Tinaga Island, Vinzons, Camarines Norte

Tinaga Island is famously known for its soft fine white sand beach called as Mahabang Buhangin. This island is also called as Calaguas. However, the Calaguas is a group of islands found off the coast of Vinzons town, and Tinaga Island is just one of the islands in the Calaguas Group of Islands.

Tinaga Island is the biggest island in Calaguas. There are several coves with beautiful beaches in Tinaga. The color and quality of the sand ranges from golden brown, white, beige, cream, gray sand, fine sand, soft, and somewhat grainy. There are two barangays located in the island; Barangay Mangcawayan and Barangay Pinagtigasan. The nearest barangay from Mahabang Buhangin is Barangay Mangcawayan, which is about a 15 to 20 minutes walk.

There is no electricity in the island, however, some houses has its own electric generator. There are water sources in the island. There is also an elementary school in Tinaga. There are few resorts in the island but they only have tents and open-air cottages for accommodation.

google map

How to get there:

Option 1

From Manila, ride a bus bound for Daet and get off at Barangay Talobatib in Labo town. From Barangay Talobatib junction, ride a bus bound for Paracale or you can rent a motorcycle to Paracale town. From Paracale port, rent a boat to Mahabang Buhangin or Tinaga Island.

Option 2

From Manila, ride a bus to Daet. From Daet, ride a jeepney to Vinzons town, and then from the town center you'll need to ride a tricycle bound for Vinzons port. From the port, rent a boat to Mahabang Buhangin or Tinaga Island.

Travel time:

Option 1

Manila to Barangay Talobatib - 7 to 9 hours

Barangay Talobatib to Paracale - 30 to 45 minutes

Paracale to Mahabang Buhangin/Tinaga Island - 1.5 to 2.5 hours

Option 2

Manila to Daet - 7 to 9 hours

Daet to downtown Vinzons - 15 to 30 minutes

downtown Vinzons to Vinzons Port - 15 minutes

Vinzons port to Mahabang Buhangin/Tinaga island - 2 to 3 hours