menu
Mercedes, Camarines Norte
posted on Saturday, May 6, 2023
It has been a pleasure meeting Mercedes in Camarines Norte mid-April 2023. The town was apparently named after a Spanish captain’s wife who has been kind enough to help the locals when their ship got stranded. And though not YET as known as Caramoan or Calaguas, this hidden gem in southern Luzon sure deserves a space in our travel bucketlist.
To reach Mercedes, we travelled from Manila to Naga City by plane. Then another three hours of land travel. We checked into Villa Criselda Resort, just five minutes away from the docking area for the island hopping. Room rates range from P798 to P1,898 per night, depending on your preferred room capacity. You may book rooms through this number: 0920-201-1928.
Island hopping rate, on the other hand, is P1,500 per person. The package is inclusive of boat transpo, island/port fee, snorkeling gear, tour coordinator with lunch and snacks. The trip will be able to visit all the siete pecados or seven islands in Mercedes namely Apuao Pequenia, Apuao Grande, Malasugui Island, Canimog Island, Caringo Island, Canton Island and Quinapagian Island. You may book this tour through Kevin Mel Pastor at this number: 0912-380-8939.
My visit to Mercedes was purely for work. We were able to visit the twin Apuao islands adjoined by a stunning sandbar. The annual Hammock Festival is held in Apuao Pequenia. It boasts of pine trees that liken it to Baguio and Zambales. Also, don’t miss the unique bat sanctuary in the area.
Our last stop is the Canimog Island, which is the largest among the siete pecados. The island's distinctive form also brands it as the crocodile island. It features a natural pool that can be enjoyed during low tide. And aside from chilling by the beach, you can also trek to its 96-year-old lighthouse.
Mercedes Camarines Norte Apuao Pequenia 1
Mercedes Camarines Norte Apuao Pequenia 2
Mercedes Camarines Norte Apuao Pequenia 3
Mercedes Camarines Norte Apuao Pequenia 4
Mercedes Camarines Norte Apuao Pequenia 5
Mercedes Camarines Norte Apuao Pequenia
Mercedes Camarines Norte Apuao Sandbar 1
Mercedes Camarines Norte Apuao Sandbar 2
Mercedes Camarines Norte Apuao Sandbar 3
Mercedes Camarines Norte Apuao Sandbar 4
Mercedes Camarines Norte Apuao Sandbar
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Island 1
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Island 3
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Island
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Lighthouse 1
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Lighthouse 2
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Lighthouse 3
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Lighthouse 4
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Lighthouse 5
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Lighthouse 6
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Lighthouse 7
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Lighthouse 8
Mercedes Camarines Norte Canimog Lighthouse
Mercedes Camarines Norte Sunset
What do you think about my work?
MY UNDERWATER GALLERY
-
SONY RX 100 III, SEA AND SEA YS01, YS02
- BAUAN, BATANGAS: 2020 Christmas and Year-end Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2021 Post-Birthday Wide-angle Dive
- SUBIC BAY: Amazing World War II Wrecks
- SONY RX 100 III, SEA AND SEA YS01
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2019 Christmas and Year-end Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2021 Mid-Year Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2021 Nudibranch Finds
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: June 2021 Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: June 2021 Macro Gems
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2021 Post-Birthday Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2021 Post-Birthday Critter Finds
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2021 Christmas and Year-End Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2023 Opening Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2024 Opening Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2024 Mid-year Dive
- SONY NEX 5, SCUBALAMP MS30
- CANON G10, SEA AND SEA YS01
- CANON S95, SEA AND SEA YS01
- CANON S120, SCUBALAMP MS30
- CANON S120, SEA AND SEA YS01, YS02
- EL NIDO, PALAWAN: Wide-angle Wonder
- MACTAN, CEBU: Sardine Run Take 2
- MACTAN, CEBU: Sardine Run
- DAVAO: Talicud Island’s Coral Garden
- BATANGAS: Long Overdue Dives
- MISAMIS ORIENTAL: Diving in Mantangale
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2016 Year-end Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2016 Birthday Month Opening Dive
- BORACAY: An Unexpected Underwater Splendor
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: Summer 2016 Dive
- SABANG, PUERTO GALERA: A Sweet Underwater Escape
- BATANGAS: 2016 Opening Dive
- PADRE BURGOS, SOUTHERN LEYTE: 2015 Year-End Dive 1
- SAN LUIS, BATANGAS: 2015 Christmas Party Dive
- SAN LUIS, BATANGAS: PADI Rescue Diver Certification
- CANON S120, SEA AND SEA YS01
- MACTAN, CEBU: Macro Paradise
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: Ling's Birthday Dive 2018
