Third
time's a definite charm. Having visited Gigantes a couple of times before, I've
come to the delightful conclusion that its lure never fades. The islands
scattered here boast crystalline waters and powdery white sands, making them a
perfect backdrop for enjoying a delightful lunch featuring an array of fresh
seafood, including the popular scallops and wasay-wasay shells.
 |
| Cabugay Gamay Island |
After
a couple of days soaking in the beauty of Sicogon Island, we were welcomed
aboard a spacious outrigger boat by the friendly crew Gigantes Island Tours and Services, ready to embark on our island-hopping adventure. Our journey began at
a stunning body of water, embraced by towering karst formations, where the
landscape opens up to the vibrant blue
skies above. They call it Tangke Lagoon.
 |
| Tangke Lagoon from the top obviously |
Shielded
by the rugged cliffs of Isla de Gigantes Sur, Tangke Lagoon hides in a natural
saltwater pool. Other than its spectacular landscape, entering the lagoon
affords you another thrilling experience. Towering razor-sharp passageways
surround it, so a favorable wind and current, along with a balanced tidal
level, are necessary for your boat to dock near the entry and for you to easily
scramble into the rocky path. Trust me, it's all worth it once you make your
way to the lagoon.
 |
| Guests delight swimming in the lagoon's crystal-clear waters |
Following
our stop at Tangke Lagoon, we headed to the most popular island in the group,
Cabugao Gamay. On this island, you'll discover the renowned Instagrammable
spot, perched atop a small boulder hill. This location offers a perfect vantage
point to photograph the island's contrasting shorelines, beautifully framed by
its gentle curves that guide your eyes towards the vibrant greens of the island
and the turquoise waters surrounding it.
 |
| Wow, Cabugao |
As
I basked in the sun, blissfully tanning my skin, I started feeling a gentle
hunger stir within me. That’s why the words of our boatman and guide, Dondon,
sounded to my ears like music when he told us in Tagalog, “Our next destination
is Antonia Beach; that’s where we will have our lunch.”
 |
| LUNCCCHHHHH at Antonia Beach |
What
greeted us on Antonia Beach was a buffet spread filled with the freshest
seafood catch, including the famed 1-peso scallops, wasay-wasay shells, giant
crabs, grilled and steamed fish, as well as other proteins like pork liempo,
roasted chicken, and more, with several fruits for dessert.
 |
| Bantigue Sandbar |
Following
our hearty lunch we rounded off our island hopping around Gigantes, stopping at
a few more islands and the long Bantigue Sandbar, which according to some
elderly locals was where some of Tetchie Agbayani’s Playboy photographs was
shot.
 |
| Powdery sandbar indeed |
Our
companion, Melanie, a seasoned DOT-accredited tour guide with nearly thirty
years of experience, shared that our island-hopping trip merely scratches the
surface of what this group of islands has to offer. “In Gigantes Norte, you’ll
find a lighthouse, and beyond that, you can explore more sandbars and islands
on the other side,” she shares with us.
 |
| We stopped on this island and had a chat with some of the fishermen setting up cages to catch shrimps and squids |
As our boat sped towards Bancal Port in Carles, memories of my first visit to these islands flooded back, where my friends Samantha, Mia, Mayan, and I hopped onto a habal-habal, heading to our charmingly rustic beachfront accommodation. Sleepless from the night before, we whiled the night away over a few shots of Tanduay Rum and spirited conversations before it took us into a wonderful sleep, gently lulled by the cool ocean breezes.
The following morning, I awoke
to the sight of a stunning sun-kissed beach, and it was then that I fully
embraced the allure of island living. So, yes, I'd love to spend more time in
Gigantes North and the other islands here on my next visit. After all, the
fourth time would definitely be charmer.
This is part of a longer article that first appeared on the December 2024 issue of AsianTraveler.
