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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Rv
Apr 5th, 2010
You guys can ride a boat from Paracale to Mahabang Buhangin. Then from there Brgy. Mangkawayan is like 20 mins treck. Locals are very friendly, that they will lead you to where you have to go.
But I suggest that instead of Mangkawayan, go fot Mahabang Buhangin. Far better sea shoreline. (cleaner)
Rv
Apr 5th, 2010
Just got back from Calaguas. Its a paradise. Spent the holy week there.
The boat ride from Paracale is Php3,000 two way.
They already have a toilet and “poso” as source of water.
I love the island. So nice. So clean. Far better than Boracay.
zel
Mar 31st, 2010
pkcopy po ng pic a?popost q ln.ganda kse:D
Lakwatsero
Mar 31st, 2010
sure
EVIE
Mar 31st, 2010
ser pwede pa grab ng pix ipost ko lang po thanks
Lakwatsero
Mar 31st, 2010
Sure po. Thanks
benj
Mar 30th, 2010
top SERP ka na naman!
momdhee
Mar 29th, 2010
were planning to go there this friday can u give me the contact details of you bankero from vinzons?
EVIE
Mar 28th, 2010
Nakakainis!!
My husband and his group went there in good faith that this page would really help them,they tried to make it the “Paracale” way, but to their surprise…
the public boat to Brgy.Mangkawayan
DO NOT EXIST!!
left with no choice..
they returned to daet instead,
and make it via Vinzons.
Such a waste of time and effort travelling to Paracale is nearly 2hrs.
I just hope this post be edited soon so no more explorers would go the “wrong paracale” route.
Lakwatsero
Mar 28th, 2010
Sorry to hear about what happened. That was a terrible experience. I have no intention to mislead my readers.
However, the information about the public boat to Mangkawayan was from a local of Calaguas, Mang Bert, an owner of a part of Mahabang Buhangin. The schedule though is unpredictable, and there is only one trip everyday, back and forth. But the boat usualy leaves Mangkawayan to Paracale as early as 6 in the m0rning and returns to Mangkawayan immediately, n0 waiting time. They önly board th0se passengers who are there the m0ment they arrive. Fare is 50 pesos.
I verified it also to a local of Paracale and they c0nfirmed it.
Nevertheless, I will edit my post to indicate the risks of going to Calaguas via public boat to prevent such incident to happen again.
Thanks for your feedback and I’m sorry again for what happened.
Lakwatsero
Mar 28th, 2010
One question though, why did they not hire a private boat in Paracale instead? Private boats in Paracale are cheaper than in Vinzons. Our group went to Calaguas via Paracale last February 2010 and the boat from Mangkawayan has not arrived yet, this was according to a local lady waiting also for the boat to buy some catch from Mangkawayan, so what we did was hire a boat to Calaguas from there for P2000 overnight in Calaguas, plus side trip to Maculabo and Cumalasag Islands. We were nine in the group and the entire trip from Manila costs us P1800 each all inclusive.
EVIE
Mar 30th, 2010
actually they did tried but the boatman is asking for 3000Php(one way).Since they were only 3 in a group, 3k is kinda expensive.So they head back to Daet,and made the “sure” Vinzon’s way.
Anyways, your site still helped them get there (with a little twist and turn though).On behalf of my hubby we still wanna thank you and for your immediate response..
Hope
Lakwatsero
Mar 30th, 2010
3K, one way??? Sobra naman… Hay, some Filipinos have this “mapagsamantala” mentality talaga. So sad.
kaito
Mar 11th, 2010
do we have to register or advise someone before going to the island.is there a fee in staying there
Lakwatsero
Mar 28th, 2010
Depends on where you set your camp, if you set your camp in Mang Bert’s area (the area with flaglets, water source and some cottages), you will be charged P100/person for a day trip and P150/person if overnight.
dhang
Feb 27th, 2010
bathroom!!?? there’s a cottage there which has the bathroom your asking.. but when we got there last may. we just poop anywhere!! hehe!!
Angelika Esquillo
Feb 26th, 2010
hello there!
I have one concern though.. how about the bathroom in the island? have they improvised on any hut with toilet bowl or something? Thanks