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| Cabugao Gamay or Mini Boracay. (Photo by Gregg Manalo) |
Gigantes Islands form part of the municipality of Carles in Iloilo. It is composed of two big islands, Gigante Norte and Sur and several islets where pristine and unspoiled white sand beaches are mostly found.
Accommodations are very few on these islands and they offer very basic services. 24-hour electricity and water supply are some of the challenges that residents and visitors encounter while staying on these islands.
Resort owners and residents switch to solar panels and generators to power their appliances. Hence, you might need to take power banks to continuously replenish the battery life of your cellphones. Hence, you will have to forget for awhile your wifi and social networking sites once you step on the islands.
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| Lantangan to Stance Ferry and vice versa. (Photo by Gregg Manalo) |
How to Get to Las Islas De Gigantes
1. Take a Plane to Roxas City
Although there is an option to use Iloilo Airport as your jump-off point, but Roxas City seems to
be the nearer, faster, and more convenient way. Local airlines regularly fly to Roxas City; check
their websites to book for possible flights. Choose the early morning flights (latest 10:00 AM) so
you could catch the 13:00 Ferry from Estancia to Langtangan.
Although there is an option to use Iloilo Airport as your jump-off point, but Roxas City seems to
be the nearer, faster, and more convenient way. Local airlines regularly fly to Roxas City; check
their websites to book for possible flights. Choose the early morning flights (latest 10:00 AM) so
you could catch the 13:00 Ferry from Estancia to Langtangan.
2. Hire a Van (1,200-1,500 each way) or take a bus (Php 86.00 each way) from Roxas City to Estancia.
There is a van station located just across the airport. If the driver charges more than 2,000 pesos,
proceed to the tricycle station just outside the airport. Tell the tricycle driver to take you to the van
station that goes to Estancia. You can either hire a van or if you're not in a hurry, just pay the
regular pay. Hiring the van is definitely faster. The van is also faster than the bus. I suggest taking
the van so you could catch the ferry going to Langtangan. There is only ONE ferry schedule from
Estancia to Lantangan which is at 13:00.
On your way back from Lantangan, you will need to rent a tricycle (Php30.00) from Estancia Port
to the Van/Bus Terminal going to Roxas Airport. Again, i suggest taking the van.
There is a van station located just across the airport. If the driver charges more than 2,000 pesos,
proceed to the tricycle station just outside the airport. Tell the tricycle driver to take you to the van
station that goes to Estancia. You can either hire a van or if you're not in a hurry, just pay the
regular pay. Hiring the van is definitely faster. The van is also faster than the bus. I suggest taking
the van so you could catch the ferry going to Langtangan. There is only ONE ferry schedule from
Estancia to Lantangan which is at 13:00.
On your way back from Lantangan, you will need to rent a tricycle (Php30.00) from Estancia Port
to the Van/Bus Terminal going to Roxas Airport. Again, i suggest taking the van.
3. Take a Ferry (3 Sisters J) from Estancia to Langtangan (Fare: Php 75.00/head).
Schedule: Estancia to Lantangan – 1:00 PM
Lantangan to Estance – 8:00 AM
Activities
There is no night-life on the Island except probably for videoke singing in select resorts which is only allowed until 22:00. However, there are a lot of nature-related activities in the area.
1. Island Hopping
The most popular activity in the area and the very reason why you should come here. My very own island hopping experience is well-documented in the entry entitled, Las Islas De Gigantes: Island Hopping at Its Finest.
2. Snorkeling
Forms part of island hopping so make sure you tell your guide to direct you where you can snorkel.
3. Trekking to Boulevard
According to the locals, it will take approximately three hours to reach the summit of the cliff so
better ready your hydration supply, flashlight, and emergency kits. Local guides from your resort
may be tapped for a minimal fee (a tip would suffice if you're staying at 3 Sisters J).
4. Cliff Jumping
If you want to experience adrenaline rush, you might want to experience cliff jumping. The most
popular is the one just at the entrance of the famous Tangke.
