PICTURE-PERFECT. Calaguas beauty is the real thing raw and unedited, but bursting with color. Photo by Amer Amor

MANILA, Philippines - Want your own piece of paradise this summer? Travel far to these beaches where the crowds are thin to non-existent, the waters crystal clear, and the sands bright white. Be prepared for some roughing it and some camping if you want to stay overnight.

Here are some of Luzons best pristine and white beaches, in no particular order:

1. Calaguas Islands, Vinzons, Camarines Norte

SPELLBINDING SUNSET. At the end of the day, Calaguas palette of blue, green, and white gives way to reds and oranges. Photo by Amer Amor

Long stretches of white sand, and waters so clear and blue that they look Photoshopped thats Calaguas. With powdery fine sand like Boracays minus the crowds, it is the kind of private paradise youll want to keep all to yourself, as travel blogger and Bicol local Amer Amor found out. He even claims the sand there is finer than Boracays, one reason why Calaguas made it on top of his list.

This beach is so postcard-perfect that, as Amer points out, Its that one destination that will have everybody asking, Where on earth did you take that picture?

If youre coming from Manila, the journey to this group of islands can be long and rough, with a 7- to 8-hours bus ride to Daet, Camarines Norte, and a two-hours boat ride to the islands.

But travelers like Amer swear that the long trip is more than worth it.

Here are video clips of Calaguas and the boat ride getting there:

The rest is here:

Must-visit white unspoiled beaches in Luzon