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
We’re planning to go to calaguas on may 23-25, we’ll be leaving on may 23 night here in manila. 2 lang kami… I
kindly text me sa 09182311699, for safe and quality service boat rentals and package.ty!
hi, po. We are planning to go on may 15 till 17, 4 persons. Safe po ba ung weather. Anyone who have plans for these dates?
We’re up.. 2 pax here.. By 16 th ang arrival namen..
HI po! anyone going to calaguas on May 20-22 (3 days 2 nights) We’re leaving manila night of May 19 and leaving calaguas mga hapon ng may 22. mga 2-5 persons lang kami (di pa sure un iba) naghahanap po kaming kashare sa boat. Thank you. Kindly text me po 09051101714.
Hi kindly txt me 09182311699. for boat rentals and package.thanks!
Hi Everyone,
This is Rona, looking for a safe trip going to calaguas island via vinzons? Princess Anne, our banca, ready to serve you.
please call or text 09996613659. Thank you.
Kung may group tour kau, sali nio ko. end of May 2015.
Hi kindly contact 09182311699 for safe and quality boat rentals and packages. thank you!
Anybody going to calaguas on May 15 or early morning of 16? We’ll be travelling from Naga City. Kaylangan namin ng kashare sa boat fare. 2pax lang kasi kami. text 09300807961. Thanks. 🙂
Hi punta po kami ng may 20-22. baka maadjust po yun travel dates nyu. unti lang din po kami.
Hi! We’ll be leaving in mla on night of 15 th of may.. 2 pax here..
Hi. Anyone going to calaguas on May 21 or 22 til 23? (that’s Thursday or Friday til Saturday).
2pax lang kasi kami. Naghahanap kami ng ka share sa boat kahit additional 2 lang. Thanks
Hi!
I’m setting a trip on the 3rd week (May 23-24). I will be at the port by morning leaving the next day late afternoon. Anyone who can let me join their boat? Im travelling alone.
Thanks
hi kindly contact 09182311699 for safe and quality services boat and package tour.ty!
Hi!
Anyone who wants to share boat on the 23rd morning leaving 24th afternoon. I’m traveling alone.
Thanks
Hi! punta din po kami ng calaguas. may 20-22. unti lang din po kami. baka maadjust ang travel dates nyu so we can share po sa boat. thank you.
Hi please txt me 09051101714 2 pax lang din po kami.
Hi po. Im interested.please text me 09051101714. 2-3 pax lang kami.
Hi rachel! please text me 09051101714.
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boat rental maximum of 30 persons Paracale to Calaguas vice versa contact 09095259821
good day.for boat rental po via paracale port to calaguas,please contact us 09108461294.we offer affordable boat rentals.pwede rin po manghiram ng mga gamit sa pagluluto,lifevest and free shower po.malapit po sa bahay namin yung parking space if meron po kayo service.thankyou
We will go in Calaguas on May 15, 2015. We are only 2 so let’s join in the boat rental. please text 09272990058
our sched is one may 24 to 28….
syang sana we can join you 5pax
what time po alis nyo on may 15? 2pax lang din kami. Balak sana namin on the 16th na umaga. Pa join na lang sana kami. Text me 09300807961. Thanks.
Boat rentals in paracale port going to calaguas island vice versa…3000 for 2 to 6 pax, 450 per pax if above 6 pax. pwed manghiram ng gamit pangluto, you can contact me @ 09471109451 or send email @ [email protected]. tnx much
Hi.. we’re planning a trip to Calaguas on 2nd weekend of May. We’ll be leaving Q.C on Fri night, May 8. then leave Calaguas Sun afternoon at around 2 pm.. anyone ineterested? lets share sa boat. 2 pax lang kasi kami. 09177315419..
Hi! can you send me your number? I’m planning a trip with a friend but from Naga City na kami manggagaling…. email me @ [email protected] 🙂
hi what time alis nyo sa may 8?
Hi! I travel alone, can we share boat with you guys? Thanks
Janis ask ko lng kung ilan kayo nag hahanap kasi kmi ng kasama sa boat plan nmin may8 morning paracale to calaguas then may 10 afternoon balik…. Contak me 09771830847
for boat rentals via paracale port to calaguas kindly contact us 09398189896-kagawad jong delemios at barangay poblacion norte paracale camarines norte.1-5 persons -3000/6-8 persons,4000/9-12 persons-5000/13-16 persons-6000/.with life jacket,free borrowing of stuff for cooking and free shower upon arrival,and with great hospitality.thank you!
Hi Guys,
My friends and I are planning to visit Calaguas this May 1-3. Anyone who’s going? We’re only 3 kc and we want to be with the group.
Let me know if who’s interested.
Regards,
Otirach
baka po gusto nyo magjoin samin sa boat, april 30 kmi aalis ng manila, May 1 ng umaga po kme dadating sa paracale, then May 2 ng hapon kmi aalis… overnyt lng sa island.
Hi, can we join you? 2 lang kmi ng wife ko since same tau ng itenerary, ayaw naman i-avail ung mga travel package, we want a DIY camping. 🙂 please contact me in 09175346708
we’re planning also to go on May 1 then balik ng May 2…can we join with your group..4 pax kmi..thanks
hi, just text us lang po para makapag set tau, it’s either public boat tau or rent tau ng private boat, it depends kung ilan tau.
Pde mki-join.. Alis kmi ng mga friends ko ng april 30 ng gabi kelangan dn nmin ng ibng ksma pra mktipid sa gastos.. Ok lng b? Here is my no. 09328443123 thanks
hi, just text us lang po para makapag set tau, it’s either public boat tau or rent tau ng private boat, it depends kung ilan tau.
wat tym po alis nio sa may 1, bka puede kmi sumabay 2 kme husband ko. ty
just contact me @ 09471109451,we have trip schedule on may 1. pwed namin kau isabay sa ibang group.thank u
hi! im jen kuya q ung dating tour operator d2 sa paracale. most affordable ang rate ni kuya sa mga boat rental,,honestly bago pa lng aq na maging tour operator…but i will try my best gaya ni kuya.
hi jen.. we’re planning a trip on May 9. 2 pax lang. how much rate kung pwede makisabay sa boat? at ano oras ang alus the next day?
hello sir mark 1000 po para sa inyong dalawa,isabay po namin kau sa ibang group..pero pakiwait nlng po ang comfirmation for schedule sa may 9.thank u
Boat rental paracale to calaguas island vice versa. minimum rate of 3000 up to 6pax,,, 450/pax
above 6 pax & including discount if morethan 20 pax. special trip that boat rate, also we can accomodate sa mga makikisabay just let me know para sa schedule…here my mobile # 09186268547 tnx much
Hi, may cottages na po ba don?
oo..may cotages n dun..contact nyo ko kung may gusto kyong mlaman about the beach..
eto yong number ko..09104774422
im jun bogate from calaguas island…
Hi, anyone who have plans for calaguas this april 22-23?
Hi, i’m going to calaguas apr 23-25, i’m a Bicolano based in pampanga. I speak the dialect..im planning to travel by bus.
are there any trees (or anything) to put up hammocks (duyan) in calaguas?