on how to reach Pundaquit HERE

About the Author

Gretchen Filart

Gretchen Filart is a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet and essayist from the Philippines. Her confessional pieces draw from love, motherhood, healing, nature, and intersections and have received distinction from phoebe’s Spring Poetry Contest and Navigator’s Travel Writing Competition. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok @gretchenfilart. She is usually friendly.

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