then turns you into a storyteller.
-Ibn Battuta
The first words that came out of my mouth when I was finally able to absorb the beauty of Calaguas right in front of me were: "Oh. My. Gosh."
Calaguas is in the province of Camarines Norte in the Bicol Region.
Also known as Mahabang Buhangin (Long Beach), Calaguas is still one of must-see unspoiled beaches in the country.
Calaguas Island is now a famous tourist attraction and summer destination in The Philippines. And for good reason!
With its unique white powdery sand that's almost like Boracay's, and distinguished crystal clear water, Calaguas is a paradise. For those who want to spend their quiet summer without missing the feel of summer at the beach, Calaguas is the perfect place to go to.
(Click individual image to view in full size)
Calaguas Trip
Our Trip:
Our group availed a tour package. 3,000 Php/pax for a 2days/1night stay.3,000 Php/pax includes:
- Fare going to and from Vinzon (Daet)
- Boat ride from and to the island
- Food - lunch upon arrival, dinner and breakfast before departure
- Tent
How To Get To Calaguas:
The travel agency we got provided us with vans and our pick up point is at SMX MOA's parking lot. But if you want to travel DIY style, here's how to get there (via Vinzons):- 9-5 hours bus ride from Manila to Camarines Norte. Bus terminals for PUBs (Philtranco, Superlines and DLTB) bound to Daet, Camarines Norte are in Pasay and Cubao. Check out their trip hours and fare prices here. It's best to take the night trip so you'll arrive early morning in Daet.
- From Daet bus terminal, take a jeepney to Vinzons and get off at pandawan or fish port. You can always ask the driver or the locals for directions as they're friendly and helpful. Travel time is approx 20 minutes.
- From Vinzons fish port, hire a boat going to Calaguas. The price differs depending on the capacity of the boat. Lowest rate is about Php 3,000 but you can also haggle. Travel time is 2 hours.
What To Do In Calaguas:
Although swimming (and picture taking if you're Pinoy) is the main activity in the island, you can also try:Island hopping
Kayaking
ATV
Trekking
Snorkeling
Scuba Diving
Where To Stay In Calaguas:
You can pitch tents around the area.There were cottages and we saw some houses being built which we presumed will be used for commercial purposes but we camped with the rest of the group. We chose one facing the beach under a tree.
We slept outside the tent though as nothing beats sleeping under the canopy of the stars with the sound of the waves in the background. It was an awesome experience!
When In Calaguas:
- The restrooms are clean but they charge 20 pesos per use and 10 pesos for the shower. The shower is just outside, no doors nor covers. They provide a separate room for you to change after shower.
- Expect tindahan (store) prices to be much higher than normal. 1.5L Coke were sold at 90 Php!!! I think it's only about 40 Php in the supermarket. So it's best to bring your own food and drinks.
- No network connection.
What To Bring In Calaguas:
Aside from your usual toiletries, travel essentials and clothes, don't forget to bring:Sunblock
Tent
Drinking Water
Food
First Aid Kit
Bug/Mosquito Repellents
Camera (of course!)
Although travel time is long and tiring, the place is really worth it. Even when it rained for a few minutes on our last day, Calaguas never lost its beauty.
It was definitely an OMG moment for us. I have no doubt when you get there, you'd have to say "Oh my gosh, Calaguas!" as well.
Allow me to over share our weekend in Calaguas here (click on photos to view original size):
Although the food they served were really really good, we were not satisfied with the rest of the service.
So I won't be recommending the travel agency we booked.
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51 comments
Oh my goodness this place is beautiful. Beautiful. I want to go too.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and time. ☺
beautiful beach. oh my gosh i can't wait for the long weekend because we're going to the beach! haha
ReplyDeletexoxo, rae
http://www.raellarina.net/
Wow My birthplace Camarimes Norte, but I havent been in Calaguas yet. But the place really looks like a paradise to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, unspoiled place to go in the world....just a little far away for me here in Texas!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful excursion. Thanks for bringing us along!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place and awesome photography!! :)
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful place... Cool place... Clear water...
ReplyDeleteSeems like you had a fun time.
Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful colours and details!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice evening!
Photographer Gil Zetbase
http://www.gilzetbase.com
Oh luxy...it looks like y'all had a lot of fun...that clear water tho'..Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Such a lovely place! I love all the pictures that you posted! Makes me want a vacation soon!
ReplyDeleteXx,
Nilu Yuleena
BIG hair LOUD mouth
Hi Lux, First of all I just want to say thanks for your kind comments on my blog. They are so appreciated! Now, this post is a dream! I have wanted to visit the Philippines for a long time but I’ve often wondered where I would go. Calaguas Island sounds, and looks, wonderful. I wish you were a travel agent and you could set up the trip for me --- and get the commission! :-) Your trip just looks sweet! Your writing in the sand is the icing on the cake!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! I would love to go there!!
ReplyDeletewow such adventure and excitement!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I want to go to there! But since I likely never will thank you for letting me live vicariously through your travels! It really does look amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow. The photos look so gorgeous. The blue of the sea and the powdery white sand all make me miss the beach so much. I've honestly not heard of Calaguas before. Borocay yes, but not Calaguas. It seems like this is the lesser known beach resort and is still in pristine condition. Glad you enjoyed your stay!
