Islas de Gigantes Guide for First-Time Travelers

Isla de Gigantes is a group of islands that can be found in the province of Iloilo in the Philippines. These islands can be found in close proximity to the shores of mainland Carles and Estancia. It takes around three to four hours to travel from the capital city of Iloilo to the Gigantes group of islands, depending on the land transportation you use.

Island Hopping in the Gigantes

After completing our tour of the Gigantes Islands by boat, we were immediately transported back to our time in Palawan. Limestone cliffs that are razor sharp and jagged, surrounded by waters that are blue. It was the perfect setting for switching off and unwinding. Island hopping consisted of traveling from one island to the next.

On your trip to the Gigantes Islands, do not miss the chance of seeing these places:

• Bakwitan Grotto
• Bantigue Sand Bar, located at Antonia Beach (good snorkelling area)
• Bulobadian Island
• Cabugao Gamay Puting Baybay Gamay- (cliff diving)
• Langub sandbar
• Pawikan Cave
• Pulupandan island Way Dahon Island
• Puting Baybay Daku
• Tanke (Enchanted Lagoon) – (cliff diving)

Even though there are just 10 major islands in the Gigantes Archipelago, there are a large number of sandbars and smaller islands that can be explored. The vast majority of island-hopping tours provide lunch at a seafood buffet and include a tour guide and a boatman. During our time there, the majority of our meals consisted of seafood such as crab, scallops, or squid. Be sure to make the necessary accommodations in the event that you do not enjoy eating seafood (bring your own food or inform the boat crew ahead of time).

We would advise you to break up your vacation in Gigantes over the course of two or three days so that you are not pressed for time. In addition, there is a lighthouse in Gigantes Norte that you are welcome to visit. The views of the islands from this location are so stunning that they make it well worth the visit to see them.

Every single one of the people was very kind and friendly! Despite the recent increase in the lot of tourists, a significant number of people are still dependent on fishing as their principal source of income. From the location where we were staying in Gigantes Norte, it was able to see a great number of people fishing, sorting through scallop shells, and going about their everyday lives. Despite the lack of tangible prosperity, there was a significant lot of and true sense of community.

Each of the islands we went to was completely untouched, and it was a fantastic experience overall. On every island, there were people who were the friendliest you could ever meet, palm, and water that was pristine and crystal clear. We swam, rested, and lazily enjoyed the day as we traveled from one island to the next. While on the island-hopping tour, you will have the opportunity to visit a great number of different places. Cabugao Gamay is one of our favorites since it includes a little trail that visitors may walk along to get a picture-perfect view of Gigantes Island. Today, Gigantes is steadily becoming more well-known among people.

 

Camping in Gigantes

When we went camping in Gigantes, we had the most exciting time of our lives! We set up our tent right next to the ocean, and the soothing sound of the surf helped us to sleep each night. The tent, as well as the food of fresh provisions to the island, were both given to us by our guide at the time. We had a wonderful time swimming in the early hours of the morning beneath the clear night sky. You shouldn’t arrange out on this trip by skipping it just because you don’t have the chance to do so.

 

Getting to Gigantes Island

People who are considering visiting Iloilo usually ask about the best way to get to Gigantes Island. Although the Roxas City Airport is the most convenient for getting to Gigantes, you can also get flights to Iloilo, Kalibo, and even Caticlan (gateway to Boracay) from there.

There are two gateways to Gigantes Islands. You can get there either through Bancal Port in Carles or the Port in Estancia.

Because motorized boats to and from the islands only run once each day, you have the option of either hiring or chartering a pump boat to take you to the port so that you may make it on time for your flight.

From the Roxas airport, take a trike (tuk-tuk) to the van/bus terminal. Take a vehicle headed to Estancia but make sure you alight the bus/van at Balasan, before you reach Estancia Town proper. After that, you can make your way to Bancal Port, where you will be able to get on a boat that will take you to Gigantes Norte. The time spent on the boat ride is approximately 1 hour and 15 hours.

Carles is one and a half hours away from Roxas City, while three and a half to four hours away from Iloilo City

 

Via Estancia to Gigantes

Despite the fact that it takes a little bit more time and effort to get there, this route is substantially more popular than traveling via Carles. From the Roxas airport, you will need to take a trike (tuk-tuk) to go to the terminal. Take the van/bus to Estancia Terminal, and after you get there, walk to the port, where you can depart your journey to the islands.

 

Travel Tips

• Always remember to bring along some mosquito repellant.
• Even if there are a few sari-sari shops in the area where you may buy snacks and beverages, you should still bring your own with you. The vast majority of people make sure they have enough of this before leaving the port area.
• When arranging travel plans, keep in mind that the boat that travels from Bancal Port to the islands only departs once each day.
• Due to the location’s relative isolation, you should bring some fundamental first aid equipment. Bring the necessary, such as pills for your stomach, just in case the seafood doesn’t agree with you.