To avoid any hassle, we booked a 2D1N Isla de Gigantes joiner tour via Gigantes Island Tours and Services. After spending our first day in Guimaras, we dedicated the next two days exploring the "island of giants" - a remote group of islands located off the coast of Carles and Estancia towns in the northeastern part of Iloilo, Philippines. From Iloilo City, it will take you around 5 hours to get there.
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| Cabugao Island, Isla de Gigantes |
2D1N Package Inclusions - Php 1,699:
- Private Boat Service from/to Gigantes
- Private 1 night fan room accommodation
- 2 days island hopping = 6 islands to visit plus cave tour
- Full board meals = total of 4 meals
- Environmental fee
- Tour guide fee
- Island entrance fees
- Unlimited Coffee
Day 1: Iloilo City To Gigantes Island & Island Hopping Tour
4:00AM t0 6:30 AM Traveled from Urban Inn to Carles Port (Hotel Pickup Option)
A day before our Isla de Gigantes tour, the van driver from Joroshelly Van Terminal messaged us if we want to avail their hotel pick-up service. Instead of paying 200 pesos fare (if you're coming from the terminal), you will have to pay an additional 50 pesos for the hotel pick-up service. Of course, we availed it since it was the most convenient option.
If you're going to commute to Joroshelly Van Terminal located in Tagbak, make sure to be there before 5pm to catch the first trip. Another option is to ride a bus, but it is not recommended as it will take you around 4 hours to reach Bancal Port, Carles. If you're riding a van, it will take around 2.5 hours to 3 hours only.
6:30 AM t0 8:30 AM Arrived at Bancal Port, Carles
At around 6:30 AM, we arrived at Bancal Port, Carles. Scheduled meet up time is around 8:30AM to 9:00AM, so we had roughly 2 hours to freshen up, eat breakfast, and rest. We had breakfast at a carinderia that offers tapsi meals and coffee.
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| Carinderia at Bancal Port, Carles |
8:30 AM to 9:00AM Meet up at Bancal Port
At around 8:30AM, our tour guide gathered us at the port area with the rest of the joiners. For this tour, there were at least 20 pax joiners.
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| Bancal Port, Carles |
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| Ready for the tour!! |
9:00 AM to 5:00PM Island Hopping
Pulupundan Island
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| Pulupundan Island |
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| We didn't dip at Pulupundan Island because we wanted to look fresh when we take photos at the most photographed spot in Gigantes - the Cabugao Island (they also call it the "Selfie Island"). |
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| Awkward pose here! |
Cabugao Island
True enough, it was the most photographed spot in Gigantes Island. There was a long queue of people who wanted to take a selfie with the Cabugao Island in the background.
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| While waiting for our turn! |
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| Yes, finally! |
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| There are a lot of IG-worthy spots here! |
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| Kunwari bati, pero nag-aaway yan! haha joke! |
Lunch
After touring Cabugao Island, our tour guide dropped us off at our accommodation for lunch.
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| Chicken something. I forgot! haha! |
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| Yum!! |
At around 2PM, the island hopping tour resumed! The next destination was Antonia Beach.
Activities: Banana boat ride (200 each, minimum of 6 heads), Jetski (2000 every 30 minutes)
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| Antonio Beach |
Bantigue Sandbar
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| Too tired to take decent photos? haha here's a groupfie na lang! |
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| Yung totoo, pagod na ako! haha |
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| Last na! |
Islands that we were not able to visit on our Day 1 due to the bad weather condition: Tanke/ Enchanted Lagoon, Puting Baybay Gamay, Balbagon Island
5:00 PM onwards Went back to resort, Dinner, Socials
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| Yey, crabs! |
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| Fishhhh! |
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| Drinking buddies! Thanks for an awesome night guys! |
Day 2: Gigantes Island to Iloilo City, Esplanade, Smallville
We were supposed to go to Pawikan Cave for the spelunking activity, but due to the bad weather condition, it didn't push through. I haven't been feeling well since Day 1 of this trip, so I just really wanna go back to Iloilo City.
8:00AM to 12:00NN: Traveled from Gigantes Island to Iloilo City
12:00NN to 1:00PM: Arrived at Urban Inn, freshened up, rest
1:00PM to 2:00PM: Late Lunch at Netong's
Good thing, our hotel was just walking distance from La Paz market! We had Netong's La Paz Batchoy for lunch!!!
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| Netong's La Paz Batchoy |
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| Tired and HUNGRY! |
3:00PM to 7:00PM: Went back to hotel and SLEPT!
After taking a good rest, we decided to have dinner at Afrique's Italian Restaurant located at Smallville. We passed by Iloilo River Esplanade first, then walk our way to Smallville for dinner. From Urban Inn, it took us only around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the Esplanade via taxi.
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| Iloilo River Esplanade |
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| Strolled along the Esplanade and took pictures of the Iloilo River |
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| Our view from Esplanade |
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| We just used Google Maps to locate Afrique's. It's just around 5 minutes walk from Esplanade |
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| Of course, we had pizza!!!! |
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| ... and CHICKEN! |
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