



Calayan Island is part of an archipelago called Babuyan Group of Islands (Calayan, Babuyan Claro, Dalupiri, Camiguin & Fuga) but according to Kuya Boyet (boat owner + our tour guide) it’s now called Calayan Group of Islands, which until now I can’t find a link saying that. I still believe Kuya Boyet though.

This is not the kind of place you go to if you’re not into extreme adventures, because getting there alone can definitely be a challenge. Imagine, you start with a 14-hour bus trip from Manila to Aparri(or Claveria) plus a 6-hour boat trip just to get to Calayan Island. You can always take the shorter route and fly to Tuguegarao via Cebu Pacific Air or Philippine Airlines that offer daily trips going to the province, and then take a shuttle van to the Appari port(or Claveria port).

Update: Calayan airport recently opened. No news yet on the schedule of flights.

Now here’s where it gets tricky, all boats going to and from Calayan Island (which costs Php500 per person) leaves at 6 or 7 in the morning. Most of these boats are filled with cargo that they deliver every trip. You can rent a lampitaw(a medium-sized boat that can travel to and from the island) but you’re going to have to pay more. When I say more, I’m talking about 10 to 15k per boat! That’s our budget for the whole trip already, LOL!

MUST READ: If you have a contact number of your homestay, have him/her schedule the boat ride for you. In our case, we contacted Ms. Tessie Singun (+63 929 837 5737 & +63 908 593 3453) a couple of days before going there. When we arrived in Tuguegarao, she texted us which port (either Veteran’s Port in Aparri or Port of Claveria), the boat name and the boat owner’s contact number. Immediately ask the boat owner for the schedule of the trip going back to either Claveria or Aparri. We were scheduled to go back a couple of days after our original plan. It all depends on the weather. If the sea is wavy, the coastguard will most likely cancel all trips to and from the island. You need to have a flexible schedule to make this trip worry-free. Fortunately in the Philippines, this is being talked about because of the recent Bill approval in the senate known as the Alternative Working Arrangement Bill. This will provide employers and employees with an option to agree on flexible working schedules or arrangements.

We felt really sad leaving our dogs behind. Imagine not seeing these cuties for 5 days!

This one’s begging us not to go

While this one’s giving us the silent treatment

And so the adventure begins,

We had a quick lunch just outside the airport and tried the famous Pancit Batil Patung for Php70 (which is delicious btw).

Cagayan’s famous Pancit Batil Patung (or Patong)

INSIDE CALLAO CAVE

Our side trip to Callao Cave was first on our schedule. From the airport, we rode a tricycle going to one of Cagayan’s best tourist spots. We didn’t really plan to go there but our boat ride to Calayan Island was cancelled that’s why we thought of something else to do.

One word, STUNNING!

Callao Cave, Peñablanca, Cagayan

Church built inside the first chamber of Callao Cave, Peñablanca, Cagayan

According to the guide, there’s no regular mass inside the cave. You can schedule if you want to. You can also wed in this church. As of today, only 6 couples have wed here.

Callao Cave, Peñablanca, Cagayan

Callao Cave, Peñablanca, Cagayan

It was sad to see some of the stones were vandalized. Guys, please LEAVE NO TRACE.

EXPLORING CALAYAN ISLAND

On our way to Calayan Island, we met a lovely couple (Aldrin & Tammia) who share the same passion in traveling. It turned out we contacted the same person and we all shared the same house! We have decided to start the tour and rent a boat that cost Php 2,500 and an additional Php 300 for the tour guide. It was an amazing experience! Definitely one of a kind. Photos below.

SIBANG COVE

The first part of the tour was Sibang Cove. It boasts of bountiful natural wonders: white sand beach, luscious greenery, stunning rock formations, clear blue waters.

White Sand Beach of Sibang Cove, Calayan Island

The Famous Rock Formation of Sibang Cove, Calayan Island

CANIWARA COVE

On the left side of Sibang Cove is Caniwara Cove, a rocky beach with crystal clear water. We saw about 10 local folks cleaning the area. We were told that this is a government initiative. They do this regularly to keep the beach clean and give jobs to the locals.

