Islas de Gigantes | Antonia Island

ISLAS DE GIGANTES | Antonia Island

Gigantes Group Of Islands In Photos Virtual Tour

Yet another Twin Beach to explore, adjacent to the bigger Gigante Sur Island. As per our guide, Antonia (An-to-ni-ya) Island is actually private, whose local ownership has been passed on from generation to generation. We paid entrance for Php 20.00 per head, though without any resort or large imposing edifice, there is a small house place just before the rocky hill and a little hut (kubo) for Sari-Sari store. Like the main islands of Gigante Norte and Gigante Sur, electricity is somewhat a challenge, but the Sari-Sari store sells all sorts of refreshments including beer to visitors as they are kept cool with ice. Yet another realization, as there were mounds of Scallops shells along the beach, this can be a perfect Island to camp.

Surprisingly, this island is the location set for snorkeling. Though on this day, I did snorkel, the water wasn't as clear as I wanted it to be, probably because the high tide is starting to subside. Towards the center of the beach and its shoreline, the sand is very fine, but its turns to pebbly on both corners, with crushed sea shells and debris an inhabited island like this would have, yes I'm reffering to a handful of garbage. It's not very much though, as it seems to me, with the mounds of scallops shells, of dried coconut leaves kept out of the way, the island is clean and well kept by the caretakers.

There are tables and chairs set under the shades of coconut trees. The relative peace is relaxing, as you can have a bottle of beer while being caress by the winds blowing past the beaches. The twin beaches are a long stretch of romantic settings.

It had been a long hot day, though I choose to get on just a few of the islands, Antonia is the only one that had the offering of snorkeling. On my arrival here, there were many snorkelers floating just a few meters from the beach, distinguishable in their reflective orange life vest. Guest can enjoy fish feeding, as the fishes are a vast array of colorful aquarium species, the corals are widespread, with some anemones and resident clown fishes.

Fish feeding is an enjoyable activity that I've first done few years back in some of my trips in Palawan. But its something I had stopped doing after learning that the seemingly innocent bait to attract the fishes can actually destroy the ecosystem. Our guide was swimming with us, and I didn't really expect that he'd bring some leftover food to draw fish, too late when I was already in the waters, just decided to have a word with him afterwards. Perhaps my blogging would help spread the word, beautiful are the Gigantes Islands, but it's as fragile as the ecosystem that it supports.

On The Map

Isla de Gigantes group of islands comprises mainly of Gigante Norte and Gigante Sur as its major volcanic islands with scattering of islets around it. Located in the western part of the Visayan Sea and approximately 18 kilometers Northeast off the mainland of Panay. The islands belong to the political domain of Municipality of Carles, Iloilo Province.

Check out my post for: Isla de Gigantes

Island hopping

• ISLA DE GIGANTES | Bantique Island Sandbar
• ISLA DE GIGANTES | Cabugao Gamay Island
• ISLA DE GIGANTES | Tangke Natural Pool
• ISLA DE GIGANTES | Antonia Island 

Feature post

• ISLA DE GIGANTES | North Gigantes Medium Lighthouse
• ISLA DE GIGANTES | North Gigantes Medium Lighthouse Part II Sunrise

From ShutterMix

• Sunrise On Rain Clouds from Isla de Gigantes 

Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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