Calaguas | The Rustic Paradise

CALAGUAS | The Rustic Paradise
Of Clear Skies And Pristine Waters

“It’s hard for me to put into words why I like the beach so much. 

Everything about it is renewing for me, almost like therapy...Beach Therapy.”
- Amy Dykens

 Its mid afternoon with light pouing rain. I couldn't pass up the chance to enjoy the gentle waves.

Calaguas or the Happy Beach as some netizens call it is a back to basics rustic paradise off the coast of Daet Camarines Norte.

Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Islands, off the coast of Daet in the province of Camarines Norte is an emerging beach destination in the Philippines. Through blogs and post of travel blogger (like me) and tours offered by travel companies, this pristine beach, a once desolate and secluded location is fast becoming a haven for beach loving people looking for a new discovery. Guess you have to excuse me for my irritating description, I have been to a lot of beaches in the country, have seen beaches even with varying colors of sand from black to purest white, from the overcrowded to the least visited, though I am easy to please I have heightened aesthetics when it comes to beaches. There are certain qualities that I seek, mostly for the quality of the sand, the scenic background views, the rich marine life it can harbor; though I find the latter to be somewhat lacking in Calaguas, but it boost the high level of awesomeness in other factors. 

 Some of the rock formations on each end of the Mahabang Beach that is surely a delight to photographers. This is on the Northern end.

The rock formations on the beach Southern end, this is near the start off trail to hike the hills of Tinaga Island.

 Mahabang Buhangin, as seen from the trail above the hills of Tinaga Island.

I didn’t mean to like Calaguas, proud of having been to a lot of beautiful beaches in this country and my preference had always been to the off beaten and perhaps less convenience. My visit to Calaguas group of islands was never short of convenience, signing up for a package tour with Lakwatserong Kusinero and his gourmet food servings, I am not use to having things conveniently prepared. But as it turned out, I’ve got a better bargain. Getting into the DLTB Bus terminal on the agreed time with a ready bus seat waiting for us, the 8 hour drive to Daet, Camarines Norte had been smooth except for some snoring passengers, our final stop was at Vinzons, the place for our jump off boat ride to Mahabang Buhangin, in Tinaga Island, along the Calaguas Group of Islands, or simply call it Calaguas as it sounds better and marketable. Our salt water drenching boat ride to the island had been smooth. Though the waves had been too high, our skillful boat driver managed to go slow and ride on the waves. I was asleep even when I’m getting splashed and had to ignore some of the passenger’s occasional delighted scream.

Of clear skies and pristine waters, this is what greeted us on our arrival, never mind that the final hurdle is to jump in the shore lines of Beautiful white sand beach, though I managed to keep my clothing’s dry, it didn’t matter in the end as we had to waddle to waist deep water. I’ve taken many boat rides before, but this is the only one that requested all our bags and belongings placed in storage in the boats hull. I didn’t understand this reasoning before the boat took off, I’m more comfortable having my trek bags within my reach when I travel, but seeing the wet hairs and drenched clothing that everyone has upon arrival is statement enough.

The two local boys who were walking with us on the trail, on our way back to the camp.

Photo of the boat that brought us into the island, as seen before a veil of Golden Hour Sunset.

I first stumbled upon this little paradise beach in the internet through fellow travel bloggers, even prior to all these packaged tours that had sprouted like mushrooms in the shade. Bringing tents, renting the singular cottage, and lots and lots of chips and junk food, I could’ve come here before, but I wasn’t a trained mountaineer and experienced outdoorsman back then, what threw me off is because I don’t eat junk food. So even though I find the package tour to be expensive for buddy travelers, I scrounged it up intending to enjoy every minute of the stay for PHP 3,500 per pax, I tell you it was worth it. There was a lot of first time experience for me here, starting with pitching a tent in the beach, learning skim boarding; finding it more difficult than surfing and enjoying Poi lessons. This was all part of the package along with the delicious gourmet meals, I would’ve have wanted to see the chef doing cooking lessons or plating, but there are just too many visitors for this weekend that the chef didn’t have much time. I also did some DIY nature trek in the hills of Tinaga Island, getting into the vantage point of seeing the Mahabang Buhangin, and the opposite beach where locals live caps it all. The locals are very friendly, met a few of the local children along the way, a couple of men gathering firewood in the bushes had been very helpful in giving us directions, a mother and a few children along the way had greeted us with a warm smile. I couldn’t help but wish that the rustic beauty of this paradise should be kept away from being spoilt by urban civilization. This I surely hope so.

Oh! And this is me enjoying the sun and the view from the trail. It felt good that I was able to use some mountaineering skills, reading trail signs and being careful of following only the establish paths behind thickets of bushes and steep muddy trails.

This had been an adventure trip. I went home with renewed spirit and lovely beach tan.

Like to take part of this trip? 

I was signed up with Byahe AdvenTours

Through the invitation of Lakwatserong Kusinero

Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

Follow Me

Facebook Page
Twitter

Instagram

All Rights Reserved

Pala-lagaw reserves the right for any watermarked pictures posted

No pictures should be downloaded or copied without permission from the blogger.