Calaguas Islands
Posted on 21. Mar, 2009 by Lakwatsero in Destinations, Luzon
On the northernmost part of Bicolandia is an unknown paradise that can rival the white sand beach of Boracay and the serenity of Pagudpud, still virgin and unspoiled- the beautiful and enchanting islands of Calaguas.
Calaguas is a group of islands in the Pacific under the jurisdiction of the town of Vinzons, Province of Camarines Norte, a merely two hour boat ride from the mainland. It boasts of powdery white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and unspoiled natural resources, a place where you can truly relax while enjoying the beauty and serenity of the place.
The long stretch of beach named Halabang Baybay/Mahabang Buhangin (Long Beach) by the locals, is a cove located in the Tinaga Island, it is a picture perfect paradise with its long stretch of fine white sand dotted with volcanic rocks on its both ends, the place is the most frequented camping and swimming site by tourists.
Discover Calaguas Group of Islands, swim on its turquoise water, sit on its white sand, enjoy its magnificent view of sunset, explore its beauty… you’ll definitely find a reason to be happy.
How to Get There:
While there are travel/tour organizers offering Calaguas tour, a DIY trip is possible and the cheapest way to get to the island. The experience of doing it on your own for the entire journey adds thrill and excitement to what is already an exciting adventure.
Via Vinzons
Daet, the capital of Camarines Norte is the jumpoff point to Calaguas Islands if you are going there via Vinzons. From there catch a jeeney to Vinzons and get off at the fishport (pandawan). There’s a boat going to Barangay Banocboc daily, it departs the fishport at 11 AM, from Banocboc you can hire a banca to take you to Calaguas Islands for as low as P500.00 or even lower depending on your haggling skill. The return trip to Vinzons fishport leaves Banocboc at 6AM the next day.
Alternatively, you can hire a banca from Vinzons fishport to Calaguas Islands, price depends on the capacity of the boat. For a small boat that can fit four to five people, the lowest rate is at P2500-P3000.00. It is a two hour boat ride from the port.
Going to Daet from Manila, you have two options:
By Land
Philtranco, Amihan (Contact No: 3871792) and Superlines buses offers Manila to Daet for an approximately 7-8 hours travel time. Fare cost differs, but ranging from P450.00(~$10) to P750.00(~$17)
By Air
SEA Air has seasonal trip to Daet, but Naga in Camarines Sur would be the closest airport with regular commercial flights via Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific and Zest Air. From Naga, Daet is around two hours drive. There are vans to Daet located in Naga Van Terminal, the earliest departs at 5AM and the last trip is around 7PM.
Via Paracale
Paracale, a Camarines Norte town popular for its gold, is fast becoming an entry point to Calaguas Islands. From Daet, the town can be reached in less than two hours by public vans, fare is around P100.00. But if you are coming from Manila by bus to Daet, you can get off at Barangay Talobatib in the town of Labo and ride another bus for less than an hour to get to Paracale town and then proceed to Paracale fishport by trike. You can ask around for fishermen’s boats to Halabang Baybay (Mahabang Buhangin), Calaguas for as low as P1000 or you may opt to ride the boat that goes to Barangay Mangkawayan, Calaguas for a cheaper fare of P50 per person. However these are not regular public boat with scheduled departure but more of fisherman’s boat going to Barangay Mangkawayan, and the schedule is unpredictable.
Boats in Paracale have no safety vests unlike some private boats in Vinzons that cater to tourists.
Going to Paracale from Manila, Superlines and Philtranco have direct to Paracale trips with non air conditioned buses. Alternatively, you can ride Daet bounde buses and get off at Talobatib junction where buses going to Paracale pass. Last trip from Daet to Paracale is 6PM, 4PM for Paracale to Daet.
Where to Stay
There are no commercial establishment in the island, so bring your tent (plus foods and drinking water) with you as most tourist spend the night in the island camping along the beach.
Activities
Calaguas is the best place to relax and unwind if you are not the party goer type or if you are a fan of a quiet beach scene. Just sit on the sand, swim in the water, explore the island, bond with your friends during a bonfire night, and you will definitely appreciate the place.
Other activities include:
- Scuba diving/snorkeling
- Island hopping
- Swimming
- Camping – just bring your own camping equipments, enough foods and water supply.
- Surfing in Daet’s Bagasbas Beach
- Visit the old churches in Vinzons, Paracale and neighboring towns
- Island and beach hopping around Calaguas Group: Pinagtigasan Beach on the southern Tinaga Island, Cumalasag, Pinagtakpan, Pinagcastillohan, Guintinua, Huag, Cagbalisay, Bendita, Sang-atan, Balagbag Malaki, Balagbag Maliit and other white sand island beaches around
- Explore other islands in Camarines Norte: Maculabo, Mercedes Group, etc
- Head south towards Caramoan, Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex in Naga, Albay and Sorsogon
Tips
Our group went back to Calaguas via paracale route last February 2010. For the details, itinerary and budget of the trip, read my blog post Calaguas: paradise on a Budget (A DIY Guide).
