Gigantes Island Hopping
Gigantes Islands, also called Islas de Gigantes, is a remote group of islands in the northernmost part of the province of Iloilo. With little traces of commercialization, Gigantes is one of the best places where you can experience the pristine charm of real island life.
It only takes about 1.5 to 2 hours going to Gigantes Norte (the main arrival port) from the nearest jump-off ports, which are in Carles and Estancia. The white sand beaches, beautiful caves and rock formations, and abundance of marine life are impossible to miss as you approach Gigantes on a boat.
A total of 10 islands compose Gigantes Islands. There are affordable island tours available so you can easily explore the charming islands of Gigantes in a day or two.
For instance, a two-day-one-night package tour costs only Php 3,550 for three people. It includes a private boat, a tour of 6 islands, one night accommodation, entrance fees and environmental fee, meals, and motorbike rides. As you go around the islands, you can enjoy activities like snorkeling, cliff jumping, trekking, spelunking, visiting the old Spanish lighthouse, sunrise and sunset watching, relaxing at an island resort, and, of course, a lot of picture-taking!
This feature appears in the December 2017 issue of Philippine Primer Japanese magazine.