Postcard pretty beach at Isla Gigantes

Pristine, turquoise waters, white sandy beach and a rocky outcrop

My Isla Gigantes trip in Iloilo last February was one of the best vacation I had in years! I was unplugged (offline) and was there just to enjoy the sea, go caving and reflect as I started a new decade in my life. One of the hightlights of that trip? Island hopping over several pristine and beautiful white sand beaches in islets with friendly fishes, a sandbar and a lagoon.

Cabugao Dako (kabugao is Hiligaynon for pomelo) is one of the interesting islets that I had visited with a pretty beach at Isla Gigantes. While swimming at the sandbar, I was already intrigued by how it looked: dome like and covered with vegetation, a rocky outcrop jutting out from the sea several meters from the islet and is connected by a beautiful white sand with coconuts growing over the sand.

It was only when we came in closer that its full beauty unfolded. The turquoise water was just so inviting and as one approaches the beach, the corals, just a few feet below the surface were evident. When we did dock, the sand was just white but not as fine as I thought because of pebbles, pieces of corals and shells and other stones. This though didn’t deter me.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to swim because the caretaker wasn’t there (a P50 fee is collected, by the way) that I just proceeded back to Bantigue sandbar.

Very inviting beach with cool waters

View of the rocky outcrop of Cabugao Dako

The white sand beach, clear waters

Coconut palms, balmy afternoon, azure sky

Huge rocks naturally piled at the beach of Cabugao Dako

Cabugao Dako islet as seen from Bantigue Island and sandbar. Taken with a super telephoto lens.

Cabugao Dako is part of the island hopping day tour that is available at Isla Gigantes in Carles, Iloilo. From Iloilo, take a bus to Estancia port and take a motorized outrigger to Isla GIgantes Sur where one can arrange day tours.