Calaguas Travel Guide: Enjoy to the Happy Beach of Camarines Norte

Calaguas

With its long stretch of fine white sand beach and perfectly turquoise water, Calaguas Island will definitely make you fall in love with the place. This Calaguas travel guide will come handy for everyone planning to visit or revisit Calaguas Islands. Provided in this guide are relevant information that will make it easier for your to plan your trip. Know the updated travel requirements, information on getting there, accommodation, activities, sample itinerary, budget and more. Enjoy Calaguas!

Discover Calaguas Island

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 pristine beauty of the place.

Over the years, Calaguas has evolved from being an offbeat destination to being a go-to place of beach adventurers. The once quiet coastline is now beaming with life but despite all the activities, structures and crowd, its natural beauty still shines.

Calaguas
Halabang Baybay or Mahabang Buhangin in 2010.

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.

Calaguas
Halabang Baybay or Mahabang Baybay in 2009.

How to Get to Calaguas

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.

Calaguas 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), DLTB and Superlines buses offer Cubao/Pasay to Daet for an approximately 7-8 hours travel time. Fare cost differs, but ranging from P450 to P750.

You can book your bus from Manila to Daet or vice versa below:

BOOK YOUR BUS FROM MANILA TO DAET

By Air

Naga in Camarines Sur is closest airport with regular commercial flights via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. 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.

Calaguas
Calaguas Island in 2016.

Calaguas 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 P60.00. Last trip from Daet to Paracale is 6PM and 5PM for Paracale to Daet.

If you are coming from Manila, Superlines has direct trip to Paracale/Panganiban (P515/pax, one-way, as of February 2016). Get off at Paracale and make your way to the fish port. Alternatively, you can ride a bus to Daet, 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 walk to the fish port.

At the fish port, you can ask around for fishermen’s boats to Halabang Baybay (Mahabang Buhangin), Calaguas for as low as P3000 (good for five to six persons, overnight) or you may opt to ride a boat that goes to Barangay Mangkawayan, Calaguas for a cheaper fare of at least P50 per person. However there’s no regular public boat going to Barangay Mangkawayan but more of fisherman’s boat and the schedule  is unpredictable.

Calaguas
Cabañas of Waling-Waling

Where to Stay in Calaguas

There are now plenty of cottages and resort in Calaguas Island including Cabañas of Waling-Waling Resort that offers air-condition room and cottages for at least P3,500 per room per night.

For campers, entrance fee ranges from P120 to P150 per person, tent pitching fee is P100 per tent and cottage is as low as P500.

If you plan to stay in Paracale before or after your Calaguas trip, Paliza del Rio Tourist Inn in Poblacion, near the market, has affordable rooms and open parking space. You can leave your car there if you are going to Calaguas Island for minimal fee.

Calaguas
Calaguas in 2013

What to Do in Calaguas

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 on its turquoise water, explore the island, bond with your friends and you will definitely appreciate the simple pleasures of the island.

Other activities include:

  • Scuba diving/snorkeling (bring your own equipment)
  • Island and Beach hopping
  • Swimming
  • Camping – bring your own camping equipments, enough food and water supply.
  • Surfing in Daet’s Bagasbas Beach
  • Visit the old churches St. Peter the Apostle Parish of Vinzons, St. John the Baptist Parish of 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, Calangcawan Sur, Mantigbi Beach and other white sand island beaches around
  • Explore other islands in Camarines Norte: Maculabo, Parola Island, Calalanay Island, Tabusao Island, Padoni Island, Flora Sandbar, Jaulo Island or Mercedes Group, etc.
  • Swim in Gumaus Beach or Pulang Daga Beach of Paracale
  • Check out Saltahan Falls, Palanas Falls, Malatap Falls, Burok-Busok Falls, Binuan Falls and other waterfalls of Labo
  • Go spelunking in Mt. Cadig Cave also of Labo
  • Head south towards Caramoan, Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex in Naga, Albay and Sorsogon
Calaguas
Sunset in Calaguas

Sample Calaguas DIY Itinerary (via Paracale)

Estimated Budget: P2500 – P3,000

Day 0:
2100H: Departure at Superlines Cubao (Cubao to Paracale – P515/person)

