Calaguas Island Tour: Serenity at its best, Picturesque, a touch of Paradise.
If u want to unwind and lessen the stress from your everyday routines, or just want to escape from the noisy, busy city life, then a Calaguas trip would be one of your best choices.
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| The water is so clear as if the boat is levitating. |
Calaguas Island is becoming more popular these months perhaps due to catchy images shared on the web and social networking sites. I was one of those who were stunned by its pictures. We planned several times to go there but was hindered by its travel time and budget. But thanks to a few friends, the travel pushed through and I promise: It's definitely worth it!
Where is Calaguas?
Calaguas Group of Islands are at Camarines Norte consisted of Guintinua, Maculabo and Tinaga Islands. The famous among these is the Tinaga Island where Mahabang Buhangin is located. You can see the other two islands and other small islands on the way during the boat ride.
Is this place for you?
If you were attracted right away after having seen the pictures of crystal clear, turquoise-colored water and fine white sands, then you'll fall in love with this beach. But if your goal is to have water adventures like banana boat, jet skiing, going to fancy resorts with party people at night, there are plenty of beach in the country that cater those. Calaguas is for people looking for fun with a place mother nature made herself, to feel the serenity, peace and to experience the joy of visiting an untouched virgin island.
How to Go?
We settled to go DIY since we are on a tight budget, maximum of P2500 each for a group of four persons. (But we didn't exceeded that amount, see below.)
Take a bus. We decided to travel at night so we can sleep on the way. At 08:00 pm, we headed to Philtranco in Pasay to buy tickets of Manila - Daet route (but you should reserve days before or go earlier to be sure). The bus fare is approx. P750. Tell the conductor to wake you up and drop you at Talobatib. At 09:10pm the bus left the station. We dozed off as planned. At almost exactly 9 hours of travel, we arrived at Talobatib.
Tip 1: Bring jacket. I forgot mine...It's chilly travelling at night in an A/C bus.
Tip 2: Other buses that cater Manila-Daet are Superlines, DLTB, Penafrancia and Amihan
Tip 3: You can go at Vinzons for the public boat, but additional 1 hr of travel at sea. You can take the public boat at much much lower price but they have a schedule. We need some local contacts to be sure of that. Plus you have to walk across the island since the residential area is at the other side.
By Plane. If you don't like long road journeys and have extra budget, take the Naga-bound planes then ride a bus to Paracale after.
Wait for a bus going to the Paracale Port. But since we arrived where there are no buses at sight and the tricycle drivers persuade us, we took one at a pricey P250. They said that the distance to the port is 17kms and the travel time is 30mins. Hopping at the tricycle is an advantage for those carrying heavy baggage because the buses can only reach before a market and you will have to walk further or ride a tricycle after. It's a seemingly good deal after we arrived at the market half an hour later. We bought some goods and walked 15mins to the Paracale Port or Fish Port after.
Tip: Prices of drinking water are steep at the market. Better buy at the stop-overs.
Rent a boat at the port. We searched for a boatman ahead but we didn't confirmed so we looked for another. We found one after going through the group of boatmen (like a TODA). At P3000, the deal is done. We waited for the boatman 15mins after because he needed to buy Diesel first. Wew. The boat would stay there overnight or would go back and fetch you the other day. Depending on your deal.
I have a video here during the boat ride so you would have an idea about the waves and the boat itself, although the condition of the waves are erratic depending on the season and the wind. The video will be rotated clockwise soon.
Tip: We had a chat with some locals and they said that waves between October to December are very rough. We experienced bit of that on the way home and we were shocked by the high waves. Expect to get wet. As for your baggage, it will be sealed with a large plastic bag as seen in the video.
Mahabang Buhangin Proper. After 2 hrs of riding the waves, we were ushered in by the turquoise water. My friends took pictures right away and one concluded that it's better than Boracay. Upon leaving the boat, we searched for shady spots for our tents to build at. There were private resorts but we like camping more. The guides there said that we can relocate the tent anytime. The fee was P100 per tent.
At the beach, you can swim anytime you like. Feel the fluor-like sand beneath your feet, take lots of pictures and selfies, go snorkeling if you brought equips and watch the beautiful sunset. There are also volleyball net and ball. For extra fee, you can do island hopping. But since we were amazed by the beach itself, we just relax ourselves and unwind.
Trekking at the hills. There are hills in the island where you can have a view of the whole island.
Please click this link >>Trekking at Calaguas
Swimming was undoubtedly at its best here. The water was crystal clear, even clearer than pools well taken care of. The coast gradually deepens, and the waves were almost negligible near the shore. Fitly, you can learn to swim here. Time flies very fast when you are in the water, that's how fun it is.
At night, there's a generator that provides lighting to the cottages until 11 pm utmost. You can charge your gadgets on the extension outlets for free. We bought a brandy and drank by the beach. We wanted to gaze at the stars but the moon was shining bright that time.
