Melo Villareal
Apuao Grande Island in Mercedes, Camarines Norte
With summer fast approaching, most people get busy packing their bags for a stimulating vacation. If you are someone who is drawn to the calm blue seas, then the beaches in the Philippines are among the best options to plan a holiday.
Apuao Grande Island should certainly be high up on the list. The island situated in Camarines Norte, the northernmost province of Bicol, is named the “ZigZag Capital” of the Philippines for its breathtaking twists and turns along the island. Visitors would certainly enjoy a trip down this island.
Apuao Grande Island Cove
Yes, we can do it! Mocha (a local surfing instructor) said when we were planning to visit Calaguas on our first day in Daet in Camarines Sur. After a short discussion while having breakfast, we decided not to pursue Calaguas due to the heavy rains and strong winds. For the rest of the day, we just stayed within the vicinity of our hostel and had a fantastic afternoon with a pair of SanMig and Laing on our table.
Apuao Grande Island in Mercedes, Camarines Norte
We were lucky to have sunny weather on our second day, so we immediately planned for a beach escapade. Calaguas is quite far, and waves are still high, according to Mocha – our resident surf instructor/guide, so we agreed to visit another beach destination called Apuao Grande Island.
We all headed to Daet Wet Market to buy rice, fruits, beer, and something to grill for our picnic lunch. Taking a Tricycle to Mercedes Port is expensive, so we took the jeepney instead. From Mercedes, we took a small flat passenger boat to the town of Basud, then we proceeded to a sitio called Kayukyukan to meet our bankers (boatmen).
The original Bangkero that “Mocha” contracted was not there when we arrived. It’s a good thing we met a guy who owns an outrigger boat who agreed to bring us to the island. The first 20 minutes of our boat ride were smooth, but as we got closer to the island, the waves became bigger but not that dangerous. The boat ride was rather exhilarating and fun:)
After approximately 45 minutes of boat ride, we finally reached the island. The islands of Apuao Pequeña and Apuao Grande (connected by a sand bar) are covered with pine-like agoho trees similar to those in Jomalig Island. We stayed on the island for only three hours. During our short stay, we just played with our cameras and resident cats & dogs, and we had an excellent alfresco lunch while enjoying the sea breeze.
Dotted with pine trees and calm beaches, It is a beach resort that was famous in the 1980s and boasts today of several spectacular unspoiled beaches, diving sites, and charming bays. It is located in Mercedes (The Mercedes group of islands is mainly composed of 7 islands) in Camarines Norte at a distance of ten minutes from Canton Island. Its landscape is brushed with astonishing caves and rock formations. The island is laced with sublime shorelines of white sand and clear blue waters.
Apauo Grande Island, the once high-end resort, has in recent times fallen into a state of disrepair, with most of the villas being leased out to expatriates. Today, it is seen more as a fishing town rather than a private resort, and only a portion of the island, which features the white sandy beaches and Agoho trees, is owned by the resort. The people on the island are warm and hospitable and would fill in any void for homesick travelers.
Getting There
Daet Camarines Norte can be reached by land travel from Manila by buses. Amihan (Pasay City) – 02 8543735, 02 3855025) , Superlines (Cubao) 02 4143319), and Philtranco (Pasay City – 02 8515420, (Cubao) 02 7227567)- buses ply the Manila-Daet route and vice versa.
From Daet, you can reach Mercedes town by riding a tricycle or Jeepney. Boat rentals from Mercedes and Caramines Norte cost around Php 2,000-2,500.
At Mercedes, you ask for the fish port (pantaloon or Pandawan), and from there, hire a boat, which should take 45 minutes to get to the island. From Mercedes Port, You can also go to Kayukyukan in Basud to rent a boat to Apuao Grande Island.
Where to Stay?
While visiting Apauo Grande, remember that the accommodation here is usually very basic. There is just 1 villa available for rent at a cost of Php 2,500, and the villa features only 2 rooms but can accommodate up to 10 people. At times when the villa is booked, tourists have the option of staying in houses beside the villa. It might be a good idea to book well in advance if you plan to stay overnight.
Why visit Apuao Grande Island?
If you aren’t looking at an extravagant holiday or beach side parties, then Apauo Grande Island is worth giving a serious thought, the calm beauty and serene beaches will prove to be far more cathartic than a luxurious hotel room.
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Read:
- Mesmerizing Mercedes
- Bucas Grande Island: Siargao Island’s Adventure Destination
- Perfect Summer Getaways: Top 10 Beaches in the Philippines
- 5 Facts for the Calaguas Island Weekender
- Top 10 Best Hotels in Daet, Camarines Norte
