Calayan island

Welcome to Calayan island

The rarely visited island of the country. 

12 hours Manila to Laoag

2 hours Laoag to Cagayan

6 hours Cagayan to Calayan island

You may fly from Manila to Laoag,
van to Claveria,
boat to Calayan.

or

I took the Florida bus
in Kamias Cubao to Laoag,
van from Laoag to Claveria
boat to Calayan

or

You may have the Aparri way
bus from Manila to Tuguegarao
van to Claveria or Aparri
boat to Calayan

*Florida bus have terminals in Sampaloc and Kamias Cubao
*RCJ bus terminal is in Sampaloc

Total expenses: P4,000
*the computation is at the latter end

2 days 2 nights
with 1 night and 1 day in Vigan

Day 1:

3:00 PM left Kamias-Cubao, Florida bus

Day 2:

3:00 AM arrival Laoag

3:30 AM van/ bus to Cagayan

5:30 AM arrival Claveria, Cagayan

6:00 AM departure

1:00 PM arrival Calayan island

1:30 PM checked in, late lunch and siesta

3:00 PM Sibang cove, swimming

5:00 PM Sunset in Nagudungan hill

Day 3

6:00 AM wake-up call, breakfast

6:30 AM start of island tour

7:00 AM Lusok cave

The entrance of the cave.

You may enjoy the cold water spa inside. 

9:00 AM Caanawan waterfalls

10:00 AM Bataraw waterfalls

11:00 AM Caniwara cove

Our gracious host, ate Connie, prepared our lunch. 

11:30 AM lunch time at Caniwara

12:30 PM after lunch - to Cababaan cove

This is one of the pristine beaches I've ever seen so far.. minus the crowd. 

2:00 PM Sibang cove and Nagudungan hill

This is one of my favorite spots here in Calayan. 

With the sunset, of course

5:00 PM end of the island tour

Personal notes:

The itinerary above is a perfect one
as this island is prone to keeping tourist stranded due to bad weather.

1. Pease make sure that your things are sealed with plastic or covered by zip lock - waves can get higher than your boat

2. No ATM machines - 1 EFTposh machine only

3. Make sure to travel between April to July - otherwise, enjoy the roaring sea

4. Smile - this is a shy and warm community

My travel period: April 2018

Day 1: change of plan

I left Manila around 4PM
arriving Laoag around 4AM,
transferred bus going to Cagayan.

I just asked for the next bus that will passed Claveria, Cagayan.
I almost missed the boat to Calayan as it departs exactly 6AM.

It's a good thing that there was a group of travelers who also missed it, therefore the big boat returned to take all 6 of us. 

This does not happen everyday. 

Accommodations are limited. 

I didn't secure mine as there are few tourist in this part of the country. 

I stayed with ate Connie's hostel. 

P350, fan room with toilet. 

This is one of the hostels. 

They are about 5 accommodations in the main street.
I also saw 1 near the beach. 

Food is also limited. 

There are no other restaurants,
except ate Connie's karinderya. 

Servings are delicious and affordable. 

You may request your meal in advance. 

My favorite is her halo-halo. 

I miss it soooo much 💕

Tour

All these coves and waterfalls are within the island. 

You can only go by boat as the road is not yet paved. 

This boat is good for 6 pax for P4,000. 

Ate Connie prepared the tour that comes with a guide and a packed lunch. 

My gang in Calayan
with ate Connie,
wearing the orange shirt🥂

Day 3

Same route: Cagayan > Laoag

with a stop over in Vigan

Total expenses: P4,000

Fare Manila Claveria - 500 x 2 = P1000
Fare Calayan - 500 x 2 = P1000
Food & accommodation = P1000
Tour = P1000

I just prepared an extra budget, 

just in case I'll be stranded. 

It didn't happen. 

Ate Connie: 09075447692

If you have any questions, suggestions.. 

please let me know ☀️

Next destination: Siargao