Calaguas Islands

Photo Credits: Nemo

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 beauty and serenity of the place.

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.

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) and Superlines buses offers Manila to Daet for an approximately 7-8 hours travel time. Fare cost differs, but ranging from P450.00(~$10) to P750.00(~$17)

By Air

SEA Air has seasonal trip to Daet, but Naga in Camarines Sur would be the closest airport with regular commercial flights via Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific and Zest Air. 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.

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 P100.00. But if you are coming from Manila by bus to Daet, you can 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 then proceed to Paracale fishport by trike. You can ask around for fishermen’s boats to Halabang Baybay (Mahabang Buhangin), Calaguas for as low as P1000 or you may opt to ride the boat that goest to Barangay Mangkawayan, Calaguas for a cheaper fare of P50 per person. However, according to a local of the island, the schedule of boat coming and going to Barangay Mangkawayan is unpredictable, and there is only one trip everyday, back and forth. But the boat usually leaves Mangkawayan to Paracale as early as 6 in the m0rning and returns to Mangkawayan immediately, n0 waiting time. They only board th0se passengers who are there the m0ment they arrive. From Barangay Mangkawayan, Mahabang Buhangin is just 20 to 30 minutes walk. (*Thanks Ma’am Evelyn Jasareno for the feedback*)

Boats in Paracale have no safety vests unlike some private boats in Vinzons that cater to tourists.

Going to Paracale from Manila, Superlines and Philtranco have direct to Paracale trips with non air conditioned buses. Alternatively, you can ride Daet bounde buses and get off at Talobatib junction where buses going to Paracale pass. Last trip from Daet to Paracale is 6PM, 4PM for Paracale to Daet.

Source: Lakwatsero