Camarines Norte: Mercedes Group of Islands

Because we weren’t able to get a tour package in Daet that would take us to Calaguas Island, locals from Daet suggested we go to Mercedes Island.  So the four of us decided again to take a different route from the original plan.

From Daet, we rode a tricycle to take us to Mercedes.  From the Daet-Mercedes boundary, we rode another tricycle to get us to the town of Mercedes. When we reached Mercedes, we had our lunch in Graceland, a local restaurant. After which we rode another tricycle to take us to the Mercedes fish port. There was a tourism office in the port, and we inquired about places to stay in Cayucyucan and where to go to in Mercedes.  

It was only a five minutes ride to Cayucyucan, another barangay in Mercedes. The port is located in Manguisoc wharf.

From the port we rode a tricycle and went to Palms Farm Resort.  We booked for an overnight stay, and we talked to the staff for an island tour in the Mercedes islands.  

The staff got a boatman to tour us in the islands around. And we were all set to tour the quiet beauties of Mercedes, in which way back then was not really known tourist destination.

Mercedes is a town after Daet in Camarines Norte.  The town is known for the siete pecados or seven islands around the Pacific along the coastline of Daet which was called Mercedes Group of Islands.  The seven islands where Canimog, Apuao Grande, Quinipagan Island, Malasugui,  Apuao Pequeṅa, Canron and Caringo.  For me, Mercedes islands where unadulterated and quiet beauties, that provides tranquillity from the crowded Bagasbas Beach. 

We were able to see 3 out of 7 islands because some islands From Cayucyucan, the first island in our itinerary is Canimog Island.  I love the island, because of the long sand bar, white powdery sands and crystal clear water.  We stayed here longer for about an hour to swim and explore the island.

From Canimog, went to Apuao Grande and Apuao Pequeṅa, two islands that were connected by a sand bar.

Apuao Grande Island used to be a private resort and a golf course area.  But due to some problems and was in the state of disrepair, the island stopped accepting tourist but remained open to the public that was managed by the care taker.  The island have a long sand bar, pristine white sand and clear blue waters. 

After Apuao Grande, we went to Caringo, a barangay where most locals lives.  It is also near a coral sanctuary, and the sands was white sands with shells.  We were accompanied by our boatman to go to the barrios and bought freshly caught fishes from fisherman.

From Caringo, we were able to see Malasugui and Quinapagan Island before going back to our resort.  Going back to Cayucyucan, we encountered a problem with our boat.  For almost 20 minutes were stuck along the shores of Cayucyucan and Quinapagan.  But we were not disheartened as we were able to see the beauty of sun rise in the horizon.

We asked for the staff of Palms Farm resort to for us, what we bought from Caringo.  During the night, we stayed outside and enjoyed the sound of the water and each other’s company.  There were rattan swings, hammocks and wooden chairs and tables within the resort.  The beach area of Palms Beach Resort was also good for swimming, and there is a net for beach volley ball fanatics to enjoy the sun.

We went back to Mercedes town in the morning and went to Baybay Beach where there was an event for kayaking and skimming. 

John tried kayaking and we were grateful of the locals of the tourism department of Mercedes who accompanied us.