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

Paguriran Island, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon Province

Paguriran Island is a small island located in Barangay Sawanga, Sorsogon City. The island is mostly composed of sharp jagged rocks, a short sandy beach and a few vegetation. The island has a small lagoon in the middle. You can walk from the main beach of Sawanga to Paguriran Island. It is just a few meters from the beach and usually during low tide, the sea level is just knee deep. During high tide, the sea level can be as high as 3 to 4 feet.

google map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to Legazpi City. From Legazpi City, ride a bus or van bound for Sorsogon City. From Sorsogon City grand terminal, ride a jeepney bound for Barangay Sawanga and then get off at Paguriran.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus bound for Sorsogon City. You can also ride a bus bound for Matnog or Bulan but be sure to get off at Sorsogon City.

Travel time:

Manila to Legazpi City - 1 hour by plane, 9 to 12 hours by bus

Legazpi City to Sorsogon City – 2 to 2.5 hours

Sorsogon City to Barangay Sawanga – 45 minutes to 1 hour

Barangay Sawanga to Paguriran Island – 5 to 10 minutes

Aguirangan Island, Presentacion, Camarines Sur

Aguirangan Island is located in the town of Presentacion, Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. Aguirangan Island is also known as Rose Islet. Aguirangan is a small island with no electricity, no source of fresh water and no existing resort. There are several nipa huts or open-air cottages that are available for rent. If you’re planning for an overnight stay, then you should bring your own tent. A caretaker collects a minimal fee as an entrance fee in the island. Aguirangan has a beach with cream-colored sand. There are also several trees and coconuts in the island. You can circle the entire island in just an hour or two.

google map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane bound for Naga Airport. From Naga airport, ride a pedicab going to the national highway and ride a bus or a van bound for Sabang Port in San Jose town. From Sabang Port, rent a motorized boat to Aguirangan Island. You can also ride a bus from Manila to Naga City or from Manila to Sabang Port, San Jose.

Travel time:

Manila to Naga – 1 hour by plane, 8 to 10 hours by bus

Naga to Sabang Port, San Jose – 1 to 1.5 hours

Sabang Port to Aguirangan Island – 45 minutes to 1 hour

Manila to Sabang, San Jose – 9 to 11 hours

Matukad Island, Caramoan, Camarines Sur

Matukad Island is located in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. Matukad Island is probably the most visited island in Caramoan. It is a favorite stop for an island hopping tour. The island boasts a fine white sand beach. The island is a small island with some dense vegetation. However, the island doesn’t have electricity, a source of fresh water, cottages or a resort.

google map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane bound for Naga Airport. From Naga airport, ride a pedicab going to the national highway and ride a bus or a van bound for Sabang Port in San Jose town. From Sabang Port, ride a passenger boat to Guijalo Port, Caramoan town and then from Guijalo Port ride a tricycle bound for downtown Caramoan. From downtown Caramoan, ride a motorcycle to Barangay Paniman and then from Barangay Paniman you can rent a boat to Matukad Island.

You can also rent a motorcycle from Guijalo to Barangay Paniman and from there you can rent a boat to Matukad Island.

From Naga City, you can also ride a van, jeep or a bus to Nato port in Sagñay town. From Nato, ride a ferry boat to Guijalo port. From Guijalo Port ride a tricycle bound for downtown Caramoan. From downtown Caramoan, ride a motorcycle to Barangay Paniman and then from Barangay Paniman you can rent a boat to Matukad Island.

You can also ride a bus from Manila to Naga City or from Manila to Sabang Port, San Jose.

Travel time:

Manila to Naga – 1 hour by plane, 8 to 10 hours by bus

Naga to Sabang Port, San Jose – 1 to 1.5 hours

Sabang Port to Guijalo Port, Caramoan – 2 to 3 hours

Guijalo to downtown Caramoan – 15 to 25 minutes

Downtown Caramoan to Barangay Paniman – 20 to 30 minutes

Barangay Paniman to Matukad Island – 15 to 20 minutes

Manila to Sabang, San Jose – 9 to 11 hours

Naga to Nato, Sagñay – 1 to 1.5 hours

Lahus Island, Caramoan, Camarines Sur

This tiny island is located off the coast of Caramoan, Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region. The island is a small island and it doesn’t have a resort, electricity and a fresh water source. The island also doesn’t have an existing community. Lahus Island has a beige/cream sand beach.

google map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane bound for Naga Airport. From Naga airport, ride a pedicab going to the national highway and ride a bus or a van bound for Sabang Port in San Jose town. From Sabang Port, ride a passenger boat to Guijalo Port, Caramoan town and then from Guijalo Port ride a tricycle bound for downtown Caramoan. From downtown Caramoan, ride a motorcycle to Barangay Paniman and then from Barangay Paniman you can rent a boat to Lahus Island.

You can also rent a motorcycle from Guijalo to Barangay Paniman and from there you can rent a boat to Lahus Island.

