Tag: Iloilo

A Day Tour to Carles: Budget-Friendly Island Escapades

A Day Tour to Carles: Budget-Friendly Island Escapades

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Have you heard of Carles?  This town is 147 kilometers away from Iloilo City but fortunately I made it round trip just to visit the islands. It was possible but well, forget about the slow trips I wanted after my retirement! The islands have been elusive to me, though I have visited the town few years back for a DIY Sicogon Island cruise and Mt. Opao trek.  The province of Iloilo has still a lot in store for adventure.

At first, I thought I need to stay overnight in the town, it was fortunate I came across a day tour package to the islands and the deal was purely cost saving!  It means waking up at 4am for the long trip, it was fine though we arrived at Bancal port before 8am which was just right for the 830am meet up.  😊 The weather was downcast, they said cruises to the islands were cancelled in the past days. Again, it was perfect timing that cruises were back after clearance from PCG on that Saturday!

Sailing in open seas with subdued skies!

We all piled up in our respective boats, I dunno how they arranged the joiners but all were strangers. I chose the second-row seat from the front to protect me from the splashing waves just in case. My seat mates were young couple whom I forgot to ask their names, quiet and pleasant and never rowdy. 😊There was a long wait and the boat finally left past 9am already.

The first stop was in Ojatras Island (Pulupandan), it has white sand beach with clear waters, decorated with unique rock formations. We were given time to explore around and shortly, we left for the next point aiming for Tangke Lagoon. The water was rough as we sailed and docking at the spot was impossible, the waves was turbulent and getting out of the boat with those rock and limestone cliff was just dangerous. The crew asked to skip the lagoon for obvious reasons. 

White beach, clear waters!

We piled up again on our boat and sailed for Antonia Point, having an overtime before lunch so we can have a long and relaxed dining later as the crew suggested. 😊 This small island has a resort, little store for snacks & essentials, and few residents which I think the owner of the establishments.  The long white coast was lined up with coconut trees and there were tables and benches for guests to relax on the beach. It has a good swimming area too with interesting rock formations at end point.  I got the chance to mingle and chatted with the crew and asked if there’s scuba diving in the islands given the blue surrounding waters but there was none. I was wondering why, there was no doubt its depths could offer rich and diverse marine environment for enthusiasts.

Antonia Point

The boat dropped off instead in Bantigue Sandbar after getting a message from their admin that lunch prep was still on-going, as we were heading to Cabugao Sur for that lunch break.  The white sandbar was naked, a stretch of sand long enough for an easy stroll, the waters was clear enough and those waves riveted the shores with flapping sounds.  Each on his own but Emman the friendly guide made the joiners comfortable, randomly offering to take photos for anyone who needs assistance.

Bantigue Sandbar

We finally headed for our lunch to Cabugao Sur but alas, we need to wade waist deep to the shores more than a hundred meters! The sumptuous lunch was waiting, I was more interested of my favorite scallops! 😊 Yes, unlimited scallops – grilled and boiled – so perfect for my cravings.  There were crabs, squid, shrimps and more scallops! Then I happened to sit during our meals with three friendly ladies from Davao City who chatted with me, though they were in another boat.  I think everyone was purely delighted with the abundant food.  😊

The viewpoint in Cabugao Gamay

The famous Cabugao Gamay island was our last hop, I guess the icon of the islands located in the southernmost tip. The white beach on both sides, foliage, some rock formations and that hill to climb up and watch 360° view from the top. They said this viewpoint is known as selfie island, because generally all tourists who got there up will get their photos. I agree it’s a must-see spot but sadly, one is only allowed 5-7 minutes to be there to give way for others.  In the end, we sailed for Bancal Port almost 4pm glad that the weather favored us with waters calm enough for the cruise. But then, we need to leave before the sunset could display its golden hues.

We had a smooth trip back to Iloilo City and was drop off in my hotel past 8pm, the arrangements went fine and that quickie trip to Carles for the islands was a good deal, I guess. By the way, this is an island-hopping trip so be ready to get wet!  😊

Disclosures:

  • There was a myth and common belief that tall human beings believed to be giants lived in the place a long, long time ago thus, the name Isla Gigantes!
  • The Joiners’ day tour costs PhP 1,099.00 per pax inclusive of lunch; round trip aircon van Iloilo City-Bancal Port-Iloilo City costs PhP 700.00 with pick-up and drop off at respective hotel.
  • Accommodations are available in the islands located in Cabugao Sur and Antonia Point
  • Be ready with the essentials – swim wear, dry pack for valuables, sunscreen and water for hydration.