Images
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Angelika Esquillo
Feb 26th, 2010
HELLO THERE!!!
Great pictures.. they’re so inviting!!! We’re planning a beach trip/adventure to Calaguas.. I just have one concern though.. how about the bathroom in the Island? Haven’t they improvised on any hut with toilet bowl or something? Please do let me know.
Thanks! Happy Summer!
chyng
Feb 20th, 2010
the boatman above is charing 5,000 for the roundtrip fare, is this just ok?
Lakwatsero
Feb 20th, 2010
5K pala ang rate nya? Hmmm… That is mahal. Hehehe! You can hire a boat for as low as 2K in Vinzons and as low as 1K in Paracale going to Calaguas.
jelay
Feb 18th, 2010
hai’ my friends and i are planning to visit calaguas island this coming summer’ April.. but we heard that it’s under renovation, we are wonderin’ if we could still do camping beside the shores’ just like the previous visitors did last year.. pls inform us about the status of calaguas island. we really love the view esp. the beach!
pls email me at pleasure_107mil@ymail.com or contact me on this #09291427853/09204162318
tnx’aLot!
Lakwatsero
Feb 19th, 2010
I don’t know where you got that news. There is nothing there to be repaired, in the first place. I think that is a hoax. Anyway, I will be going there end of February, I will let you know
jelay
Mar 2nd, 2010
tnx 4 d reply! so how was it?? hav u been der?? can we still do camping along the beach?? one also of our concerns is the bathroom… pls let me know if we could hire sumwhat clean nd comf’table restroom der’
is der any chance we could buy seafoods or fresh veggies?? we hav no idea wat food to bring in the island’
Falling in Love in Calaguas | Lakwatsero
Feb 4th, 2010
[...] rest in its long stretch of powdery white sand and complemented with the serenity of the place, Calaguas Island is a piece of heaven on [...]
toby
Feb 4th, 2010
wow. we are planning to go here next month! excited much .
tseril
Jan 10th, 2010
elo, we are planning to go to Calaguas this january. Can I ask for the contact number of the boat person/tour guide?
thanks
ur website is very informative.
pls e-mail me at: tseril721@yahoo.com
thanks and God bless..
=)
Mike
Feb 1st, 2010
i’ve been there only this weekend. you may contact Putong 0920-566-6985. He’s a boatman from Vinzons port. Very good service.
Lakwatsero
Feb 9th, 2010
Thanks for the info Mike. A lot of readers are actually asking for a boatman in Calaguas
ruby jayona
Sep 16th, 2009
hi..my friend and i are planning to go to calaguas this november..can u send me the contact number of the boat person from pandawan to banocboc and the boat person from banocboc to calaguas?anyway is there any place to stay in calaguas island?thanks
john
Sep 9th, 2009
Hi, Thanks for this cool info. Can you please send me the contact number of the boat person. Thanks!
nikko
Aug 12th, 2009
Hi, we are planning to go to Calaguas this 29th of August. Can I ask for the contact number of the boat person? Or the tour guide?
Thank you. Website is truly informative.
Kindly e-mail me at: nikkorefe@yahoo.com
paxi98
Aug 9th, 2009
can u e-mail me at sakura_paxi98@yahu
paxi98
Aug 9th, 2009
i would love to get a contact # of a boat person so we can reserve for one on our planned trip at the end of Aug? Do u know some1?
paxi98
Aug 9th, 2009
hi, is there any sidetrip included to the boat rental? like other islands near Calaguas?
elsa
May 20th, 2009
Is there a snorkel area near the beach that you won’t have to rent a boat to go in the middle of the sea? And are the boats from Banocboc equipped with life vests? Thanks!
Anya
May 18th, 2009
“Boat rental is around P1300-P1500 for a small boat from Vinzon.”
May I ask how many passengers can this type of boat accomodate?
jhoy
Apr 29th, 2009
hi, my friend and i are planning to go to calaguas this may. i got the info from your site. there are two routes, right?which one is the cheapest? how much is the boat going to Banocboc? pls advise me. got my email add. thanks!
yin
Apr 26th, 2009
wow…ksama kme sa pics…
DICE
Apr 25th, 2009
BLEUE! NGAION CO LANG NAKITA TONG SITE MO.. NICE NAMAN!
Merryjazz
Apr 25th, 2009
Hi, the place is awesome but is there any available restroom/shower room within the vicinity that can be used by campers?
Travel Factor
Mar 22nd, 2009
hi blue, thanks for joining Travel Factor UBBE Calaguas!
Nomadic Pinoy
Mar 22nd, 2009
This looks like a hidden gem. The next Caramoan in Bicolandia perhaps? Thanks for sharing.