Travel Guide: Calaguas Islands
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 Cubao/Pasay 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
Naga in Camarines Sur is closest airport with regular commercial flights via Philippine Airlines, 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, Superlines has direct trip to Paracale/Panganiban. 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 P2000 (good for five to six persons) 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.
Going to Paracale from Manila, Superlines and Philtranco have direct to Paracale trips. Alternatively, you can ride the Daet bound buses and get off at Talobatib junction where buses going to Paracale pass. Last trip from Daet to Paracale is 6PM and 4PM for Paracale to Daet.
Where to Stay
There is 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. Camping fee is P100.00 per person.
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 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, Mercedes Group, etc
- Swim in 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
Travelogues
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).
For other Calaguas related posts, please see these posts:
- Fall in Love in Calaguas
- For the Love of Calaguas
- Top Picks: Five Best Adventures of 2010
- Top Picks: Five Best Beaches of 2010
Sample DIY Itinerary (via Paracale)
Estimated Budget: P2000.00
Day 0:
2100H: Departure
Day 1:
0500H: Arrival in Talobatib,Labo
0500H – 0600H: Breakfast in Talobatib
0600H – 0700H: Talobatib to Paracale by bus
0700H – 0900H: Arrival in Paracale/Survey for boat to Maculabo-Calaguas/Shop for other needed items (ice, meat, fruits, fish, drinking water, etc)
0900H – 1000H: Paracale to Maculabo by boat
0900H – 1330H: Explore Maculabo: beach bumming, photo ops, hill,
trekking, swimming, lunch
1330H – 1430H: Maculabo to Mahabang Buhangin, Tinaga Island, Calaguas by boat
1430H – 1530H: Set-up Camp
1530H – 1800H: Explore Mahabang Buhangin: beach bumming, photo ops, swimming, snorkeling
1800H – 1930H: Dinner Preparation/Wahs=up/Fix-up
1930H – 2030H: Dinner
2030H: Socials, Lights off
Day 2:
0700H – 0800H: Call Time, Breakfast
0800H – 1130H: Free time, explore, discover, play, pose, packup, prepare lunch
1130H – 1300H: Lunch
1300H – 1430H: Wash-up/Fix-up/Break Camp
1430H – 1630H: Calaguas to Paracale by boat
1630H – 1700H: Arrival in Paracale/Wash-up/Fix-up
1700H – 1800H: Paracale to Talovatib by bus/trike
1800H – 2130H: Dinner/Rest/Fix-up
2130H: Departure from Daet to Manila
Day 3:
0430H – Arrival in Pasay
0530H – Home Sweet Home
Tips
- We highly recommend Kuya Nelson, a boatman based in Paracale, you may contact him at +0920-3179315
- 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 is restroom the island
- The island have now more cottages and stores
- Superlines is the cheapest aircon bus line to Daet and Paracale, their Cubao to Labo fare as of June 2011 is P520.00
*First Published: March 21, 2009; Updated: 09-Jul-2011 / 15-Nov-2011
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for hassle free travel package to Calaguas.. Call us at 09175012250 / 09994449853 or visit us at http://www.northlink.ph. Look for junel/mhegs..
we offer the most affordable package inclusive of everything you need..
how much is your affordable package… say group of 6 pax? pls. send to my e-mail add. thanks.
Hi,
i would like to ask,which one is better caramoan or calaguas?
thank you!
Hi! Can I use one of your photos (the last picture with a boat) to post in facebook? Just wanna show it to my friends. Thanks!
Sure Kris Ann
Thanks!
For boat rental going to Calaguas island please contact Jeffrey(09123105835).
Jeffrey,
Where is the meeting point to catch the boat to Calaguas, how much per pax round trip?
Bobby
tour organizer usually meet at Jollibee Daet..
boat rental maximum of 20 persons 7,500 engine make 4D30,4DR5 and C240 with life vest from Paracale to Calaguas island contact 09203179315
Rate is P7,500 round trip?
Thank you. I will call you when we know how many people are joining the trip to Calaguas.
Advisable po ba may kasamang mga ladies or family and kids sa Calaguas island.? More or less mga ilang Tao nasa island. In one evening. Can anybody comment on security and safety of the camping place.THANKS
Thanks for this blog post! I can’t wait for my trip to Calaguas knowing I’ll enjoy my short vacation with my friends there this coming May. I wonder though, how are the waves during the month of May?
We will be going to Mahabang Buhangin this holy week. We will be ariving in Vinzon’s port around 1pm, April 21. I hope we can get a boat that we can share with 4 more people so we can share the cost. We plan to go back saturday, April 23, leaving Mahabang Buhangin going back to Vinzons by 12 noon.
boat for rent from vinzons to calaguas island tx 09274837036
Hi otep,
ask ko lang kung magkano ang magiging budget namin, plan sana namin na mid of May, family of 12 kme bale half nun mga bata, ages 3-16, safe ba ang biyahe nun? may life vest naman ba? mga bata kase kasama, thanks. here’s my email LAWN111378@YAHOO.COM
how much po ang budget if galing ka naga? apat kami and we’re planning to go to calaguas thus 22-24 or 23-24.
