Mahabang Buhangin, Tinaga Island, Calaguas Group of Islands, Vinzon’s Camarines Norte

Calaguas Picturesque Beach

 

Tinaga Island is an island located in Vinzons Camarine Norte. It is one of the two major islands in the Calaguas group of islands, the other being Guintinua Island. It is the biggest island in the group which is about 8 kilometers long.

Tinaga Island is famous for its long white sand beach called “Mahabang Buhangin” (“Halabang Bagbay” to some locals) which literally means “long beach.” But the place is more popularly known simply as “Calaguas” by backpackers and tourists alike.

Proximity from Manila

The place is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination due to its fine white sand beach comparable to that of the world famous Boracay Island.

The tourism infrastructure in the island is not yet developed which is a disadvantage for traditional tourists but a blessing for those who prefers the off-beaten path.

Tinaga Island and Mahabang Buhangin Beach

 

HOW TO GET THERE

By Land (Driving)

The Beach Front as seen from the highest point.

The jump-off point to Calaguas is either through the towns of Paracale or Vinzons. Paracale is 316 Kilometers from Manila while Vinzons is farther southwards at 323 Kilometers, so most of those driving to the port or usually go to Paracale. Driving time is around 7 hours. It is recommended to leave Manila at around 2-3 AM, arriving at Paracale at around 9-10 AM. But note that if you will be staying in some resorts in the island, then you have to coordinate the travel time as they may have their own outrigger boat which has its own fixed schedule of trips leaving in the morning that you need to catch.

In the town of Paracale, there are inns, restaurants and other establishments that accepts overnight parking for a minimal fee of around 150 Php per night. If you need further assurance, you can ask the resort you will be staying to assist you in securing a parking space upon your arrival.

By Air (Plane)

The fine powdered white sand beach comparable to Boracay.

A few years back, there were flights to Daet Camarines Norte but as of 2014, that route was abandoned. Not sure when will it be back but in case there is, then you only need to drive to Vinzons which is nearer from Daet than Paracale.

The current and only option when taking a plane is via Naga City and from Naga City, Daet is still a 2-hour drive. There are buses in Naga bound for Daet or you can take a van from the Naga Van Terminal. Trips start at around 5 AM and the last trip is around 7 PM. Philippine Airlines (www.philippineairlines.com) and Cebu Pacific (www.cebupacificair.com) has flights to Naga City.

By Land- Commute (Bus)

If taking a bus, Superlines has direct trips to Paracale/Panganiban. Another option is to take Daet (via Sta Elena) bound buses (Philtranco (www.philtranco.com.ph), Daet Express, Amihan Express). Get off at a junction in Jose Panganiban where you can take a tricycle to Paracale. Another option is to get off at the town of Labo where you can catch another bus ride to Paracale. Fare is around 500 Php.

Train

Waling’s and Calaguas’ most luxurious accommodation (as of 2014).

Bicol bound trains are also unpredictable. Sometimes it’s operational, sometimes it’s not (As of 2014 it’s not). You can check in their Facebook site (https://www.facebook.com/pnrailways) or call 319-0041 local 122 or 319-0048. In case it’s available then your destination will be Naga City. And from there, follow the same instruction as listed in the previous section (by plane via Naga City).

The train leaves every other day at around 6:30 PM, with stops at Espana (6:38 PM), Pasay Road (6:56 PM), Alabang (7:20 PM) and arriving in Naga at around 4:30 AM.

Boat to Tinaga Island

Other cottage option at Walings.

In going to Tinaga Island, there are three options. First is to rent a boat. Renting an outrigger boat is around 3,000 Php for the smaller ones that can accommodate around 5-8 persons and 3,500-4,000 Php for those that can accommodate around 8-12 persons. That is already both ways going in and out of the island.

Second option is to ride a boat with the other tourists going in to Mahabang Buhangin. You can talk to boat operators to help you secure a ride with other people who are also looking to share their ride. There are no problems securing one during the summer months especially on weekends due to the volume of visitors.

