A Birthday Weekend Escape to Calaguas Island

Contributed by The Nurse Off Duty

More than the fine sand and the beautiful views of sunsets, the reason why I love the beach so much is because it is the place where I feel most calm. It is my sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the metro and the very stressful demands of being a nurse in one of the busiest hospitals in the Philippines. So for my birthday, I decided to treat myself to a vacation package that took care of my every need. I booked a tour from a tour operator called Bakasyonista for only ₱2,849 ($57).

Calaguas, also known as Mahabang Buhangin (long stretch of sand), is a group of islands located in the province of Camarines Norte in Bicol, Philippines. It is composed of minor and major islands which makes it a perfect destination for island hopping. The largest and most popular among these islands is Tinaga because of its proximity and pristine white beaches.

Also read: My Barkada Trip: 2 Days in the Unspoilt Paradise of Calaguas for PHP 3,900 Each

Why choose Calaguas?

I have heard great things from my friends who’ve been to the islands. One of the reasons I chose it as my birthday getaway is because despite its beauty, which rivals popular beach destinations like Boracay, it remains free from overwhelming amounts of tourists. Not to mention it is very affordable.

Now one thing to be aware of, there is no network connection in the island. This might be a deal breaker for some but honestly, despite being initially worried about being cut off from the world, it actually added to the experience for me. I think once in a while, we need to put down our phones and just sit down, look around and serenely breath in the beauty of nature best enjoyed in silence.

The powdery white sand that will make you beach bum all day, the crystal clear ocean with different hues of blue, the beautiful rock formations at the sides and in between islands, the wonderful coral formations, the fresh unlimited seafood and the overall serenity of the place – the island’s unspoilt beauty will make you feel that everything is perfect and will make you let go of all the bad vibes you have at the moment. I assure you that you’ll definitely have a world-class island experience!

How to get there

Via land

Bus:
From Cubao/Pasay/Alabang – bound to Camarines Norte, drop off at Daet.
Estimated travel time: 8-10 hours
Estimated fare: ₱500-600 one way
Bus companies offering the trip: Penafrancia, Raymond, DLTB Amihan, Philtranco and Superlines

Note: From Daet, you can either travel via Vinzons or Parcale.

If via Vinzons:

Jeep:
Bound to Minaogan Fish Port in Vinzons
Estimated travel time 20 minutes
Estimated fare: ₱50

Boat A:
Bound to Barangay Banocboc
Estimated travel time: 30 minutes to one hour
Estimated fare: ₱200-300 (depends of the number of people)

Note: The boat usually leaves at 11am everyday.

Boat B (banca/fishing boat):

Bound to Tinagal Island
Estimated travel time: One hour
Estimated fare: ₱600-3000 (depends of the number of people)

If via Paracale:

Public van:
Bound to Paracale,drop off at fish port
Estimated travel time: One hour
Estimated fare: ₱50-100

Boat:
Bound to Tinaga Island
Estimated travel time: One and a half to two hours
Estimated fare: ₱600-3000 (depends on the number of people)

Via air

Plane:
Bound to Naga City (Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific)
Estimated travel time: 40 minutes
Estimated fare: ₱1,500-3,000 (depends on the promo and season)

PUV:
Bound to Daet
Estimated travel time: Two hours
Estimated fare: ₱70-100

Note: From Daet, you can either travel via Vinzons or Parcale.

Estimated travel time: Two hours
Estimated fare: ₱600-3000

Via packaged tour

Want a hassle-free getaway? Well, you should chose this option like I did for just ₱2,849 inclusive of the following:

All camp meals in Calaguas Island
Island hopping
Snorkelling
Trekking
Boat transfers
Cottage
Life vest
Environmental fee
Entrance fee
Van transfer from Manila to Daet and vice versa
Side trips to Bagasbas Beach for surfing and Pasalubong House in Daet

The operator has a list of dates for joiners which you can check on their website or Facebook page. My best friend and I booked for the trip on 17-18 June 2017 which is a two days and one night tour package. We left at 9pm on 16 and arrived in Daet, Bicol at around 5am on the following day.

Yes, I know it was a long ride but it’s bearable especially when you’re looking forward to a good destination. Just be ready with your music playlist for the whole road trip!

What to do there

Beach bumming and swimming

Upon arriving in the island, I placed my bag at a cottage and walked back to the shore. Breathed in, breathed out! The view just literally took my breath away. The serenity and tranquillity of the place is my utopia. It’s the kind of paradise I’ve been longing for.

Who could resist sitting in a very fine white sand in front of a picturesque view of the sea while eating your favourite local halo-halo? Well, I ate five servings in just two days! It’s especially tasty when the weather is hot.

The white sand is fine and powder-like. It even passes through your feet when you step on it. There are no seashells scattered around that you could step on. It’s the perfect opportunity to bury your body in the sand! Oh, and it feels good, too!

In addition, the water is crystal clear that even in the deepest part of the ocean you can still have a glimpse of the coral reef.

