Why Isla de Gigantes Should Be on Your Iloilo Travel Bucket List

Minimalist composition of Gigantes beach

The first time I set foot in Iloilo was back in 2012. It wasn’t for leisure, so I didn’t get to explore the city much. I visited Plazuela and a few major malls in the city. The main reason I was there was to take a Korean language examination. Still, since I already liked the city of Iloilo, I made time to roam around and enjoy some of its beautiful spots. Unfortunately, I had both limited time and limited funds. Even so, I knew there was more to Iloilo, and if I had the chance to explore further, I could discover more of its beauty and greatness. I believed there would be a second time for me to return.

More than a decade later, I finally had another chance to visit Iloilo when I joined a group tour. I already knew the city was beautiful and the people were wonderful, but I didn’t know they also had a world-class, premium beach destination called Islas de Gigantes.

As the name suggests, it is called the Islands of Giants because of a local legend that giant bones were once discovered there, believed to be larger than human bones. Each island has its own unique features that make visitors happy and excited to explore. I personally enjoyed the scenery and the experience of discovering these natural wonders. Our island-hopping trip lasted the whole day, allowing us to uncover the hidden beauty of the Gigantes Islands. The group of islands can be visited by boat, and hiring a tour guide is necessary to get from one island to another. Here, I want to share my experience of visiting the breathtaking Isla de Gigantes.

1. Antonia’s Island

Powdery white sand and crystal-clear water at Antonia Beach in Isla de Gigantes, Philippines

Let’s begin with Antonia’s Island. I don’t want to play favorites, but this one is definitely my favorite. I just loved its vibe. The sand isn’t as fine and white as other beaches, but it was more than enough for me to appreciate. The rock formations are stunning, and the island is well maintained. Somehow, I felt like I could survive on this island because of its atmosphere.

Tall coconut trees lining the white sandy shores of Antonia Beach in Isla de Gigantes, Philippines

It brought me back to my childhood memories when going to the beach, regardless of its quality, was already such a big deal. Growing up, visiting a beach was considered a luxury, and we never cared much whether it had fine sand or not. At Antonia’s, I felt the same kind of joy. I walked along its sandy shore, climbed the rock formations, and simply enjoyed being there.

2. Bantigue Sandbar

Curved white sandbar surrounded by clear blue waters at Bantigue Sandbar, Isla de Gigantes

Of all the islands we visited, Bantigue Sandbar stood out as the most unique. It’s a long stretch of white sand that only appears during low tide. I had the chance to walk along the sandbar, amazed that it would disappear once the tide rose.

Beside the sandbar, boats were docked waiting to take visitors back after they had finished exploring. Another unforgettable part of Bantigue was the meal we had. They served fresh, delicious seafood right on the island, perfectly timed since we were there for lunch.

Variety of scallops, fish, and shellfish neatly arranged at a seafood stall in Gigantes Islands

I’m not usually a big fan of seafood, but with what Bantigue had to offer, I couldn’t resist. We enjoyed a variety of fish and shellfish at very reasonable prices.

3. Cabugao Gamay

Aerial view of Cabugao Gamay Island with white sand and turquoise waters in Isla de Gigantes, Philippines

Cabugao Gamay is probably the most famous island in Isla de Gigantes. It’s the one you usually see in promotional photos. While undeniably beautiful, I personally think it’s a bit overrated. For me, the experience of being there was more enjoyable than the view from the viewpoint.

View from a hilltop showing both beach and lagoon landscape of Gigantes Islands

What I really loved were the coconut trees scattered around the island, giving us perfect shade from the scorching sun. Cabugao Gamay also has its own unique charm, making it the most Instagrammable island we visited. That’s why it’s also known as the “Selfie Island” of Gigantes.

I also noticed that the sand here seemed finer and whiter compared to the other islands.

4. Pulupandan Island

Tiny Pulupandan Island with a single coconut tree surrounded by turquoise waters in Isla de Gigantes, Philippines

Pulupandan is the simplest of all the islands. There isn’t much to see except a single palm tree, a small nipa hut, and a few shell decorations for photo spots. On very hot days, it might not be the best place to stay long, but its simplicity makes it charming in its own way.

Visitors arriving by boat at Pulupandan Island during an island hopping tour in Isla de Gigantes

The rock formations add character, and the island itself is very clean and well maintained. You wouldn’t even think of throwing trash here because of how pristine it is. The island is so small that you could probably jog around it in under ten minutes. From one end, you can already see the other.

5. Tangke Lagoon

Hidden saltwater lagoon surrounded by steep limestone cliffs in Isla de Gigantes, Philippines

Another favorite of mine is Tangke Lagoon. Unlike the other islands, it doesn’t have white sand beaches. Instead, it offers turquoise waters surrounded by stunning rock formations. What made it even more special were the monkeys roaming freely around, entertaining us as we swam.

The narrow rocky passage leading into the hidden Tangke Lagoon in Isla de Gigantes

Their presence shows that the ecosystem here is still healthy. The water was clear and refreshing, and I had a wonderful time snorkeling and watching the marine life beneath the surface.

So that’s my experience visiting the different islands of Isla de Gigantes. It was a fun and memorable trip that made me fall in love with Iloilo even more.