Friday, June 24, 2016

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands

boat hopping to Calayan, Babuyan and Camiguin-Norte Island
May 11 to 19, 2016

I feel we are all in islands, in a common sea - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Babuyan Group of Islands is consists of four major islands Dalupiri, Calayan, Babuyan and Camiguin-Norte. The Babuyan Islands are separated from Luzon by the Babuyan Channel, and from the province of Batanes by the Balintang Channel. The whole archipelago is administered under the province of Cagayan of Calayan Municipality (Fuga Island is under the municipality of Aparri). Humpback Whales have re-colonized into the Babuyan area. Since Dalupiri Island is a privately-owned and can only be accessed by special boat trip, our group focused only to the other 3 major islands which is more than enough to satisfy us that Philippines has the most spectacular coastlines, pristine beaches and other amazing island features.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The best month to visit Babuyan Group of Islands is on April to May (summer season). Always consider / check weather condition before travelling. Depend on weather forecast around 3 days before your intended travel date. Verify and compare via weather.com, PAGASA and Taiwan Central Weather Bureau (Banshi Channel).

7-DAYS BUDGET DIY BABUYAN GROUP OF ISLANDS ISLAND GENERAL ITINERARY (group composed of 3 pax only) 
Day0 May. 11, 2016 Wed: Sampaloc, Manila afternoon departure (via Florida Bus)

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands (google earth map)

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands (Florida Deluxe Bus at 14hr bus ride)

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands (San Jose Inn in Calayan Island)

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands (boat fare for regular/special trip) 

TRAVEL, ​BUDGET AND SAFETY TIPS IN BABUYAN GROUP OF ISLANDS HOPPING

1. best jump-off port to Babuyan Group of Islands is from Claveria and Aparri Municipality of Cagayan province.
2. If you don't have booked ticket yet, leave Metro Manila on off-peak weekdays (Sun-Wed) and recommended to avoid salary days (every 15th and 30th day), week-ends and holidays. In our case, we left Florida Bus Terminal on May 11th, Wed at 2pm with no advance booking and yet there are still more than 15 seats available.
3. boat schedule is always dependent on the weather condition. If weather permits, there are occasional departures (every 6am only) from Calayan Island to Claveria and Aparri, Aparri to Calayan Island and Camiguin-Norte Island but irregular sked from Claveria to Calayan Island.
4. boat travel from Claveria to Calayan Island is 5hrs; Calayan Island to Aparri is 5hrs; Calayan Island to Babuyan Island is 4hrs; Calayan Island to Camiguin-Norte Island is 5hrs; Aparri to Camiguin-Norte Island is 4hrs. You should be fearless on this boat travels because you are in between Philippine Sea and Pacific Ocean.
5. According to locals, there is irregular boat departure from Sta. Ana to Babuyan Island.
6. Dalupiri Island and Fuga Island are privately-owned island. Thus, permission is required if you want to dock-off or it depends on your negotiation with the boat captain.
7. boats departing are usually late. In our case, boat departed around 10am from Claveria (4hrs late) from 6am usual schedule and 10am from Camiguin-Norte Island (4hr late).
8. boats used are cargo and fishing-type. Thus, do not expect convenience unless you hired the entire boat.
9. We stayed for 4 nights in Calayan Island at San Jose Inn c/o Ate Connie (+639215349231 / +639075447692) which is located in the Center town just beside the church and 100m away to Municipal Hall and main port.
10. In Calayan Island, No ATM (bring cash), No GLOBE signal (use only SMART and SUN sim card) and No Wifi (only in Municipal Mayor's office). No electricity from 12am to 12pm daily. Convenience stores usually closed 7pm to 8pm.
11. In Babuyan Island, hard to find SMART signal, no electricity and no convenience store.
12. In Camiguin-Norte Island, electricity is from 3pm to 11pm daily only.
13. Sunrise occurs in Calayan's Nagudungan Hills while sunset takes place in Babuyan's Smith Volcano and Camiguin-Norte's Naguillan Beach.
14. Babuyan Group of Islands is very safe to navigate even at night.

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands (the pigs are everywhere)

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands (Calayan Island)

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands (Calayan Island)

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands (Babuyan Island)

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands (Camiguin-Norte Island)

​Thank you very much Babuyan Group of Islands; an excellent prize for long boat rides in between Philippine Sea and Pacific Ocean; priceless reward for long bus trip from Manila to northernmost mainland part of the Philippines. Proud to self-organized this trip with my friends. #babuyangroupofislands #calayan #babuyan #camiguinnorte #cagayan #visitphilippines2016 #livealifeyouwillremember #theviewingdeck

I divided this wonderful journey into different set of posts to be more specific on its content;



2 comments:

  1. Helpful post as always! will you be sharing your itinerary/travel expenses PDF as well?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. woooow, you know my style; indeed a follower of my posts, Maraming Salamuch po :) please pm me on my fb page... https://web.facebook.com/theviewingdeck

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