Calaguas Island

Many positive blogs i have read about  Calaguas. Many exciting stories i have heard from friends who have already been to the island. High expectations were created from the informations i have collected before finally making a decision to visit the Calaguas with my friends.  

Feeling excited and thrilled on our way to the virgin beach of Calaguas. I was hoping that i could really affirm the  testimonies spreaded in different blogs i have read. 

Its turquoise and crystal clear water, powdery white sand, the breathtaking sunset, picture perfect view of the long stretch seashore with astonishing rock formations on both sides and the unspoiled natural resources are some of the reasons why Calaguas is considered to be perfect for relaxation, camping sites and a place to swim while enjoying the beauty and serenity of the place. 

How to get there??? 

There are many buses bound to Camarines Norte where Calaguas is located.  The jumpoff point is to Daet and from there, ride a jeepney to Vinzons and transfer to a boat at the fishport.  If you  are a group planning to visit the island, I suggest you to seek for the services of a travel agency. It will make your travel easier and cheaper.  We are 13 in a group, enough to fill the number of seats of a van. 

How much???

 The bus fare cost differs, but ranging from P450 - P750 and would normally take 7-8 hours from manila.  The smallest boat that can fit 4-5 pax costs 2,500-3,000 Php and would take 2hours travel from the port. 

For a travel agency, it would normally cost you 3,000 Php per head/all-in. 

The Calaguas Island Experience 

I was mesmerized by the beauty of the Island. The 1st time touching the sand of the beach, i have proven that Calaguas can really rival the crystal clear water and powdery white sand of boracay and can match the serenity of Coron Palawan. 

We stayed for 2 days and 1 night.  There were no private accommodations available, we had to stay in tents provided by the travel agency which i believe made our stay exciting and extraordinary.  The only electricity available is operated by a generator, enough to provide lights for the cottages. Bathrooms are limited and somehow not enough to cater all tourists that causes long lines "i actually took a bath outside".  You also have to pump the water you will use or pay for 10 php and a local resident will get a pail of water for you. The whole experience will take you back to the basics and if you are looking for comfort and convenience the idea would not really work for you but would be very thrilling for the adventurous and outgoing travelers. 

We spent the whole day enjoying the view, swimming in the crystal clear water, playing under the sun, running in barefoot on the soft, powdery white sand. We did not care at all if we burn ourselves under the heat of the sun,  all we did was to enjoy the beauty of the paradise. 

What could be more perfect than concluding the 1st day in witnessing the sunset. The blue sky turned into a fire like red orange reflecting on the blue water really took our breath away. A best way to capture some serious moments with your friends, special someone or a silent Me-time for soul searching :) 

Rating the whole experience. 

It is indeed a beautiful island to visit. I could really testify that you will never go wrong to include this on your travel check list.  

In a tourist's point of view, it was satisfyingly enough to enjoy a 2day travel.  From the accessibility of the place, to its beauty, to the things it can offer, i can get satisfied with it. 

From a travel professional who knows the consequences, i am worried that the island which is considered to be unspoiled and virgin is facing some serious threats. 

Heres why!

As i have seen from the old photos, very seldom that you will see boats on the seashore, now? Boats are everywhere, the situation gives the tourists a small place to swim. You are trying to enjoy swimming underwater and the next thing you will see is a boat next to your face. The boats were there during our entire stay, never there was a time i saw the shore cleared.  You cannot fully enjoy the view in a long stretch. If the boats will not be properly positioned, it will pose some serious destruction of the shoreline

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Before, only few people are going to the island. Increase in the demand is normal and somehow means positive, whats not is not having anyone assigned to maintain the clealiness. Tourists are increasingly coming over, they are starting to congest the area. It somehow serves a good opportunity to the locals, I have seen some put up a small sari-sari store to cater the tourists. However i fear that the beauty of the island may be placed at risk. You cannot expect all tourists to be discipline, there will always be people who will dispose their wastes everywhere. 

Calaguas is very beautiful, yes it is! I just hope that the locals, the tourists and the government will be able to sustain its beauty.  In general i enjoyed my stay, i could say that the island could still take your breath away the way it did for me. It is still fresh remembering the 1st time i saw the island from a far and the 1st time that my feet touched the coldness of the crystal water and the softness of the powdery white sand ;)