Deep in Anini-y!

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Rock mounds with swim throughs – like tunnels on white sands in Anini-y
Herd of barracudas!
An innocent-looking boxfish…

Sometimes we need to go somewhere, be it on surface or depths,  just to be alone.

Coming to this lowly quiet town in Western Visayas was one of those quirky option after getting low cost airfare to Iloilo, its been some time since I last visited this heritage city.  And being one of my favorite cities, coming again after a long lull was such pure bliss, much more for the depths! I just missed the randomness of going alone on the road.

It is far, secluded, bucolic, lowly and unexploited and in a deeper way held so much attraction to me. It is not in the diving map, diving trips in Panay is unheard of (except the expensive, touristy Boracay) at least for me. Despite challenges again, I arrived late (about 9pm) at the dive resort with my hosts eagerly waiting for me. Leaving home early to catch flight, I was more than twelve hours on the road. The desire was just too great for this surreptitious spell, my gills are utterly dry and my fins itching. The aborted dive plan in Zamboanga needs remedial compensation.

Complicated but not Hard

My DM was no less than the owner of The Divehouse, the initial plan was do an early first dive together with other two divers, but I end up alone with my DM separated from the others. I searched DM AJ’s eyes for an explanation.

“Complicated?” I echoed my answer in wonder. He smiled assuring it’s not a hard dive but somewhat complicated for the newbies, referring to other guests who were just certified recently. So we cruised going west off the town coast, catching a glimpse of the old town church partly hidden from trees. The captain dropped anchors after thirty minutes guided by GPS.

Our first descent was a site they called Mamam which was briefly described by DM AJ as with white sands, rock mounds, swim-throughs and good marine life. I jumped in to follow my DM about two minutes later. Only to find out later he was just checking if we got the right spot, but it was not so we need to abort as he signaled for up!

We made it in our second attempt, we found the shoal as we went deep at 30 meters. It was a small colony of diverse marine life: variety of tropical fish – moorish idol, damsels, midnight snappers, triggerfish, groupers, parrots, sea whips, sponge baskets, sea cucumber, variety of soft corals and more. The highlight of it was the resident school of barracudas – which I found intriguing. They didn’t quickly disappear but swam calmly away, but my DM led me to get an obstructed view behind tangles of whips and soft corals. Watching them swimming coyly among themselves as if relaxing was a wonderful sight, felt like I was in company with them in their abode! We ascend after 45 minutes with my air at 1200 psi, 33.4 meters as our deepest.

I had a long relaxing surface interval – late breakfast alone and long wait for the team with two boatful of other guests who went to Nogas Island. Cruising westward again for my last dive with DM Boy, my mind was racing for more surprises deep down expecting another rich encounter as in the first. They called the site Bao-bao, another unspoiled colony and a deep dive again. We descend through the anchor line slowly mindful of the afternoon current, and indeed it was another display of active and varied marine life. There were surgeons, butterfly, snappers, groupers, angels, banners, breams, anthias, sand perch, unicorns, sponges, soft and hard corals and more. I was amazed of the richness down the flat blue waters, somewhere down it held important dwellings of delicate and precious marine species. The highlight of which is the giant moray eel, it’s head big as coffee cup! I did spend moments just watching the eel in awe, I swear it was the biggest moray I have encountered. I went 32.5 meters as deepest after 45 minutes with 1200psi of air left.  Both dives were in enriched air at 32%.

Treasures Captured

Discovering Anini-y in the depths was a real surprise, a revelation of the richness from this sleepy town in down south of Panay. Sometimes there are events that are just meant to be despite the challenges. There are people that comes our way who become instruments and inspiration for those important moments. The delayed flight, road traffic, late arrival for the transpo, costly taxi trip to the town, costly accommodation – it paid off without doubt! What I witnessed could never be put exactly in this account, it was another priceless encounter and treasures in my heart to keep.

Nogas Island, Anini-y  Church, Siraan Hot Spring.  Just few of reasons to be back in this town’s bosom.  Most importantly, my gills and fins shall ache for its paradise beyond the surface.  Alone, away, somewhere is always a rewarding one. I don’t doubt it anymore.

Travel Notes

1. The town of Anini-y is 81 kilometers from Iloilo City about two hours by land and can be reached by bus or van from Molo terminal.
2. The only diveshop in town is The Divehouse owned and operated by Mr. Boy Saldana with his friendly DMs – AJ and Mike.
3.  Diving in nitrox is available at the Divehouse.

NB. Photo credits to http://www.divehouse.com