🌊 Joining a Travel Tour: Calaguas & Bagasbas Beaches Adventure

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

When I first heard about Calaguas Island, the words that came up were: “Boracay before it got famous.” Add Bagasbas Beach, a surfer’s hangout with raw, rugged charm — and I was sold. I’m a big fan of DIY travel, but for this trip, I decided to join a group tour. And let me tell you — zero regrets.

Here’s how it went down, what I experienced, and some tips in case you're thinking of joining a similar tour.

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🚌 Why I Chose a Group Tour

Simple: Calaguas is beautiful, but logistically tricky.

• You need to get to Daet, Camarines Norte, then arrange boat transfers
• You bring your own food or arrange catered meals
• There's no cellphone signal on the island, and weather can make boat rides unpredictable

So I figured: why not let a tour operator deal with that, and I’ll just… show up with my beach towel and sunscreen?

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✨ What the Tour Package Included

I joined a 2D1N Calaguas + Bagasbas tour with a Manila-based group I found on Facebook. Here's what I got for around ₱2,800–₱3,500:

✅ Roundtrip van transportation (Manila–Daet)
✅ Boat transfers to Calaguas
✅ Tent accommodation on the island
✅ 4 meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch)
✅ Environmental & entrance fees
✅ Free time in Bagasbas Beach on Day 2
✅ Side trips if time permits (like Vinzons church or Camarines Norte pasalubong stops)

🎒 I literally just had to bring clothes, a towel, and mosquito repellent.

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🌴 Day 1: Calaguas Island Escape

We left Manila around 9:00 PM and arrived at Paracale Port early morning. After a quick breakfast (pandesal + instant coffee from a local carinderia), we hopped on the boat to Calaguas Island — a 2-hour ride over teal-blue waves.

And when I say “paradise,” I’m not exaggerating.

🏖️ Calaguas Highlights:

• Powdery white sand like Boracay, but no hotels, no bars — just nature
• Turquoise waters so clear you see your toes
• A perfect spot for camping, stargazing, and digital detox
• Chill vibe, bonfire by the beach, and karaoke under the moon (because it’s still the Philippines, after all)

I swam, took a nap under a coconut tree, helped grill fish for dinner, and stayed up late watching the stars. No signal. No stress.

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🏄 Day 2: Surf Vibes at Bagasbas Beach

After an early boat ride back to the mainland and a hearty breakfast, our group was driven to Bagasbas Beach in Daet. It was my first time there — and wow, totally different vibe from Calaguas.

🌊 What to Expect:

• Long, gray-sand beach with consistent surf (perfect for beginners)
• Surfboard rentals & instructors (₱400–₱500/hour)
• Beachfront cafes and surf shacks
• Laid-back atmosphere — think Baler or San Juan, but less crowded

I didn’t surf, but I loved watching the locals shred the waves. I chilled with halo-halo, journaled by the shore, and bought a few woven bags and keychains for pasalubong.

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🧭 Bonus Stop: Pasalubong & Suman Stopover

On our way back, our guide took us to a pasalubong center in Daet. I stocked up on:

• Pili nuts (garlic and sugar-coated)
• Daet suman — wrapped in buli leaves, sweet and chewy
• Local handicrafts and sinamay bags

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🧳 What to Pack (Tour Version)

• Waterproof bag for boat rides
• Beach mat or sarong
• Power bank (no electricity at night in Calaguas)
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Toiletries (no fancy CRs on the island!)
• Extra snacks and drinks (though meals are usually filling)

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💬 Joining a group tour to Calaguas and Bagasbas was the kind of low-stress, high-reward adventure I didn’t know I needed. It was refreshing to just go with the flow — from moonlit beach chats with strangers-turned-friends to morning coffee with the ocean as your front yard.

🌅 If you’re craving island life but want to skip the planning headaches, joining a travel tour to Calaguas is 100% worth it. Just bring good vibes — and leave the signal behind.

 

If you want to do it yourself, here's how to get there [click here]