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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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
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
First Published: March 21, 2009; Updated: 09-Jul-2011 / 15-Nov-2011 / 12-Feb-2013 / 22-Feb-2016 / 30-Nov-2017
galing kami sa mahabang buhangin last weekend, from paracale port. na-plano na namin ang lakad at IT lagpas 1 month na at na-contact na din ang boatman na si nelson. 1 week bago ang lakad nag-confirm kami kay nelson na tuloy kami. 3 days bago ang lakad namin nag-confirm ulit ako at sa oras nung alis ng bus namin from cubao nag-confirm ulit ako at palaging ok ang sagot ni nelson. dumating kami 0530H sa Paracale at nag-almusal muna sa Malayan Inn dahil hindi pa namin alam san pupuntahan si nelson. lumipas ang isang oras,ilang balik sa paracle port at napakadaming tawag sa number ni nelson, may lumapit sa amin na kasama daw ni nelson sa bangka. sabi nila sila daw ang magdadala sa amin sa calaguas, pero antayin daw namin si nelson bago umalis (gusto rin namin antayin si nelson para mapagpaliwanag siya ano nangyari?) 0830H dumating si nelson 3 oras late sa usapan namin, at dun lang niya sinabi na sira pala bangka niya. ipapasa niya daw kami sa kasama niy at sila nalang ang kakausapin namin kung magkano ibabayad namin.. buti nalang naitindihan nung ibang bangkero sitwasyon namin at pumayag sila sa rate na napagusapan namin ni nelson.. nalaman din namin na medyo matagal na sira bangka ni nelson at dahil si nelson daw madalas ang hinahanap ng mga pumunpunta dun, ang gawain nalang daw ni nelson ay kumuha ng hati niya sa mga pinapasahan niya.. kami lang ba na-hassle ni nelson???
sana wala na magaya samin..
Hi,
A friend and I were planning to visit Calaguas 1st week of Nov. I’ve heard it’ll be a lot cheaper kung by group. Anyone out there na may plano din ng magpunta ng Nov 2-4? =)
We are planning to go there on Oct. 30 to Nov. 2
Thanks for sharing this. IT is also big help. 🙂
balik tau march? 😀
Weh! Bumili ka muna ng ticket to Manila! Haha!
Can you give further details of how to get to Manila from Talobatib? Bumili na po ba kayo ng return tickets bago umalis ng manila? or sa Daet terminal pa kayo dumirecho? 9pm rin po ba ang byahe ng daet-manila? thank you.
You can catch any Daet bound bus and tell the driver/conductor to drop you off at Talobatib. Or you may ride the Superlines Bus that goes directly to Paracale. Going home, if you plan to ride the bus to Manila at Talobatib Junction, you need to reserve and purchase in advance. Otherwise, you can just go to Daet Terminal on the day of your departure. I believe there is still bus that departs at 9PM, but schedule changes without prior notice so it would be best to consult Philtranco Website or call them or the other bus company.
[…] out this Calaguas Islands Travel Guide by Lakwatsero for more info about traveling to this side of […]
ei lakwatsero,
heard there’s already a resort with bar and videoke there, is it true?
if true, then i was right after all
dapat talaga di na blog yan 🙁
Somehow I agree with you.
Was at calaguas island last week.our boatman adonis is super accomodating.i even call him mr friendly boatman.dmo n kailangan utusan dahil may kusa.he cooked our food in the island..super sarap..
When we left the island,napansin ko wla yung rayban ko.so i immediately called adonis.hahanaoin daw nya at d sya titigil hanggat di mkita. So ilang days n nkklipas, hopeless nko.dko n inintindi kc naisip ko bk ibang tao n nkkuha.to my surprise,i received a text from adonis saying nkita na daw..tuwang tuwa ako.knowing n rayban is quite expensive.
Kya ngaun.im just waiting nlng kung saan at kelan nya pdadala dito sa Manila. Hats off to u Adonis and Kuya Joseph.will definitely recommend you sa mga friends kong gusto magpunta ng Calaguas..:-)
Do you have his contact number? We’re planning to go there end of May 2013…
@ Jhuvy14: May number po ba kayo ni adonis at joseph? I’m planning to visit calaguas on my birthday nxt month,sana nga lang ayos ang panahon..(fingers crossed)
09129038447
kuya okay na po ba bumiyahe sa mahabang buhangin sa November.?