Crystal Clear Beach of Caniwara Cove, Calayan Island

A View of the Whole Caniwara Cove, Calayan Island

Caniwara Cove, Calayan Island

NAGUDUNGAN HILL

A 5-minute trek from Caniwara Cove, Nagudungan Hill boasts an amazing view of the sea from above. We were lucky enough to catch the sunset. Definitely one of my favorites.

Nagudungan Hill, Calayan Island

A View of the Lighthouse in Nagudungan Hill, Calayan Island

A nice view of the sunset at Nagudungan Hill, Calayan Island

Nagudungan Hill, Calayan Island

Nagudungan Hill, Calayan Island

LUSOK CAVE

Lusok Cave is almost an hour away from Calayan port. Inside the cave is a small hole where you can dive. Be careful though, the current inside is sometimes strong.

Lusok Cave, Calayan Island

A Stone Fish chilling just outside Lusok Cave, Calayan Island

Lusok Cave, Calayan Island

A rocky beach near Lusok Cave, Calayan Island. We met some local fishermen that sold us 2 lapu-lapus for Php60.

Reminders to make the trip perfect:

Go to the island when the sea is calmest, that’s from April to May. We went there on March and our boat ride got cancelled because of the bad weather. We had to wait for a day to catch the next trip. To be sure, go there between April and May.

Bring extra cash. You wouldn’t know if you’re going to get stranded there so you better have some extra money. There are no banks in the island.

Bring sunscreen lotion, rash guard, dry bag, slippers, power bank, phone charger & extra clothing.

Power is out from 12am to 12pm, so charge all your gadgets in the afternoon or early in the evening.

While on tour, you’ll find some fishermen selling their catches for cheap! Make sure to always have some cash with you.

Buy a Smart SIM card. There’s no Globe signal in the island.

Build a kubo and live there (Just kidding! LOL)

Budget (Calayan Island Tour only)

Promo Airfare Roundtrip for 2 – Php1,622

***If you want to hit the road, take a Florida or Victory Liner bus ride in Sampaloc or Cubao going to Aparri/Claveria – Php750 (Php1,500 roundtrip)

***If you want to hit the road, take a Florida or Victory Liner bus ride in Sampaloc or Cubao going to Aparri/Claveria – Php750 (Php1,500 roundtrip) Boat ride to Calayan Island – Php500 per person (Php1,000 roundtrip)

Accommodation per night – Php250 per person

1 meal – Php100 per person (served at breakfast, lunch & dinner)

Island Tour – Php2,500 to rent a boat which can fit up to 8 people or Php500 to rent a habal-habal which can only accommodate one person

Tour Guide – Php300 (it can get more expensive for bigger groups)

We took advantage of a seat sale in Cebu Pacific from Manila to Tuguegarao that costs Php1,622, roundtrip for 2. There are tricycles waiting outside the airport that took us to the van terminal going to Aparri. Tricycle rides in Tuguegarao aren’t cheap. They will most likely charge you Php100 for a quick ride from the airport to the van terminal. A van to Aparri/Calayan costs Php100 per head.

My girlfriend and I spent Php4,061 each for a 3D2N stay in Calayan Island. (Tip: It’s cheaper if you’re in a bigger group)

There’s a lot more we haven’t explored. I guess you have to stay for like a week to see the whole island. We actually saw a little of Malansing Falls but we had to get out of there immediately because it was late and waves are getting bigger.

One of the best parts of our trip was the night when we had drinks with some local folks. They were all very welcoming. The owner of the house gave us free wild berry wine & one local folk gave us a free habal-habal ride to buy some souvenirs. We learned a lot about what it’s like to live there; mainly the history of the place & the struggles of having limited resources. Soon, the island will have its own airport, there will be less blackout hours (from 12 hours to just 6) & tourism will boost.

Planning to go to Calayan Island soon? Hit me up on the comment section for your questions!



