Islas de Gigantes, Iloilo Travel Guide

Tangke Saltwater Lagoon, Gigantes Group of Islands, Iloilo, Philippines — When it comes to tourism, our country seems underrated. Backpackers around the globe would skip Philippines whenever they’re traveling around Asia. Too bad they won’t be seeing the best islands in the world such as Palawan, Cebu and Boracay and other hidden gems like this.
📍Tangke Saltwater Lagoon

🇵🇭ISLAS DE GIGANTES ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭

✈️🛳🚌 How to get to Islas de Gigantes, Iloilo:
⏺ Take a plane from Metro Manila to Roxas City, Capiz (e.g. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific).
⏺ Ride a tricycle to get to the bus terminal.
⏺ Ride a bus or van bound for Estancia, Iloilo (travel time: 1.5 – 2 hours).
⏺ Alight in Balasan, Iloilo.
⏺ Ride a van or tricycle to reach Bancal Port in Carles which serves as the jump-off.
⏺ Take the public boat bound for Gigantes.

🏄🏝🚴 Sites to Explore/Activities:

Cabugao Gamay Island
Tangke Saltwater Lagoon
Antonia Beach
Bantigue Sandbar
Bulobadian Island
Pulupandan Island
Bakwitan Cave
Lighthouse

Bantigue Sandbar, Gigantes Group of Islands, Iloilo, Philippines — I just came back from my trip in Coron, Palawan when I visited Gigantes. I only had one day to rest in Manila before my flight going to Panay. I learned about this group of islands years ago from my archaeology professor in college. I looked it up online and saw some amazing photos of the islands so I added it right away to my bucket list.
📍Bantigue Sandbar

Cabugao Gamay Island, Gigantes Group of Islands, Iloilo, Philippines — I was a solo joiner of this organized travel event in Gigantes. Together with my newfound friends, we braced the four-hour boat ride from Estancia Port to Gigantes. It was November 2015 and the northeast monsoon waves were ginormous. And since it was a long weekend, the islands were full of tourists too.
📍Cabugao Gamay Island

⏰⏳ SAMPLE ITINERARY:

DAY 1
7:00 AM ETA Roxas City
9:30 AM ETA Bancal Port
10:00 AM ETD for Gigantes
11:30 AM ETA Gigantes / check-in
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Island Hopping
5:00 PM ETA accommodation
6:00 PM Dinner

DAY 2
6:00 AM Wake-up call
7:00 AM ETD for lighthouse and cave
11:00 AM Check-out
12:00 PM ETD for Bancal Port

💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo joiner of public tours): Php 5,000 – Php 6,000 (exclusive of airfare)
***Expenses may vary depending on personal consumption of food and other necessities.

📜✏️ Tips/Reminders:
📌There is usually only one boat that plies the Bancal Port-Gigantes route which leaves at 10:00 AM and goes back to Bancal Port from Gigantes by lunch time the next day. Alternatively, you may hire a boat if you are traveling with a group (hiring a boat would be expensive if you are traveling alone).
📌The travel time from Bancal Port is 1.5 – 2 hours depending on sea condition.
📌Adjust your itinerary accordingly based on the itinerary set by your organizer/travel agency.
📌Expect rain and rough sea condition during monsoon season (June-February).
📌There are lots of resorts offering island hopping packages which also include food and accommodation.
📌Always observe the LNT principles.