Calaguas Island 2025: Our Experience in This Hidden Paradise in the Philippines

We held our annual company outing from April 25 to 27 at Calaguas Island in Vinzons, Camarines Norte—also as a way to celebrate my mom’s birthday. It was one of the trips I had been looking forward to the most since our Boracay trip last year. From what we’d seen on Facebook, the beach looked incredibly pristine—almost comparable to the powdery white sands of Boracay—so I found myself wide awake and excited for most of the journey.

The powdery white sand beach cove is more specifically known as Mahabang Buhangin (Long Beach), located on Tinaga Island, where the famous Calaguas is found. Its stunning “lime-colored” waters are said to be the inspiration behind the Spanish name “Calaguas.” We plan to visit and explore more beaches in the Philippines with the whole group as time goes by (and if the budget permits!) including Caramoan, Cagbalete and Catanduanes.

Our trip was originally booked simply as joiners through Trips N Deal Travel & Tours. However, due to the number of pax we had, we needed to upgrade for the coaster type of transportation instead of the usual van they use for joiners. The space and exclusivity of the tour made it very relaxing, not to mention how safe the driver made us felt throughout the trip, so I knew we were in good hands.

The travel time from EDSA to Camarines Norte took us 10 hours if I remember correctly, since we left at 8PM of April 24 and arrived at 6AM of April 25 as guided by the itinerary and including the stopovers we had. The breakfast on the first day was on our own account and is not included on the package.

The boat ride took nearly three hours, longer than what we expected, mainly because we arrived during low tide. The crew had to carefully maneuver the boat away from the port, slowly navigating through the shallow waters and mangroves before finally reaching the open sea. There were moments when it felt like we were barely moving, but it also gave us time to take in the calm surroundings and the quiet rhythm of the trip.

Thankfully, the weather was on our side. The sun was shining brightly, the skies were clear, and the sea remained gentle for most of the journey. Once we reached deeper waters, the ride became smoother and more relaxing, with the cool sea breeze and endless blue horizon making the long travel time feel a little more worth it.

During the first day, we spent most of the time soaking on the sea and indulging ourselves in the beauty and serenity of the island. It was way more than what I expected and it truly is breath-taking. Fine white sand, crystal clear water, no rocks nor seaweeds underneath our feet, not too crowded, very friendly and accommodating locals, Instagram-worthy in any direction and angle. Every bit of the penny we spent here was worth it, and we would definitely go back again.

We stayed at I Love Calaguas Island Resort, where we had our very yummy and sumptuous meal for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner for 3 days. It was all included in the package! So we never had any problems when it comes to food.

Some of the drawbacks we experienced was the heat during the day even inside the AC accommodation. Mainly due to the fact that there is no electricity during daytime and it only turns on at 6PM. So we were basically fanning all throughout the day and my parents were unable to get the rest they thought they could have, because they weren’t used to being outdoors and my dad has a heart failure, but thankfully, we managed for 3 days, though we had to change rooms (twice) due to technical problems from the AC. 😅

There’s also a Php100.00 fee if you want to access wi-fi for 2 hours and it can only be accessed on a limited spot around the island. I decided to disconnect from my socials, enjoyed the moment and be inaccessible for those 3 days since I am already with the people I had to contact every day. Haha.

And since it was my mom’s birthday during our Day 1, the tour coordinator treated us with a free lobster during our dinner, I wasn’t able to take a photo though, but we are very grateful for the generosity. 🫰

On Day 2, we spent the entire day taking photos, playing on the beach, bathing under the sun, and simply just embracing the moment we have together not just as a part of the business, but mostly as part of our family too. There was also the option for us to do Trekking during the morning which costs around Php100.00 per pax and the Island Hopping at Php250.00 per pax. However, we felt like our time is somehow limited so none of us decided to go and agreed to just enjoy the beach for the whole day.

It was then during the night of Day 2 when the party had started at the Resort we were staying in. Some of the girls sang on the karaoke while we drink a little and had a good chat. There was also a fire dance show in which I was also unable to have a photo of. And so, what came next were all un-documented because most of us got drunk and had a veryyy bad hangover the next morning during the whole boat trip back to Vinzons port (it was the most nauseating boat trip we ever had). 😅

So if you are interested in going to Calaguas for a short vacation with your family or friends, I highly recommend booking through Trips N Deal Travel & Tours. 🫰You can message them on their Facebook for an easy and smooth transaction like we had with them.

We chose the 3D2N package worth Php 5,499 / head that includes the following:

• Roundtrip Coaster Transfer (Manila-Cam. Norte-Manila)
• Roundtrip Boat Transfer (Port-Calaguas-Port)
• Camping Tent Accommodation (we upgraded to AC room though)
• Pitching Fee
• 6 Sumptuous Meals: (the most sulit part!)
  • 1st Day – Lunch & Dinner
  • 2nd Day – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • 3rd Day – Breakfast
• Resort Entrance Fee
• Environmental Fee, Port Fee
• Individual Boat Insurance
• Life Vest, Local Tour Guide
• Tour Coordinator on Board

Some important things to keep in mind if you plan to visit Calaguas:

• Bring your own mug or tumbler, mainly because they aim to preserve the cleanliness of the island—having plastic cups flying around is a big no-no.
• That being said, they also encourage visitors to bring their own trash bags. They even have a memo that says, “Leave nothing but footprints,” which I totally agree with.
• Bring camping essentials like a sleeping bag or mat, a portable fan, a blanket, and a mini pillow. The camping tent and pitching fee are included, but renting a comforter costs Php150 per night, while pillow rental is Php50 per night.
• It’s highly recommended to bring extra cash, as most facilities require a fee—particularly the ones mentioned above, such as Wi-Fi access (2 hours), pillow and comforter rentals, etc. Oh, and the yummy ice candy sold by the locals costs around Php20. It may be a bit pricey, but if it helps support the community, it’s definitely worth it.
• Don’t forget to bring a power bank or mobile charger. I recommend a solar-powered one since electricity on the island is limited. There is a charging station available, which costs around Php40 per full charge (not sure about the current rate, though).
• Other essentials worth bringing include insect repellent, sunblock, a bath towel, toiletries, personal medication, goggles or snorkeling gear, and a face mask (if you’re feeling unwell).
• Lastly, you may want to bring a ziplock, dry bag, or waterproof bag for convenience. Since you’ll be traveling by boat, it’s best to keep your belongings from getting wet. If you don’t have one, you can purchase them at the ports for around Php30–Php40 each.

That’s all for now, thank you!

View my Original Facebook Post HERE

Conclusion:

Our trip to Calaguas was truly a fun and memorable experience—not just for me, but for my whole family and our lovely staff. If not for the limited electricity on the island, we would easily rank it as one of our top go-to beaches in the Philippines, thanks to its serene landscape and peaceful atmosphere.

The feeling of the powdery white sand beneath my feet still lingers in my mind, and I would absolutely love to come back here with my family.

If you’re planning a 3-day, 2-night trip, I’d recommend saving your drinks for the first night—so you won’t have to deal with the headache and nausea we experienced during the boat ride the next day 😅

What’s the most memorable experience you had in Calaguas? Or are you planning to visit the island too?

Feel free to share them in the comments! <3