CHILDREN from Tinaga’s Barangay Mangcawayan enjoy the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island. PHOTO BY SHIENA BARRAMEDA
The long strip of powdery sand surrounded by crystal-clear waters in Camarines Norte’s primary tourist destination, Calaguas Island, is just the tip of the fun the province can offer.
On the island of Tinaga, which the provincial government has been promoting as Calaguas for easy reference and tourism since the the early 2000s, Mahabang Buhangin has spread its popularity among tourists for its pristine white sand after it topped a 2013 online nationwide poll.
Mahabang Buhangin led the 10 must-see sites in the survey initiated by Isla Lipana & Co., a multinational consultancy and a member of the London-based PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
The Calaguas Group of Islands is found on the northern shores of Vinzons and Paracale towns. The relatively big islets—Tinaga and Guintinua—and much of the small ones—Cagbalisay, Bendita, Comalasag, Siapa, Huag, Cagbalisay, Balagbag, Pinacuapan, Samur and Pinagcastillohan—are under the jurisdiction of Vinzons.
Only Maculabo Island is under the jurisdiction of Paracale.
Mahabang Buhangin is in Tinaga’s Barangay (village) Mangcawayan. The other island villages are Banocboc and Pinagtigasan.
Tourist arrivals up
Noli Pajarin, municipal tourism officer of Vinzons, said the publicity generated by the online award boosted tourism arrivals to 10,000 last year. The number is projected to reach 15,000 this year.
Optimistic about the trend, travel operators are now involving the other islands to accommodate the tourist arrivals and to avoid crowding on Tinaga.
The idea is also geared toward making tourists appreciate the importance of keeping the Calaguas Islands’ ecosystem healthy, said Charmaine Serran, point person of Calaguas Ecotours, which is among the pioneering travel agencies.
Including Bendita, Pinagcastillohan and Comalasag into the Calaguas experience will soon become a staple for tourists choosing Port Logpond in Vinzons as jump-off point, she said. The islands are owned by the Palencia family.
Bendita Paul Palencia, one of the family members, said it was his brother Joaquin who saw the beauty and potential of Mahabang Buhangin in 2006. “He was the one who brought tourists and media friends there for free back then so they could tell the world how beautiful the islands are,” Palencia said.
The small island of Bendita has an off-white sandy beach, relatively unmarked by human footprints. Uninhabited, it is surrounded by clear unspoiled waters—perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Schools of small fish scour the sea grasses intertwining with corals.
Serran said a cluster of teepee-type structures would be put up for visitors who wish to stay overnight. For now, the island is a favorite stopover for a daylong island-hopping.
Pinagcastillohan
Pinagcastillohan has powdery white sand like Mahabang Buhangin. On its other side is a craggy shoreline facing the Pacific Ocean where waves crash into black rocks.
It is the only minor island in the Calaguas group where semiconcrete and pebble infrastructures were built for visitors who book for a private experience with friends and family.
Calaguas Ecotours regularly see groups of nine to 15 persons who book for two to three days and nights of private parties on Pinagcastillohan, Serran said.
A unique feature called “No Emergency Comfort Room,” is actually a public toilet on one of several flights of concrete stairs. A deck on a half-finished building offers a view of the entire Calaguas Group of Islands.
THE ROCKY side of Mahabang Buhangin beach on Tinaga Island, which is being promoted by the provincial government of Camarines Sur as Calaguas Island, is a favorite among tourists. PHOTO BY SHIENA BARRAMEDA
Comalasag
The smallest of the islands, Comalasag, is popular among divers and tourists who wish to snorkel because of its clusters of corals. It is surrounded by white sand.
The Calaguas ecotour is available starting at P1,500 per person for a day of island-hopping, branded as Package A, which includes transportation, boat rentals, meals and entrance fees.
Package B, which is a two-days, one-night tour, costs P2,400, while Package C, for three days and two nights, is P3,200. The amounts include roundtrip station transfers from Daet, the provincial capital, to Private Port Logpond in Vinzons and boat transfers, entrance fee to a private port, food services, clean shower and restrooms, entrance fee to Mahabang Buhangin, tents and cushions, and meals.
Visitors can also enjoy the locally produced nipa palm wine, called barikulkul.
Getting there
The Calaguas Group of Islands can be reached from Camarines Norte’s capital of Daet. Travel operators regularly pick up visitors and guests there for a 10.1-kilometer van or bus ride to Port Logpond in Vinzons town. A two-hour boat ride will take them to Mahabang Buhangin.