Tips:

1. Bring your own beach blanket/mandala.
2. If you don’t want to end up being burned, apply sunblock from time to time.
3. Watch the sunset at around 5.30 to 6pm. It was one of my favourite part of every trip!

Island hopping

Just 20 minutes of boat ride from our camp, another island is waiting to be explored. This island has a lot of beautiful rock formations, and lucky for us the weather was good so we managed to climb the formations to take a nice shot.

We also had a 45-minute trek where, upon reaching the top of the hill, we were rewarded with a beautiful view of the other islands nearby.

Tips:

1. The assault was easy, but I do advise you to still bring water just in case.
2. Be extra careful when climbing the rock formations since they are slippery and have sharp edges.
3. Bring money for you to buy refreshment at the end of the trek.
4. Get your camera ready. IG-worthy photos are everywhere!

Diving and snorkelling

After island hopping, we proceeded to dive and snorkel at the middle of the sea. Yup, you read it right. It was very deep that I was actually afraid to remove my life vest while snorkelling. I didn’t get a close shot of the underwater world but my eyes did see how beautiful it was down there. The corals and fish come in different colours and sizes which makes the area perfect for the activity.

Tips:

1. Just a friendly reminder, kindly be extra careful not to step on the corals. This may cause their death, which actually happens a lot. Remember, we, travellers, have the responsibility to take care of what we are enjoying in order for the next generations to experience them, too.
2. Don’t worry if you don’t have a snorkelling gear. You can rent them from the locals for just ₱50!

Camping

It’s actually my first time to experience camping which made my trip more exciting. The first thing to do upon arrival in the island is to pitch your own tent so that you can place your things inside. Lucky for us, our travel agency already prepared everything for us. The tent is big enough for me and my best friend. It was very clean and was set up facing the shoreline.

Tip:

1. If you will be visiting Calaguas on a DIY itinerary, there is a ₱100 pesos fee for tent-pinching and another ₱150 for the entrance.

Stargazing

This is the perfect time to bond with your friends and also meet new friends over a cup of coffee or a bottle of beer under a canopy of stars. Staying in the city made us used to stare at a blank, dark sky every night. It’s good to have a glimpse of this magical sight once in a while. I do believe that everyone is designated with a certain star. When I was younger, I had my own star and named it ‘Hope’. Everytime I feel sad, I just stare at it and somehow the burden goes away.

In my case, I waited for the clock to strike at 12 midnight. I went out of my tent and thanked God for giving me another year to live and experience life. Just be sure to wake up early the next day to experience the sunrise at the top of the hill as well.

Tips:

1. Alcoholic beverages are slightly pricey here compared to the grocery stores. You could actually bring some if you’re trying to save money. You can buy ice from the sari-sari store.
2. Bring your own flashlight to guide you
3. The generator is turned on from 6pm to 6am, so if you’re planning to charge your gadgets, better do it within these hours.

Trekking

On our second day, we trekked to the hill nearby to have a view of the island. We started trekking at 5.30am and it just took us 20 minutes to reach the summit. I can rate it as 2/10 in difficulty. It’s a chill traverse trek but the view is beautiful from the start until the end.

I told you earlier that there is no signal in the island, but surprisingly, at one specific spot in the summit, I started receiving messages from my friends and parents greeting me a happy birthday! I actually jumped out of joy because of this and even managed to thank them back. And then after about 10 minutes, the signal was gone again.

Tips:

1. Wear leggings. A pair of shorts is not advisable because you will be passing a grassland that might cause injury to your legs. It’s also cold up in the summit, so wearing one would really help.
2. If you’re not under a tour package, you will be paying the entrance fee for the trek worth ₱20.

Instagram gaming on!

I swear, every area is IG-worthy!

If you’re a beach person but not as thin as you want to be, don’t worry because the sea will love you no matter what your size is. Remember that in the end, the only thing that matters is you. This is your life and no one has the right to dictate otherwise. So come get your swimsuits ready!

Surfing (side trip to Bagasbas Beach)

It’s not my first time to surf but I really enjoyed the waves here in Bicol. To be safe, I still paid for an instructor which costs ₱400 an hour. You might think it’s expensive but honestly, it’s not because he is really hands-on in teaching me.

He even provided rash guards for me to use. Amazing, right? After the class, we were given a certificate of completion and freebies!

Tip:

1. You shall not skip this activity! Don’t be afraid of the waves. If you never try then you’ll never know! It’s a fun experience and I’m sure you’ll love it, too!

2D1N sample itinerary (based on our Bakasyonista tour package)

If I will be asked to describe the island in one word, it’s going to be ‘utopia’.

In this island, I just wish to stop time so I can stay a longer. My two-day disconnection from the usual busy routine in the city refreshed my soul. Truly, by being one with nature, we tend to reconnect with ourselves a little bit more.

I was absolutely right in going to Calaguas as my birthday adventure. It’s one of the best places I have been and I will definitely go back to this paradise!

Also read: 10 Hottest Summer Destinations in the Philippines for Your Next Barkada Trip