Day 1:
0500H: Arrival in Paracale
0500H – 0800H: Arrival in Paracale/Find Boat/Shop for other needed items (ice, meat, fruits, fish, drinking water, etc)
0800H – 1030H: Paracale to Mahabang Buhangin, Tinaga Island, Calaguas by boat
1030H – 1300H: Set-up Camp / Lunch
1300H – 1800H: Free time: beach bumming, photo ops, swimming, snorkeling, trekking to viewpoint
1800H – 1930H: Dinner Preparation/Wash-up/Fix-up
1930H – 2030H: Dinner
2030H: Socials, Lights off

Day 2:
0600H – 0700H: Call Time, Breakfast
0700H – 1000H: Free time: explore, discover, play, pose, packup, prepare lunch
1000H – 1100H: Break camp, wash-up
1100H – 1330H: Calaguas to Paracale by boat
1330H – 1500H: Arrival in Paracale/wash-up/fix-up/late lunch
1500H – 1630H: Paracale to Daet by van
1630H – 1730H: Waiting time/snacks/rest
1730H: Departure from Daet to Manila

Day 3:
0230H – Arrival in Manila

Calaguas
Maculabo Island

Tips

  • Boat rate is as low as P3,000/boat overnight for six persons, P5,000/boat overnight for 10 persons, P6,500/boat overnight for 15 persons. Contact Ate Nilda: +639486793920 (Paracale)
  • Paliza del Rio Tourist Inn organizes private and open tours on fixed date to save cost, contact number 02-7855215 or +63923-8297096
  • Barangay collects P20 per person as Environmental Fee in Calaguas Island
  • Those coming from Paracale, a P20 fee is also collected by barangay for every tourist
  • Best time to go is during summer and dry months (September to June)
  • Try trekking to the nearby hill to see the beach from the higher vantage point
  • There is a source of fresh water in the island
  • There are restrooms in the island
  • The island have now more cottages and stores, entrance fee is P100 – P150 depending on where you will rent your cottage or pitch your tent, cottage is as low as P500/night, tent pitching fee is P100 per tent
  • Waling-waling has rooms for at least P3,500 per room per night
  • There is a small community (Barangay Mangkawayan) on the opposite side of the island, around 10 minutes by foot
  • Superlines is the cheapest aircon bus line to Daet and Paracale, their Cubao to Paracale fare as of February 2016 is P515.00
  • Please! Please follow the LEAVE NO TRAIL PRINCIPLE: TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES, LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS, KILL NOTHING BUT TIME
Calaguas
Calaguas in 2016

First Published: March 21, 2009; Updated: 09-Jul-2011 / 15-Nov-2011 / 12-Feb-2013 / 22-Feb-2016 / 30-Nov-2017

Comments

  1. badamont

    may signal ba sa island? thanks 🙂

    1. good day po….! meron lng po pwesto na my signal pero hindi po sa buong island.

    2. hello po for boat rental going to calaguas islan please contact my # 09129038447 or 09055509694..,thank you.

    3. hello po for boat rental going to calaguas island please contact my # 09129038447 or 09055509694..,thank you.

  2. bhimby mahumoc

    very nice info. we’ll be coming there maybe on summer, print ko siya huh? thank you!

    1. Thanks too 🙂 Enjoy Calaguas!

  3. fallen

    hi! my fresh water ba s calaguas island or poso pra mkapag banlaw after mag swimming.. how much ang rent ng boat per perso or 2 lng kyo?

    1. Hi fallen, yes may source of fresh water sa island. The cheapest rate I know for a boat is around P2500, overnight, round trip 🙂

  4. eric

    meron po ba pwede pag iwanan ng sasakyan sa fish port or bago sumakay ng bangka? ung safe po

    1. Please try at Paliza del Rio Tourist Inn, they have parking space 🙂

  5. Jasper

    Sir/Mam, i need a big boat going to calaguas island, 18 person kami, pero marami gamit need malaki boat for us, give your qoutation, basta may life vest and malaki yung boat, saka magkano, salamat…

    1. Irish

      hi, may nakuha na ba kaung boat? if wala pa please contact me at 09108511570

  6. marissa

    super great info..i’m your new fan..:) wonderful blog

    1. Thanks Marissa 😀

  7. sm

    hi for boat rentals kindly text or call 09303784423 look for mama esing cabate. thank you!

