Antonio Island from Cabugao Gamay
Highlights
Gigantes and Sicogon islands are relatively unknown to international tourists. Gigantes Islands are a group of small islands with white sand beaches that can be visited by day tours. Sicogon Island is a nice island with upscale accommodations that is perfect for a relaxing getaway.
Time of Visit: January 2025
Duration of Visit: Four Nights
Description
The Gigantes Islands are a group of small islands with white sand beaches located at the Northeastern corner of Panay Islands. The water around the islands are turquoise and clear. However, there are no corals which makes snorkeling for colorful underwater creatures a moot point. Still, the islands are worth visiting because the beauty lies above the water.
Sicogon Island is an inhabited island with a couple of resorts. It is one of the few islands in the Philippines where you can have comfort and luxury at down to earth prices (meaning reasonable). If there is a place to absolutely nothing but relax without the crowd, it would be in one of the resorts in Sicogon Island.
These islands are relatively under the tourist radar compared to popular destinations such as Boracay, Bohol and Siquijor to name a few. The base for visiting the Gigantes Islands is the town of Carles. It is still underdeveloped with a limited number of lodging and dining options.
Here we provide the necessary information such as where to stay, how to get there, activities and expenses so that you can successfully plan your visit.
Activities
Gigantes Islands
The popular way to experience the Gigantes Islands is by a day tour. Overnight stays on one of the islands is also offered though our impression was that the accommodation is very basic.
The day tour lasts around six hours with lunch provided. Lunch alone is worth almost half of the the tour cost as it is unlimited rice and scallops (the scallops are on the small size in the Philippines) tours are also offered (we passed on it
There are seven stops during the tour. For us, our stops were:
- Pulupandan Island – a small island with with nice picture taking spots,
- Brgy Lantangan on South Gigante Island for seafood seafood lunch,
- Cabugao Gamay on Antonio Island – the highlight of the tour as it has an Instagram photo spot and clear turquoise water,
- Bantigue Sandbar,
- Antonia’s Beach Resort – a nice clean area with white sand, coconut trees and a snorkeling area (water was silty during our trip so no colorful fish),
- Mini Boracay – skipped this stop as the beach did not really looked anywhere close to Boracay, and
- Tangke Lagoon – nice shallow saltwater lagoon with a cliff jumping spot (not at the lagoon).
Sicogon Island
What you can do on the island depends on which resort you stay. We stayed at Huni Sicogon which has a freshwater pool, bar and restaurant. The pool is large enough to go lap swimming. So if you want to just relax, you lounge by the pool while sipping your beverage of choice.
Besides relaxing at the resort, the island has Mount Opao which can be climbed. Reaching the peak is not easy as the trailhead is not marked and there is no printed information about the hike. You may have to hire a local guide or at least ask around.
The villages around the island are connected by undeveloped roads. So you can visit the villages by walking around the island.
How To Get There
Gigantes Islands
We signed up with Gigantes Islands Tours and Services for the day tour. The boat tour left from Bancal Wharf which is located at the town of Carles. Carles is reachable by public transportation from either Iloilo City or Roxas City.
From Iloilo City, take the Ceres Bus bound for Estancia City. Get off at Estancia Ceres Bus Terminal and get on a jeepney bound for the town of Carles (the jeepneys are waiting at the bus terminal). The town proper is about four kilometers from the wharf. You can only reach the wharf by tricycle from the town proper. There is a Carles bus terminal about 15 minutes walk from the wharf but the buses run irregularly and unreliable, according to our host.
If coming from Roxas City, get on a bus bound for Estancia City at the Roxas City Integrated Transport Terminal. Get off at Balasan Crossing (also referred to as Balasan Junction). You will find some tricycles waiting at the crossing. Do not use them as they would not take you all the way to Carles due to agreed boundary restrictions among tricycle operators.
If you do use a tricycle, you would have to get off at the border between Balasan and Carles and get on another tricycle to Carles. Both tricycles would want to charge you extra because they want it to be a special trip instead of waiting for other passengers.
Instead, just stand on the roadside to wait for the jeepneys that go between Carles and Estancia. The jeepney fare is a lot cheaper than the two tricycle rides described earlier. If, you are staying near the wharf, you have to take another tricycle to take you from Carles to the wharf (again, a special trip and price is subject to negotiation)
Sicogon
Sicogon can be reached by a small plane or by ferry from Estancia Fish Port. The most common and cheaper way is by ferry. There are three pump boat routes, depending on where you want to land on the island. Be aware that there are two Estancia ports shown on Google Maps – Estancia Fish Port and Port of Estancia. The fish port is north of the Port of Estancia.
One route would go to the village of San Fernando, on the island’s West side. The second will land at the Port of Sicogon near the airstrip at the island’s North side. The last route will land somewhere near Buaya Beach to serve the village there and for those staying at Balay Sicogon Resort.
We took the second ferry as this is the resort’s pick-up point for its guests. The ferries only have one sailing per day and leave around 11 AM.
Where To Stay
Gigantes Islands
We decided to stay near the Carles wharf instead of the town proper. We stayed in Carles Tourist Inn by Cadong’s Place. The place is owned and operated by retired municipal worker Mr. Cadong Villanueva and his wife. A very nice couple. The rooms are basic but clean, have air conditioning, private bathrooms and functional Wifi. We saw a couple of more places to stay near the area.
We ate our meals at Keremoto, which is owned and operated by a retired hotel cook. The food was excellent and only a short walk from the main road, just behind Carles Tourist Inn.
If you want more upscale accommodations, there are a couple of resorts in Carles. But they are far from the wharf.
Sicogon
Google Maps shows three places to stay on the island. These are Balay Kogon, Hatch Sicogon and Huni Sicogon. We stayed in Huni Sicogon and could not have been any happier. The only thing missing from this resort is a gym and spa. Otherwise, the freshwater pool, restaurant and pool bar was enough to cater to our needs.
Surprisingly, the restaurant’s menu prices are just a tad higher than comparable sit-down restaurants. The drinks were reasonably priced as well.
How To Get Around
Carles
Carles is a small town. But if you want to explore beyond Carles, you can either take the Carles-Estancia jeepneys or ride tricycles.
Sicogon
There is no public transportation or scooter rentals on the island. You just walk where you want to go.
Expected Expenses
Costs are in PHP. Mostly cash transactions except of Huni Sicogon which accepts credit cards.
Gigantes Islands
Bus from Iloilo to Estancia – 360
Bus from Roxas City Integrated Transport Terminal to Balasan Junction – 110
Jeep from Estancia to Carles – 50
Tricycle – negotiable, initial quote was 200 from wharf to Carles
Gigantes Island Day Tour – 1,099 (lunch included)
Carles Tourist Inn – 1,200 per night (direct booking with Mr. Cadong Villanueva +639078555656)
Sicogon
Ferry Estancia Fish Port to Sicogon – 125 pp one way
Island Environmental Fee – 150 pp
Hini Sicogon – Book With Agoda
Summary
Doing a day tour of the Gigantes Islands is probably one of the best bang for your buck activities that you can do in the Philippines. Sicogon Island offers a peaceful and relaxing island getaway.
Do not miss out on these two destinations that are off the beaten path. If you get tired of being around fellow international tourists during your travels, consider these two alternatives. One or both of them will surely put a smile on your face.