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| from the view deck of Cabugao Gamay |
Gigantes Islands or Islas de Gigantes is a group of islands and islets in northernmost part of Iloilo province under the jurisdiction of the town of Carles. The two biggest islands are Gigantes Norte and Gigantes Sur.
How we get there?1. From Manila we booked our flight to Iloilo City. They said if you are coming from Roxas City, Estancia Port is nearer than from Iloilo City but we missed this details and we booked Manila-Iloilo City.
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| arrival at Iloilo International Airport |
2. From Iloilo International Airport we rented a van for 600 pesos to Tagbak Terminal, travel time is less than 30 minutes. There are passenger vans available for 50 pesos/head going to SM Iloilo City and there are also taxi for hire.
3. From Tagbak Terminal we rode a van for 150 pesos/passenger for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes ride going to Estancia Terminal.
4. From Estancia Terminal get a tricycle going to Estancia Port for 10 pesos/head for less than 10 minutes ride.
5. From Estancia Port you can charter your own boat if you arrived past 2 PM going to your resort's accommodation because there's only one trip of passenger boat daily and leaves at 2 PM. Boat rental is ranging from 2500 - 3500 pesos. For our group we availed a package that boat transfers are included.
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| Port of Estancia |
Day 1
9AM ETD Manila to Iloilo City
10AM ETD Iloilo Airport
10AM - 6PM Travel time / lunch / waiting time
6 PM Estancia Port to Gigantes
8 PM onwards Check-in at MJ resort / dinner
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| while waiting for our boat going to Gigantes |
7AM Breakfast
8AM - 3PM Island Hopping / Swimming / Snorkeling / Lunch
3PM Check-in at Antonia beach (tent)
4PM - 6PM Kayaking / Snorkeling
7PM onwards Dinner / Smirnoff time :D
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| lunch by the beach at Cabugao Gamay Island |
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| Tangke - a salt water lagoon during low tide |
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| Kayaking at Antonia beach |
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| spelunking |
7AM Breakfast
8AM - 6PM Island Hopping
6PM Check-in at MJ beach resort
7PM onwards Dinner
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| on our way to another island hopping trip |
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| relaxing at Balbagon Island - the only island in Gigantes that has Globe 3G network |
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| a solar powered lighthouse in Gigantes Norte |
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| on top of Gigantes Norte lighthouse |
6AM Breakfast
7AM Back to Estancia Port
8:30AM ETD Estancia Port
11AM ETD
11:30AM - 12:30PM Jaro Cathedral / Biscocho House for pasalubong and lunch
3:45PM ETD Manila (delayed flight)
6PM ETA Manila
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| Jaro Cathedral, Jaro Iloilo |
700 Cebu Pacific round-trip promo fare
50 Taxi fare Shaw - NAIA Terminal 3 (group of 4)
3000 4D/3N Package (boat transfers, accommodations, island
hopping, 8 meals, entrance fees and unlimited coffee and
milo, snorkeling gears)
100 Van rental Iloilo Airport-Tagbak Terminal (600/6)
100 Batchoy and puto for lunch
300 Van fare Tagbak Terminal - Estancia Terminal v.v
20 Trike Estancia Terminal - Estancia port v.v
150 Kayak rental
200 Iloilo Airport Terminal fee
482 Pasalubong
7 jeep Tagbak Terminal - Jaro Cathedral
7 jeep Biscocho House - SM Iloilo City
70 Van fare SM Iloilo City - Airport
841 Miscellaneous (groceries, guide tip, some snacks, fares
back home etc.)
6,027 TOTAL
For package Tours I would highly recommend Gigantes island Tour and Services. They served delicious and comforting food not to mention it's overflowing and coffee and milo are unlimited, they happily granted our request for our vegan friend, thanks to Inday Nancy and family who patiently prepare our food on the boat even while sailing and at dusk, they also have very helpful guides Kuya Don and 'Jet Li' who always look after to our safety, little Bart was cute and entertaining and Reth was constantly checking on us if we are okay. On behalf of my group, we thank you for accommodating us. I even wonder if they get enough profit from it because they are generous enough in terms of food. For inquiries you may contact them on their Facebook or call/sms 09157595000 or 09989816812.
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I forgot the local name of the chicken, scallops and green veggies dishes
but they are really yummy.
Namit gid!!!
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nice blog Ems!
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