The Philippines is home to more than 7,600 islands, and each one offers a different kind of adventure. Sometimes, traveling from one island to another feels like going on an international trip because of the long journey, but the destination always makes it worthwhile.
After spending our first day traveling from Cubao to Daet via DLTB Bus and resting overnight at One Platinum Hotel, we finally woke up excited for the highlight of our trip, Calaguas Island.
Early Morning Trip to Vinzons Port
We booked the Calaguas White Sand Resort package, and according to our confirmation voucher, our call time at Vinzons Port was 7:00 AM. We woke up early, enjoyed our pre-ordered packed breakfast at around 6:00 AM, checked out of the hotel, and headed to the port.
Since we rented a van, the drive took less than 20 minutes, and we arrived about 15 minutes before our scheduled call time. I honestly didn't expect the port to be that busy. Finding our assigned boat operator turned out to be more challenging than we expected, and it took us almost 20 minutes before we finally found him.
Before boarding, everyone had to fill out the boat manifest. Afterward, we were asked to place all our bags inside large plastic bags before the porters loaded them onto the boat. This helps protect your luggage from getting wet during the boat ride, especially if the sea is rough or there are splashes along the way.
The plastic bags are available for purchase at the port for PHP35 each or 3 bags for PHP100. We found them worth buying, especially for protecting our clothes, gadgets, and other valuables.
On our boat, we were the only guests from Calaguas White Sand Resort, but the trip wasn't exclusive to one resort. The boat waited for passengers from different resorts, but once it departed, it wouldn't wait for anyone running late.
When Travel Doesn't Go as Planned
Unfortunately, my husband's overnight bus from Cubao was delayed by almost three hours. To help him catch up with us, the bus conductor dropped him off at a nearby area instead of the usual terminal so he could get to Vinzons Port faster.
From there, he hired a tricycle to the port and paid PHP100 for the ride. He did everything he could to make it, but he missed our original 7:00 AM call time.
Our boat finally departed at around 7:55 AM, and just a few minutes after we left the port, he arrived. Thankfully, he was still able to catch the next available boat bound for Calaguas Island.
Finally Arriving in Calaguas Island
After nearly two hours at sea, we finally arrived at Calaguas Island.
Seeing its crystal-clear turquoise waters and powdery white sand instantly made the long journey worth it. It had been on my travel bucket list for years, and finally experiencing it in person was even better than I had imagined.
We were welcomed with refreshing drinks and snacks upon arrival. About 35 minutes later, my husband's boat finally reached the island. Sadly, he missed the welcome snack because it was only served once per group, but what mattered most was that we were finally together in paradise.
Disconnecting to Reconnect
One thing you'll immediately notice in Calaguas is how different life feels.
Electricity is only available at night, no phone signal, and no Wi-Fi. For the next three days and two nights, we traded notifications and screens for the sound of the waves and peaceful island mornings.
It was the perfect reminder that sometimes, disconnecting from technology helps us reconnect with nature and simply enjoy the present moment.
Despite the long travel time, Calaguas Island easily became one of the most beautiful beaches I've visited in the Philippines.
Meals Included in Our Resort Package
One of the conveniences of booking the Calaguas White Sand Resort package was that all our meals were already included.
Lunch
· Laing
· Ginataang Crab
· Fried Chicken
· Fresh Melon
Merienda
· Ginataang Bilo-Bilo
· Ginataang Bilo-Bilo
Dinner
· Ginisang Ampalaya
· Nilagang Buto-Buto
· Grilled Pusit
· Fresh Mango
· Ginisang Ampalaya
· Nilagang Buto-Buto
· Grilled Pusit
· Fresh Mango
The food was simple, comforting, and satisfying after a day of traveling.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
Our welcome drink was served with ice, so we assumed cold drinks would always be available throughout our stay. We quickly learned otherwise.
Only room-temperature mineral water was provided during meals. If you want ice or cold drinks, you'll need to buy ice from one of the small sari-sari stores on the island. We tried keeping ice in our tumbler, but without a cooler, it melted quickly. Eventually, we accepted that warm drinks were simply part of the island experience.
It's a small detail, but something worth knowing before your trip.
Final Thoughts
Travel rarely goes exactly as planned, and that's often what makes every journey unforgettable.
From delayed buses and missed call times to searching for our boat operator at the busy port, our trip had its fair share of unexpected moments. Yet those little challenges became part of the story we'll always remember.
Calaguas Island reminded us that the best adventures aren't always the easiest. Sometimes, delayed buses, unexpected detours, and long travel hours make finally reaching your destination even more rewarding.
For us, every mile and every wave crossed was absolutely worth it.
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