Standing on the Shoulders of Gigantes: A Third Return
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