The third option is to ride the local trips which goes to Barangay Mangkawayan, the inhabited part of the island. From that Barangay, you can walk (10 minutes walk) towards Mahabang Buhangin. But note that there are no regular trips to that area so you also need to wait for one to become available. Boat fare is around 100 Php.

The boat ride is around 2 hours so if you have kids with you, prepare them for the long boat ride.

Playing at the Beach.

 

ACCOMMODATION

The fine sand which is cool even during high noon.

As of 2014, there are only 2 resorts offering fixed structure accommodations and only one that offers higher end accommodation with full meals inclusive. The rest offers tents as accommodation which is pretty much a challenge usually at high noon where the heat is unbearable inside the tent. Also in case you go there during the rainy season, such tents are also questionable so be careful as you might end up soaked and miserable.

For most of the places which offers tents, you only need to pay the entrance/ camping/ beach fee of around 200 Php plus a municipal/ environmental/ Barangay fee of around 50 Php. Then you need to rent a tent or a cottage for around 300 Php. Most of these facilities are owned by locals and they are usually promoted by partnering with the ever increasing lists of tour operators to Calaguas who has the resources to promote their resort. Here are some examples:

• http://calaguas-ecotours.com/
• http://www.calaguasislands.com/
• http://www.calaguas.org/
• http://www.calaguastourpackage.com/
• http://www.calaguaslocal.com/

The only fully developed accommodation as of writing (2014) is Waling Waling (http://waling.com). But since it’s the only one existing, I would say sometimes you feel like the people managing the resort knows that fact so their customer service is a little to be desired as you do not have any other choice. When we had our stay there, families and relatives of the owners were also staying so we felt like we were second class guests during that time which should be the other way around (they should know that even their own family should know that customer should comes first (or at least equal), otherwise, they should just close the resort for their own private use rather than letting guests experience such treatment). The local employees of the resort, on the other hand, were very polite and accommodating which compensate for the negative feedback.

The Beach which only gets crowded on weekends

Tinaga Island was almost bare a few years ago (circa 2010), a proof that the place was just recently developed. But because of the rapid development due to the recent popularity, I would assume new accommodations would come out frequently so I advice that you check on the web for updates to available accommodations.

THINGS TO DO

The beach is a great place to swim. The slope is gradual with huge shallow spaces and the water is normally calm. There are few rocks and corals near the shore so its convenient to walk barefoot.

Hike to the Top

Snorkeling on the other hand will require you to go farther either near the stone outcrop about 500 meters from the shore or on the west most end of the beach as corals are located only on these spots.

There are limited available facilities for water sports like kayaks. During weekends, beach parties are organized with loud speakers so if you are staying on the tent cities, you better accept the fact that music, and worst karaoke, will be played into the wee hours of the night. This is where staying at Waling has its advantages. Its more private and quiet on the exclusive resorts (the tents are scattered side by side one another so the partying at night extends between these tents).

The beach from the other vantage point.

One activity to do in the island is to hike atop the highest point of the land. You can asks children to guide you for a few pesos but you can actually climb without any guides as the trail is easy to follow once you find the trail head. There is also another trail on the opposite side of the beach for a good vantage point of the beach front but this one has a minimal entrance fee from the lot owner.

Sunset at Walings

Barangay Mankawayan, the inhabited part of the island is a 10 minute walk from Mahabang Buhangin.

You can also rent a boat to go island hopping to the surrounding islands within the Calaguas Chain of Islands.

Other than that, the environs near Calaguas would be a great place to explore starting from the jump-off town of Paracale.

Tinaga Island is at a cross road right now. Its rising popularity is something the locals can cash in which will come with the development of the place. Some sectors don’t want this to be developed as “like-Boracay.” But some thinks the other way around saying “what’s bad about Boracay?” In the end, balance between development, preservation and protection thus ensuring that the “goose that lays the golden egg” be protected for their and their children’s good should be the utmost priority.