For the best view of the beach and for your picture taking, wake up at 5:30 in the morning. You will see the shore bit by bit unveil its majesty. Really picture perfect.
Things to Bring:
1. Tent
2. Sunblock
3. Power bank
4. Hat and shades
5. Selfie Pod and tripod
6. Flash lights or the trendy LED lights
7. Trash bags
8. Plastic bags for waterproofing your things and storing wet clothes
Notes:
1. Some utensils or tools can be rented, as well as goods but a very up-scaled prices.
Ex. Kaldero rent- P100
Ice (approx 1 kg) - P50
Charcoal for cooking - P15 per plastic
Halo-Halo - P30
Emperador Light (750ml) - P120
Wikins (6000mL) - 150
2. There are currently four toilet rooms in the middle of the island and a couple more on further right. Good news is that they are still building more so it will not be a hassle especially for the ladies out there. A grandpa and his apo are giving service for P10 per pail of fresh water, but you can pump for the water yourself if you want to.
Getting Back to Manila. After riding the boat, and getting off at the Paracle/Fish port, walk towards the market or call a tricycle. Ask them to get you to the nearest bus station in paracle. But since the buses there that go straight to Manila leave only at night, you may go to Daet and ride the Manila-bound buses, or like what the conductor suggested us - drop off at Talubatib. Much faster than going to Daet. It took us 8 hours to reach Turbina in Laguna.
Expenses per person (we are four in the group):
1. Phintranco A/C bus - P750
2. Tricycle from Talubatib to Paracle Port - P125
3. Motor boat - P750
4. DLTB from Talubatib to Turbina - P400
(excluding the foods we brought and bought)
You can find competitive bus tickets out there by canvassing in advance (we hadn't done it that's why it was expensive), haggling skills with the motor boatman would also land you in a cheaper price.
If you're hesitating now, well don't be, 'cause you'll miss half of your life if you won't see this place. :)
At the beach, you can swim anytime you like. Feel the fluor-like sand beneath your feet, take lots of pictures and selfies, go snorkeling if you brought equips and watch the beautiful sunset. There are also volleyball net and ball. For extra fee, you can do island hopping. But since we were amazed by the beach itself, we just relax ourselves and unwind.
Trekking at the hills. There are hills in the island where you can have a view of the whole island.
Please click this link >>Trekking at Calaguas
Swimming was undoubtedly at its best here. The water was crystal clear, even clearer than pools well taken care of. The coast gradually deepens, and the waves were almost negligible near the shore. Fitly, you can learn to swim here. Time flies very fast when you are in the water, that's how fun it is.
At night, there's a generator that provides lighting to the cottages until 11 pm utmost. You can charge your gadgets on the extension outlets for free. We bought a brandy and drank by the beach. We wanted to gaze at the stars but the moon was shining bright that time.
For the best view of the beach and for your picture taking, wake up at 5:30 in the morning. You will see the shore bit by bit unveil its majesty. Really picture perfect.
Things to Bring:
1. Tent
2. Sunblock
3. Power bank
4. Hat and shades
5. Selfie Pod and tripod
6. Flash lights or the trendy LED lights
7. Trash bags
8. Plastic bags for waterproofing your things and storing wet clothes
Notes:
1. Some utensils or tools can be rented, as well as goods but a very up-scaled prices.
Ex. Kaldero rent- P100
Ice (approx 1 kg) - P50
Charcoal for cooking - P15 per plastic
Halo-Halo - P30
Emperador Light (750ml) - P120
Wikins (6000mL) - 150
2. There are currently four toilet rooms in the middle of the island and a couple more on further right. Good news is that they are still building more so it will not be a hassle especially for the ladies out there. A grandpa and his apo are giving service for P10 per pail of fresh water, but you can pump for the water yourself if you want to.
Getting Back to Manila. After riding the boat, and getting off at the Paracle/Fish port, walk towards the market or call a tricycle. Ask them to get you to the nearest bus station in paracle. But since the buses there that go straight to Manila leave only at night, you may go to Daet and ride the Manila-bound buses, or like what the conductor suggested us - drop off at Talubatib. Much faster than going to Daet. It took us 8 hours to reach Turbina in Laguna.
Expenses per person (we are four in the group):
1. Phintranco A/C bus - P750
2. Tricycle from Talubatib to Paracle Port - P125
3. Motor boat - P750
4. DLTB from Talubatib to Turbina - P400
(excluding the foods we brought and bought)
You can find competitive bus tickets out there by canvassing in advance (we hadn't done it that's why it was expensive), haggling skills with the motor boatman would also land you in a cheaper price.
If you're hesitating now, well don't be, 'cause you'll miss half of your life if you won't see this place. :)
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