5. Spelunking
Pawikan Cave is the most popular cave in the area, but there are smaller ones that you can also
explore.
6. Fishing
You can arrange this with your resort.
Where to Stay
There is no night-life on the Island except probably for videoke singing in select resorts which is only allowed until 22:00. However, there are a lot of nature-related activities in the area.
1. Island Hopping
The most popular activity in the area and the very reason why you should come here. My very own island hopping experience is well-documented in the entry entitled, Las Islas De Gigantes: Island Hopping at Its Finest.
2. Snorkeling
Forms part of island hopping so make sure you tell your guide to direct you where you can snorkel.
3. Trekking to Boulevard
According to the locals, it will take approximately three hours to reach the summit of the cliff so
better ready your hydration supply, flashlight, and emergency kits. Local guides from your resort
may be tapped for a minimal fee (a tip would suffice if you're staying at 3 Sisters J).
4. Cliff Jumping
If you want to experience adrenaline rush, you might want to experience cliff jumping. The most
popular is the one just at the entrance of the famous Tangke.
5. Spelunking
Pawikan Cave is the most popular cave in the area, but there are smaller ones that you can also
explore.
6. Fishing
You can arrange this with your resort.
Where to Stay
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| The group together with the hospitable owners of 3 Sisters J Homestay. (Photo by Gregg Manalo) |
1. 3 Sisters J Homestay
Contact Person: Evelyn Robles : 09477871690
Cost of Stay without Island Hopping: Php 250.00/person
If your main purpose for travelling to Las Islas De Gigantes is island hopping and swimming in various areas, this is one place which I can strongly recommend. The accommodation is very basic like in all resorts in the area, but it has one great advantage. Not only that the ferry boat from Estancia Port will dock you directly here, the owners who happen to be the operators of the Ferry know the entirety of the different islands that comprise Las Islas De Gigantes.
If you opt to arrange island-hopping tour with them, you will pay the following fees including food, one-day island-hopping tour, and accommodation. Great deal!
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| View of the Bay from 3 Sisters J Homestay. (Photo by Gregg Manalo) |
Php 1,500/per head (minimum of 15 persons)
Php 1,800 per head (minimum of 10 persons)
Php 2,500 per head (for two persons)
2. Antonia's Island Beach Resort
Contact Numbers: (0919) 268-58-96
(0908) 616-42-62
3. Pawikan Beach Resort (www.pawikanresortatislagigante.com)
Contact Numbers: (0907) 086-34-87; (0909) 396-15-66; (0915) 661-7118
Contact Persons: Nestor or Nanette Alonzo; Nikki Alonzo
Amenities: Air conditioned cottages
Function Room
Restaurant
Souvenir Shops
Free Breakfast
Free Wifi
4. Maruja Flora's Island Paradise Resort
Contact Number: (0939) 9212456
Contact Person: Maruja Bolivar-Reyes
5. Phamrhel's Resort
Contact Number: (0918) 2844137
Contract Person: Amerind Bung-ao
NOTE: Please contact the Resort you will be staying with and ask for assistance regarding ferry rides.
2. Antonia's Island Beach Resort
Contact Numbers: (0919) 268-58-96
(0908) 616-42-62
3. Pawikan Beach Resort (www.pawikanresortatislagigante.com)
Contact Numbers: (0907) 086-34-87; (0909) 396-15-66; (0915) 661-7118
Contact Persons: Nestor or Nanette Alonzo; Nikki Alonzo
Amenities: Air conditioned cottages
Function Room
Restaurant
Souvenir Shops
Free Breakfast
Free Wifi
4. Maruja Flora's Island Paradise Resort
Contact Number: (0939) 9212456
Contact Person: Maruja Bolivar-Reyes
5. Phamrhel's Resort
Contact Number: (0918) 2844137
Contract Person: Amerind Bung-ao
NOTE: Please contact the Resort you will be staying with and ask for assistance regarding ferry rides.
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