🌊 Calaguas & Bagasbas: My 2-Day Group Tour That Skippped All the Planning – Here’s What Happened

“Because sometimes, letting someone else handle the logistics lets you soak in the waves more.” 

🌅 When “Letting Go” Becomes the Best Travel Decision

That was exactly my mindset when I signed up for a Calaguas + Bagasbas group tour from Manila. I’ve always been a DIY traveler — I love the thrill of planning routes and finding hidden gems — but this time, I wanted a break.

I stumbled upon a Manila-based joiner tour offering a 2D1N Calaguas and Bagasbas Beach getaway, and when I saw photos of Bagasbas’ surfer hangouts and Calaguas’ powdery white sands — I was sold.

And guess what? No regrets. 🌴

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🚌 Why I Chose a Group Tour

Calaguas is stunning, but getting there on your own can be tricky:

• You’ll need to travel to Daet, Camarines Norte, then take a boat to Calaguas Island
• You have to bring or pre-arrange meals (there are no restaurants!)
• There’s no cellphone signal or stable electricity on the island
• Weather can change quickly, affecting boat schedules

So I figured — why stress? I’ll just pack light, join a group, and let the pros handle it.

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✨ What the Tour Package Included (2025 Rate Update)

I booked a 2D1N Calaguas + Bagasbas Joiner Tour for around ₱3,200–₱3,800 per person.

Here’s what it included:

✅ Roundtrip van transportation (Manila ↔ Daet)
✅ Boat transfers to and from Calaguas Island
✅ Tent accommodation with mats and pillows
✅ 4 full meals (Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch)
✅ Environmental & entrance fees
✅ Island hopping or snorkeling (depending on weather)
✅ Bagasbas Beach side trip on Day 2
✅ Friendly local guide and camp assistant

📍 Tour operators usually depart from Cubao, Pasay, or Alabang on Friday night and return Sunday evening.

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🌴 Day 1 – Calaguas Island: Paradise Without the Crowds

After an overnight van ride, we arrived at Paracale Port around 5:00 AM. The sky was still dim, but the salty breeze woke everyone up.

A 2-hour boat ride later, the island appeared — crystal-clear waters, powdery white sand, and no hotels or bars in sight. Just nature. 🌊

💙 Highlights of Calaguas

• Camping by the beach — no signal, just stars
• Swimming in turquoise water so clear you can see your toes
• Bonfire night and karaoke (because it’s still the Philippines!)
• Friendly locals selling fresh buko juice and halo-halo

We grilled fish for dinner, shared stories by the bonfire, and slept under a blanket of stars. It felt like a digital detox I didn’t know I needed.

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🏄 Day 2 – Surf and Chill at Bagasbas Beach, Daet

After breakfast, we sailed back to the mainland and headed straight to Bagasbas Beach, a long gray-sand beach famous among local surfers.

🌊 What to Expect at Bagasbas

• Perfect waves for surfing beginners
• Surfboard rentals + lesson: ₱400–₱500/hour
• Beachfront cafés serving silog meals and halo-halo
• Chill, laid-back vibe — like Baler or San Juan, but less crowded

I didn’t surf (this time), but watching locals ride the waves while I sipped coffee was the perfect end to the trip.

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🧭 Bonus Stop – Pasalubong Center in Daet

Before heading home, our guide stopped by a pasalubong center. I stocked up on:

• Pili nuts (garlic, sugar-coated, spicy variants)
• Daet suman wrapped in buli leaves

Sinamay bags and woven souvenirs

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🧳 Packing List for a Calaguas Tour

• Waterproof dry bag for boat rides
• Powerbank (limited charging on the island)
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Sarong or beach mat
• Toiletries and wet wipes
• Extra snacks & bottled water

💡 Optional: Bring snorkeling gear or a waterproof camera if you plan to swim around the coves.

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💬 Joining a group tour to Calaguas & Bagasbas was one of the most relaxing travel decisions I’ve ever made. No stress, no itinerary juggling — just pure beach bliss and great company.

Would I do it again? Definitely. Especially when I just need to unwind and reconnect with nature.

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🚐 How to Get to Calaguas & Bagasbas (DIY Option)

If you want to go DIY, here’s how:

1. Take a bus from Manila to Daet or Paracale (Superlines, DLTB, or Philtranco).
2. From Paracale Port, rent a boat to Calaguas Island (₱4,000–₱5,000 roundtrip for small groups).
3. After your island stay, head to Bagasbas Beach (Daet) for surfing before returning to Manila.

🕐 Travel time: 9–10 hours by land, 2 hours by boat.

👉 For detailed routes and updated fares, check my DIY Calaguas Island Travel Guide [here].

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📣 Ready to chase island sunsets and surf vibes without the hassle?

✨ Join a Calaguas + Bagasbas group tour this weekend — or plan your own DIY adventure using my guide!

📸 Don’t forget to tag @lakwatserangligaw on Instagram if you’ve been here too — I’d love to feature your shots! 💬