Calaguas Islands tourists in CamNorte now safe after gale stranding

A beach on Calaguas Island in Vinzons town, Camarines Norte (FILE PHOTO BY SHIENA BARRAMEDA / INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON)

NAGA CITY — Some 200 tourists were stranded Sunday due to a strong gale over Calaguas Islands in Vinzons, Camarines Norte, the provincial tourism office said Tuesday.

Bong Palma, provincial tourism officer, however, said only about 20 tourists have remained on Calaguas Islands after majority of those stranded were able to reach Vinzons on Tuesday. Palma said on Tuesday all tourists were safe.

He said on Saturday morning that seven boats carrying around 70 tourists left Paracale town and another four boats of about 50 tourists from Vinzons left for Calaguas Islands.

Palma said the Philippine Coast Guard, however, gave on Sunday, the gale warning over the waters going to Calaguas Islands, which generated waves of about 2.5 meters high and wind speed of 27-30 knots. The gale warning was heeded by tour operators so that no one dared to leave Calaguas Islands on Sunday, he said.

“That was the right decision for their safety while we continually monitored the tourists through the barangay captain of Mahabang Buhangin (the most visited beach in Calaguas Islands),” Palma said.

He said that on Tuesday, after several boats arrived in Vinzons town, the ferrying of tourists was suspended because of the continuing gale.  SFM

Location of Mahabang Buhangin Beach on Calaguas Islands in Vinzons town, Camarines Norte (Google maps)

Vinzons, Camarines Norte (Wikipedia maps)