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2018 Mid-year Dives
- MACTAN, CEBU: 2018 Opening Dive
- SAN LUIS, BATANGAS: 2017 Christmas and Year-end Dive
- MACTAN, CEBU: 7th Anniv Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2017 Post-Birthday Dive
- DAVAO: Rhinopias Capital
- DAVAO: Macro Paradise
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2017 Mid-year Dives
- BAUAN, BATANGAS: 2017 Opening Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2016 Christmas Dive
- TULAMBEN, INDONESIA: 2016 Birthday Dive
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: Search for the Paddle Flap Scorpionfish
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: Unforgettable Macro Surprise
- PADRE BURGOS, SOUTHERN LEYTE: 2015 Year-End Dive 2
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2015 Birthday Dive
- MOALBOAL, CEBU: Home of Gazillion Sardines
- MOALBOAL, CEBU: Surprisingly Amazing Reefs
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: Rhinopias Fiesta
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: June 21, 2015
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: April 26-27, 2015
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: Macro Haven
- CANON S120, SEA AND SEA YS17
- CANON S95, INTOVA ISS 2000
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: It's a Macro World
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: 2014 Birthday Dive
- TUBBATAHA REEFS NATURAL PARK: A World Heritage Site Part 2
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: Macro Pre-Enlightenment
- SIPADAN, MALAYSIA: 2013 Birthday Dive
- INTOVA IC16, INTOVA ISS 2000
- ANILAO, BATANGAS: A Diver's Haven
- CORON, PALAWAN: World War II Wrecks and More
- SABANG, PUERTO GALERA: Underwater Fusion
- VERDE ISLAND: Center of Marine Biodiversity
- APO ISLAND, NEGROS ORIENTAL: Turtle Sanctuary
- APO ISLAND, NEGROS ORIENTAL: World of Wonder
- DAUIN, NEGROS ORIENTAL: A Macro Surprise
- SIQUIJOR ISLAND: An Underwater Magic
- MALAPASCUA, CEBU: Home of Thresher Sharks
- BALICASAG, BOHOL: An Underwater Feast
- TUBBATAHA REEFS NATURAL PARK: A World Heritage Site Part 1
- SEALIFE DC 1400, SEALIFE STROBE
More Fun in the Philippines
Alfonso, Cavite
Alitagtag, Batangas
Anawangin, Zambales
Angat, Bulacan
Anilao Backpackers, Batangas
Anilao, Batangas
Anilao Boarding House, Batangas
Antipolo, Rizal
Mt.Sicapoo Apayao Trail
Asipulo, Ifugao
Baguio
Balai Resort, Batangas
Balai Tanay, Rizal
Barlig, Mt. Province: Mt. Amuyao
Bataan: Tarak Ridge
Batad, Banaue
Batanes
Batangas
Bay, Laguna
Bokod, Benguet: Mt. Purtagory Traverse
Borawan, Quezon
Bunker Dive Resort, Batangas
Cabuyao, Laguna
Cagsawa Ruins, Albay
Calaguas, Camarines Norte
Calatagan, Batangas
Cavinti, Laguna
Cavite
Clark, Pampanga
Coron, Palawan
Corregidor
Dive and Trek Resort, Batangas
El Nido, Palawan
El Nido, Palawan 2
Hundred Islands, Pangasinan
Hungduan, Ifugao: Mt. Napulauan
Ilocos
Kiangan, Ifugao
Kibungan Cross Country
Laiya, Batangas
Laiya, Batangas 2
Ligpo Island, Batangas
Mercedes, Camarines Norte
Mt. Batulao, Batangas
Mt. Gulugod Baboy, Batangas
Mt. Maculot, Batangas
Mt. Makiling
Mt. Pigingan, Benguet
Mt. Pinatubo
Mt. Pulag, Benguet
Mt. Pulag, Benguet 2
Mt. Pulag, Benguet 3
Mt. Tagapo, Rizal
Mt. Talamitam, Batangas
Mt. Timbak, Benguet
Mt. Ugo, Nueva Vizcaya-Benguet
Nasugbu, Batangas
Nagsasa, Zambales
Olongapo City
Palawan
Pampanga: Mt. Arayat
Pililla, Rizal
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Rodriguez, Rizal: Mascap Twin Hike
Rodriguez, Rizal: Mascap Twin Hike 2
Rodriguez, Rizal: Wawa Trilogy
Rodriguez, Rizal: Wawa Trilogy Version 2
Romblon Island, Romblon
Sabang, Puerto Galera
Sagada, Mountain Province
San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan: Mt. Balagbag
San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
San Luis, Batangas
San Miguel, Bulacan: The Cabin
San Rafael, Bulacan: Mt. Secret
San Vicente, Palawan
San Vicente, Palawan 2
Sariaya, Quezon
Silang, Cavite
Subic, Olongapo
Taal, Batangas
Talisayen Cove, Zambales
Tanay, Rizal: Laiban Trilogy
Tanay, Rizal: Maynuba Circuit
Tanay, Rizal: Moolk Farm
Tanay, Rizal: Mt. Batolusong
Tanay, Rizal: Mt. Binutasan
Tanay, Rizal: Nagpatong-Mt. Masungki Twin Hike
Tanay, Rizal: Pili Paninap Farm
Tinglayan, Kalinga
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park 1
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park 2
Apo Island, Negros Oriental
Bacolod City
Bantayan, Cebu
Biri Island, Northern Samar
Bohol
Boracay, Aklan
Dauin, Negros Oriental
Iloilo
Leyte
Mactan, Cebu
Malapascua, Cebu
Moalboal, Cebu
Oslob, Cebu
Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte
Siquijor
Sumilon Island, Cebu
Cagayan De Oro
Camiguin
Davao
Davao City
Davao del sur: Mt.Apo
Maguindanao
Mantangale Dive Resort, Misamis Oriental
Marawi City
Zamboanga
Let's talk about diving, marine life, and the beauty of the Philippines!
About Mona
Certified as a PADI rescue diver. Got my first compact camera in 2011. I was simply content then to just capture a glimpse of what I see during my dives. It was only last February 2014 that I fully maximized the use of manual macro settings.
My camera skills and knowledge are still a work in progress. Enjoy browsin’!
Page Views:
Developed by: Brewhildah