ReplyDeleteYou changed your profile pic and I got confused.
Jo
Jo's Jumbled Jardinière
Beautiful places.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thestylegalaxy.com/
Beautiful places.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thestylegalaxy.com/
Omg! Look at that , the white sand and the water, this place is so beautiful, love the view.
ReplyDeletewww.stylenbeautylounge.com
Really awesome place!
ReplyDeleteWow! White sandy beach,looks like you had a nice time there.
ReplyDeletevery beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteHi, dear Lux! I took a genuine interest in this holiday of yours because you showed me a place I will most likely never see in person. First I googled a map and traced the bus route to Daet and then the jeepney bus ride to Paracale. From there I imagined your boat trip out to the islands. The pictures you captured are breathtaking and I hope everyone takes time to enlarge and examine them. I never saw such clear water or such pristine beaches, and the brilliant blue sky and puffs and whisps of friendly clouds over the Calaguas complete the portrait of an island paradise. I'm so happy you had a chance to go there and it was great to see your smiling face. Writing your blog name in the sand was a stroke of genius, a happy memory you can revisit the rest of your life. Thank you, dear friend Lux!
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are lovely, but I've never heard of Calaguas before this. I love that you had to put your mark in the sand. I wonder if anyone else saw it. :)
ReplyDeleteFab post! Very lovely photos too. Happy Monday dear! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo;
STYLEFORMANKIND.COM / Facebook / Bloglovin
Oh wow, I so want to travel but been so busy with work and blogging. But I did get to the beach this weekend though the water is not quite as clear and blue as it is there!
ReplyDeleteAllie of ALLIE NYC
allienyc.com
Looks like bliss :) xx
ReplyDeleteThey are also the first words in my mind...really a paradise
ReplyDeleteMelange-Boutique Blog by Noe&Lolita
Oh wow, this looks like an amazing spot!! Sounds like a great trip. And I love the photos!!
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Gosh.! ;) Lux, those certainly are exquisite photos, especially with such crystal clear water: how lovely! :) <3
ReplyDeleteAmazing place and pictures.
ReplyDeletehttp://teryskills.blogspot.pt/
Que show amei o lugar imagens encantadoras, uma semana abençoada.
ReplyDeleteCurta meu Canal:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNNlFtDc1-o
Blog:http://arrasandonobatomvermelho.blogspot.com.br
Oh! It all looks amazing! I have never though much of Calaguas, but I would really love to visit the place now! It looks so gorgeous! That blue seawater! Wow!
ReplyDeleteWritingMonique
Looks beautiful. I need to go somewhere, stying in one place for too long makes me sad.
ReplyDelete/Avy
http://mymotherfuckedmickjagger.blogspot.com
♥
Lux: This literally looks like paradise- what an amazing trip! I'd camp there for sure- it looks dreamy
ReplyDeleteRachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.net
I'm so jealous :( I miss the sea, the sand, the salty air.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is just heaven on Earth! Lucky you to have had the chance to go there! I will probably never get to this amazing place, but I wouldn't mind dreaming of a camp there! Sorry to hear that you weren't satisfied by the agency. The beach and the water are just breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful paradise love it :)
ReplyDeleteThe beach is too beautiful for words. Just look at the white sand, blue sky and sea. You are lucky to have clean beaches like this.
ReplyDeleteGreat guide! Beautiful location!
ReplyDeletewww.alessandrastyle.com
wow, i would love to visit there. My grandson's maternal side is from Manilla and his grandmother goes there every year to help at an orphanage there. He got to go one time when he was about 3 but barely remembers it. Love the photos. It looks so gorgeous.
ReplyDelete;)
ReplyDeleteAdorei!
Ótima terça!
Beijo! ^^
heeey! hope you have a great day! do you want to follow each other via bloglovin? if yes, just follow me there and i'll follow you back soon! http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/anna-alina-3947784
ReplyDeleteLux, what a beautiful place! I love the beach and the clear water. I can your excited faces and I would love to visit too but it is too far for me. Thank you for sharing your holiday.
ReplyDeleteLUX, our friend went there, too!!! taga camarines norte kasi siya. I wanna go there too! and murachi lang ah haha
ReplyDeleteI like the red toe nails (winks!). I hope such unspoiled beauty endures forever (hoping). Amazing photographs!
ReplyDeleteOh Lux, I am so happy you could visit this lovely place with your friends. What a beautiful paradise and your photos make us jealous ! :-) Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story. Great memories and you may desire to return again one of these days.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun time! Great pictures. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI think "Oh My Gosh" would have been my words too! What an amazingly beautiful place! Thank you for sharing your trip at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!
ReplyDeleteOh man that is so beautiful! The water looks absolutely AMAZING and so clear!!! And the beach and canoeing oh man am I jealous sitting here behind my computer DD: And I even have school until July the 14th!
ReplyDeletewonderful!!!!!!!! It must have been a wonderful travel, bye dear!
ReplyDeleteflò
http://lafloppola.blogspot.it
Calaguas is so beautiful! I hope to explore this place in 2016! I heard so many good stories and how beautiful this place is. I cant wait! ;)
ReplyDeleteAngelo
www.AngeloTheExplorer.com