@lowell…….dpende po za lgay ng panahon pro my tym n safe p rn nmn po mgtravel, txt or call n dn po bgo kau mgbyhe d2 pra mai’inform nmin weder condition d2.thnx po.!!!…!
i2 po number ko 09129038447 or 09055509694…..,thnx po..!!!
Hi we’re planning to go there by the end of november or early first week of december we’re only students and we’re about 3-4 persons only, is it possible? and we’re can we get affordable rates?
Good Day,,,,available po sa amin ang boat service in affordable rates going to mahabang buhangin beach at calaguas island…just txt to my number 09486793920,,,,tnx
Hi. We are also planning to go there towards the end of November.. we are at least 3. maybe we can go there together para maka tipid tayo sa boat rental. you can text me at 09164525710.
Hello po, planning to go there next week, kaso 2 lang po kami, pwede bang hindi mag-rent ng boat? wala bang rate na per person? saka anong oras ung available time nung mga boats from paracale
You may inquire with KUYA JACK as a boatman 09486793920…..Thankzzzzz
may mga boats ba dun sa mismong island just in case gusto nmen mag island hopping or snorkel, meron ba kami marerentahan from there?
ung boat na nirent nyo mismo ang pwed nyo gamitin para sa island hopping depende nlng po sa pag uusapan nyo with a boatman
…kasi once na nagrent po kayo ng boat from fishport paracale to calaguas isalnd eh stand by namn po ang bangka dun sa calaguas habang naroroon kau….tnx
just text this number 09486793920 & Look KUYA JACK for your any inquiries….
Hi chen,
kailan plan nyo… baka pwede sumabay 2 lang din kami para maka less sa boat…
sa thursday na po. March 28, one night lang po kami dun. already inquired a boat, 4k po good for 8persons daw.
Hi! My husband and I were planning to go there this coming april, may kelangan ba kami kausapin before going to calaguas? For example, kelangan makipagcoordinate muna for permit. Or we can go there anytime? Gusto ko sana maging special kasi 1st wedding anniversary namin. Please reply! Thank you so much! 🙂
Hi Fiona, no need for permit, actually you can go there anytime but it would be best to contact a boatman in advance para di na kayo maghahahanap-hanap pa pagdating nyo sa port of Paracale or Vinzon.
You can contact of this cel number 09486793920…..Thank You
boat service maximum of 25 persons 9k Paracale to Calaguas island vice versa contact Nel Gomez 09095259821
Hi. We’re looking for affordable package in calaguas including food, boat, tent etc. We are group of 15 to 20 persons. Thanks
Hi. We’re looking for affordable package in calaguas including food, boat, tent etc. We are group of 15 to 20 persons. Thanks Hi. We’re looking for affordable package in calaguas including food, boat, tent etc. We are group of 15 to 20 persons. Thanks
HI FOR BOAT RENTAL CALL US @09303784423.
Hi Sir Lakwatsero, yes we provide a safe, secured with CCTV fenced parking in our tourist inn in Paracale. You can also wash up in our hotel for a very minimal fee. If you feel like staying for a day in Paracale and visit our 400 years old miraculous Patron Saint and have a Mangrove Trip and visit Pulangdaga Beach Resort, we will gladly to assist you.You can reach Paliza del Rio Tourist Inn in Paracale at 0939-718-2008 or you can visit our facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/paliza.delriotouristinn?fref=ts thank you and best regards Sir Angel.=)
If you are planning for a vacation this summer, you may check the lists of our affordable tour packages. Contact us so we can plan ahead and make your trip worry free.
Thanks!
safe b mag travel by car from manila to bicol?.. nag dadalawang isip kc ako s tseguridad ng mga checkpoint s quezon to bicol…wala kyang incident ng kidnapping or harangan ng mga NPA dyan…gusto ko tlga mag roadtrip pa bicol, kc mas madami akong mppuntahan…
HONESTLY SPEAKING…NDI PO AQ MAKAPAGBI2GAY NG 100 PERCENT NA WALANG INCEDENT NG KIDNAPPING OR HARANGAN NG MGA NPA KASI PO ANG MAY KINAUUKULAN LANG PO ANG NAKA2ALAM NYAN…MARAMING SALAMAT PO!!
[…] test of faith and courage as we played with the very huge waves and circumstances that made us love Calaguas even […]
[…] 1. Travel Guide: Calaguas Islands […]