CALAGUAS ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE: Itinerary, How to get There and more

Travel Guide: Calaguas Islands in Camarines Norte, Philippines

Calaguas Islands is increasingly becoming a popular backpacker beach destination. Located on the northernmost tip of Bicol, this beautiful beach in Camarines Norte is probably one of the best Barkada destinations in Luzon.

Calaguas is a group of islands that includes Tinaga Island and Guintinua Island; there are minor islands like Maculabo Island and other smaller islands. On Tinaga Island, you can find the famous Mahabang Buhangin (Long Beach) or Halabang Baybay in Bicolano. If you are looking for a perfect campsite or white sand beach, you will surely enjoy Mahabang Buhangin.

Also Read: 5 Facts for the Calaguas Island Weekender

If you are planning a trip to Calaguas Islands and looking for travel tips, a sample itinerary, a transportation guide, and hotel recommendations, you just found the right page. This post aims to provide the most detailed Calaguas Islands Budget Travel Guide to help you prepare for your future visit to this beautiful group of islands.

Best time to visit Calaguas Islands

• The best time to visit the island is from January to August. Due to the unpredictable weather, September to November is not the best time to go island hopping.
• If you hate a crowded beach, visit Calaguas during weekdays to avoid the increasing number of weekend vacationers.
• If you have motion sickness, avoid visiting the island from November to December due to untamed waves from the Pacific Ocean.

How To Get There

Getting to Daet from Manila

BY LAND:

Take the Bus to Daet Camarines Sur or Paracale if you want to use that route. Transport Terminals to Daet are available in Cubao and Pasay. Travel time is approximately 6 to 8 hours, depending on the traffic.

Take a Philtranco bus from Pasay/EDSA or Cubao/EDSA. There are non-aircon buses if you want to save more on transportation. There are regular Airconditioned buses and a deluxe air-conditioned Bus with a Restroom inside this bus.

DLTB, Isarog Bus Lines, Penafrancia Travel and Tours, and Superlines also offer trips from Cubao/Pasay to Daet. Super lines in Cubao offers a direct trip to Paracale (Contact Number: +632 414-3321 / +632 414-3319)

PHILTRANCO Pasay Central Office: (02) 851-8077-79 Cubao Terminal: (02) 722-7567

BY AIR:

You can reach Daet via Naga City airport. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have regular flights to Naga City. It will take 2 hours from the airport to reach Daet.

How to reach Calaguas via Vinzons

• From Daet, catch a jeepney to Pandawan fishport in Vinzons.
• From the fish port, take the boat going to Barangay Banocboc (usually leaves at 10-11am).
• From Brgy Banocboc, you can hire an outrigger boat or a small fishing boat to go to Mahabang Buhangin.
• If you are with a group of 5 or more, you can hire an outrigger boat from Vinsons Fishport that will take you directly to Tinaga Island.
• Travel time to Tinaga Island from Vinsons Fishport is approximately 2 hours.

How to reach Calaguas via Paracale

• From Daet, take a public van or bus to Paracale (1 hour).
• From Paracale get a Tricycle to the fish port.
• Hire a boat (P2,000 – P2,500) to Halabang Baybay or Mahabang Buhangin.
• Travel time from Paracale to Mahabang Buhangin is approximately 2-2.5 hrs.

Where to Stay

There are several native cottages for rent in Calaguas. If you are more adventurous, you can choose to camp out. If you do not have a tent, you can ask the locals or your boatmen where you can rent a tent. Each tent is usually good for up to 5 individuals, and it is generally rented at 300 – 400 pesos per night plus a camping fee of 120-150 pesos per person.

Waling-Waling EcoVillage

Location: Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Island, Vinsons, Camarines Norte, Philippines

The resort offers air-conditioned rooms and cottages. Resort rates start at P3,500 per room per night.

Where to Eat

Cheaper Option: There are Sari-sari stores in some parts of the island, but they don’t sell hot meals. There are houses where you can ask to cook your meals, but I guess it’s more exciting if you cook your own meals, so make sure to bring drinking water, food, and enough booze. Some fishermen sell their fresh catch every morning or in the afternoon. There is also a small talipapa (market) in Brgy. Mangcawayan is where you can buy fish. If you don’t have cooking utensils, ask your boatmen; some of them will borrow their cooking pans, plates, etc.

• Calaguas Paradise Resort offers a seafood menu and some local vegetable dishes.
• Waling-Waling Island Resort also has an excellent restaurant that has a 100-sitting capacity.

Sample Calaguas 3 days 2 nights Itinerary

Day 0

• 9:00PM – ETD daet

Day 1

• 07:00AM – ETA Daet/ Breakfast
• 08:00AM – ETD for Calaguas Island
• 10:00AM – ETA Calaguas Island/ set camp explore
• 12:00 NN- Lunch
• 01:00PM – Siesta/ swimming/ explore/ picture happy campers
• 06:00PM – Dinner
• 07:00PM – Socials
• 10:00PM – Lights out

Day 2

• 06:00AM – Wakeup call
• 07:00AM – Breakfast
• 09:00AM – Prepare for Island Hopping (own pax Acct)
• 12:00NN – Back to the campsite
• 01:00pm – Late lunch
• 04:00pm – Explore the beach
• 05:00 PM – Rest
• 06:00 PM – Dinner

Day 3

• 06:00AM – Wakeup call
• 07:00AM – Breakfast
• 09:00AM – Break Camp
• 10:00AM – ETD Calaguas – Daet
• 12:00NN – ETD Daet
• 01:00PM – Late Lunch
• 02:00PM – Surfing Bgasbas
• 05:00 PM – Rest
• 06:00 PM – Dinner
• 09:00 PM – ETD Daet – Manila

Things to do in Calaguas

• Playing Frisbee, Volleyball
• Diving and Snorkeling
• Camping
• Skimboarding
• Nightlife via Mobile Bars
• Island Hopping
• Scuba Diving
• Visit Pulang Daga Beach in Paracale
• Take a short hike to get an excellent birds-eye view of the island

Calaguas Travel Checklist

• Bring insect repellants
• Bring enough food/snacks and drinking water
• Bring Rice
• Bring a first-aid kit
• Sunblock
• Bring Dry Bags
• Bring Power Banks for your Mobile Phones
• Bring FlashLight
• Bring an Extra Battery for your Camera

Calaguas Important Travel Tips

• Get the 9pm Bus trip for you to arrive in Calaguas before lunchtime
• Hire a local travel guide to help the community
• Dispose of your trash responsibly

Calaguas Travel Budget and Expenses

• Depending on the size of the Boat, overnight boat rental ranges from Php3,000 to Php6,500 depending on the boat capacity.
• Calaguas Environmental Fee Php20
• Entrance Fee Php150
• The local Travel Guide Fee is Php50 per person
• Daytour Cottage Php500 can accommodate 10 people
• Bus fare to Daet Php560
• Bus to Vinson’s Php75
• Tricycle Php10 per person
• The tent pitching fee is Php100 per tent

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