I must admit that I still need to discover more of the 7,600++ islands of the Archipelago, but last year, I can say that I have been in one of the best island destinations that the Philippine has to offer.
A group of Islands called Islas de Gigantes most popularly known as the Gigantes Group of Islands.
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The Islas de Gigantes Poster Island: Cabugao Gamay[/caption]Part of the province of Iloilo off the coast of Carles, we went to the Islands on a trip tailored by Las Islas Travel and Tours all the way from Capiz.
We were so happy to be hosted by Las Islas Travel and Tours as they are the only DOT accredited tour operator in the Gigantes Group of Islands, this means that we are in good hands (details on how to reach them at the end of the blog).
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Fishermen and traders at the Carles port[/caption][caption id="attachment_4912" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Our boatman from Las Islas Travel and Tours[/caption][caption id="attachment_4908" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Leaving the port area and off to a new adventure[/caption][caption id="attachment_4903" align="alignnone" width="800"]
A boat reminding us our location in the Philippines ^^[/caption]On our boat ride to Cabugao Gamay where we will stay at Maruja Flora’s Island Resort we already had a glimpse of the several Islands we will be visiting. These islands are, Cabugao Dako, Bantique Sandbar, Anotnia Beach, Gigantes Norte Island, Bantique Sandbar, Pulupandan Island and Tangke Lagoon.
CABUGAO GAMAY ISLAND
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Even from the shore, you can easily see how clear the waters are[/caption][caption id="attachment_4886" align="alignnone" width="800"]
My friend @jelitodeleon admiring the island through his lens. Check out his photos at www.jelitodeleon.com[/caption]When we arrived at Cabugao Gamay, I was so surprised when they told us that we will stay there. This island looks like PARADISE. Imagine, you have a beach on both sides. Like an island sand bar (hmmm just look at the photos to understand what I am saying). No wonder it is the POSTER-ISLAND.
Though it lacks the convenience of most hotels, our accommodation is perfect to experience life in the island.
The most famous thing to do in the island is to climb one of the limestone hills and have a view of the whole island and islands near it from the top. Because we technically lived there, we had a chance to experience this beautiful view early in the morning and just before sunset.
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yheap! We climbed that hill during sunrise and sunset.[/caption][caption id="attachment_4888" align="alignnone" width="800"]
The breathtaking view from the top of the hill[/caption][caption id="attachment_4881" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Because everyone needs a selfie here. hahaha[/caption]Though we only have a day to hop around the islands, I felt it was enough to at least get introduced to them.
GIGANTES NORTE ISLAND
First stop was the Barangay-Island called Gigantes Norte Island. While walking on the shore, we saw hills of scallop shells by the beach. It was the first time I saw such a thing. At some point we were actually walking on scallop shells.
We explored the town riding a motorbike aka ‘habal-habal’ and went first to the abandoned light house (dramatic photo time—lol).
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Mountains and mountains of shells can be found along the shore of the beach[/caption][caption id="attachment_4889" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Mode of transportation: HABAL HABAL!![/caption][caption id="attachment_4898" align="alignnone" width="800"]
On our way to the light house.[/caption][caption id="attachment_4897" align="alignnone" width="800"]
One of the main attraction in the island is the abandoned lighthouse.[/caption]Walking around the area, we saw kids selling several crafts made from shell, they said they are using the money they earn as allowance for school. I love that this village doesn’t look so commercialized but at the same time, residents can also benefit from its tourism potential.
Our last stop for our land tour was the Bakwitan Cave. At first, I was not really keen to visit the cave as in the previous trip we had (in Antique), we got a bit traumatized with the number of hiking/trekking we did, but of course, I have to say yes to adventure or else I will leave this place thinking what if. To our surprise, the trek to the cave wasn’t that hard, and maneuvering inside the cave was easy to average in difficulty.
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At the mouth of Bakwitan Cave.[/caption][caption id="attachment_4899" align="alignnone" width="800"]
We met a young girl selling little turtles made from small shells.[/caption][caption id="attachment_4894" align="alignnone" width="800"]
A small sari-sari store, which also serves as a souvenir shop and apparently a printing shop.[/caption][caption id="attachment_4895" align="alignnone" width="800"]
We saw him eating a wasay wasay (some kind of a hybrid between an oyster and a mussel). He offered us to have a little taste ^^. YUM[/caption]TANGKE LAGOOD
Our visit was perfect. The Tangke Lagoon was closed for rehabilitation and was finally opened a few days before we arrived. Though going to the lagoon was challenging and scary, the view inside was totally worth it. The place was like our own private natural swimming pool. Easily my favorite.
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The access to the Tangke Lagoon (the current was so strong that our boat can't dock properly)[/caption][caption id="attachment_4891" align="alignnone" width="800"]
The lagoon was rehabilitated and we were among the first to visit it.[/caption][caption id="attachment_4890" align="alignnone" width="800"]
one of my favorite spots in the whole Gigantes Group of Islands[/caption]CABUGAO DAKO ISLAND
Cabugao Dako, which means directly translates as Cabugao Big, got its name as a comparison to Cabugao Gamay. Here, you can swim, snorkel and even cliff dive (which it is famous for). Me and my friend Hannah, chose to cliff dive while the rest of our friends enjoyed the blue waters.
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A limestone formation at the edge of the island where my friend Hannah and I cliff dived.[/caption]ANTONIA BEACH
Antonia Beach is the most developed resort in the group of islands. You can even rent as snorkel here. From a far, it looks like a real resort with colored flags all over the beach. Just like Cabugao Gamay, it is also in between 2 limestone hills creating a beach on both sides of the island.
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The closest to a commercial beach that the Group of Islands can offer.[/caption][caption id="attachment_4882" align="alignnone" width="800"]
The view from the top of one of its hills[/caption]BANTIQUE SANDBAR
Bantique Sandbar, a huge sand bar right across Cabugao Gamay. What we did there? Hmmmm play on the sand and watch the sun – almost – set. They said it is better to visit the sand bar when the sun is still high, this way, you can see it shining really white.
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A long stretch of sand bar.[/caption][caption id="attachment_4879" align="alignnone" width="800"]
It was very hypnotizing to see how these waves intersect each other.[/caption]After the Bantique Sandbar, we went back to Cabugao Gamay and watch the sunset properly there. It was magical. I said this so many times already, THE PHILIPPINES HAS THE BEST SUNSET IN THE WORLD.
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Sunset in the Philippines is just L O V E[/caption]PULUPANDAN ISLAND
One interesting island we passed by was the Pulupandan Island. An island with a single coconut tree in the middle. Yheap, like the emoji.
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Can be a poster of the quote: NO MAN IS AN ISLAND[/caption]Aside from the obviously beautiful islands and hypnotic crystal blue waters, one of the highlights of our trip was the overflowing scallops! 1 peso a piece! Yes! You can have a scallop party in the island! We also tried a hybrid of a mussel and an oyster called the wasay-wasay (it looks like an alien but definitely tasty).
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Island breakast[/caption][caption id="attachment_4874" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Imagine, 1 scallop for 1 peso waaaaah!!![/caption][caption id="attachment_4885" align="alignnone" width="800"]
More wasay wasay guys?![/caption]Book This Tour with Las Islas Travel and Tours
Mobile:0917-709-3856 / 0939-534-0828 / (036) 521-0725
Email: info@lasislas.ph
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Pueblo de Panay, Roxas, Capiz, Philippines
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