Calaguas: Back in Summer Paradise

If I will make a list of the best beaches that I’ve been to, then obviously Calaguas will top that list. No doubt I am so mesmerized how pristine this island is, a true paradise indeed. Who wouldn’t be fascinated with this unspoiled island and its stunning beach having fine powdery sand and clear turquoise sea water.

Calaguas is a group of islands in the province of Camarines Norte which includes the following islands; Tinaga Island, Guintinua Island  and several other minor islands. The famous long beach called Mahabang Buhangin is located in Tinaga Island.Unlike any other travelers that have been here quite times already, my second visit to this island is indeed better than my first visit. My first was during the summer of 2010 while the second visit happened just last November. But that only implies one thing, the island is so much better and more enjoyable when there’s only few people or if you’re too lucky then none at all.

How to go to Calaguas via Paracale?

My original plan was to go to Calaguas using the route from Vinzons but due to unpredictable weather and my contact was hesitant to take us due to the weather, our group just opted to go to the island from Paracale.

From Daet, we rode an old ordinary bus going to Paracale. It took us about an hour and a half to get there. When we arrived, I instantly called our contact, Ate Lorna, for our boat going to Mahabang Buhangin. She fetched us from the small store, where we alighted, then lead our way going to the docking area.

Our boatman, Mang Boy was already there waiting for us. He took our bags and placed them inside the small boat. When things were all set, we boarded the small boat. Few minutes have passed and the boat started to sail.
Our travel time from Paracale to Mahabang Buhangin took about 2 hours. We were charged for like PHP 3,500 for the boat ride from and to Paracale.

The waves were too strong for our small boat. Some of my friends, Lyndi and Analyn were already starting to be bothered about the waves. I suddenly recall one of my boat rides with Lyndi when we left Banana Island going to Coron Island just a year ago, it was extreme.

When my best friend, Vanessa, and I saw that long stretch of beach after passing by some few islands, we were certain that it was already Mahabang Buhangin.

We couldn’t contain our excitement. We would like to jump off from our boat, the sea was too inviting. I could hear my friends saying, “Wow”, “Paradise”. They were just too excited as I am. Well, all I was able to say when we get nearer to the island was “Hello, happy beach. Glad to see you, again.”.

Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas

I was surprised that there were only few tourists and campers that time despite of it’s a Holiday weekend. There were only two groups in our area, including our group; then like four groups situated at the middle and the other end part of the beach. It feels like we owned the beach that time, a true paradise all I can say.

See, where are the people? This is how I exactly imagined it to be, unspoiled Calaguas.

We off loaded our things from the boat. Then, some prepare for our lunch and some set up the tents that we’ll be using for our camping. Then of course, the unending photo ops.

We had our meal passed lunchtime. Afterwards, we wasted no time and enjoyed the beach. We didn’t care about the heat of the sun; the beach was just too tempting to resist.

What else we did? Play, play, and play. This is how a beach getaway with friends should be, make fun with each other.

When the sun was starting to set, I asked them for a walk to other end of the beach.

Before we can get to the other end of the beach, the sun has already set. Too bad, we weren’t able to watch the sunset from the rock formations. One of the places on this island wherein you can have a picturesque sunset.

But unintentionally, I was able to capture this day and night in Calaguas. I didn’t know that this actually happened. I just realized it when I was looking on my photos.

Aside from watching the sunset at the beach, a nice way to capture the scenic beach is to take a panorama shot. Good thing, one of my friends’ camera has it. Let’s take some poses then.

By 6:00 PM, we went back to our campsite then started to prepare for our dinner. We then had bonfire and few drinks to end the night.

A Bright New Day in Calaguas

It’s a bright new day in Calaguas. It rained last night but not too long. I was able to get some good sleep. Well, I was the last one to get out of the tent.

A pristine beach greeted me as I get out from my tent. What an awesome view to start my day.

It is one of the nicest feeling when you get to the shore and see no one is around but you (well except for my group where they were chatting in one of the nipa huts). It feels like you’re a cast away.

Well back to reality. After taking our breakfast, we then of course wasted no time and gave in to the irresistible clear turquoise water. Some of my friends said, they wouldn’t want to swim anymore but after few minutes of dialogues, look where they are.

We took our remaining hours playing at the beach, making fun with each other and of course, unending photo ops. And panorama shots, once more.

We then came to the saddest point of this travel, our time for departure. Well, all good things come to an end. But for us, this isn’t the end. This is just the start of more adventures and getaways to come.

We packed our things then loaded them to our small boat again.

We also paid our dues, entrance fee in the island, before we left. The fee costs about PHP 120.00 each person. At around 11:00 AM, we then finally bid our goodbyes with hopes of coming back.

I can live here for months, with food, booze, drinks and few items that I can be busy playing with while I’m on this island, seriously. That’s how Calaguas influenced and inspired me, to travel, go for adventure and never stop discovering.

We sailed the sea for two hours again. When we arrived in Paracale, our boatman was so kind to allow us to take a shower in his house. We gave him a few bucks as a gratuity in return of his kindness.

We rode a van this time to get back to Daet with travel time of about an hour. We then parted our ways as me and my best friend, Vanessa are still going to Naga to spend another day of travel while the rest have to go back to Manila by bus.

I can easily say that this is one of the best travels that I had. But this bothers me because I don’t think there’s no other beach destination can surpass this trip as I was already able to give them the best of the best. I know this is just a beginning of more adventures with these new travel buddies. Well, let’s see. Our next destination, Boracay!

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Mang Boy
Calaguas Boatman
Phone: +639085460683

Disclaimer: Some photos are owned by Clarice and Ian.