  8. Irish

    for boat rental and calaguas tour packages kindly visit this facebook page http://www.facebook.com/5rsTravels or contact me at 09108511570/09152973425 thank u

  9. irish

    for boat rental and tour packages going to CALAGUAS GROUP OF ISLANDS kindly visit this facebook page
    http://www.facebook.com/5rsTravels or contact me at 09108511570. thank you

  10. http://www.facebook.com/nelson.gomez.1804 or email at nelgomez77@yahoocom

    1. boat service going to calaguas island just call or text temporary cp # 09095259821 or email [email protected] Nelson Gomez.

  11. Irish

    for boat rental and calaguas tour packages inquiries pa open na lang po itong site na ito, thank you
    http://calaguastour.wordpress.com/

  12. Vicky M.

    lakwatsero, is it possible to hire a boat to calaguas for a day and go back in the afternoon and maybe stay in daet instead of camping? would you know how much kaya and if its worth it or bitin??? say we leave early from the port? where is it best to stay if ever? i mean what town? are there lodges kaya?

    1. vicky,..try to contact my friend in paracale,…they have a boat and i know they will give you good discount
      09285842052,09205342129

  13. JoanneCamille

    just got from my Calaguas adventure.
    Kuya Ricky (our boatman), I can say, is the NICEST and MOST ACCOMODATING boatman ever.
    we were there when bagyong Gener is on its strongest.
    Kuya Ricky took care of us,he even cooked our breakfast while we are suffering from hangover.
    After the 4hr boat ride (usually it will only took 2hrs) and after surviving the huge waves and strong winds due to bagyong Gener, we went straight to his house and his wife even cooked pancit and prepared some sandwiches for us.
    TAKE NOTE:::: HE DID NOT ASK FOR ANY ADDITIONAL AMOUNT FROM THE ORIGINAL THAT WE AGREED ON.

    i am just doing this to payback the kindness and the lesson we learned from Kuya Ricky.

    Kuya Ricky’s Number: 0912 736 5717
    0912 736 5717

    0912 736 5717

    0912 736 5717

    Just tell him that you got his number from JOANNE ABSOLUT.
    hehehehehehe =)

    1. nag biahe kayo kahit malakas ang dagat,? ok ahh.

      1. mag ingat sa boatman na ang iniisip lang ay kumita ng pera,hindi nila alam isang pagkakamali buhay ang mawawala.

        1. ERNIE OSILLO

          YEAH!!! TAMA C KUYA NELSON….MAY MAGANDANG PANAHON PARA SA INYONG PAG TOUR SA CALAGUAS ISLAND. PLEASE PO ISIPIN NYO ANG SAFETY NYO…THANKS

    2. Irish

      usually po pag masama panahon, maraming bangkero ang kina-cancel na lng ang trip whether its private calaguas tour or mga public trip going to other islands, mahirap pong makipagsapalaran lalo buhay ang kapalit.

  14. BOAT RENTAL PACKAGE inclusion> entrance fee, camping tent,distilled drinking water, fresh water,cooking set for camping, tour guide. contact 09203179315 hanapin Nelson gomez

  15. boat rental contact 09203179315 free entrance fee, no water charge, with life vest and camping tent

  16. mama esing

    BOAT RENTAL GOING TO CALAGUAS ISLAND, JUST CONTACT ME AT 09303784423 FOR DETAILS AND INQUIRIES

  17. Irish

    looking for an affordable and secured boat going to calagua group of islands, just contact me at this number 09108511570, if you have inquiries an questions dont hesitate to contact me. thank you and Godbless

  18. Irish

    we are offering a boat for rent going to calaguas group of islands for just a reasonable and negotiable price inclusive of lifevest and island hopping. just contact me for your inquiries and questions
    09108511570, thank you

  19. may

    ok pala yung kilalang boatman in case of emergency may matatanong agad.

  20. KUYA JACK

    GOOD DAY! I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM TO ALL TOURIST HAVE PLAN TO GO IN MAHABANG BUHANGIN BEACH AT CALAGUAS ISLAND, THIS MONTH OF JUNE STARTED THE RAINY SEASON AND EXCESSIVE WAVE….PLEASE TRY TO COORDINATE WITH YOUR BOATMAN BEFORE COMING…FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ADVICE HERE IS MY NUMBER 09486793920..THANK YOU

    1. rmc

      kuya jack magkno ang boatride for 2 persons thanx

    2. Pedro

      Sir ok pa ba pmunta jan ngaung august o masyado ng maalon? Salamat

Comments are closed.