From Naga City, you can also ride a van, jeep or a bus to Nato port in Sagñay town. From Nato, ride a ferry boat to Guijalo port. From Guijalo Port ride a tricycle bound for downtown Caramoan. From downtown Caramoan, ride a motorcycle to Barangay Paniman and then from Barangay Paniman you can rent a boat to Lahus Island.

You can also ride a bus from Manila to Naga City or from Manila to Sabang Port, San Jose.

Travel time:

Manila to Naga – 1 hour by plane, 8 to 10 hours by bus

Naga to Sabang Port, San Jose – 1 to 1.5 hours

Sabang Port to Guijalo Port, Caramoan – 2 to 3 hours

Guijalo to downtown Caramoan – 15 to 25 minutes

Downtown Caramoan to Barangay Paniman – 20 to 30 minutes

Barangay Paniman to Lahus Island – 15 to 20 minutes

Manila to Sabang, San Jose – 9 to 11 hours

Naga to Nato, Sagñay – 1 to 1.5 hours

Sabitang Laya Island, Caramoan, Camarines Sur

Sabitang Laya Island is located in the beautiful town of Caramoan. If you're in Caramoan for an island hopping trip, be sure to drop by at this beautiful island. Sabitang Laya is not a big island and it doesn't have a community, electricity nor any road network but the island boasts a lush vegetation and a long stretch of beige to light golden brown sand beaches.

Google Map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane bound for Naga Airport. From Naga airport, ride a pedicab going to the national highway and ride a bus or a van bound for Sabang Port in San Jose town. From Sabang Port, ride a passenger boat to Guijalo Port, Caramoan town and then from Guijalo Port ride a tricycle bound for downtown Caramoan. From downtown Caramoan, ride a motorcycle to Barangay Paniman and then from Barangay Paniman you can rent a boat to Sabitang Laya.

You can also rent a motorcycle from Guijalo to Barangay Paniman and from there you can rent a boat to Sabitang Laya.

From Naga City, you can also ride a van, jeep or a bus to Nato port in Sagñay town. From Nato, ride a ferry boat to Guijalo port. From Guijalo Port ride a tricycle bound for downtown Caramoan. From downtown Caramoan, ride a motorcycle to Barangay Paniman and then from Barangay Paniman you can rent a boat to Sabitang Laya.

You can also ride a bus from Manila to Naga City or from Manila to Sabang Port, San Jose.

Travel time:

Manila to Naga – 1 hour by plane, 8 to 10 hours by bus

Naga to Sabang Port, San Jose – 1 to 1.5 hours

Sabang Port to Guijalo Port, Caramoan – 2 to 3 hours

Guijalo to downtown Caramoan – 15 to 25 minutes

Downtown Caramoan to Barangay Paniman – 20 to 30 minutes

Barangay Paniman to Sabitang Laya Island – 30 minutes to 1 hour

Manila to Sabang, San Jose – 9 to 11 hours

Naga to Nato, Sagñay – 1 to 1.5 hours

Nato Port, Sagñay to Guijalo Port, Caramoan – 2 to 2.5 hours

Burias Island, Masbate Province

Burias is an large island located in Masbate Province, Bicol Region. The island is comprised of two municipalities: Claveria and San Jacinto. The town of Claveria is located at the south end of the island and San Jacinto at the north end of the island. There is a road network in the island but most of it are unpaved and only motorcycle will be able to navigate the rough roads.  There is electricity in the island, however, most of the time the electricity only last for 12 hours or less every day. Each town has its own diesel-powered generator that supplies electricity to some barangays.

Burias Island also boast some semi-white sand beaches. There are few semi-white sand beaches located in the town of Claveria and San Jacinto. One of the known beaches is San Isidro Beach located in Barangay San Isidro, Claveria town. It has a long stretch of fine semi-white sand beach.

Burias can be accessed through two ports: via Claveria town and via San Jacinto town. There are daily trips going to these two towns but the access point to Claveria is via Pio Duran town in Albay province and if you’re going to San Jacinto town, your access point would be in Pasacao town in the province of Camarines Sur.

San Isidro Beach, Claveria town

Claveria Port

San Isidro Beach, Claveria town

Google Map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane bound for Legazpi City. From Legazpi City, ride a bus bound for Naga City and get off at Ligao City. From Ligao City, ride a jeepney bound for Pio Duran and then at Pio Duran, ride a passenger boat bound for Claveria town in Burias Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus going directly to Pio Duran, Albay. You can also ride a bus bound for Legazpi City and get off at Ligao City. From Ligao City, ride a jeepney bound for Pio Duran and then at Pio Duran, ride a passenger boat bound for Claveria town in Burias Island.

