The Tourist Gaze

With the conference concluded, my mom and the women’s group she is with have scheduled two more days in Iloilo City for a couple of day trips. The first of which is the island hopping tour in Gigantes Islands. Situated off the coast of Carles town in northern Iloilo, the Gigantes string together a cluster of white sand-beach islands, such as the Pandan and Cabugao Gamay Islands. It’s actually because of this particular trip that I tagged along: I’ve been to Iloilo a couple of times before but haven’t had a chance to go to Gigantes.

Our day starts early with a 3.5-hour drive from our hotel in downtown Iloilo City to Bancal Port in Carles, the main gateway to the Gigantes Islands. From there, we board a boat for a roughly one-hour ride to our first stop: Pandan Island, known for its pristine beach and crystal-clear waters.

Other stops on our itinerary include:

Antonia Beach – Located on the eastern part of South Gigante Island, this secluded beach offers a quiet escape with soft sand and excellent snorkeling opportunities.

Tangke Lagoon – A stunning natural saltwater pool hidden within towering limestone cliffs on the southern side of South Gigante Island. However, since our group consists mostly of senior citizens, we skip docking here, as reaching the lagoon requires a steep rock climb.

Cabugao Gamay Island – Arguably the most iconic of the Gigantes Islands, this small, picturesque island features a white sandbar, making it a must-visit spot for photos.

Bantigue Sandbar – A long, shifting sandbar surrounded by clear turquoise waters, perfect for a short swim or a leisurely walk.

No visit to the Gigantes Islands is complete without indulging in the region’s famed scallops, harvested fresh from nearby waters. Between our visits to Tangke Lagoon and Cabugao Gamay Island, we stop for lunch at MJ Beach Resort on the western side of South Gigante Island. The feast includes an array of freshly prepared seafood dishes—featuring grilled fish, squid, crabs, and, of course, scallops, which are sold here at incredibly affordable prices. It’s a true showcase of coastal Filipino cuisine, offering a taste of Iloilo’s rich marine bounty that delights the entire group.

Despite their increasing popularity in the local travel scene, the Gigantes Islands remain an unspoiled paradise, their dramatic limestone formations and white-sand beaches still retaining a raw, untouched beauty. As the day winds down and we make our way back to Carles, I already find myself longing to return—to explore further, to soak in more of the tranquility, and to once again savor the fresh scallops that make this trip even more memorable.