P2000 each is a good estimate
But make it a little over for unexpected expenses
2000 balikan..sarili bangka from vinzons to calaguas island sched na lang tx or call mo ko if interested 09274837036
4000 php pala sori ho mali lang naitype balikan na ho yan for 5 – 6 people sarili bangka alam bawat lugar sa isla ng tour guide =D
tOmoO,,,,siguradong masya po dun at napaka ganda ng calaguas,,,,
Hey James.. Punta aq sa calaguas on April 17-18. Dalawa lng kmi. Sana join na lng kau samin mas cheaper pag madami. April 22-24 tlga kau alis? Sayang naman.
Mejo kinakabahan kasi ako pag konti lng tas ang layo pa.
Angel, Thanks sa lahat ng help mo!
Si mang nelson nde nagrreply. 
Mang rolly lang. Si Mang rolly Kaya may Lifevest? :S
para sa 5 tao,,,4ooo po,,at par naman sa 15 tao 8 or 9000
can i join the group, i’ll be in daet by 21…
09391230853
ill be on my way to calguas this fri. nyt..the only problem is i don`t have any cooking utensils,
may mga store ba sa paracale na pwde ko blhan ng gasulito o ung maliit na lpg.. were planning on saying there for 2 nytz
Paracale port is near the town market but I am not sure if they have that camping stoves/mini LPG. In case none, just buy coals. You can ask your boatman to assist you in cooking
thnx alot for the tips man… my friend lent me his butane stove..you guys rock
Great! Enjoy djay
)
Magkano kaya ang dapat na budget for five persons for two days and one night? This coming friday
kung mangggaling ho kayo manila sakay kayo bus sa cubao philtranco o superlines tpos baba kayo sa daet sakay kayo tricycle o jeep to vinzons sta. cruz st. tpos from vinzons to calaguas island 5 – 6 person 4000 pesos ho pnaka mura na offer sarili pa bangka balikan na ho yan tx me if interested 09274837036
haha sikat na isla ah. btw kng sino interesado pumunta sa calaguas island at ng hahanap ng tour guide na TIPID meron kame sarili bahay na pwede 2luyan bago pumunta calaguas island at sariling bangka from vinzons to island 2- 2 1/2 hrs byahe rentahan nio na lang kausapn ko uncle ko sya namamahala sa bangka namin pero pgmamay ari nmn un at my lupa kame sa island pinagtigasan island actually. yan mahabang puting buhangin sa mangkawayan island yan sa likod ng calaguas island tapat ng pacific ocean .. hehe tx nio ko 09274837036 sa my interes pumunta jan.
Magkano ang budget para sa limang tao? this coming saturday and sunday
P2000 each is a good estimate
But make it a little over for unexpected expenses, so alot P2000 – P2500 per person for the trip
rentahan nio bangka nmn 4000 ho balikan na yan from vinzons to tinaga island e2 no. tx or call 09274837036
ilan po pwede sa banca niyo?
is it possible to hike from brgy banocboc to mahabang buhangin..how long will it take?
Barangay Banocboc is in Guintinua Island, so you need to ride a boat to go to Tinaga Island where Mahabang Buhangin is located.
If you can catch a boat going to Barangay Mangkawayan, which is on the opposite side of Tinaga, you can walk for less than an hour going to Mahabang Buhangin
guys, i recommend the NORTHLINK Travels for your CALAGUAS TOUR PACKAGE.. you can visit their FB PAGE Northlink and check their website http://www.northlink.ph.. personally experienced their services.. all i can say is.. THE BEST!!
and, they are the only registered and recognized tour operator in the province. Beware of the fly by night tour operators.
you can contact them at 0999 444 9853 or 0917 554 8297.
highly recommended, melvic brinas’ gang for a hassle free calaguas tour
i recommend melvic brinas’ group for a hassle free calaguas trip http://www.facebook.com/pages/Calaguas-Island/324859017743
>boat rentals w/ lifevest<
from paracaLe to calaguas island
2hrs boat ride
contact #:smart-09075255070
globe-09261001188
Thank you. =))
hi..
if you want 2 join kc my k work aq now tga paracale z! punt kmi calaguas this coming holywek 4boyz kmi tatlo kmi dayo dun! yung boat sa unkel nya…pero my fee din share n lng tyo…. dont wory good boy kmi… gling nko dun last year! my mlpit din dun resort name is PULANG DAGA…. MGANDA din one ride lng 20min dun n tyo…
Hi,
Nice blog! Is there a place in Vinzon where you can leave your car behind? Do you recommend this?