If you’re going to the town of San Jacinto, from Manila, ride a plane bound for Naga City. From Naga City, ride a jeepney bound for Pasacao town then at Pasacao Port, ride a passenger boat to San Jacinto.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus going directly to Pasacao. You can also ride a bus bound for Naga City and get off at Pasacao junction. At that junction, ride a tricycle or a jeepney bound for Pasacao Port and then at Pasacao Port ride a passenger boat to San Jacinto.

Travel time:

For Claveria town, Burias Island

Manila to Legazpi City – 1 hour by plane

Legazpi to Ligao City – 45 minutes to 1 hour

Ligao City to Pio Duran – 45 minutes to 1 hour

Pio Duran to Claveria, Burias Island - 1 to 1.5 hours

Manila to Pio Duran – 10 to 12 hours by bus

Manila to Ligao City – 10 to 12 hours by bus

For San Jacinto town, Burias Island

Manila to Naga City – 1 hour by plane

Naga City to Pasacao – 45 minutes to 1 hour

Pasacao to San Jacinto, Burias Island – 2 to 3 hours

Manila to Pasacao Port – 8 to 10 hours by bus

Manila to Pasacao junction - 8 to 10 hours by bus

Pasacao junction to Pasacao port - 30 minutes

Calintaan Island, Matnog, Sorsogon Province

Calintaan is located in the town of Matnog, Sorsogon, in the Bicol Region. The island is famous for its semi-pink sand beach called Subic Beach. The sand in Subic Beach is a mixture of white sand and crushed red pipe corals. The island is now starting to become a tourist destination in the Bicol Region. There's also an existing community in the island. Calintaan has its own source of fresh water. There’s also an electricity in the island. The electricity source comes from a long power line connected to the mainland Luzon.

the sand texture at Subic Beach, Calintaan Island

Subic Beach

Subic Beach

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to Legazpi City. From Legazpi City, ride a bus bound for Matnog town in Sorsogon. From Matnog town, look for the passenger boat bound for Calintaan or you can rent a motorized banca to Calintaan Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus directly to Matnog, Sorsogon.

Travel time:

Manila to Legazpi – 1 hour by plane, 10 to 12 hours by bus

Legazpi to Matnog – 3 to 4 hours

Matnog to Calintaan Island – 30 to 45 minutes

Manila to Matnog – 12 to 16 hours by bus

Malawmawan Island, Castilla, Sorsogon Province

Malawmawan is a tadpole-shaped island located in Sorsogon Bay in Castilla town. Malawmawan is a private island and it has a brown-sand beach and a long stretch of sand bar. There is no resort in the island but there is one small hut where you can stay for the night. It is advisable to bring your own tent for accommodation. There is also no source of fresh water in the island. Only a caretaker and Bantay-Dagat personnel lives in the island. You can circle the island in a span of 2 to 3 hours.

Malawmawan Island

Malawmawan Island

the long sand bar at  Malawmawan Island

Google Map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to Legazpi City. From Legazpi City, ride a bus or van bound for Sorsogon City and get off at Cumadcad Market in Castilla. From Cumadcad, ride a jeepney bound for Barangay Macalaya. From Barangay Macalaya, ride a boat to Malawmawan Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus bound for Sorsogon City and just be sure to get off at Cumadcad market in Castilla town.

Travel time:

Manila to Legazpi City - 1 hour by plane, 9 to 12 hours by bus

Legazpi City to Cumadcad Market - 45 minutes to 1 hour

Cumadcad to Brgy. Macalaya - 30 to 45 minutes

Macalaya to Malawmawan Island - 15 to 30 minutes

Atulayan Island, Sagñay, Camarines Sur

Atulayan Island is located off the coast of Sagñay town (pronounced as Sangay) in the province of Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. The island has an off-white sandy beach. It is somewhat a medium-sized island with a barangay on the other side, a public beach on one side and a private resort on the semi rocky portion of the island. The island has a solar generator and has a source of fresh water. There are about several families living in the island. There are also several sari-sari stores in the island.

There are several small resorts in the island and most of these small resorts only have open-air cottages for rent. The private resort in the other cove has several rooms available for a more comfortable accommodation.

the view at the Atulayan Park

Atulayan Island

Atulayan Island

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane bound for Naga Airport. From Naga Airport, ride a bus bound for Lagonoy and get off at Tigaon, and then ride a jeepney or a tricycle bound for pantalan in Nato, Sagñay.  And then at the port or pantalan, rent a boat for Atulayan Island. From Naga Airport, you can also ride a jeepney that is bound for Nato, Sagñay.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus bound for Naga City, and then from Naga City ride a jeepney bound for Nato, Sagñay or if you choose to ride a bus bound for Lagonoy, be sure to get off at Tigaon town, and then from Tigaon, ride a jeepney or a tricycle bound for Nato, Sagñay.

Travel Time:

Manila to Naga

By plane - 1 hour

By bus – 8 to 10 hours

Naga to Tigaon – 1 to 1.5 hours

Tigaon to Nato, Sagñay – 20 to 30 minutes

Nato, Sagñay to Atulayan Island – 30 to 45 minutes